Will Kansas adopt the new rules?


INDIANAPOLIS - The National Federation of State High School Associations has approved a rule change increasing the heavyweight class limit from 275 to 285 pounds.

It's the first increase in the sport's heaviest division in 19 years.

Jerry Diehl, assistant director of the NFHS, said Monday that high school athletes are bigger than they were when the 275-pound limit was set in 1987. He said the rules committee made the change to encourage more athletes, particularly football players, to compete in wrestling.

Among other wrestling changes approved by the NFHS board was one adding up to two 30-second tiebreakers after an initial 60-second overtime period.

If the score remains tied after the second tiebreaker, one additional 30-second sudden-death period will be conducted, and the first person scoring will be declared the winner. If no points are scored, the offensive wrestler will win the match. Previously, only one 30-second tiebreaker was conducted after the one-minute overtime period.