West Virginia
High School Wrestling

The Survey Says...

Previous Polls


Poll #1 -- December 23-30, 2001
What about the number of weight classes in high school?
317 votes total
  • 10% Too many (32 votes)
  • 12% Not enough (39 votes)
  • 78% Just right (246 votes)
Poll #2 -- December 31-January 6, 2002
How about the new procedure for drawing to determine the first weight class in a dual?
311 votes total
  • 57% I like the new method. (178 votes)
  • 43% I don't like it. Go back to starting each dual at the lowest weight class. (133 votes)
Poll #3 -- January 7 - 13, 2002
What about the new weigh-in procedure this year?
212 votes total
  • 67% I don't like it - go back to the way we used to do it. (141 votes)
  • 20% I like it. (42 votes)
  • 14% I like it, but strengthen the rule by applying the same procedures for duals AND tournaments, and prohibit "weight checking" at the event prior to official weigh-ins. (29 votes)
Poll #4 -- January 13-19, 2002
What about the handshake between the wrestler and the opposing coach at the end of each match?
  • I am a wrestler who thinks it is a fine custom. (72) 18%
  • I am a wrestler who could do without this custom, thank you. (25) 6%
  • I am a coach who thinks it is a fine custom. (161) 41%
  • I am a coach who could do without this custom, thank you. (14) 4%
  • I am a fan who thinks it is a fine custom. (101) 26%
  • I am a fan who could do without this custom, thank you. (22) 6%
Total Votes: 395

Poll #5 January 20-27, 2002
Should youth wrestling in West Virginia be organized under an official sanctioning body?
  • Yes. Youth wrestling should be sanctioned by some organization such as USA Wrestling. (103) 49%
  • No. Leave it alone. It ain't broke, so don't fix it. (108) 51%
Total Votes: 211

Poll #6 January 27-February 17, 2002
With fewer AAA teams next year (possibly as few as 30), what should the WVSSAC do with the AAA State Tournament?
  • Re-align the regions, and otherwise keep things as they are. (200) 62%
  • Do away with AAA regional tournaments, run the state tournament with 32 position brackets, seeded according to the coaches poll. (121) 38%
Total Votes: 321

Poll #7 February 18-May 28, 2002
Should the AA/A and AAA Individual State Champs wrestle each other in a dual the week after the state tournament?
  • Yes (414) 77%
  • No (121) 23%
Total Votes: 535
Poll #8 May 28 - October 31, 2002
If you are a wrestler, are you going to a wrestling camp this summer?
  • Yes (48) 65%
  • No (26) 35%
Total Votes: 74
Poll #9 December 1 - December 22, 2002
How much weight do plan to cut this year?
  • 0 - 4 lbs (120) 36%
  • 5 - 8 lbs (66) 20%
  • 9 - 12 lbs (59) 18%
  • 13 -16 lbs (25) 8%
  • 17 - 20 lbs (18) 5%
  • More than 20 lbs (42) 13%
Total Votes: 330

Poll #10 December 22 2003 - December 17 2004
How have the new rules concerning weigh-in affected your weight-control practices?
  • I am wrestling at a higher weight class than I otherwise would have, to make sure I make weight. (15) 9%
  • I am still shooting for the same weight class that I would have without the new rule, and it is making life miserable. (76) 47%
  • The new rule hasn't really affected my weight control one way or the other. (71) 44%
Poll #11 December 17 2003 - March 20 2004
Should we bring riding time back to scholastic wrestling?
  • Yes. (123) 47%
  • No. (136) 53%
Total Votes: 259
Poll #12 March 20 2004 to April 4, 2004
From where do you read this website?
  • From home (182) 73%
  • From work (39) 16%
  • From school (26) 10%
  • Public library (1) 0%
  • Other (0) 0%
Total Votes: 248
Poll #13 April 5 to September 5, 2004

Which bracketed non-conference West Virginia High School tournament has the toughest competition?
  • Beckley Newspapers Invitational (BNI) (13) 1%
  • Berkeley Springs Max Horz (378) 27%
  • Braxton Pizza Hut Big 16 (24) 2%
  • Fairmont Winners Choice/Rotary Invitational (249) 18%
  • Jackson County Invitational (45) 3%
  • Jefferson Invitational (15) 1%
  • Nitro Pat Vance Invitational (28) 2%
  • Wendy's Brooke Classic (175) 13%
  • WSAZ Huntington (435) 31%
  • Other view suggestions (27) 2%
Total Votes: 1389


