Madison Weight System

Bruce Gabrielson
Southern Maryland Wrestling Club
Spring 1997

The Madison system is the local method used to group competitors at Southern Maryland wrestling events for the past several years. It is similar, but not identical, to the Virginia Easy System popular at Virginia USAW events. Using either approach requires that the wrestler's exact weight be listed at weigh-in.

Normally, when using the system, a regular 100 entry size tournament weight class will naturally fall into a weight group class of 4 to 6 competitors. Small draws usually end up with 3-4 wrestlers in a class.

Goal

This method is used to make up weight classes when low numbers of entries prevent the creation of full draws at local events and to also discourage weight loss. It is oriented towards receiving matches since it allows nearly everyone to compete regardless of the draw makeup. Our approach is to always provide matches for entrants, regardless of their size, age, or sex while at the same time encourage fun rather than weight loss problems.

Wrestlers are placed in competition pools where everyone is within 10% weight and two years age of each other. While in most instances this approach can be followed exactly, in the case of a small tournament entry, adjustments may sometimes be necessary.

Note: Adjustments outside the 10%/2 yr rule should only be made with the competitors consent because of limited matches.

Example

The following represents a typical selection of young wrestlers weighing in at a small local event. I've stopped the ages at 15 years, but ages up to 18 would follow the same general approach presented.

Age       Weight

7         60
7         70
8         62
8         74
8         78
8         87
9         70
9         80
10        71
10        74
10        78
11        80
12        75
12        82
12        91
12        99
13        85
13        97
13        100
13        109
13        116
14        110
14        120
15        104
15        124
15        125
15        130
15        131
15        140
15        151

First put all wrestlers into a weight ladder grouping by every two years and adding the oldest age
wrestlers into the next lowest group.  Often high school wrestlers prefer this anyway.

7         60   
8         62
7         70
8         74
8         78
8         87

9         70
10        71
10        74
10        78
9         80

12        75
11        80
12        82
12        91
12        99

13        85
13        97
13        100
15        104
13        109
14        110
13        116
14        120
15        124
15        125
15        130
15        131
15        140
15        151


Next, pull out any obvious weight groups at the bottom or top of the list.  In this case, the 60-62
age grouping is obvious as is the 140-151 group.  Finally, group all the rest within even groups
following the 2 yr/10% rule, adding in the oldest age from a group into the next oldest group as
necessary.  

Notice the 12 yr old 75 lb exceeds the 10% rule.  This wrestler can not be placed into the lower
class because of the excessive age difference.  Therefore, for this case, the wrestler would need to
agree to wrestle in the draw or have his entry refunded.  

The 14 yr old 110 is put into the higher weight class to allow for an ever (3 each draw at the next
higher weight).  The 124 lb 15 year old is grouped into the higher class not only to even the
classes out, but also to keep him away from the 13 year old.

Using the approach for this event will give 10 classes of mostly three wrestlers each.

7         60
8         62

7         70
8         74
|
8         78   could be placed in a group above or below
               but would be best at lower weight/age group to even the class

9         70
10        71
10        74

10        78
9         80
8         87

12        75*
11        80
12        82
13        85

12        91
13        97
12        99

13        100
15        104
13        109

14        110*
13        116
14        120

15        124
15        130
15        131

15        140
15        151




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