Board of Control relaxes mask guidelines, approves state girls wrestling site

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control approved updates to the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines for the spring tournament series, details of the first-ever state girls wrestling tournament and a fast-tracked conference realignment request May 25.

The board supported an executive staff recommendation, in response to information revealed by a membership survey, to remove mask mandates for spectators from the COVID-19 guidelines for outdoor spring state tournaments if appropriate social distancing can be attained. Masks are encouraged for everyone not participating if social distancing is difficult. Masks remain required for spectators for any competitions conducted indoors. In addition, the pandemic guidelines for quarantining after close contact with a confirmed case of the virus was reduced from 14 days to six days for the spring tournament series if symptom free. Furthermore, vaccinated student-athletes are not required to be quarantined for close contact if they are symptom free.

With approval from the board, the inaugural girls wrestling season will culminate with the state girls individual wrestling tournament Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. The tournament will be held for two years at the La Crosse Center and hosted by Holmen High School. Support and interest in the facility reflects the positive experiences and relationships developed during the boys and girls state basketball tournaments earlier this year. The facility served as the venue for Divisions 2, 4 and 5.

The board approved a fast-tracked, non-football conference realignment request by Lac Courte Oreilles to move from an independent status to the Indianhead Conference, effective in all sports except football in the fall of 2021-22. The Board also formally approved the dates, format and sites for the spring season state tournaments in June. In addition, the board voted in unanimous support in opposition to legislation bill AB195/196 and SB 322/323 prohibiting transgender participation in youth sports.

Other topics of discussion included reports on consideration of a committee to readdress competitive equity, 2021 area meetings in the fall and a review of pending legal matters.