High School Insider presented by Attack Style Wrestling: Drive for duals yields inaugural state team tournaments in Florida and New York, Lake Highland Prep dominated the Florida state duals and more. https://t.co/z9Xg90yRG9 @NYSPHSAA @FHSAA @LHPS_athletics @BC_Wrestling_ pic.twitter.com/9HuoMPvWVu
— Trackwrestling (@trackwrestling) January 24, 2018
The push for a sanctioned state dual tournament began decades ago in New York and went on for so long with so little momentum that veteran coach Paul Gillespie gave up hope on it.
The Empire State recognized dual championship teams each year. Those titles, though, were determined not on a mat in competition but rather on paper with rankings. Over time, coaches around the state watched participation numbers slide and interest in dual meets wane as the team competitions took a backseat to preparing high-end talent for individual postseason runs.