- What are Challenge Nights

Challenge night

Our last challenge night will be Monday, December 10th.

Please remember that your wrestler should not challenge each week if they will be unable to attend the dual meet and make the weight they picked as this could potentially take a spot from a wrestler that will be available.

Challenge form

- What are Challenge Nights?
Challenges are inter-squad matches setup to determine the rankings of wrestlers in a particular weight class. The purpose of this is to determine what individuals will be ranked as the Varsity, JV and Exhibition wrestlers for the three dual meets with the other clubs of our sub-division during the regular season and ultimately, represent our club at the post-season "League" tournament series (Sub-division, Division, & League tournaments).

- How is the pecking order determined prior to Challenges?
The ranking of a particular weight class is predetermined by the results of a wrestler’s prior season. Also, the assessment of the coaches during the first 2-3 weeks of practice will determine a wrestler’s ranking in a particular weight class (where there is no prior documentation).

- When are Challenge Nights?
Challenges nights are going to vary. There are going to be three challenge nights during the season are open to all challengers from Varsity practices (Rookies are by invite only).

- How are Challenge matches set-up?
Prior to each challenge week the coaches and the challenge coordinator will prepare a list of challengers for each weight class. This will be done initially using last years results and then updated based on the coaches assessment of each wrestler’s ability. All wrestlers may challenge during the first three challenge weeks. If your wrestler wants to challenge, you must submit a challenge form (available on the Flyers link) by Wednesday the week of challenges.

- How Do Challenges work and what is the process?
The Varsity, Junior Varsity and other challengers in each weight group must attend the designated Challenge nights. If you are unable to attend the challenge night, you must obtain prior approval by both the head coach and the challenge coordinator. A challenge match will consist of three 1-minute rounds for 8 and Under and one 1 1/2 minute round and two 1-minute rounds for 9 and over. Each Challenge match needs two wrestlers, a scorer, a timer and an Official. The pecking order for challenges will go as follows: The lowest ranked wrestler in a weight class challenges first. For example, the number 3 ranked wrestler would challenge the JV wrestler, who is the number 2 seed. Whoever wins that match will then challenge the Varsity wrestler, who is the number 1 ranked wrestler in that weight class. Challenges are sequential from low to high and wrestlers may continue to challenge up the ladder, as long as they keep winning.

- What if my child does not make a Varsity or JV position?
Parents…whether your child secures a Varsity or JV position is NOT important. Your child will get plenty of wrestling this season with all the tournaments and dual meets available. The important issue is that each wrestler will gain valuable experience in the sport of wrestling AND will be having fun while they’re doing it.

- What are qualifying weigh-ins?
The Pierce County Jr. Wrestling League requires each wrestler to have 3 (Three) weigh-ins in order to qualify for the Sub-division Tournament. These ‘weigh-ins‘ must be attained at three of the six round robin / dual meets the AllStars have this season. At the dual meets, a weigh-in only counts if the wrestler is in the Varsity or JV positions (Exhibition wrestlers do not weigh in). Every wrestler gets a qualifying weigh-in at the Round Robins. Parents, it is STRONGLY advised that your child gets as many qualifying weigh-ins at these designated meets. Keep in mind that only the Duals and Round Robins count towards a qualifying weigh-in. If a wrestler has not achieved an adequate number of weigh-ins prior to the last few dual meet weeks, he / she WILL NOT be allowed to challenge for JV or Varsity at the 3rd and last challenge. The purpose for this is to not take ‘seeding’ points away from a JV or Varsity wrestler, since the lower ranked wrestler will not have enough weigh-ins to qualify for post season tournaments.

**** It is preferred that if your wrestler will not be available for all 3 of the post season tournaments that they not participate in challenges as they may take a position from another wrestler that will be available for the post season tournaments.

- Other Considerations . . .
Pierce County Jr. Wrestling League rules require a wrestler to have wrestled fifty percent of their matches in the weight class that they are registered to wrestle in at the post-season league tournament. Therefore, a wrestler must wrestle in the same weight class for two out of the three Dual meets to qualify to wrestle in that weight class at League.

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Wrestlers must be prepared to wrestle when called. When called for a challenge, wrestlers must have wrestling attire on; shoes and socks, singlet, and headgear. Wrestlers may have to wrestle several matches and must be prepared to wrestle another match every twenty minutes or so as necessary. The wrestler must be courteous to the official, scorer, timer and their opponent (unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated).

There will be no coaching or cheering for or against any wrestlers. Parents may be asked to leave the wrestling room during challenges if this rule is broken.