Michigan likes changes in wrestling rules

The Michigan Daily ANN ARBOR, Mich. (U-WIRE) -- More than a week after a second set of changes was put in place to improve safety in the Michigan wrestling program, team members and university officials said they feel comfortable and confident about the new direction of the program. "Everything is a lot different," Michigan wrestler Damion Logan said. "We don't have to worry about any kind of weight problems, and we feel stronger." The newest changes, which seek to make weight-loss and other related practices safer for participants, include the development of weight assessment and monitoring programs. "Now we need to get these changes that were made under emergency circumstances to be kept for next season and to continue," Michigan wrestling coach Dale Bahr said. "Everything done here was done in the best interest of wrestling, and this has been enjoyable for the wrestlers and the coaches." The first set of changes, which banned the use of rubber suits and saunas, took place after the Dec. 9 death of Michigan junior wrestler Jefferey Reese, who was one of three collegiate wrestlers to die within two months of each other. All three wrestlers, including Billy Saylor of Campbell University in North Carolina and Joseph LaRosa of the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, died after enduring vigorous workouts to shed weight to qualify for competition. Although skeptics questioned how extensive weight assessment and monitoring practices will affect the members of the Michigan wrestling team, many said they welcome the additional changes. "We have all changed our work ethic and we're all working hard in practice," Michigan wrestler Joe Warren said. "We are all close to our weight all week long and it doesn't have to be on our minds before we compete. Everybody likes it now, and when we have to compete, we can focus on wrestling." Logan agreed with Warren, saying the changes allow him and his teammates to focus on aspects of the sport other than qualifying for weight classes. "We don't have to jump weight at all and now we can concentrate just on wrestling," Logan said. "We are doing things the right way, and that's what it's all about because it makes our sport better." Surgery Professor Stephen Papadopoulos, a member of the Board in Control of Intercollegiate Athletics, said permanent weight monitoring and educational components are likely to be in place by next season. "We're trying to implement the program and understand the mechanics of making it work," Papadopoulos said. "We do have a framework of how we think the program will work, but it's too early to have concrete results and determine long-term solutions." Papadopoulos said the university's wrestling task force plans to meet within the coming two weeks to reflect on the new weight assessment and monitoring practices. The group will then update the board at its Feb. 12 meeting. Included in the newly initiated programs has been closer interaction between athletes and members of the medical community, such as nutritionists and trainers. Papadopoulos said that regardless of whether the Athletic Department hires more personnel or utilizes outside assistance, greater emphasis will be placed on the health of athletes. "Yes, there is going to be some major effort and personnel in the area of nutrition and diet and health," Papadopoulos said.