Poll #14 September 5, 2004 to November 27, 2004

Which is better on the mat - strength or technique?
  • I'll take strength over technique. (73) 14%
  • Technique overcomes strength. (460) 86%
Total Votes: 533
Poll #15 November 27, 2004 to December 8, 2004

It is easier to score points...
  • On your feet (96) 47%
  • On the mat, on top (21) 10%
  • On the mat, on bottom (87) 43%
Total Votes: 204
Poll #16 December 8, 2004 to January 10, 2005

The WV State High School wrestling tournament should be seeded...
  • The way it has for years, with the pill system (224) 46%
  • Differently, based on the coaches poll or a coaches meeting prior to the tournament. (266) 54%
Total Votes: 491
Poll #17 January 10 2005 to February 5, 2005

The true measure of the strength of a team is measured by...
  • Dual meet performance (280) 43%
  • Tournament performance (365) 57%
Total Votes: 645
Poll #18 February 5 2005 to June 6, 2005

Would you favor changing the way the championship matches for AAA and AA/A are done at the State Tournament ?

  • Yes. Have the AAA and AA/A finals at separate times, the way it was done years ago. (540) 45%
  • No. Keep it the way it is, with the AAA and AA/A finals run at the same time. (671) 55%
Total Votes: 1211
Poll #19 - June 6 - December 31, 2005

Regarding the championship matches at the WV State High School Wrestling Tournament...
  • The AAA and AA/A finals should be run at separate times during separate sessions. (27) 15%
  • The AAA and AA/A championship matches should be run during the same session using one mat -- 28 consecutive matches on one mat during one session. (60) 33%
  • The AAA and AA/A finals should be conducted as they have been the last several years without change. (96) 52%
Total Votes: 183
Poll #20 - December 31, 2005 - January 18, 2006

In the event that Huntington slides into the Ohio River, where would be a good place to hold the WV State Wrestling Tournament?
  • Wheeling Civic Center (24) 11%
  • Morgantown, WVU Coliseum (85) 39%
  • Charleston Civic Center (102) 46%
  • Other (9) 4%
Total Votes: 220
Poll #21 - January 18, 2006 - February 17, 2006

The 2.0 rule for eligibility in West Virginia...
  • Good rule - keep it. (263) 82%
  • Bad rule - lose it. (57) 18%
Total Votes: 320
Poll #22 - February 17-2006 - October 23, 2006

Should the State Wrestling Tournament include finals for 7th and 8th place?
  • No. It ain't broke. Don't fix it. (177) 33%
  • Yes, but don't score team points for finals for 7th and 8th. (50) 9%
  • Yes. Score team points for finals for 7th and 8th and include 7th and 8th in the Saturday night podium awards. (309) 58%
Total Votes: 536
Poll #23 - October 23, 2006 - November 16, 2006

Will the new weight management program for 2006-07 have any impact on "weight-cutting" practices in high school wrestling?
  • Yes (106) 70%
  • No (46) 30%
Total Votes: 152
Poll #24 - November 16, 2006 - December 20, 2006

For High School Wrestlers: Has the new weight certification process resulted in you wrestling in a different weight class than you otherwise would have?
  • Yes (48) 52%
  • No (44) 48%
Total Votes: 92
Poll #25 - December 20, 2006 - December 31, 2006

Which youth tournament format do you prefer?
  • Split format: Younger ages in the AM, older ages in the PM (68) 69%
  • Regular format: All ages all day (31) 31%
Total Votes: 99
Poll #26 - December 31, 2006 - September 18, 2007

Which method do you prefer for staging matches at youth tournaments?
  • Use of PA system to announce "on-deck" matches. (81) 38%
  • Silent tournament, no PA system, using bout trees, numbered matches, scoreboard, etc. (130) 62%
Total Votes: 211
Poll #27 - September 18, 2007 - October 21, 2007

Would you be interested in buying a subscription to the new publication "West Virginia Grappler" in order to not miss out on the FREE issues that will be delivered to every high school coach in the state this year?
  • Yes (181) 89%
  • No (22) 11%
Total Votes: 203
Poll #28 - October 21 - November 10, 2007

Working the edge of the mat...
  • Part of wrestling strategy. Deal with it. (100) 50%
  • A form of stalling and non-agressive wrestling. Discourage it. (102) 50%
Total Votes: 202

Poll #29 - November 10, 2007 - November 24, 2007

The most difficult part of wrestling is...

  • Wrestling (101) 56%
  • Weight Control (78) 44%
Total Votes: 179


Poll #30 - November 24, 2007 - December 3, 2007

Has the growing interest in mixed martial arts had any effect on wrestling?
  • Yes. There is more interest in wrestling as a result of the popularity of mixed martial arts. (92) 66%
  • No. There has been no effect on folkstyle wrestling. (21) 15%
  • This is a stupid question. There is no relationship between wrestling and mixed martial arts. (26) 19%
Total Votes: 139

Poll #31 - December 3, 2007 - December 9, 2007

For youth wrestlers and parents: How many youth tournaments will you be attending this year?
  • 1-3 (7) 10%
  • 4-6 (12) 17%
  • 7-9 (16) 23%
  • 10-12 (13) 19%
  • 13-15 (4) 6%
  • 16-18 (5) 7%
  • More than 18 (12) 17%
Total Votes: 69

Poll #32 - December 9, 2007 - December 16, 2007

For High School Wrestlers (or their parents): At what age did you (or your son/daughter) begin wrestling?
  • 4 years old or younger (37) 14%
  • 5-6 years old (89) 34%
  • 7-8 years old (41) 15%
  • 9-10 years old (14) 5%
  • 11-12 years old (20) 8%
  • Middle School (42) 16%
  • High School (22) 8%
Total Votes: 265

Poll #33 - December 16, 2007 - December 27, 2007
Taking "walk-ins" at youth tournaments:
  • Not a problem. Let 'em wrestle. (125) 69%
  • Discourage it. It just slows things down and adds confusion. (56) 31%
Total Votes: 181

Poll #34 - December 27, 2007 - January 7, 2008
How often do you clean/disinfect your practice mats?
  • Daily (203) 79%
  • 2-3 times a week (27) 11%
  • Once a week (4) 2%
  • Once or twice a month (2) 1%
  • What do you mean, "clean the mats?" (20) 8%
Total Votes: 256
Poll #35 - January 7, 2008 - January 17, 2008
How much money do you spend each week on wrestling - entry fees, travel, meals, motels, etc?
  • (Youth) Less than $25 (1) 0%
  • (Youth) $25 - $50 (8) 3%
  • (Youth) $50 - $75 (21) 8%
  • (Youth) $75 - $125 (28) 10%
  • (Youth) More than $125 (18) 6%
  • (HS/MS) Less than $25 (13) 5%
  • (HS/MS) $25 - $50 (14) 5%
  • (HS/MS) $50 - $75 (26) 9%
  • (HS/MS) $75 - $125 (44) 16%
  • (HS/MS) More than $125 (107) 38%
Total Votes: 280
Poll #36 - January 17, 2008 - January 29, 2008
Bending or forcing a limb beyond its normal limits of movement is an illegal hold and should be penalized. In general ...
  • referees make this call about right. (24) 9%
  • referees are more likely to stop the match for potentially dangerous rather than penalize. (187) 67%
  • referees allow this hold to go too far without stopping the match or penalizing. (35) 12%
  • You must be getting hard-up for questions. (34) 12%
Total Votes: 280
Poll #37 - January 29, 2008 - February 4, 2008
Best way to spend a Saturday:
  • Pool Tournament (46) 24%
  • Bracket Tournament (82) 43%
  • Duals Tournament (62) 33%
Total Votes: 190
Poll #38 - February 4 - February 13, 2008
Some think that day-long or weekend tournaments are too much of a grind in high school wrestling. In addition to a conference tournament and the regional tournament...
  • Teams should wrestle one or two other weekend tournaments (15) 7%
  • Teams should wrestle three or four other weekend tournaments (33) 15%
  • Teams should wrestle five or six other weekend tournaments (9) 4%
  • I don't know what the right number is, but our team wrestles TOO MANY weekend tournaments (18) 8%
  • I don't know what the right number is, but our team wrestles NOT ENOUGH weekend tournaments (11) 5%
  • There is nothing wrong with the way things are now. Quit trying to stir up controversy. (140) 62%
Total Votes: 226
Poll #39 - February 13 - March 11, 2008
How many WV State High School Wrestling Tournaments have you attended?
  • 0-3 (216) 27%
  • 4-6 (148) 18%
  • 7-9 (93) 12%
  • 10-12 (62) 8%
  • 12-20 (69) 9%
  • More than 20 (219) 27%
Total Votes: 807

