Page 26 - 2014-15 Wrestling State Finals Program

Tournament History

Many changes have been made to the Indiana state Tournament Milestones
wrestling tournament since its inception, and to this day it
remains one of the most exciting and best-attended state 1922
finals events on the IHSAA calendar. First State Tournament
While not officially sponsored by the IHSAA, but held held at Indiana University
1933
with special permission, the first state high school wrestling First IHSAA-Sponsored
tournament took place in 1922 at Indiana University. A State Tournament Held
total of 19 wrestlers from seven schools participated in 1935
the first tournament. From 1922 to1935, a regulation high First Use of Scoring System
school wrestling match called for one eight-minute period 1944-49
with both wrestlers starting in the neutral position on their IHSAA Ceases Sponsorship
due to World War II
feet. No point system was in place, and the winner was 1950
determined solely on riding time or by a fall. For the 1935- IHSAA Resumes Sponsorship of State
36 season, a point system was installed and periods were Tournament; Sectionals Implemented
added to make the matches more interesting for fans. 1951
From 1922 to 1951, the only IHSAA rules for wrestling First Set of Rules Written and Adopted
1957
were the same ones that applied to all sports in the state, Rules Modified to help prevent
mainly eligibility and age requirements. During this time, Excessive Weight Loss
so-called gentlemens’ agreements were decided upon 1958
before meets by the coaches and these rules were en- Regionals Implemented
forced by the officials. 1973
A new set of rules, written by coaches Chauncey National Federation Rules Adopted
McDaniel of Southport High School and Clifford Myers using Indiana Rules
1976
of Bloomington High School, were adopted by the IHSAA Semi-States Implemented
beginning with the 1951-52 season. Modifications in the 1981
standing rules, most notably those that helped to prevent First State Finals held
excessive weight loss, were made in time for the 1957-58 at Market Square Arena
1996
wrestling season. Finally in 1973, using Indiana’s rules as Separate Tournament Initiated to
a measuring stick, the National Wrestling Federation Rules determine Championship Team
were written and adopted. 2000
Due to the sport’s rapid growth, the IHSAA took over First Individual State Finals held
sponsorship of the tournament from 1933 to 1943, though at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
the state finals were still held at Indiana University. How- 2013
ever, as the Great Depression gripped the country and the State Championship Team again determined
at Individual State Finals
United States entered World War II, there was a gradual
decline in the number of schools participating. That forced Indiana State High School Championships
the IHSAA to drop wrestling from its sponsorship from 1944 Sponsored by Indiana University
to 1949. During this period, various participating schools Year Winner Coach
kept the tournament going by holding an annual invitational 1922 Terre Haute Wiley ...............Guy Stantz
state tournament. 1923 Terre Haute Wiley ...............Guy Stantz
The IHSAA resumed sponsorship of the tournament 1924 Bloomington .......................Harold Mumby
in 1950 and continues to do so today. From 1950 to 1925 Bloomington .......................Harold Mumby
1959, Bloomington and Lafayette Jefferson high schools 1926 Elwood ................................Theodore Koontz
alternated as the host school before the finals were moved 1927 Wabash ..............................Billy Thom
in 1960 to Southport High School’s 7,200-seat fieldhouse. 1928 Wabash ..............................No Coach
The finals eventually required even more seating and 1929 Bedford ...............................Emil Held
from 1981 to 1999 were held at Market Square Arena in 1930 Bloomington .......................Harold Mumby
Indianapolis before moving to what is now Bankers Life 1931 Bloomington .......................Harold Mumby
Fieldhouse in 2000. 1932 Muncie ................................Walter Fisher
From 1996 to 2012, a separate team tournament was
conducted in dual format to determine an overall team state Indiana State High School Invitational
champion. The state finals were conducted at Southport War Year Champions
High School in 1996 and then culminated at Center Grove
High School for the next 16 years. Year Winner Coach
1944 Southport ............................Arlington Pitcher
Beginning in 2013, the state championship team was 1945 Bloomington .......................Harold Mumby
again determined by points accumulated by individual 1946 Bloomington .......................Clifford Myers
wrestlers as it had been from 1936 to 1995. 1947 Bloomington .......................Clifford Myers
1948 Bloomington .......................Clifford Myers
1949 Bloomington .......................Clifford Myers
26 IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport!