Kyle Dake during U.S. Open finals match against Alex Dieringer in 2018 (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)It happens just about every year in the sport of wrestling.
A Special Wrestle-Off is held to determine a spot on the United States World or Olympic Team.
Kyle Dake and Alex Dieringer were supposed to battle for a World Team spot at the Final X on June 8 at Rutgers.
But now they won't wrestle until they meet in a Special Wrestle-Off on Aug. 17 in Austin, Texas.
The 2019 World Championships kick off less than a month later in Kazakhstan.
And that has set off its share of discussion and frustration with people in the wrestling world.
As a returning world champion at 79 kilograms, Dake qualified for the Final X by virtue of winning a world medal in 2018.
Dake requested and received a delay of his Final X series because of an injury. Dieringer had qualified for the Final X after winning May's World Team Trials Challenge tournament.
I'm one-hundred percent in favor of having the best wrestlers on the American team. And rules and guidelines are in place to try and make sure the U.S. puts the best team on the mat.
That's why USA Wrestling allows Special Wrestle-Offs to take place. They want the best men and women on the U.S. squad for the biggest event of the year.
There have been criticisms of the system, including by Dake, that it was unfair when Jordan Burroughs would receive an automatic berth into the finals of the World Team Trials and Olympic Team Trials.
Sitting out was definitely an advantage for Burroughs, but he has backed it up with an Olympic gold medal, four world titles and two world bronze medals.
Burroughs, Olympic and world champion Kyle Snyder and others earned spots in the finals of the Trials by winning medals at the highest level. It's hard to argue with that criteria.
Obviously, you want a system that is fair. But you also want to reward athletes for their high level of success.
This isn't a criticism or an indictment at all of Kyle Dake. He's doing what is best for him. He's a proven winner and an outstanding wrestler. He demonstrated that by winning a gold medal at his first World Championships last year. It's unfortunate he didn't have an opportunity sooner, but that shows how strong and deep the U.S. has been in men's freestyle wrestling in recent years.
This issue would take on even more importance and add another layer if 79 kilograms was an Olympic weight class because the 2019 World Championships serves as the first qualifier for the 2020 Olympic Games.
The 79-kilogram class is a non-Olympic weight class, but they are still handing out a gold medal for the best in the world in that division this year. It's still a World Championships and it's the biggest event of the year.
Trust me, I'm all for Kyle Dake having every opportunity to make the 2019 World Team. He earned that by winning a world title in 2018 and he's one of the best freestyle wrestlers on the planet. He's one of my favorite athletes to watch. He's a tremendous competitor.
But I'm not a proponent of having the Special Wrestle-Off this late in the year and this close to the World Championships.
Dake earned the right to ask for an extension, but it shouldn't be for two-plus months after the Final X. That's too long.
Dieringer shouldn't have to wait this long to wrestle against Dake in the best-of-three series with so much on the line and with it being so close to the World Championships.
A date needs to be set, around a month after the Final X, where the Special Wrestle-Off would have to happen.
If the Final X continues to be held in June each year, then schedule any Special Wrestle-Off during Junior and Cadet Nationals a month later in Fargo. Put that on the schedule and adhere to that.
If the Trials/Final X are held earlier, like they typically are in an Olympic year, then the Special Wrestle-Off should be held within a month after the Trials.
If the injured wrestler isn't ready within a month after the Trials, he or she will not be permitted to compete in a Special Wrestle-Off at a later date. No exceptions. It has to happen by then.
Set a date and stick with it. Don't allow an athlete to dictate when the Special Wrestle-Off is held.
The U.S. World Team needs to be set by then, so the athlete that makes the squad can properly prepare for the World Championships. He or she should be training specifically for that event. And watching video of and developing game plans for possible opponents. Not preparing for an American opponent at a Special Wrestle-Off just a month before the World Championships.
If Dake is ready to compete in another event in July, as he is expected to do, he should be able to compete in the Special Wrestle-Off at that point. No further delays should be allowed.
Dieringer and his camp have every right to be frustrated and upset. The Special Wrestle-Offs typically don't take place this close to a World Championships.
There was an exception last year when Olympic and World champion Helen Maroulis won a Special Wrestle-Off in early October, just a couple of weeks before the 2018 World Championships.
Special Wrestle-Offs have generated their share of controversy over the years and that's understandable.
There is plenty at stake and everyone is going to fight for what they believe in. And do everything in their power to make a World or Olympic team.
I would imagine that USA Wrestling will take a close look at adjusting its procedures when it comes to when Special Wrestle-Offs can be held.
USA Wrestling's system has been fair in that regard in the past and I'm sure steps will be taken to make sure it is as fair as possible moving forward.
The Dake-Dieringer series already was going to provide an excellent battle between two incredible wrestlers.
Now it takes on even more interest with the matches being delayed and the controversy that has followed.
It's too bad the U.S. couldn't take Dake and Dieringer to Kazakhstan for the World Championships.
They are both good enough to meet in the world finals.
There is no question the U.S. will be send a strong representative to the World Championships at 79 kilograms.
The spot just should have been determined sooner.
Craig Sesker has written about wrestling for more than three decades. He's covered three Olympic Games and is a two-time national wrestling writer of the year.
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