3 points for a takedown?
Almost falling at 4 points?
High school wrestlers may soon be grappling with new mathematics in their sport.
The National Federation of State High School Association Wrestling Rules Committee met earlier this month to discuss potential changes for the 2024-25 season. The committee is expected to make an announcement later this month.
Among the suggestions was that a takedown would be worth 3 points, and a nearfall would be worth 2 points (2 counts), 3 points (3 counts), and 4 points (4 counts). and the out-of-bounds rule, which allows wrestling to continue with a single point of contact on the mat.
All three changes will be in line with college wrestling rules.
The NJSIAA has consistently adopted rule changes made by the NFHS.
What could happen on the mat through Masso's Banquet Hall in Glassboro as the South Jersey Wrestling Coaches & Officials Association honors the area's best athletes from the past season at its annual banquet Thursday night. Discuss change.
Seneca head coach and Region 7 president Greg Bauer believes the changes will make a positive difference at the collegiate level and will have a similar impact on high school wrestling.
“I know they want to see more scoring to make our sport more exciting. If that helps draw more fans, I'm all for it.” he said.
“That said, part of me is also a traditionalist. Takedown is two and everyone screams 'two woo!' and it just rolls off the tongue.” 3 (points on takedowns in college) was weird at first, but if it helps our sport grow and gets more attention, it's a positive step.
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Bauer said NFHS has sent out numerous surveys to high school wrestling coaches over the years, and many of the recent surveys focused on proposed new rule changes.
Takedown technicians were able to get more production out of their technique, something Camden Catholic head coach Bill Heberly would have salivated over in his college days.
“I wanted that (three-point takedown) rule,” said Heberly, a two-time state runner-up for the Irish. “I always thought there should be more emphasis on takedowns. That extra point is really important.
“I liked (the rules at the university level). It's definitely different, but I thought it was cool.”
“I would be surprised if (NFHS) doesn't move in that direction” with the new rules, Kingsway head coach Mike Balikian said.
“I think it's great for the health of the sport,” he said. “You're trying to get more fans. You go to a high school game, and then you go home and watch a college game on TV, and it's the same sport, but the scoring system is different. There needs to be consistency. I think.”
Not everyone believes change is needed right away.
“I don't think we're ready for that yet,” said Howie O'Neal, NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament Director and South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame President. “This will take away the upper and lower wrestling that high school students enjoy.
“That said, I’m an old-school guy, that’s for sure.”
No matter what the rules are, the game plan for Camden Catholic's Cage Jones, a sophomore who was state runner-up at 157 pounds last month, will remain the same.
“It doesn't matter to me because I just go out and nail people,” Jones said.
“That way you can really focus on your feet. They're more aggressive and looking to score more points, but if you pin them, you win.”
more:Women's Wrestling: 2023-24 All-South Jersey Team
Region 7 and 8 Champions
The South Jersey Wrestling Coaches & Officials Association held its 50th annual banquet Thursday night honoring Regions 7 and 8 and the Girls South Region.
Some of the other awards given out at the event were:
Sportsmanship Award: Paulsboro (Region 7) and Hammonton (Region 8)
Official Award: Ryan Cunningham
Contribution Award: Bill Schwartz
Special Award: Kevin Briles
Marshak Award (Excellence in Hosting): Alan Maloney
Hall of Fame Awards: RJ Honeywell (Shawnee), Roman Onorato (Paulsboro), Vincenzo Angelucci (Collingswood), Chase Bish (Paulsboro), Sean Kerwin (Kingsway)
College Wrestler of the Year: Lucas Levano (University of Pennsylvania), Craig Cook (Millersville), Quinn Kinner (Ryder)
Tom McGuirk is a regional sports reporter for the Courier-Post, Daily Journal and Burlington County Times and has covered South Jersey sports for more than 30 years. If you have a sports story to tell, contact us at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com. Follow @McGurkSports on Twitter. Support local journalism with a digital subscription.
