The National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) is considering a change to the existing high school wrestling weight classes. At their wrestling rules committee meeting in 2010, the committee voted to keep the weight classes the same for 2010-2011, but re-evaluate the need for a change again in 2011.  2011 is here, and once again NFHS will soon be voting on a change.

Without continued opposition from the wrestling community, the NFHS may assume that we support a change.  This petition will be continued as long as the NFHS is considering such a change.

Originally the NFHS had 3 proposed options on the table. These options and the rationale for the change can be viewed at: http://www.mpssaa.org/assets/wintersports/wrestling/Proposed%20Wrestling%20Weight%20Class%20Options%20(2009).pdf

It appears that for consideration in 2011 NFHS has narrowed the choice to:

106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220 and 285

This eliminates the current 103 pound weight class which will result in hundreds of wrestlers nationwide finding it more difficult to compete in high school wrestling. Wrestling is one sport where smaller athletes can compete and excel. The NFHS is doing a severe disservice to these athletes by considering the elimination of 103. Over the years the lowest weight class has been raised from 95 to 98 to 103. Raising it again will not solve what the NFHS perceives to be a problem of too many forfeits in the 103 pound class and an uneven distribution of wrestlers in each weight class. The lowest weight class will always have a larger share of forfeits and a lower distribution of wrestlers. There are better approaches to addressing this issue than to eliminate 103.  

If you agree that 103 should not be eliminated, please sign this petition. It will be delivered to the NFHS. Thank you.

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