(Guthrie Center) Last week the Iowa High School Athletic Association Board of Control approved changes to the regional duals qualifying procedure in wrestling. Today we here a reaction from ACGC coach Shawn Danker.
Instead of the top two teams from each sectional sight advancing to regional duals, the sectional champion will qualify plus the next eight highest ranked teams by the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association. “It’s something we had been talking about for quite some time now as coaches. It was something that needed to make a change. I think they are heading in the right direction for sure.”
Another wrinkle into it is that teams can opt out of regional dual consideration, but they must do so before the first competition date. “Sometimes your lineup can change from first competition date and the postseason too, so I’m curious where they came from that time frame, but other than that I think that was about where we were heading as far as coaches and administration.”
No details were given on the format of regional duals now that there will be 24 qualifiers instead of 32.
In terms of the traditional state tournament, all sixteen wrestlers in each weight class will be seeded and the formula has been slightly adjusted. “I don’t think it’s going to make that much of a difference. It’ll all come out in the wash.”
