2025-26 South Dakota Changes, Clarifications & Reminders
- Region Seeding Requirements wording – Remove “Contestants must have a minimum of eight matches actually wrestled at the weight class in which they are entered for competition at the Region Meet in order to be considered for seeding.” Any injury, illness, or ineligibility will not alter the above rule. This minimum number may be reduced provided committee members and head coaches in a Region vote by majority to do so.
- Fill byes in State Tournament bracket with 5th place, then 6th place, if needed – In both boys and girls, we will fill the brackets that have byes with 5th place from Regions.
- State Dual Handbook – Updated languare in the handbook regarding State Dual Tournament seeding on page 13 (Stat Dual Tournament, Section A, Subsection 3 and 4)
- Cutoff date for State Duals seeding – The cutoff date for duals to be considered for State Dual Seeding will be Thursday of NFHS Week 31
- Change to State Dual Seeding – The top 16 teams will be evaluated for seeding (was previously top 10).
- Team Dual Qualification – Teams need to have 10 duals (was previously 8) on record to be considered for for State Team Dual dual seeding
- Change the Daily/Session Mat Schedule for the State Wrestling Tournament – please see page 15 in Wrestling section of SDHSAA Athletics Handbook
- Girls Weight Classes – Change from 12 to the 14 NFHS 14 weight classes for girls (100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 155, 170, 190, 235)
- Eliminate Females from Wrestling in Male Dual Events – It is a separate sport, and it does not count towards either record for male or female
- Girls Region Tournaments will be held on Thursday or Friday of NFHS Week 33, combining Boys Regions 1A/1B, 2A/2B, 3A/3B, 4A/4B to comprise the four Girls Regions.
South Dakota Modifications to NFHS Rules
- Allow three people in the corner instead of just two. The third person must be a Student Manager.
- Allow teams to weigh-in at home prior to tournaments and dual meets with more than four teams competing rather than at the event site an hour prior to the event starting.
