Collegiate wrestling, often folkstyle wrestling, is deeply rooted in the history and tradition of American universities and colleges.
Contrary to common belief, it is distinct from Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, offering unique challenges and opportunities for young athletes in high schools and colleges across the United States. Stay tuned for more!
Collegiate Wrestling History
The first intercollegiate dual meet was held 1903 between Yale University and Columbia University.
In 1905, the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association staged its inaugural tournament, sparking many future wrestling competitions for college and university students and high school kids.
In 1927, Raymond G. Clapp established the rules for college wrestling. Then, the first NCAA Wrestling Championship was held on the campus of Iowa State College on March 30 and 31, 1928.
After that, collegiate wrestling adopted the rules of the International Amateur Wrestling Federation (IAWF) and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
Over the years, College and high school wrestling grew in popularity, particularly after the NCAA wrestling rules were standardized, which applied to collegiate and scholastic wrestling.
Thus, more colleges and universities began to host dual meets and tournaments, championships, and organized wrestling seasons.
Yet, there were breaks because of World War I and II. Still, collegiate championships sprung up in different regions throughout the 1930s and 1940s, particularly in high schools.
After World War II, more collegiate athletes engaged in wrestling, and more quality competitions occurred. More high school and university students are involved in wrestling training under qualified coaches.
Collegiate Wrestling Governing Bodies
The National College Athletic Association (NCAA) is the governing body of collegiate wrestling.
It is divided into three divisions (Division I, II, and III), each following the same NCAA rules.
Also, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), and the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) follow the NCAA’s rules with minor changes.
Aside from that, women’s collegiate wrestling in the United States has two rulesets: The freestyle ruleset established by United World Wrestling (UWW) and the National Wrestling Coaches Association rules.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was founded as the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS) on March 31, 1906, before adopting its current name in 1910.
The NCAA is a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
It governs student sports at around 1,100 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Therefore, the NCAA manages the athletic programs of colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.
It assists approximately 500,000 college student-athletes participating in college sports each year.
The Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA)
The Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) is the collegiate wrestling regulatory organization in the United States and Canada.
It is a non-profit organization of 162 schools and organizations that organize wrestling programs and contests for college and university students.
The NCWA is a post-secondary athletic organization created in 1997 by Jim Giunta, a former executive director of the Texas Interscholastic Wrestling Association (TIWA).
The NCWA began with 13 teams and has grown to include over 150 wrestling teams and organizations from around the United States and Canada.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is a college athletics association representing North American colleges and universities. It was founded in 1940 and adopted the NCCA rulesets.
Most NAIA schools and institutions provide sports scholarships to their student-athletes.
The league includes school wrestling from British Columbia, the United States Virgin Islands, and the remainder of the continental United States, with nearly 77,000 student-athletes competing.
The NAIA is based in Kansas City, Missouri, and hosts 27 national championships.
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) governs junior college athletics in the United States.
It was founded in 1938 and now includes 24 distinct regions distributed over 24 states.
The NJCAA supervises and organizes various sports events such as baseball, basketball, wrestling, softball, and volleyball.
The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA)
The National Wrestling Coaches Association, founded in 1928, is a professional organization.
It is devoted to serving and providing leadership for the promotion of wrestling at all levels, with a significant focus on scholastic and college programs.
Collegiate Wrestling Weight Classes
NCAA Collegiate Wrestling Weight Classes
- 125 lbs
- 133 lbs
- 141 lbs
- 149 lbs
- 157 lbs
- 165 lbs
- 174 lbs
- 184 lbs
- 197 lbs
- 183 lbs to 285 lbs
NCWA Collegiate Wrestling Weight Classes
NCWA approves eight weight divisions for female competitors who pick Greco-Roman (collegiate) instead of freestyle ruleset:
- 105 lbs.
- 112 lbs.
- 121 lbs.
- 130 lbs.
- 139 lbs.
- 148 lbs.
- 159 lbs.
- 200 lbs.
WCWA Collegiate Wrestling Weight Classes
WCWA uses freestyle wrestling rules instead of collegiate ones for females, and this organization offers ten weight divisions:
- 101 lbs.
- 109 lbs.
- 116 lbs.
- 123 lbs.
