The Idaho Wrestler's 2019 State Predictions
The critics have been out in full force this season--and for good reason. Two game-changing decisions have changed the face of wrestling in Idaho, at least for the immediate future. First, the realignment of classifications based on enrollment and school-wide performance has shook up all sports but maybe none more than wrestling. In an effort to foster greater athletic parity statewide, schools were evaluated for their overall success across all activities. Where schools tended to struggle across the board, they were considered for re-classification. Ironically enough, Kuna and Columbia, juggernauts in wrestling, were not having much success in nearly any of their other programs, sending them down to the 4A where maybe success could be found. It would seem that what might have been good for these schools--not necessarily their wrestling programs, might not have been in the best interest of the rest of the state. Undoubtedly, the state will be revisiting this decision at the conclusion of the present classification cycle (2020).
As if that were not enough, a newly applied seeding criteria has left many, including your truly, scratching their heads. The criteria which gives unprecedented weight to district champs has given rise to lopsided brackets where the otherwise championship matches will take place in the semi finals and in a few cases the quarter finals. Expect an uncommon number of #2 and #3 seeds to be knocked off in the early rounds (on the weaker sides of the brackets). The state coaches' association will likely want to review the new criteria which encourages remote districts to remain remote (i.e., avoiding stiff competition).
As if that were not enough, a newly applied seeding criteria has left many, including your truly, scratching their heads. The criteria which gives unprecedented weight to district champs has given rise to lopsided brackets where the otherwise championship matches will take place in the semi finals and in a few cases the quarter finals. Expect an uncommon number of #2 and #3 seeds to be knocked off in the early rounds (on the weaker sides of the brackets). The state coaches' association will likely want to review the new criteria which encourages remote districts to remain remote (i.e., avoiding stiff competition).
Columbia, Jerome, and Kuna lead the class in a talented field
Perennial 5A powers--Columbia, Kuna, and Bonneville--combined with some quality (maybe not quantity) out of Jerome and an upstart Century program will make for an interesting 4A race. While Jerome will likely finish high in the team race due to a talented squad, their lack of depth eliminates them as a serious title contender. Although The Idaho Wrestler has the Tigers slotted for a second place finish, it is the Kavemen out of Kuna who are most capable of challenging the Columbia Wildcats for the 4A title. The Kavemen, who qualified a 4A best 22-wrestlers for the championships, are not only battle-tested but tend to deliver on the state's biggest stage. But if any team outside of Post Falls, Idaho has proven to find their stride in late February, it's Todd Cady's Columbia Wildcats. While the
Sugar Salem solid upper seeds will be the difference
