Wrestling Coaches Corner
Frequently Asked Questions
updated 9.25.07
How do I nominate a player for NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete honors?
A - A player must be nominated by the head coach. Nomination forms are found in Appendix E of the 2007-08 coaches manual.
What is the regional tournament deadline?
A - The deadline for regional tournaments to be completed is two weeks prior to the NAIA Wrestling National Championships. The 2007 regional deadline is Feb. 23.
Is participation in the regional tournament mandatory for team and individual qualification?
A – Yes. However, if an athlete cannot compete in the regional because of an injury/illness, then he can compete in the national tournament if the coach provides certified documentation for a medical waiver. Coaches must submit Appendix C-II (signed by a physician) in order to receive a medical waiver.
When and where is the National Championship?
A - The 2008 NAIA Wrestling National Championships will be held March 6-8 at the Tyson Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.
If I have a concern regarding ratings, whom do I contact?
A - The NAIA Wrestling Ratings are conducted by the NAIA on behalf of the NAIA-Wrestling Coaches Association. There are two raters in each of the four regions, with one designated as the region rating chair. The National Ratings Chair is John Petty, head coach at Northwestern College. He, along with the Ratings Oversight Committee, is responsible for monitoring the weekly national ratings. If you have a concern with your region rating, contact the chair of your regional rating chair. If you have a concern about the national rating, contact the national rating chair. Contact information can be found in Appendix A of the coaches’ manual.
Are there any changes to the ratings process this year?
A – Yes. Regions must submit regional weight class ratings prior to the report deadline in order for those wrestlers and teams to be rated. Consult the ratings section in the coaches’ manual for more information.
Where do I find region tournament information?
A – Contact your region wrestling chair.
How is the NAIA All-America team selected?
A – The top six wrestlers in each weight class at the National Championships earn All-America honors. Places 7-8 in each weight class at the National Championships earn NAIA Honorable Mention All-America Honors.
Whom should I contact if I or my athletic trainer have questions regarding weight certification issues/procedures?
A – All NAIA coaches are required to join the NWCA (National Wrestling Coaches Association). As part of the membership dues, all coaches will have access to the NWCA weight certification program. Consult the NWCA (www.nwcaonline.com) for membership information and access to the weight certification software. If you’re still having difficulty regarding weight certification guidelines, see the specific sections regarding weight-loss and certification in the 2007-08 NCAA Rule book.
How are wrestlers seeded prior to the NAIA National Championships?
A – The top four wrestlers in each weight class are seeded within their own region. Those seeds are confirmed immediately after the regional championship; and those wrestlers are placed into the national championship seeding formula. See Appendix B and the postseason information in the general information section in the Coaches Manual for a more detailed explanation of the pairings/seeding formula.
Does a wrestler have to compete in the regional championships in order to be a seeded wrestler at the national championship?
A – No. Each region has the option of determining the specific criteria for seeding wrestlers at the conclusion of their regional event. Some regions may seed each weight class solely on the outcomes of the regional event; while others may use additional criteria. Regions also have the option of seeding a wrestler who cannot compete in his regional event but is granted a medical waiver. Consult the coaches’ manual for these guidelines.
