“Changing Levels” Blog by Dr. Wendy Zito
This season, Alabama Girls’ Wrestling has begun a 2-year pilot program recommended by the Coaches’ Advisory Board and placed into process by the AHSAA. The “Emerging Status”pilot program separates girls’ and boys’ wrestling divisions and prepares Girls’ Wrestling for sanctioning.
By creating the pilot program, the state provides the opportunity for existing girls’ high school teams to grow and for new schools to declare and participate in girls’ wrestling.
Disclaimer:
Review all policies with your coach and athletic director for clarification.
This Blog is for informational purposes only.
Certifying On the Girls’ or Boys’ Rosters
During the 2-year pilot program, Girls must declare whether they will wrestle on the girls’ or boys’ roster. At the start of each season, all girls must take the state-mandated hydration test performed by the independent third-party, Encore Sports. Girls must commit to being on Track Wrestling on the boys’ roster or the girls’ roster. They cannot be on both.
Choice A: Girls’ Roster Certification
If a girl decides to wrestle on the girls’ roster, they will only wrestle girls in dual matches, tri’s, quads, scrambles, tournaments, etc. If a girl chooses to wrestle on the boys’ roster, they will wrestle only boys. They cannot cross back and forth or be listed on both rosters. They will be listed on the girls’ roster for their team on Track Wrestling. There can be no “exhibition” or JV matches of boys vs. girls for girls that have chosen to wrestle on the girls’ roster under any circumstances.
If a girl chooses to wrestle on the girls’ roster, they are not bound by the boys wrestling AHSAA rules. They may participate in unlimited non-AHSAA tournaments and are not limited to two events. To clarify, this option is only for girls wrestling on a girl’s team/roster, not girls wrestling in the boys’ division. Girls that choose the girls’ division cannot participate at sectionals for boys’ state or participate in boys’ state team duals.
Choice B: Boys’ Roster Certification
If a girl chooses to wrestle on the boys’ roster, they will wrestle only boys. They will be listed on the boys’ roster for their team on Track Wrestling. Girls cannot cross back and forth or be listed on both rosters. A girl that chooses to certify on the boys’ roster is bound by all AHSAA boys wrestling rules and cannot wrestle at the Girls’ State Tournament. They are limited to two non-AHSAA events during the season and must abide by all state rules pertaining to outside practices, events, etc.
2-Year Pilot Program and Girls’ State
This “emerging status” is in place for two years, as the Coaches’ Advisory Board recommended and the state accepted. At the end of the two years, growth will determine movement towards sanctioning.
The Coaches’ Advisory Board also recommended that the girls’ state tournament opening rounds be held on Friday, January 19th, at Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama. The finals will conclude at the Birmingham Crossplex in Bill Harris Arena on January 20th in Birmingham, Alabama. Boys State Duals will also utilize the Crossplex allowing the Girls’ State Finals.
The Alabama Girls Wrestling Alliance (AGWA) aims to advocate for girls’ wrestling. We will work with coaches and parents to identify issues, find solutions, and work together to grow girls’ wrestling. We do not have the authority to change state rulings.