Bloomington area sports notes: Wrestling rule changes, MCCSC physical night and more

Three-point takedowns and five-point near-falls are on the books for next wrestling season.

The National Federation of High Schools Wrestling Rules Committee announced six major rules changes among 30 approved starting in the 2024-25 season after its April meeting in Indianapolis.

Wrestlers will now be inbounds with only one point of contact of either wrestler inside or on the boundary line.

Previously, high school wrestlers were considered to be inbounds if a total of two supporting points of either wrestler were inside or on the boundary line. The two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler inside or on the boundary line.

“Without increasing risk, this change eliminates the subjectivity of the out-of-bounds call,” Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and student services and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee, said in a news release.

Big changes are also coming to scoring.

“The goal in wrestling is to pin the opponent,” Hopkins said in the release. “Changing the near-fall points should motivate wrestlers to work for a fall.”

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Points for a near-fall will now be awarded based on how long the wrestler is held in near-fall criteria: Two points will be awarded when near-fall criteria are held for two seconds, three points for three seconds, four points for four seconds and five points if the defensive wrestler is injured, indicates an injury or bleeding occurs after the four-point near-fall has been earned.

Wrestlers will also now be awarded three points instead of two when securing a takedown.

Another change involves the technical fall. If a takedown or reversal, straight to a near-fall criteria creates a 15-point advantage, the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met. The conclusion of the near-fall criteria is immediate.

In another change, the 10-foot circle at the center of wrestling mats is now optional. Wrestlers now will be encouraged to “stay in the center of the mat” instead of “within the 10-foot circle.”

MCCSC Sports Physical Night upcoming

MCCSC Sports Physical Night will take place May 6 at Bloomington North, starting at 6 p.m. for current eighth-11th graders.

More doctors will be available to reduce the wait time. Students heading to North or South are welcome.

North athletes are asked to roll over their FinalForms accounts for the 24-25 season (link available at bhsnathletics.com), print the history and physical forms and bring them to the examination.

Cost is $20 (cash, check or credit card). Enter through the main school entrance.

South duo wins IHSAA scholarships

Bloomington South's Keira Robinson and Brian Tran are the recipients of the Lee Lonzo Champions Together Post-Secondary Scholarship.

Each year, a pair of Unified Sport student-athletes from an IHSAA member school will be awarded $1,000 scholarships based on their dedication and exemplary support of the Champions Together program in theirschool and community. Applicants are judged by their commitment to comradery, inclusiveness, team spirit, and character while participating in Champions Together-related activities.

Robinson, who was also a member of the Panthers' state runner-up girls' soccer team, and Tran and members of South's Unified Track team and have been friends since elementary school. Robinson's connection to a relative with a disability sparked her desire to become more actively involved in the special needs community. Tran's commitment to the team earned him the B-Man award during his sophomore and junior years.

Girls lacrosse event at North on Saturday

Bloomington Pride high school girls' lacrosse team will be hosting five games from 12:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, at Bloomington North.

The event will include a promotion from 2-4 p.m. at the field to develop interest in a middle school girls' team.

Contact Jim Gordillo at jgordillo@heraldt.com and follow on X @JimGordillo.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington IHSAA sports notes: Wrestling, lacrosse, MCCSC physicals