Meeting Minutes - 2/17/2024
NCWCA Board Meeting – February 17, 2024 – In Person - Greensboro
All Board Members Present: Heang Uy, Butch Ross, Mark Harris, Byron Sigmon, Tripp Rogers, Ben Watson, Jamie Belk, Jed Cox, Jacob Tutterow, David Perry, Chase Holleman, Billy Baker. Also attending from the NCHSAA were Brad Alford, Assistant Commissioner, Sports, Championships, and Compliance, and Rhonda Dreibelbis, Assistant Commissioner, Sports, and Championships.
Jamie Belk facilitated the meeting.
Realignment + Championships: The meeting began with a discussion about the upcoming NCHSAA realignment and its potential impact on dual team playoffs and the state wrestling tournament. The NCHSAA mentioned that the logistics of realignment are incomplete, and playoffs and championships are being studied through committees and a consulting firm. Brad Alford noted that the number of schools fielding wrestling teams will stay roughly the same in 2025. Matching the number of current state qualifiers (in the 5 tournaments) will be explored, along with other options. The Board expressed its desire to participate in the decision-making process and work together to ensure the state tournament remains in one location.
All-Star Meet and Dead Period Conflict: Uwharrie Charter will host the annual All-Star meet on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The date conflicts with the NCHSAA mandatory February 14 to March 5 dead period. After discussing the dead period conflict, the Board agreed to submit a request to the NCHSAA for a one-time waiver so our team coaches can participate.
Girls Dual Team Championship: The Board asked about the chances of adding a Girls Dual Team Championship in 2025. The NCHSAA monitors the number of teams and individuals participating in girls' wrestling, which has yet to reach the participation required to conduct a dual-team championship. Brad expressed that the chances of a dual-team championship for girls prior to realignment are unlikely. The Board is supportive of a Dual Team Invitational during the regular season, coordinated with the NCHSAA. The Board will appoint a committee to research and suggest a proposal for an Invitational Girls Dual Team Championship in 2024-25.
RankWrestlers / Dual Team Seeding: Coach Belk asked the Board and the NCHSAA if there were any major issues or complaints about RankWrestlers and dual team playoff seeding. An issue with the handbook being inaccurate was discussed and the NCHSAA has since revised it to reflect the current seeding system which utilizes RankWrestlers. The Board would like to continue working with RankWrestlers to improve the system. A couple of issues that were discussed were:
Teams with more than one wrestler ranked in the top eight in the same weight.
Wrestlers who were no longer competing but still reflected in the rankings.
Why RankWrestlers uses the top 11 rather than the top 14 wrestlers.
The issue of counting or not counting duals and individual matches vs. out-of-state teams.
The Board will work with RankWrestler administrator Kirk Briden to review these items and explore possible seeding improvements prior to the 2024-25 season.
State Tournament Officiating: Coach Sigmon asked about exploring using a system of reviewing state tournament officials and shared that South Carolina currently ranks the top ten officials, automatically assigning them to the next year’s tournament. This is something the Board will explore further.
State Tournament Rounds (Friday): Coach Ross asked the Board and state tournament directors to look at the ordering of state tournament rounds on Friday morning. Currently, the 1st round wrestle back winners have one round of rest while the quarterfinal losers do not. The suggestion is to switch the order of these rounds if there’s support behind the idea.
OPC and Track Wrestling: Commissioner Alford asked for the Coaches Association’s help in educating fellow coaches about weigh-in sheets and how to properly use Track Wrestling. Several ideas were introduced, including offering training during the July Coaches Clinic in Greensboro and an online requirement, similar to the current rules session, for coaches to complete before the 2024-25 season. The Board agreed that there are many new coaches, and confusion about rules and procedures in utilizing the OPC is a concern.
When asked, Alford reported the 2025 Boys Dual Team Championships are likely to be in Greensboro.