I think im going to have to take the side of those that think cutting weight is important, becuase quite frankly it is! WHen your younger and in kids wrestling and middle school wrestling its not really that important. But once you get into high school it is an absolute must. Granted there are a few exception where a wrestler will excel in any weight class he/she is in but it is not the norm. The big factor in weight loss is not individuals it is a team thing. The objective is to get the best wrestlers in the best weight classes they can be at. That is how you win team state championships. Show me one team in the state that has won state with no one in their lineup not lossing any weight, it just doesn't happen. THe IMAC coach makes some good points, yeah Technique, conditioning, mental toughness, determination and strength are big parts, but lets see a wrestler who doesn't cut any weight beat someone of equal talent who has cut a marginal amount of weight (10-15 pounds), it won't happen very often. Im definatly not in favor of mat side weigh ins with clothes on and stuff of that nature becuase that just compounds the problem. Why you may ask? Well basically then wrestlers will be wrestling totally dehydrated and possibly sick. The reason being that they want to make varsity so they will continue to cut weight. One other arguement I must bring up. How many kids do we as coaches know, now have body problems due to their weight loss during their wrestling days. I personally don't know of any including myself who cut on average 20 pounds every season. Its not like cutting 15 pounds for 3 months is going to hurt you for the rest of your life, in fact with American nutrition the way it is many high schoolers need to lose 10-15 pounds to fit into the "non-obese" category set forth by the US Drug & Food Administration.