Meeting Minutes - 2/17/2025

NCWCA Board Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2025 – In-Person – Greensboro

Board Members Present:
Heang Uy, Butch Ross, Mark Harris, Byron Sigmon, Tripp Rogers, Jamie Belk, Jed Cox, Jacob Tutterow, David Perry, Chase Holleman.

NCHSAA Representatives Present:
Brad Alford, Assistant Commissioner, Sports, Championships, and Compliance
Rhonda Dreibelbis, Assistant Commissioner, Sports, and Championships

Facilitator: Jamie Belk

Meeting Discussions

Regional Alternates

The Board discussed the possibility of allowing regional alternates to replace wrestlers who scratch in a regional tournament. The NCHSAA raised concerns about athletes making weight, traveling, and missing school without a guaranteed opportunity to compete. A suggestion was made to implement a 32-person regional bracket as a solution. However, the NCHSAA cited precedent that postseason events are not designed to guarantee entry for all athletes. The Board will revisit this issue later.

Rank Wrestlers / Dual Team Seeding

The Board reviewed the use of Rank Wrestlers for seeding the boys’ dual championships. The consensus was that this method is preferable to pre-assigned playoff brackets. It was noted that after the seeding cutoff, a 48-hour window should be allowed for the algorithm to run. This would help prevent last-minute dual entries on TrackWrestling from affecting a team’s Rank Wrestler score.

Realignment and Championships

The Board has submitted a proposal for the state championships to remain in Greensboro. The decision is pending finalization of realignment by the NCHSAA. Once realignment is complete, the state will begin finalizing championship formats for all sports, including wrestling.

Girls Wrestling

  • Girls Dual Team Championship: The Board inquired about the possibility of a Girls Dual Team Championship. The NCHSAA is monitoring participation numbers, which have not yet met the threshold required to establish such a championship. The Board requested clarification on the specific number of athletes needed to qualify as a dual team. The NCHSAA stated that this issue extends beyond girls' wrestling and expects to determine an official number soon.

  • Classification for Girls Wrestling: The NCHSAA plans to use roster numbers from the 2024-25 season to establish five classifications for girls’ wrestling before the start of the 2026 season. The Board expressed concerns about equitable classification, particularly for smaller schools.

  • Regional Seeding Concerns: The Board raised concerns about top regional seeds advancing primarily due to forfeit wins.

  • Mixed Teams Rule: The NCHSAA confirmed that current state law requires boys’ and girls’ wrestling teams to be “mixed.”

  • Girls Dual Invitational: The Coaches Association will again assist in organizing the Girls Dual Tournament in 2026, using a dual-team bracket on TrackWrestling. Improvements will include enhanced communication to ensure all teams are aware they can opt in.

Coaches Education

The Board discussed concerns about the need for additional training for coaches, particularly new coaches, in using TrackWrestling for weight management and match results. A suggestion was made to create a required NFHS course, like the Pole Vault coaching course, to be completed through DragonFly. Currently, a TrackWrestling tutorial video is available, but training is not mandatory.

JV Matches Affecting Regional Records

There have been instances of JV matches impacting varsity regional records. The NCHSAA committed to working with TrackWrestling to resolve this issue.

Board Elections

Board elections will take place this summer. Coaches must pay their annual dues to be eligible to run for a Board seat. The Board will also nominate a Vice President.

Board members up for re-election:

  • Jamie Belk

  • Jed Cox

  • Jacob Tutterow

  • Byron Sigmon

  • Billy Baker

  • The seat formerly held by Coach Ben Watson will also be up for election.

Fall Wrestling Coaches Clinic

Coach Matt Dunn has proposed organizing a fall wrestling coaches’ clinic in North Carolina. The Board expressed strong support for this initiative and will begin planning during the summer meeting.

Mark HarrisComment