“We felt this was needed,” said Fairmont coach Frank Baxter, an officer with the state coaches association that has been working on the proposition for two decades.
“We have become a state of huge conferences and huge tournaments and have lost the specialness of a dual meet. This will get us back to duals, which are fun settings with a lot of energy.”
The tournament will count teams who fill at least eight weights and will replace the current state duals held by the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association. The new state duals will begin with regional quarterfinals in late January and progress through a three-stage regional to the final eight at state.
The current state dual teams are based on finish by underclassmen at the district the previous year. Under the new format, seedings will be based on the current year.
“That’s not to say that Graham, St. Ed and Chanel won’t win both state titles,” Baxter said. “But, there are teams that could go on a run and make the regional finals. I think it will create excitement in the schools and the communities.”
In the current format, it is conceivable teams with three or four standouts could win a state title. Those teams will have a harder time advancing through a dual meet format.
“There are some teams that are good dual teams but not great tournament teams,” Baxter said. “It will create excitement for the schools that don’t have two, three or four state qualifiers, but have a really strong overall team.
“I think it will draw more kids into the state. ... There are going to be people who will find setbacks with it, but I think it is a win-win for everybody.”
BEAVERS FINALLY HEALTHY: Beavercreek solidified its spot as the area’s top ranked Division I team last week by beating No. 2 Springboro.
The fact that the Beavers had been able to maintain the top spot for most of the season was remarkable considering the injuries they have endured to key components.
Both returning state placers – Josh Stevens (125) and Tommy Willis (145) — have missed time. Willis, a transfer from Carroll, has been out since the fourth dual of the day at the season opening Elder Duals.
He made his return against Centerville and cruised to a 13-3 win over returning district qualifier Dylan Rinderle.
“It was horrible sitting and watching the team for over a month and not being able to do anything,” Willis said. “I hated it. It felt great to be back on the mat, but the hard thing is getting back in shape.
“I was getting pretty tired, but by district and state, I will be there (in shape).”
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