WEST VIRGINIA MAT THOUGHTS

WVSSAC NEW WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Part II

The following are the most frequently asked questions regarding the new weight management program in West Virginia.

1. Wrestlers must pass their Alpha Weight Assessment before they can compete. What happens if a wrestler fails the Specific Gravity Hydration Test, which means he or she is dehydrated.?
Answer: His assessment stops and the wrestler must wait 24 hours to be retested.

2. What does the Alpha Weight Report tell us?
Answer: The Alpha Weight Report tells us the lowest weight class in which a wrestler can compete, and the date on which he can wrestle at his minimum allowed weight class.

3. Should a coach make copies of his team members Alpha Weight Report Form?
Answer: Yes, most definitely, because he must present this form to the referee at each and every competition, both dual meets and tournament events.

4. What if the coach forgets to bring the Alpha Weight Report Form to a competition?
Answer: His only alternative is to use a computer at the school and make a copy of the Alpha Weight Report Form. If there is no computer available, his team must forfeit at that competition. The wrestlers cannot compete!

5. Where can a wrestler compete before his Alpha Weight date?
Answer: He can compete at any weight for which he qualifies. But note, if he wrestles at the 130-pound weight class and his Alpha Weight date is a week later, he will have to wait longer to compete at his Alpha Weight to fulfill the 1.5 percent of body weight loss per week. This regulation is in place to eliminate "Yo-Yo" dieting.

6. If a wrestler's Alpha Weight date is after the two-pound growth allowance, must he make base weight the first time he weighs in at his Alpha Weight?
Answer: Yes, but after his first weigh-in at Alpha Weight he receives his two-pound allowance.

7. When does the 50% weigh-in rule at the Alpha Weight go into effect?
Answer: The 50% weigh-in rule takes effect on the individual wrestler's Alpha Weight date.

8. What if a wrestler never makes his Alpha Weight during the season, can he still wrestle?
Answer: Of course, but at a higher weight class.

9. What if the wrestler's Alpha Weight date falls on the first day of regionals, can he still compete at his Alpha Weight?
Answer: Yes, but he must make base weight at the first weigh-in. Thereafter, he receives the same weight allowance as all the other wrestlers.

10. What if the wrestler's Alpha Weight date is after the first day when regionals can start. Is he permitted to wrestle?
Answer: Yes, but at a higher weight class.

11. Can a team be assessed by a doctor of medicine?
Answer: Only if the doctor has been trained by a regional assessor of the WVSSAC.

12. Who should I contact with any specific questions?
Answer: Dr. Bill Welker at mattalkwv.com or Gary Ray at the WVSSAC office (304/485-5494).