Earning a Varsity Spot in Wrestling

First Half of the Season

There are 14 varsity positions, determined solely by weight. In the first half of the season, wrestlers compete in a "wrestle-off" on Monday or Tuesday for their varsity position for THAT week. When there are multiple wrestlers at a weight class, the wrestlers are ranked based on their performance in the previous wrestle-off (first, second, third, fourth, etc). Each week, the lowest ranked wrestler can challenge the next guy up. That winner may challenge the next one up and so forth, up to the number one ranked wrestler at that weight class. This system allows wrestlers to earn a varsity position weekly, regardless of age or class status or previous performance. It also requires the top wrestler to continue to defend his position weekly.

Some weight classes are stable or determined early in the season and no longer require weekly wrestle-offs. Other weight classes remain competitive through the Winter break. Lower-ranked wrestlers can choose NOT to wrestle-off, but the top ranked wrestler must defend his spot if challenged. No one owns a varsity position; they must earn it each week.

After Winter Break

This system changes after winter break, when the focus becomes preparing the best wrestler for his upcoming regional and state competitions. In January there will be no more weekly wrestle-offs. The best competitor at each weight class will continue to compete on varsity. The remaining wrestlers will continue to develop their skills, compete in JV matches, and make the top wrestler the best he can be by providing a solid training partner. Because we have so many competitive wrestlers this year, we will also be putting together Sabino B team to compete Jan. 9 and 10 at the Catalina varsity invitational tournament.

Wrestlers who lose a wrestle-off have the opportunity to wrestle in any JV tournament or meet that week, if the opposing team can provide a wrestler at their weight class. Priority is given based on rank, with the number two wrestler getting the first available match. Sometimes, other teams do not have a wrestler in a weight class, or they have multiple wrestlers in a class. The opposing coaches meet to discuss their lineup and determine the best matches AT THE DUAL. This means that a wrestler can travel to a dual meet expecting to wrestle and end up not wrestling despite the best efforts of his coach. Please understand that Seniors are an exception to this rule, as they are not eligible to wrestle JV per AIA regulations. If a senior loses the wrestle off, we make every attempt to get an exhibition match at the upcoming meet or tournament.

Wrestlers who do not earn a varsity position during a particular week still play a vital role for the team. These wrestlers are important practice partners for their teammates. They also have the opportunity to serve as a backup to the varsity spot. These wrestlers serve as "the bench" for the varsity lineup (unlike, say football, where the varsity team has its own substitutes on the bench each week and a separate JV team). If the number one wrestler at a weight class cannot compete for any reason, the number two wrestler is EXPECTED to take his place. This can happen on very short notice, even during a multi-dual or tournament. Your wrestler may be asked to travel with the team as a substitute or he may be notified at the last minute that he is needed. This should be seen as an opportunity--wrestling varsity is a special and valued experience since there is only one spot available per weight.

Things Change...

For the good of the team

Although wrestling appears to be a very individual competition, it also has opportunities for strategy, designed to achieve team victories. Coaches can weigh-in multiple wrestlers at a given weight class, and decide whom to wrestle based on the competition present or the overall benefit to the team. Coaches can also "bump" wrestlers up one weight class to pick up a forfeit, avoid a pin or match wrestlers with an easier opponent to gain team points. Choices are sometimes made which may not seem to benefit an individual wrestler. There are times when a wrestler is put in to the lineup, knowing that he is not a strong contender. This can be done to avoid giving up 6 team points by forfeit by having the wrestler fill an otherwise empty weight class (If the wrestler competes and loses by less than a pin, the team is better off, even though the individual wrestler has suffered a loss) or it can be done to gain "mat time" for the individual wrestler. Wrestlers are carefully chosen for this job, and they gain valuable match experience that will be useful to them in the long run regardless of the outcome. Emotionally, it is easy to be a winner. We recognize wrestling is a character building experience. We only expect our wrestlers to do their very best at their level of ability and represent the team in a professional manner.

Because of these things, advance notice of an individual wrestler's participation is not possible. The team is a unit and will compete according to the posted schedule. Your individual wrestler will be called upon to compete according to his ability, his rank and immediate team needs. At first, this is a difficult system to understand. I realize that this is not the way other sports function and I am sympathetic to new wrestlers and their parents as they are learning about the unusual traditions and regulations of wrestling. Developing a competitive wrestling lineup several times per week is a very complex task. This is why consistent attendance, early notification of illness/injury/skin infection, judicious scheduling of vacation, and willingness to participate on short notice are so important to the functioning of our team. Please have faith that Coach Brian and I are working hard to ensure that your wrestler has the best possible experience this year.

Coach