Cutting Some Weight
By: Caleb Syke
It’s wrestling season once again at Kennedy High School, which means there are
many student athletes who have started on a wrestling diet in order to cut weight. In
wrestling, there are 14 specific weight classes that a wrestler could be in. When a wrestler
weighs more than their designated weight class, that wrestler has to cut or lose weight
until they weigh less than that class. This ensures that the wrestlers weight is equal to that
of his opponent, making it a fair match. For example, if one wrestler had a given weight class
of 145 pounds, but that wrestler weighed 149 pounds, they would have to lose over 5 pounds
within a short period of time in order to get under that 145 limit.
Now, as most could expect, the act of cutting weight can definitely be taken out
of hand if wrestlers aren’t careful. That’s why Iowa high schools make an effort to
give their wrestlers sound advice when it comes to cutting weight. According to the IHSAA
(Iowa High School Athletic Association), “The best weight for wrestlers, or anyone for that
matter, is one that is safe and can be comfortably maintained by eating a healthy, balanced
diet. Wrestlers should be able to concentrate more on developing wrestling skills, than
on maintaining, or losing, weight. Those who spend more time thinking about food,
than wrestling, are probably trying to lose too much weight and/or eating the
wrong foods.” In addition to this, IHSAA applies studies done by many leading medical
professionals in order to ensure that student athletes are maintaining healthy diets and habits.
Yet somehow, despite the thorough and detailed instruction given by the
wrestling coaches regarding this advice, many Kennedy student wrestlers choose
alternative methods of losing weight that are not recommended. As senior JV wrestler,
Spencer Bevins puts it, “Some of us are on a normal, good diet where you just avoid
processed or greasy stuff. Most of the other guys just starve themselves though.” Bevins
went on to describe some of the other weight cutting methods the wrestlers use, such
as taking laxatives, bathing in epsom salts to reduce water weight, avoiding drinking
any fluids or sometimes utilizing tobacco products for appetite suppression. When
asked why some are willing to go to such extremes just to lose a little weight, Bevins said,
“There’s a lot of pressure to lose that extra weight. Being even ounces off can screw
you over sometimes. Some of us approach that pressure differently I guess.”
This weight cutting problem isn’t just limited to Kennedy though. Many other
high school and even college wrestlers use some of these methods to get rid of
those extra pounds fast. According to nutritionist and director of BTD Nutrition
Consultants, Bonnie Taub-Dix, anywhere from one quarter to two thirds of
high school wrestlers use fasting, excessive exercise, voluntary dehydration
and unbalanced diets to achieve a lower weight. With this information, it could
be concluded that a new approach should be taken. While weight plays a key role
in wrestling as a whole, perhaps there is a better way to address these risky methods.
For, at the end of the day, a wrestler belongs out on the mat, not on the scale.
