4A 113lb State Championship Match Holt Arena February 27, 2016

As if there wasn't enough injuries in sports already that we allow illegal moves to not only be practiced, but to be glorified for it being a move that "won" a state title. Thank God nobody was hurt.

Good to see this happening!

I agree with the safety of athletes coming first. I believe this should have resulted in a dq for the wrestler from Minico.

Please, help keep the sport of wrestling safe and keep coaches and athletes accountable for the ruled. In addition to sportsman like contact. Witness a athlete cursing out refs. At districts and swinging at the opponent at districts. Was surprised he was not disqualified. Repeadly showed poor sportmanship.

We have enough trouble in schools and teaching them to be dishonest is HORRIBLE!

This was clearly an illegal move. There needs to be something done to keep this from happening in the future.

Everyone is lucky someone didn't get hurt. I can not believe this was allowed let alone taught by the coaches. Everyone from Minico should be ashamed!

You can clearly see in the video that Pierce didnt sweep the opponents foot from under him.

As a mother and a nurse, this video makes me sick. Wrestling is hard enough to watch alone. We see potential injury in every single match. But when the potential injury is related to an illegal move that is allowed by officials who are hired to ensure the safety of our youth it is extremely worrisome. We trust refs to not only know the rules, but to hold our athletes accountable. Teenagers do not always know or understand the risks or consequences of their actions. Had either athlete been laying limp on the mat, I guarantee an illegal move would of been called. It should not be different due to lack of an injury. The ref should also be able to think clearly during controversy. You could visible see the refs frustration as he "waved off" the protesting coach and raised the opponents arm for the victory while the coaches are still protesting. Very unprofessional. Mr. Anthony allowed his own emotion, pride, stubbornness and weakness to make this call. Every other ref in the dome knew this was an illegal move but Mr. Anthony simply would not listen or admit he may be wrong. He struggled and grasped at anything to find a way to make himself right. He changed his reasoning 3x. It's illegal period. Not debatable. Mr. Anthony didn't even flinch as the backflip was in motion, which clearly shows his lack of knowledge. Other refs who know the rules would of stopped it immediately. Most wrestlers would never want to win or lose a match in the manner. This ref did absolutely nothing positive for our athletes or this sport in this situation. And why do we have a protest process if the ref will never change or listen to the assistant ref or the coaches? We've watched this over and over again through out the years. I think if this is going to be the status quo, we should start using video review, especially for championship matches. These athletes have worked all year for that one match. It shouldn't be taken due to lack of knowledge or the refs personal emotion.

This move was wrongfully deemed legal by the referee who clearly was unaware of the rule.

I hope this issue is corrected before a student is seriously injured.

This kid knowingly broke the rules, believing that he would get away with it, and he does not deserve to be rewarded for it. He should be stripped of his title, at the very least.

As it is illegal it should not be allowed and those that do it should be penalized not rewarded. If it is safe, which it's not, then make it legal.

No illigal move should be glorified the way this has been.

This should have been overturned!

First of all, we put the our children's safety in the hands of the coaches. The Minico coach should not be allowed to coach knowing his wrestler was allowed to practice an illegal move and potentially dangerous move in practice. Second, we trust the officials to know the rules and protect our children. And third, there is a body that governs coaches and a body that governs officials and NEITHER body is doing their jobs to hold the proper people accountable! The call should be reversed, the title should be taken from the athlete that admitted to using an illegal move (cheating), and the coach and officials should be reprimanded. The official should be banned from future state tournaments, period.

10 years ago Featured

Please do not encourage illegal, dangerous moves that could cause irreparable injury to other participants. Your encouragement of this behavior is reprehensible and you should not be allowed to coach &/or teach if this is what is being taught and encouraged. A concerned nurse & mother, Stephanie Wright

Please give the title 2 both kids

The officials should not have allowed this to happen! Glad this is being recognized.

Do the right thing here! It is clearly not safe for the kids. I have seen what wrestling can do to someone a broken neck even when using legal moves. Please keep these kids safe.