On October 1, AHSAA coaches can message Encore Sports to schedule their wrestlers’ mandatory state hydration tests. Encore is an independent third party that contracts with the AHSAA to provide this service. They will have multiple October and November dates and locations throughout Alabama for testing. All male and female wrestlers must pass a hydration test to compete this season. If an athlete is not listed on Track Wrestling, they cannot compete in any AHSAA matches.
One of the major changes to the hydration test process is that girls must choose to certify on the girls’ roster or the boys’ roster. This change is part of the “Emerging Status” as girls’ wrestling grows towards sanctioning. This allows a separation of girls’ and boys’ wrestling similar to other sports such as girls’ and boys’ basketball (golf, bowling, etc.) For sanctioning, AHSAA guidelines require the separation of girls’ and boys’ competitions just as it does for other sports.
The certification process will be part of the hydration test. Each team will arrive at its designated location and time as provided via appointment by Encore. The coach must print out and provide Encore with the team weight management form listed on the AHSAA Website. The coach will provide a boys’ roster weight management form and separate girls’ roster weight management form to Encore. Encore will treat the Girls’ and Boys’ Roster forms separately. Encore will administer the test to each roster.
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 in 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 about outside practices, events, etc.
Encore will record the results into Track Wrestling. They will place the athletes into the Boys’ Track Wrestling or Girls’ Track Wrestling account as listed per team. Coaches need to activate a Girls’ Track Wrestling account, pay additional Track Wrestling fees, and update all match information into the Girls’ Track Wrestling account.
Throughout the season, coaches must maintain both the boys’ and girls’ Track Wrestling accounts and rosters. They are responsible for updating weigh-in sheets and results for Girls’ Track Wrestling as they do for Boy’s Track Wrestling.
Please Visit the AHSAA Wrestling Homepage by clicking the pic below for all information on contacting Encore and their available dates.
