SE Registered as of 4.20.24

100 lbs

• Sophie Booe Florida

110 lbs

• Keana Bush Florida

115 lbs

• Evelyn Holmes-Smith Alabama

• Clare Booe Florida

• Alanna Garner Georgia

• Gianna Slusser North Carolina

120 lbs

• Milana Borrelli Florida

• Zao Estrada South Carolina

125 lbs

• Taimane Benemerito Alabama

• Mary Manis Florida

135 lbs

• Tessa Lopardo Georgia

• Kennedie Snow North Carolina

140 lbs

• Hailie Misplay North Carolina

155 lbs

• Katherine Stewart Florida

170 lbs

• Megan Preston Florida

190 lbs

• Ella Murphey Tennessee

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Who to Watch (Based on PIN Ratings from USA Wrestling … not sure what PIN is? Check out my interview with Coach Mathews - starts at 16:36). PIN Ratings are listed for each wrestler below. Keep in mind that a wrestler may not have a PIN rating (I don’t know why that would be the case … just going by USA Wrestling’s information).

NOTE: The weight listed below is the weight they registered … don’t be surprised if they weigh-in at a different weight class.

155 lbs. is easily the weight to watch with 3 hammers all with PIN ratings at 1200 or above. 125 lbs. is a close second with a ton of hammers registered there as well including Florida’s Mary Manis and Alabama’s Taimane Benemerito.

100 lbs

• Jaclyn Bouzakis (PA) - 1240

105 lbs.

• Taylor Whiting (WI) - 1177

110 lbs

• Libby Roberts (WA) - 1148

115 lbs

• Clare Booe (FL) - 1242

• SE to Watch: Evelyn Holmes-Smith (AL) - 1121

120 lbs

• Zao Estrada (SC) - 1292

• SE to Watch: Milana Borrelli (FL) - 1095

125 lbs

• Emma Bacon (PA) - 1239

• Victoria Carbonaro (NJ) - 1200

• Kailin Sebert (TX) - 1182

• Mary Manis (FL) - 1155

• Regina Stoeser (SD) - 1149

• SE to Watch:

130 lbs.

• Samantha Sachs (CA) - 1164

135 lbs

• Isis France (AZ) - 1253

• Peyton Hellmann (SD) - 1159

• Timberly Martinez (CO) - 1144

• SE to Watch: Kennedie Snow (NC) - 1023

140 lbs

155 lbs

• Skylar Slade (IA) - 1228

• Kaili Manuel (MI) - 1202

• Sarah Henckel (CT) - 1200

• SE to Watch: Katherine Stewart (FL) - 1057

170 lbs

• Matilda Hruby (CO) - 1149

190 lbs

• SE to Watch: Ella Murphey (TN) - 1095

The NFHS has adopted new rules changes for the upcoming season. I believe it still must be adopted by each state (like weight classes) for it to be instituted in that state. Below is the press release from NFHS

Beginning with the 2024-25 season, high school wrestlers will be inbounds with only one point of contact of either wrestler inside or on the boundary line.

This fundamental change to high school wrestling was one of six major changes impacting almost 30 rules recommended by the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee at its April 1-3 meeting in Indianapolis. All recommended changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Previously, high school wrestlers were considered to be inbounds if a total of two supporting points of either wrestler were inside or on the boundary line. The two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler inside or on the boundary line.

“Without increasing risk, this change eliminates the subjectivity of the out-of-bounds call,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and student services and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee. “The change also helps officials to call ‘out of bounds’ more consistently, and it provides wrestlers, coaches and spectators a better understanding of out of bounds.”

While the One Point of Contact change will be noted under the definition of Inbounds in Rule 5-15, it also impacts a number of other sections in Rule 5 on Definitions, as well as Rule 6-4-1 on Stopping and Starting the Match.

In addition to the One Point of Contact change, points awarded for a Near-Fall have been revised in high school wrestling. Overall, the changes simplify the points awarded based on how long the wrestler is held in near-fall criteria. The change in Rule 5-11-3 is as follows:

Two points will be awarded when near-fall criteria are held for two seconds, three points for three seconds, four points for four seconds and five points if the defensive wrestler is injured, indicates an injury or bleeding occurs after the four-point near-fall has been earned. These changes will affect other rules including individual match scoring in Rule 9.  

