Forfeits
If the WPIAL wants to run a competitive, exciting team tournament format, it should cut down on the number of qualifying teams.Scanning the results from last night's first round and quarterfinals, it's obvious there are teams that don't have enough quality wrestlers to compete.
And it's not just in Class AA.
Forfeits rob wrestlers of competition, fans of action and the sport of its credibility. And there were tons of them this week. In Monday's preliminary round in Class AAA, Pittsburgh Central Catholic forfeited four of the final six matches in losing to Ringgold. Kittanning forfeited four times in a quarterfinals loss to Jefferson-Morgan. Canon-McMillan forfeited four times in a quarterfinals win over Hampton. If West Greene could have simply fielded two lightweights, it would have defeated Kittanning but the Pioneers could not.
Some of the forfeits come because of injury, some because of a lack of wrestlers in the weight class, and some for strategic purposes - why take a chance on injuries when the match is already wrapped up?
Forfeits are not new to the sport, and this is not the first time so many have popped up in the postseason, but each time a dual meet in what is supposed to be the premier event for the top teams in the WPIAL is over before it begins because of forfeits, it hurts the sport.
It's rare that a third-place team in the section makes it to the finals in this event. The final eight teams in this year's tournaments were either first- or second-place finishers in the section tournaments.
If the WPIAL wants a more exciting event, eliminate the preliminary and first-round matches by simply qualifying the top two teams in each section. and begin the even from the quarterfinal round.
If it wants to simply drag in as many teams possible with the hope of high ticket sales, then leave it as it is.
And it's not just in Class AA.
Forfeits rob wrestlers of competition, fans of action and the sport of its credibility. And there were tons of them this week. In Monday's preliminary round in Class AAA, Pittsburgh Central Catholic forfeited four of the final six matches in losing to Ringgold. Kittanning forfeited four times in a quarterfinals loss to Jefferson-Morgan. Canon-McMillan forfeited four times in a quarterfinals win over Hampton. If West Greene could have simply fielded two lightweights, it would have defeated Kittanning but the Pioneers could not.
Some of the forfeits come because of injury, some because of a lack of wrestlers in the weight class, and some for strategic purposes - why take a chance on injuries when the match is already wrapped up?
Forfeits are not new to the sport, and this is not the first time so many have popped up in the postseason, but each time a dual meet in what is supposed to be the premier event for the top teams in the WPIAL is over before it begins because of forfeits, it hurts the sport.
It's rare that a third-place team in the section makes it to the finals in this event. The final eight teams in this year's tournaments were either first- or second-place finishers in the section tournaments.
If the WPIAL wants a more exciting event, eliminate the preliminary and first-round matches by simply qualifying the top two teams in each section. and begin the even from the quarterfinal round.
If it wants to simply drag in as many teams possible with the hope of high ticket sales, then leave it as it is.
posted by Joe Tuscano at
8:17 AM
3 Comments:
I was looking forward to seeing Hart bump to wrestle campbell and shulman to broglia, who is for some reason ranked ahead of him.
Shulman has been the toughest wrestler to rank this season. He has most of his matches at heavyweight but his coach lists him as a 220 pounder. I find it hard to believe he would wrestle at heavyweight because of the weight difference he'll run into at the upper levels of competition.
Its all about Money with the WPIAL. Look at the individual tournaments. 3 days for the AAA tournament? After Thursday how many kids are eliminated? The WPIAL is hindering this sport for the all mighty dollar. There are 4 sections, why not take 4 teams and 4 individuals from each section? Its about money and nothing else.
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