By Joe Tuscano

January 28th, 2008

Observer-Reporter

An old problem is making its way through area wrestling and it's not related to any type of contagious skin disease.

Forfeits, a growing problem of this sport since the PIAA raised the number of weights from 11 to 14 over the years, seem to be infesting many more teams than usual this season.

Forfeits are detestable for any number of reasons: They eat at the competitive core of the sport; they frustrate fans who want to see their children compete; they aggravate coaches who can go through a season with no hope of winning a meaningful dual meet; and they frustrate athletic directors, many of whom refuse to sell tickets for a dual meet that might last only 20 minutes.

Smaller schools have always struggled with forfeits. But now, larger schools are finding it a problem.

Read on...