As is the case in many sports, controversy has riddled college wrestling in the form of Olympic redshirting, an NCAA bylaw that can be used to obtain a sixth year of eligibility without a significant injury.
For the first time in history, this hotly debated topic will directly affect the Mid-American Conference.
Since 1992, athletes in Olympic sports have had the ability to obtain Olympic redshirts, which, like any other redshirt, allow an athlete an extra year of eligibility. The controversy arises because this can be used as an additional redshirt, allowing an athlete to take a second year of competition off to be made up a subsequent year.
Until this year, no MAC wrestler had ever opted to use this waiver. But with the Olympics approaching, at least two Central Michigan wrestlers will take this option, intending to use the season qualifying for the Olympics.
At least, that is the intention they contest.
Many, including Ohio coach Joel Greenlee, said this waiver is being abused, as many people are simply trying to extend their college careers.
I don't like it. I think it's being abused. I don't think it's used the right way
Greenlee said. Guys who aren't in the starting lineup haven't been to the national tournament haven't been an All-American
in my opinion
they've got no business thinking they're gonna make an Olympic team.
One reason Central Michigan coach Tom Borrelli gave for allowing his wrestlers to pursue the waiver was the preparation and experience it will give his wrestlers for future Olympic trials.
Mainly they want to go through the Olympic process
Borrelli said. They all are interested in wrestling freestyle
and most have an eye on wrestling for the Olympic team in 2008.
Only one Central Michigan wrestler earned All-American status last year.
However, Greenlee said that the rule is nothing more than an excuse for the wrestlers to obtain the redshirt for some.
I agree with that philosophy
but I think it's a smoke screen
Greenlee said. That's four years away. Most of the freestyle and Greco tournaments which they're going to wrestle in are spring and summer anyway. So those kids can wrestle in the college season and wrestle in those. My personal opinion is they're just cheating the system and getting a sixth year. I would love to hang around and see how many of those guys really do train for the 2008 Olympics.
Fueling the controversy for those who oppose the waiver is the fact that no wrestler has ever been denied an Olympic redshirt, said Mike Moyer, executive director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Additionally, no wrestler has ever qualified for the Olympic team during an Olympic redshirt year for freestyle wrestling. On the flip side, in both 1996 and 2000 an individual earned a medal in the Greco-Roman style wrestling while taking the waiver.
To have college kids on teams
it's pretty rare
said Gary Abbott, director of communications at USA Wrestling. But it does happen and has happened. There has been just one each time
