Top NCAA Wrestlers of All-Time at 125 Pounds

[Sheerstress]

2 hours ago, ionel said:

125 - 118 = 7

They added 7 lbs to the old weight classes when went to 1 hr weigh ins, this was triggered by the fatalities. 

Yes, they made that adjustment back in the 1996-97 season.

At that time, and perhaps for the next few years, you could say that a lot of 125 pounders were previous 118 pounders who had nowhere to go but up. 

But since then, the 125 pound class has filled up with athletes who are more natural to the weight, and who would have wrestled at 126 pounds under the old classifications.  Smaller guys who would have been better at 118 simply don't place as high.

[Wrestleknownothing]

22 minutes ago, Sheerstress said:

Yes, they made that adjustment back in the 1996-97 season.

At that time, and perhaps for the next few years, you could say that a lot of 125 pounders were previous 118 pounders who had nowhere to go but up. 

But since then, the 125 pound class has filled up with athletes who are more natural to the weight, and who would have wrestled at 126 pounds under the old classifications.  Smaller guys who would have been better at 118 simply don't place as high.

98-99

[Theo Brixton]

1 hour ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

98-99

It was the 1997-98 season. They gave the weight allowance during the same season the deaths occurred. 

https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/12/29/wrestlings-dirty-secret-the-ncaa-should-be-called-on-the-mat-after-three-collegians-died-trying-to-shed-pounds

[Wrestleknownothing]

9 hours ago, Theo Brixton said:

It was the 1997-98 season. They gave the weight allowance during the same season the deaths occurred. 

https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/12/29/wrestlings-dirty-secret-the-ncaa-should-be-called-on-the-mat-after-three-collegians-died-trying-to-shed-pounds

I am basing it on what Jairus Hammond has posted on wrestlingstats.com

[gimpeltf]

10 minutes ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

I am basing it on what Jairus Hammond has posted on wrestlingstats.com

They gave the allowance that season- maybe in January(?), but I believe they gave it as an allowance rather than as a new weight. The next year they changed the weight classes in the rule book.