“The goal in wrestling is to pin the opponent,” Hopkins said. “Changing the near-fall points should motivate wrestlers to work for a fall.”

In another change in scoring rules, opportunities to earn more points will also be available when executing a Takedown. Beginning next season, wrestlers will be awarded three match points instead of two when securing a takedown.  

The committee also approved a change regarding the Technical Fall. Rule 5-11-4a now states that “if a takedown or reversal, straight to a near-fall criteria creates a 15-point advantage, the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met. Conclusion of the near-fall criteria is immediate.” The change clarifies when the technical fall has concluded in relation to the near-fall criteria being met. Hopkins said the offensive wrestler cannot be penalized appropriately after the technical fall has been earned.

In another change, the 10-Foot Circle at the center of wrestling mats is now optional. Wrestlers now will be encouraged to “stay in the center of the mat” instead of “within the 10-foot circle.”

“The committee determined that the starting lines of a mat indicate the center of the mat and the 10-foot circle is no longer needed,” Hopkins said. “With the new mat designs that have a large mascot or logos, it gives a refreshing look to the mats. Wrestlers and officials know where the center of the mat is located without the 10-foot circle.”

Finally, the committee approved a new Referee’s Time-Out Signal. The signal, which is used in many other sports, is both hands/fingers pointing inward to the referee’s chest.

A complete listing of the wrestling rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Wrestling.”

STILLWATER, Okla. - The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday announced the state winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award (DSHSEA).

The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.

The DSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.

“The winners of our Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award are an amazing group of young men who have set the highest standards for personal achievement, excelling in the classroom and on the wrestling mat while also providing leadership and service,” said NWHOF Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. “I want to thank our committees for their diligence and hard work to select such outstanding representatives of our sport.

“We take great pride watching our DSHSEA winners as they continue their careers and achieve success at the collegiate and international level while continuing to excel academically and be positive role models who inspire young wrestlers.”

DSHSEA winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.

The Central Region, Midwest Region, Northeast Region, Southeast Region and West Region winners will be announced on May 2 and the national winner will be announced on May 9.

The Hall of Fame announced the state winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA) on Wednesday. The TSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. The TSHSEA regional winners will be announced on May 1 and the national winner will be announced on May 8.

Regional winners for both awards are selected from state winners, and the national winners will be chosen from the regional winners.

The regions and the states that they are comprised of are:

• West (11) - Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

• Midwest (10) - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin

• Central (7) - Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

• Southeast (11) - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia

• Northeast (11) - Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont

The TSHSEA and DSHSEA national winners will be honored during the 47th Honors Weekend at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum on May 31 and June 1 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. To purchase tickets for Honors Weekend, visit https://bit.ly/2024NWHOFHonorsWeekendTickets.

The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for its high school excellence awards from state chapters and coaches. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, which selects state and regional winners. The committee then determines the national winners from the regional winners.

Coleman Scott (2004) and Logan Stieber (2010) will become the first DSHSEA national winners to be Distinguished Members of the Hall of Fame when they are inducted in the Class of 2024 during Honors Weekend.

Cael Sanderson, who was the Utah and West Region winner of the DSHSEA in 1997, and Jake Varner, who was the California winner of the DSHEA in 2005, are also Distinguished Members of the Hall of Fame.

National winners of the DSHSEA have combined to win 20 NCAA Division I individual titles led by four-time champion Logan Stieber (2010), three-time winner Zain Retherford (2013) and two-time winners David Carr (2018), Steven Mocco (2001), David Taylor (2009), Teyon Ware (2002) and Zahid Valencia (2015).

Congrats to this year’s Award Winners in the Southeast:

• Alabama - Cole Carter, Jasper

• Florida - Sawyer Bartelt, South Dade

• Georgia - Seth Larson, Flowery Branch

• Mississippi - Gabrial Shanks, Ocean Springs

• North Carolina - Cameron Stinson Jr., Mallard Creek

• South Carolina - Jermaine (JJ) Peace, Cane Bay

• Tennessee - Logan Fowler, Cleveland