Rankings Methodology
Rankings of the SE will drop Wednesday October 13th
Below is some background on how the wrestlers were ranked along with a post of the #1’s in each weight
Goals: Everyone’s goal is different. Some want to qualify for the state tournament, others want to win the title. For some in these rankings - those goals are long in their rearview mirror and the opportunity to win a national title, win Who’s #1, or to land a Division 1 scholarship is the focus. Because comparing different states - and in reality, different classes in the same state are sometimes like comparing an apple and a horse (not just apples and oranges) - the focus of these rankings has to be on performing at large regional and national events. Winning a state title or making the podium at the state tournament is pretty much the minimum to be considered. That disenfranchises some that do not have the ability to travel to large events that are located in North Dakota, Iowa, or even to Virginia or North Carolina … I recognize that is a limitation, but it is simply not something that is easy to overcome when some athletes do not compete in a larger pool of talent.
Weight Class: The design is to rank wrestlers at their weight for a national-level event like Fargo, Super 32, etc.. That is sometimes difficult because some wrestlers may plan to compete at a lower weight (for example, being registered at Super 32), but haven’t seen that weight class in nearly a year. As a result, they are placed in the weight that seems like their “likely” weight for a national-level tournament.
Methodology: As illustrated by the graphic on the front page of the rankings, the focus is on several national-level events, as well as some regional events. There are 5 tiers and they are ranked in importance based on conversations with college coaches. I should emphasize that many of the coaches I spoke with aren’t all “big fans” of rankings and really are more interested in how wrestlers “take care of business” in the classroom, in life, and on the mat. Many have told me that the outcome of a particular match is far less important in the future success than a number of other things. That said, while I have hesitated to even do rankings it is by far the thing I am asked most about through emails, on social media, or in person. I do think that they serve a purpose and are valuable, but keeping them in context is incredibly important. Interested in what I mean? Read the “Are Rankings Valuable?” piece I wrote. It may help you better understand my philosophy as it relates to rankings.
Tier 1: Fargo (particularly freestyle) and the NHSCA High School Nationals are the most important in determining the rankings. The Grappler Fall Classic is elevated to this level because of the proximity in recent years to the SE - meaning we have an opportunity to not only see a lot of SE vs. SE matches, but also to watch the best in the Southeast vs. nationally-ranked wrestlers from across the country.
Tier 2: The National Recruiting Showcase in Iowa in the spring, as well as the Journeymen tournament in Pennsylvania.
Tier 3: Super 32 Qualifiers in North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia are important regional events that afford those that do not have the ability to travel far to get noticed.
Tier 4: USA Wrestling’s Schoolboy, Cadet, and Junior National Duals, USA Wrestling’s Southeast Regionals as well as NHSCA National Duals are the fourth tier of events for these rankings.
Tier 5: The final tier is some regional events like Deep South, Disney, Dirty Don’s, Southern Throne, etc. - they provide a great opportunity to get mat time, but are weighed significantly less than those on the other tiers.
NOTE: Olympic Duals, Battle of the Burgh, Rocky Mountain Nationals, and others are considered, but we see so few SE matchups in those events that they are not examined very closely. The last note is that you may notice wrestlers that did not win a state title or even place at the state tournament that are now in the rankings … that is because those wrestlers have been very active in recent events and have done very well.
Next Rankings: The next set of rankings will occur in early November after two premier national events - Super 32 and Pre-Season Nationals. Those two events will take over the top tier in the next set of rankings and every other tournament will shift down in importance.
