Tkdwn42 you said that much better than I did and I enjoyed both Nigel and your comments. And Nigel, I would bet that if you have a good wrestler that cuts 15 pounds and a good wrestler that cuts a few pounds, and have a mat side weigh-in, the wrestler cutting a few stands a better chance. And to say there are no long term effects is inaccurate also. There have been young wrestlers who have died from dehydration, developed eating disorders and just plain quit because they were tired of it. I know alot of good young athletes who do not go out because they did not like the cutting weight part of wrestling. I have to tell 103 kid a little story about one of our wrestlers. During his freshman year he cut to 103. Several pounds. Towards regionals he was struggling big time to hold it and looked like walking death. He stood a good chance at winning it at 103 because everyone thought it was easier. He ended up moving up to 112,(against some bad advice)and I believe pinned his way through winning his first of four state championships. C-ya all in the future!