The Front Row with MARK NELKE May 12, 2011

Now that the National Federation of State High School Associations has approved changes to wrestling weight classes for the 2011-12 seasons, a couple of North Idaho coaches say it’s time for Idaho to follow suit.

In January, Idaho coaches were polled by the Idaho High School Activities Association, and voted to maintain the current weight classes.

But that was before the NFHS approved the changes in weight classes. And neighboring states Washington and Oregon have approved using the new weights for next year.

IHSAA executive director John Billetz said the group’s board of control will re-examine the changes at its next meeting in June.

“I do believe that Idaho should match the weights of the states around us,” Post Falls wrestling coach Pete Reardon said. “Having the weights more uniform from state to state keeps things simple and avoids a lot of potential problems. Most Idaho teams — especially in the Panhandle — wrestle both Washington and Oregon teams on a regular basis. Having the same weight classes makes travel across state lines easier.”

The popular Tri-State tournament held every December at North Idaho College attracts wrestlers from Idaho, Washington, Montana and Oregon.

The 14 weight classes approved by the NFHS are 106 (pounds), 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220 and 285.

The current weight classes are 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215 and 285 (Montana uses 15 weight classes, starting with 98, then 105, then 112).

“I do not mind the weight class change, except for the kid that weighs 85-106 gets a raw deal,” Coeur d’Alene coach Jeff Moffat said.

It’s the most significant change in weight classes in 23 years. In 1988, the lowest weight class was increased from 98 to 103 pounds. In 2002, a 14th weight class was added at 215 pounds and in 2006, the heaviest weight class was increased from 275 to 285.

The goal, officials said, was to create weight classes in which seven percent of the wrestlers were in each weight class.

"I was fine with the old weights," Reardon said. "That said, I think the new weights are a positive change. The weight classes are a bit more evenly distributed. There is no longer a 18-pound jump from 171 to 189. I think this spread was too big."

For the second time in four seasons, the top two teams in the 5A Inland Empire League won't have to play each other in the first round of the state football playoffs.

The Idaho High School Activities Association Board of Control approved the bracketing at its meeting earlier this month.

The top seed from the 5A IEL champ will play host to the No. 3 team from the Southern Idaho Conference (Boise area). The No. 2 seed from the 5A IEL will be on the other half of the bracket, and will play at the No. 1 seed from the SIC.

That means the two 5A IEL teams could meet in the state championship game.

The 5A IEL has received two berths to the state playoffs every year since 2004. Since then, 2008 was the only time the two 5A IEL qualifiers were placed on separate sides of the bracket, and didn't have to play each other in the first round. In five of those seven years, the first round pitted Coeur d'Alene vs. Lake City.

The reason the IHSAA board determined teams would open against other teams in their area in most years was for cost-cutting reasons. Coaches in North Idaho, in particular, have always pushed for the two North teams to be separated so they didn't have to play each other in the first round.

I always thought making the two North Idaho teams play each other again in the first round was silly. The Boise-area schools don't seem to mind playing their own in the first round, but the North Idaho schools would rather play somebody else - even if it meant a long bus ride.

Also, a motion to add a 1A division to the state cross country meet was denied. Currently, 1A runners compete in the 2A division.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via e-mail at [email protected].