Campaign to push wrestling to summer season

Wrestling coaches across Illinois are pressuring the IHSA to move their season from the winter into the summer. Leading the way is DGN’s varsity coach Christopher McGrath. If he succeeds, there will be a higher chance of having a more normal, structured, and secure season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

McGrath took to the Sept. 14 IHSA meeting and voiced his concerns about keeping the sport in the winter. 

“Wrestling is the most at-risk of all sports, and moving to the last possible time allows vaccines and treatments to make their way through the general public,” McGrath said. “This move is the safest way for us to have our sport.”

For the sake of wrestling in Illinois, he does not want to roll the dice at the chance at a canceled season this winter.

“The guidelines set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health have placed wrestling in the highest risk category and will not allow contact sports to practice, much less compete, at this time,” McGrath said.  

With football in the spring this year, he, along with wrestling coaches across the state, is forced to propose a summer plan.

“Most coaches in the area support this move and it is the right thing to do for kids. I think it has a solid chance at passing,” McGrath said.

The IHSA decided to table the conversation and revisit it during the October meeting when they can better evaluate winter sports.

*As of October 28, the IHSA has decided to move the wrestling season into the summer season lasting from April 19 to June 26.