NY State Makes the Move for Wrestling in Spring

NY State has just announced (unofficially) that they will run high school wrestling season in the spring rather than winter. This is a HUGE move, and to be honest, makes sense on some levels. We need to consider something like this, based on flu season, proximity of fans in the winter, etc. Why not run wrestling in a season where people are healthier?
Lotta pros and cons. Just wanted to pass this on, as I am a NY native and just got the news first hand from some coaches there.

Randy Streeter
Free State Firebird Wrestling
Lawrence, Kansas

Would support 100%. If we want to get on the mat this year, our best chance to do so would be in the spring (especially given the expected Ivy League announcement coming today).

I think a permanent move to the spring is an awful idea! In schools where kids are more likely to specialize in one sport, it may work out for them, but for the majority it will be difficult to battle track, baseball, and tennis. And on the girls side, softball, track, and golf.

I don’t have an answer to the issue this year, with COVID, but by moving the wrestling season to overlap with baseball and track, (and probably basketball) kids would be forced to choose. While I hope I could pull them to wrestling over baseball or track, that then pits coaches against each other, fighting for the loyalty of the athletes and no one wins in that situation. And for those kids on the fence about wanting to wrestle: wrestling practices are SO MUCH MORE difficult than baseball, I could see a 50% decrease in numbers for that alone!

Couple things here...
1. If this ever happens, it’ll be a full shift of athletics. You won’t have baseball at the same time. Most likely, baseball will be in the summer. I think you’re about to see a complete shift in the school year. For NY, baseball will be in the fall.
2. We will always have to choose. Basketball vs Wrestling. Lacrosse vs Baseball. Soccer vs Football. It’ll just look different. It may not be what you’re used to, but it’ll be the same idea.
3. People better get used to no activity in the winter. It’s comin.