CIF places penalties on wrestling weight violation

The CIF San Diego Section now has a penalty for wrestlers who complete in a weight class below what their pre-season body assessment allows.

A wrestler who competes in a class below his or her allowed weight division is now prohibited from wrestling in that competition and in the school’s next scheduled competition. If the ineligible wrestler is competing in a tournament, he or she cannot wrestle for the remainder of the tournament as well as in the next scheduled competition. A unanimous CIF Board of Managers voice vote May 1 approved both the first reading and the adoption of the by-law change.

Prior to the season wrestlers are tested for body fat. A minimum wrestling weight is established based on 7 percent body fat for males and 12 percent body fat for females (a wrestler who tests below that body fat may seek a waiver but may not wrestle at a weight class below that of their initial assessment). The sport also has weekly weight loss limits.

In the San Diego Section there had been no penalty for wrestling in a weight below the minimum class allowed. “I think it needs to be there,” Schniepp said.

The CIF’s Coordinating Council recommended approval on a 24-9 vote; the opposition was based on the lack of penalties for a coach who allows such an ineligible wrestler. “The school administrators would be expected to follow up with the coach who is intentionally violating the rule,” Schniepp said.

The issue may return to the Board of Managers with proposed penalties for coaches who violate the policy.