VWR03: Shenanigans with the Virginia High School League state wrestling champion

On Episode 3 of the Virginia Wrestling Roundup, we go around the state to talk to coaches about the complete disaster that resulted in the Virginia High School League's decision to abbreviate the public school state wrestling championships. On the panel for this show is Andrew Farrar, the Executive Director of VAWA. Andrew is an assistant coach at St. Christopher's School in Richmond. He clearly outlined how the private school faction in Virginia (VISAA) handled their state tournament, a two-day 32-man double elimination tournament with clear communication and had no problems getting things done. On the public school side of things, Colonial Forge head coach Bill Swink, the State Chairman for VAWA and Bryan Hazard, the head coach at Robinson and the state's High School Director for the NWCA, were dealing with the shenanigans at Robinson, where the 5A and 6A state tournaments were held. Mike Faus joins the program for the first time. Mike is the coach at New Kent, a 3A school southeast of Richmond. Faus experienced the issues in the Southwest portion of the state as the 4A-1A tournaments were abbreviated at the Salem Civic Center. Host Jason Bryant, a Virginia native, offers his thoughts and we get a rundown of all the doublespeak that was going on. There were some positives, including recognizing all the state team champions, and Chilhowie's Maria Ramos, the first girl to reach the state finals in Virginia. She was the runner-up in 1A at 113 pounds. For information on how to help out the issues wrestling (and all sports) are dealing with, you're urged to contact your principal and athletic director as well as contacting your local and state representatives. Information on all things VAWA can be found at the online home at www.virginiawrestling.com The Virginia Wrestling Roundup is presented in part by Cliff Keen Athletic. Find wrestling gear, equipment and more at CliffKeen.com