Poll #40 - March 11, 2008 - August 2, 2008
What "off-season" wrestling activities will you persue?
  • Attend a wrestling camp. (82) 27%
  • Informal workouts, once or twice a month. (15) 5%
  • Workouts once or twice a week, enter a tournament or two. (127) 42%
  • Nothing (36) 12%
Total Votes: 303
Poll #41 - August 2, 2008 - October 5, 2008
For wrestlers: What sport are you participating in this fall?
  • Football (127) 47%
  • Cross Country (21) 8%
  • Volleyball (3) 1%
  • Golf (5) 2%
  • Soccer (11) 4%
  • Training for wrestling on my own (90) 33%
  • None of the above (9) 3%
Total Votes: 270

Poll #42 - October 5 - November 4, 2008
Yes, I know it ain't wrestling. But, who do you like for President?
  • Obama (159) 40%
  • McCain (184) 46%
  • None of the above (40) 10%
Total Votes: 402

Poll #43 - November 4, 2008 - December 14, 2008
Will higher gasoline prices curtail your wrestling travel this year?
  • Yes. (55) 25%
  • No. (161) 75%
Total Votes: 216
Poll #44 - December 14 2008 - February 14, 2009
Should youth wrestling in West Virginia be brought under the control of a single sanctioning body (such as USA Wrestling) with a single state championship, standard weight classes, etc?
  • Yes (443) 67%
  • No. You asked this question before. It ain't broke - don't fix it. (214) 33%
Total Votes: 657
Poll #45 - February 14, 2009 - March 6, 2009
Regarding the State High School Wrestling Tournament in Huntington
  • I'm not planning on attending. (57) 16%
  • I'm planning on attending, but need no hotel/motel reservations. (82) 24%
  • I'm attending, already have my hotel/motel reservations. (166) 48%
  • I'm planning on attending, will need a hotel/motel room, but haven't made reservations yet. (43) 12%
Total Votes: 348
Poll #46 - March 6, 2009 - September 28, 2009
Regarding the "Rocky Song" at the High School State Tournament, during the parade of champs:
  • It is a tradition. Keep it by all means. (312) 73%
  • It is old. Lose it. (Enter your choice for a new theme song as a comment on the next screen). (116) 27%
Total Votes: 428
Poll #47 - September 28 - December 7, 2009
In view of the current economic downturn, will you be cutting back on wrestling trips and tournaments this year?
  • Yes (84) 32%
  • No. We might skip a few electric bills, but not wrestling tournaments. (144) 55%
  • What economic downturn? (32) 12%
Total Votes: 260
Poll #48 - December 7, 2009 - January 6, 2010
Youth wrestling on Sundays:
  • Not a problem. (160) 40%
  • I don't like it, but I attend some Sunday tournaments anyway. (64) 16%
  • A problem for me. We don't wrestle on Sunday. (143) 35%
  • Why did you bring this up? It only causes hard feelings. (36) 9%
Total Votes: 403
Poll #49 - January 6, 2010 - January 19, 2010
Should the West Virginia Junior State Wrestling Championships provide for determination of "true second?" That is, allow the third place finisher to challenge the 2nd place finisher for true second (provided they have not wrestled earlier in the tournament)
  • Yes. Add matchs for true second. (140) 37%
  • No. Leave it as is. (236) 63%
Total Votes: 376
Poll #50 - January 19 - February 14, 20l0
The chart below lists proposed new weight classes for high school wrestling. Which do you favor?


