Supplemental Ranking System

[Bearhugger]

On March 23rd, 1973, the West Virginia legislature adopted the black bear as the state animal. Black bears are found in all 55 counties.

Whereas the sport of wrestling continues to evolve, so does the rules, challenges and county guidelines. It is time for a new ranking system to run side by side with WVMat’s ranking system.

I want to thank all of the people who have provided input and helped build these lists. I hope more input comes in daily.

Although the listing is far from complete, it is a great start to build on, especially since only a few matches have occurred.

This new ranking system will be a hybrid to recognize the state’s top wrestlers along with the up and coming contenders. Here is how it will work:

1. The rankings will be based on in state performance. If you lose 27 matches out of state, that won’t be held against you. There will be very little opinion involved.
2. The rankings will not be based on who I want to win but based on who is winning.
3. The rankings will not be based on who I think is the best, but who is the best as they win and lose matches this season.
4. The rankings will be divided into two groups within each weight class. There will be the “ranked” and the “pack”. The “ranked” will be the top five in each weight class. The “pack” will be everybody else in the weight class. There could be 30+ kids listed in the “Pack”.
5. To begin this process, we will pick up where we left off. Returning state champions will begin ranked first. Place winners will fall in. The Pack will be everybody else. THERE ARE SOME TOP CONTENDERS DUMPED INTO THE PACK here on this first pass. Don’t get offended, go wrestle and win!!!!!
6. To be clear, freshmen, STQs, non-STQs, transfers from out of state, anybody and everybody that did NOT place in the state tournament will begin in the “Pack”.
7. The “Pack” will be listed in alphabetical order.
8. Based on the request of many, if we have a few top notch JV wrestlers who are beating some varsity wrestlers, they will be recognized in the “Pack”. If they are doing really well, they could become ranked.
9. The plan is to update and communicate the rankings often and not just once a week. As scores are posted, rankings will be updated.
10. I had a coach tell me recently that he liked rankings so he could beat them. Well, if his wrestlers are winning, they will be ranked.
11. If a given wrestler is not mentioned yet, it is simply because their status and weight class is not known as of this writing. Please send me their name and weight class.
12. Each wrestler will be mentioned as follows: Name/School/Last Season’s State Tournament placement/Region. This information will serve as a gauge of weight class and region strength.
13. We will evolve into listing weight class vacancies to monitor those TNVs (Thursday Night Vacancies) that need to be filled from other regions.
14. Modifications and enhancements will be introduced as the season progresses.
15. These rankings are for fun, so have some fun. Your input, especially who defeats who and when, is greatly appreciated.


To avoid confusion, this ranking system will be given a unique name. To commemorate the state animal of West Virginia, we will call this system “Bear Tracks”.