Ohio and Pennsylvania are viewed by aficionados as two of the best scholastic wrestling states in America. However, Keystone State wrestlers have consistently out-performed Buckeye State grapplers on the mats of the annual NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships for years.

Both states initiated their respective high school state championships the same year – 1938. Both states have outstanding, knowledgeable coaches. And both states have well-qualified officials.

I know what you are thinking: “Welker’s from PA; no wonder he’s boasting that his native state has more successful wrestlers at the D1 level. Where are the facts?”

Good point.

Well, I do have the most recent statistics to back up my previous statement. Wrestlers, who are natives of Ohio, are ranked 4th with the most All-Americans since the inception of the D1 national tournament in 1928, having produced 326 All-Americans. Iowa natives rank 3rd (463) behind 2nd ranked Oklahoma (531).

That leaves Pennsylvania natives ranking 1st with 602 All-Americans. In fact, last year at nationals two PA natives won championships.

“Welker, you’re comparing apples to oranges; Pennsylvania’s a bigger state.”

Not in reference to the total number of high schools and participants in the sport of wrestling.

As of the 2015-2016 season, Ohio has 640 high schools who offer wrestling; whereas, PA has 489 schools offering the mat sport. In regards to participants, Ohio has 11,114 competing compared to Pennsylvania’s 9,780.

Now that I made my point with substantiated numbers, let’s explore the “Why” to this discrepancy between the two states.

The difference is philosophical in nature and it has to do with how officials deal with “riding an opponent.”

Ohio referees tend to liberally call stalling on top if the wrestler is not working for a fall, even (at times) when the offensive wrestler is busting his butt to keep his adversary down. Thus, Ohio wrestlers often just opt to let their opponents go rather than concern themselves with stalling on top. So, they’re a bit weak in the area of riding, which they have to be retrained for in college.

On the other hand, PA officials allow the top wrestlers to ride much longer before considering a stalling call.

“So what!,” you exclaim.

Well, in truth, Pennsylvania referees are better preparing wrestlers for college wrestling. Remember, on the collegiate mats wrestlers can score “riding time” points. And you would be surprised with how many college matches are won due to riding-time points.

Now get this. At the Wheeling Park Duals, a Pennsylvania coach informed me that a couple “open” competitions in the state during the summer months actually include riding time. The PA wrestling community realizes the significance of riding for succeeding at the collegiate level.

In sum, I believe that Ohio referees should rethink their philosophy regarding how they handle stalling in the top position. If they do, I am confident that there will be many, many more Buckeye State wrestlers standing on the podium at the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships.

“Always listen to the advice of the most experienced person because he has made the most mistakes.”