  • Option A (92) 9%
  • Option B (408) 41%
  • Option C (117) 12%
  • Leave things as they are (367) 37%
Total Votes: 984
Poll #51 - January 19, 2010 - February 28, 2010
Should the WV State Wrestling Tournament go to three classes - separate competition for AAA, AA, and A?
  • Yes (246) 35%
  • No. Leave it as it is. AAA and AA/A (297) 42%
  • No. Go back to wrestling it in one combined class AAA, AA, and A (165) 23%
Total Votes: 708
Poll #52 - February 28, 2010 - August 3, 2010
Regarding the use of the raised stage for the championship matches at the State Tournament:
  • Great feature. Continue it by all means. (365) 85%
  • Don't like it. Lose it. (64) 15%
Total Votes: 429
Poll #53 - August 3, 2010 - November 23, 2010
When does youth/club wrestling start in your area?
  • September (4) 2%
  • October (22) 11%
  • November (139) 67%
  • December (15) 7%
  • January (5) 2%
  • We go year round (23) 11%
Total Votes: 208
Poll #54 - November 23, 2010 - January 3, 2011
How much weight do plan to cut this year?
  • 0-4 lbs (72) 22%
  • 5-8 lbs (53) 17% 9-12 lbs (56) 18%
  • 13-16 lbs (30) 9%
  • 17-20 lbs (28) 9%
  • More than 20 lbs (81) 25%
Total Votes: 320
Poll #55 - January 3, 2011 - January 30, 2011
How much weight did you gain over the holidays?
  • 0-3 lbs (68) 40%
  • 4-6 lbs (56) 33%
  • 7-9 lbs (19) 11%
  • 10 lbs or more (25) 15%
Total Votes: 168
Poll #56 - January 30, 2011 - August 25, 2011
Should the WVSSAC sponsor a State Middle School Wrestling Championship, complete with regional qualifying tournaments, etc?
  • Yes, by all means (637) 81%
  • No. Enough is enough. (145) 19%
Total Votes: 782
Poll # 57 - August 25 2011 - January 5, 2012
How do you like the new weight classes for 2011-12
  • Like it (211) 37%
  • Don't like it (285) 50%
  • Don't care (69) 12%
Total Votes: 565
Poll #59 - January 5, 2012 - February 11, 2012
Concerning the current emphasis on skin checks and skin diseases:
  • They are going overboard with this. A little ringworm never killed anyone. (60) 19%
  • It's about time. (253) 81%
Total Votes: 313
Poll #60 - February 11, 2012 - March 10, 2012
Regarding the State Wrestling Tournament:

  • Split it up into 3 classes - AAA, AA, and A - with separate brackets for each. (165) 27%
  • Run each weight class as a single bracket, combine AAA, AA, and A, but designate the highest scoring AAA, AA, and A teams as "State Champion" teams. (225) 36%
  • Other than realigning the regions according to the new classifications, leave everything as it is. (228) 37%
Total Votes: 618
Poll #61 - March 10, 2012 - September 23, 2012
For wrestlers: What are you doing this spring?
  • Baseball (44) 22%
  • Track (26) 13%
  • Tennis (5) 2%
  • Softball (0) 0%
  • Training on my own (105) 52%
  • Nothing (21) 10%
Total Votes: 201
Poll #62 - September 23, 2012 - January 5, 2013
Traditional AAA schools Fairmont Senior, East Fairmont, and North Marion will be AA/A this year.
  • It will dramatically change the nature of the AA/A landscape. (281) 50%
  • No big deal. (108) 19%
  • Too soon to tell. (172) 31%
Total Votes: 561
Poll #63 - January 5, 2013 - November 7, 2013
Youth Wrestlers: How much weight did you cut this year?
  • 0 lbs (125) 30%
  • 1-2 lbs (47) 11%
  • 3-4 lbs (41) 10%
  • 5-6 lbs (33) 8%
  • 7-8 lbs (21) 5%
  • 9-10 lbs (27) 7%
  • More than 10 lbs (120) 29%
Total Votes: 414
Poll #64 - November 7, 2013 - February 20, 2014
Has the weight certification process in High School (skin fold measurements, etc) had an impact on excessive weight cutting?
  • Yes. There is less unwise cutting weight. (111) 39%
  • No. Nothing has changed. (115) 40%
  • Excessive weight cutting was not a problem to start with. (61) 21%
Total Votes: 287
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