Tennessee high school wrestling matches might become faster than fans are used to, though adapting to the changes could take some time.
New scoring rules introduced by the National Federation of State High School Associations emphasize offensive strategies, potentially shortening individual matches and dual meets. Wrestlers now earn three points for takedowns instead of the usual two, and a fourth point is possible for near-fall situations, rewarding aggressive techniques.
This shift was evident during Tuesday’s match between Independence and Fairview, where the host Eagles clinched a narrow 40-39 victory.
“I really like it a lot. It’s easier to get ‘techs’ faster,” said Independence junior Locke Sessions after achieving a quick 15-0 technical fall against Charlie Segelke in the 126-pound category. “It makes me work more on top instead of ‘cutting’ an opponent and letting them go. It’s faster to score near-falls that way.”
The updates align high school wrestling more closely with collegiate rules.
“I don’t think it’ll take long for people to adjust,” said Jake Lowry, the match’s official. “I’ve been using these rules for two months. It’s not as big of a change as I expected, but fans still yell ‘two’ for a takedown. The new system speeds up tech falls. Wrestlers can no longer toy with opponents for six minutes before pinning them. Matches finish faster.”
Under the new rules, reversals remain worth two points and escape one. Additionally, boundary officiating is more lenient—action is considered inbounds as long as one wrestler has a point of contact within bounds.
Coaches are now training their athletes to adapt to this faster-paced style.
“It’s changed how we coach,” said Fairview’s Biff Curtis. “From a neutral position, wrestlers need to attack more. A takedown and back points can put you up 7-0 quickly. You can build a lead, win faster, or stage comebacks more effectively. We focus more on setups and attacks right from the whistle.”
On Tuesday, only one match lasted the full six minutes—Fairview’s Hunter Lange defeated Nathan Hickham 4-1 in the 285-pound class. The meet featured a mix of forfeits, pins, and technical falls, with Riddeck Romano’s 31-second pin at 144 pounds helping Independence rally from a 27-0 deficit.
“You have to emphasize scrambling and countering to avoid takedowns,” said Independence coach Drew Sestito. “Three points can add up fast. It might reduce pins in favor of tech falls, but I’m fine with that. I love techs.”
Independence 40, Fairview 39 Results
190: Thatcher Pittman (F) by forfeit
215: Peyton Mitchell (F) pinned Gavin Johnson, 1:54
285: Hunter Lange (F) decisioned Nathan Hickham, 4-1
106: Joseph Howell (F) by forfeit
113: Bryson Henderson (F) by forfeit
120: Landon Dotson (I) by forfeit
126: Locke Sessions (I) technical fall over Charlie Segelke, 15-0
132: Ryan Jenkins (I) by forfeit
138: Murk Romano (I) by forfeit
144: Riddeck Romano (I) pinned Skylar Hedges, 0:31
150: Rocky Davis (I) pinned Collin Lara, 3:42
157: Leo Roberts (I) technical fall over Asher Seaver, 17-2
165: Nathan Calvillo (F) pinned Noah Compton, 3:27
175: Cole Neal (F) pinned Eli Alexander, 0:35