- 130 lbs.
- 136 lbs.
- 143 lbs.
- 155 lbs.
- 170 lbs.
- 191 lbs.
Collegiate Wrestling Annual Schedule
Collegiate Wrestling Championships
- College Wrestling National Championships
- Collegiate Wrestling Duals
- National Collegiate Wrestling Association
- College Wrestling National Duals
The college wrestling season typically lasts from October/November through March.
The NCAA oversees all college sports in the United States and is the regulating body.
Collegiate Wrestling Point System
Collegiate wrestling’s point system is a meticulously crafted framework to reward skill, strategy, and aggression.
It makes every match a dynamic display of tactical prowess.
Points are awarded for various maneuvers demonstrating control and dominance over the opponent:
- A takedown, where a wrestler brings their opponent from standing to the mat, is worth two points, emphasizing the importance of initiating control.
- Escape moves, which involve a wrestler breaking free from their opponent’s hold, earn one point, highlighting the resilience and tactical retreats crucial in turning the tide of a match.
- Near falls, where the wrestler holds their opponent’s shoulders close to the mat, can score two to three points depending on the duration, pushing wrestlers to secure more decisive positions.
Additional points are awarded for reversals and riding time, which gauge a wrestler’s ability to maintain control and dominate the match.
The cumulative effect of these rules ensures that each wrestler’s effort and strategic execution are accurately reflected in the score.
They make collegiate wrestling a thrilling and intellectually engaging sport.
Understanding Collegiate Wrestling Rules
Collegiate wrestling is distinguished by its unique blend of strategy and strength.
It operates under comprehensive rules to promote fairness and competitive integrity.
Out-of-bounds rules are critical; wrestlers must stay within the designated area, making spatial awareness crucial.
Additionally, infractions such as stalling, illegal holds, or unsportsmanlike conduct can result in penalties, which can influence the match’s outcome.
These rules ensure each game is a test of skill, endurance, and tactical prowess, making collegiate wrestling a profoundly engaging and respected sport.
Collegiate Wrestling Vs Freestyle Vs Greco-Roman
Collegiate wrestling, also known as folkstyle wrestling, is a distinct grappling martial art practiced within colleges and universities in the USA.
It also easily adapts for young athletes in high schools and middle schools, with minor modifications to accommodate developing competitors.
Some key differences and characteristics include:
Collegiate Wrestling (Folkstyle) Characteristics
- Predominantly in the USA, rooted in the college sports tradition.
- First recognized during the inaugural college match between Yale and Columbia in 1903.
- Allows holding the opponent below the waist and using legs in offensive and defensive maneuvers.
- It offers ten main weight classes for male athletes and varies between eight and ten for female athletes, depending on the organization (NCAA, NCWA, WCWA).
Freestyle Wrestling Characteristics
- Practiced worldwide, it featured prominently as an Olympic sport.
- Introduced to the global stage during the 1904 St. Louis Games.
- Like collegiate wrestling, it permits control below the waist and using legs. However, it places a higher emphasis on throws and quick reversals.
- Standardizes six main weight classes for male and female athletes.
Greco-Roman Wrestling Characteristics
- Also, a global discipline is prevalent in the Olympics.
- It is a longstanding Olympic sport characterized by its traditional wrestling style.
- Strictly prohibits holds below the belt, focusing entirely on upper body strength and technique.
- Maintains six main weight classes, identical to freestyle wrestling.
Collegiate wrestling emphasizes riding time and control, while freestyle allows holds below the waist. Greco-Roman wrestling excludes the lower body from offensive strategies, highlighting upper-body technique and strength.
Each style promotes different skills and contributes to the evolution of wrestling as a competitive sport.
Conclusion
Collegiate wrestling is a cherished tradition in American educational institutions.
It’s more than just a sport, but a unique blend of physical and strategic depth that fosters resilience, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the art of wrestling.
Over the years, collegiate wrestling has evolved significantly. It remains a vital part of college sports and provides young wrestlers with a platform to achieve greatness.
Whether you are a student-athlete, a coach, a fan, or a parent, the world of collegiate wrestling offers endless opportunities to engage with one of America’s most enduring sports traditions. Keep wrestling!
