Can a new look change the perception of a sport?

Maybe not. But it might be a step in the right direction.

In May, an alternate two-piece uniform consisting of compression shorts or shorts designed for wrestling and a form-fitted compression shirt was approved for the 2017-18 high school wrestling season. It was one of 11 rules changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee, according to the press release.

According to the release, “the compression shorts or shorts designed for wrestling shall be school-issued and shall have a minimum 4-inch inseam that does not extend below the knee. The form-fitted compression shirt shall not cover or extend below the elbow and shall have a minimum 3-inch tail. The shirt may be worn under a singlet or with compression shorts or shorts designed for wrestling.”

The committee approved the change “after receiving favorable results from experimentation and positive comments from schools, students, coaches and officials.”

Wrestlers still have the option of wearing the traditional singlet, but several area teams have tried the new two-piece uniform.

While early results have been mixed, the idea of change has been encouraging.

“We have worn both the singlets and the two-piece uniforms this year,” said Northwestern head coach Jim Moll. “The kids prefer singlets. Even the guys who haven’t wrestled their whole life, and are new to the sport, still prefer the singlets.

“I think it’s a great rule change, though. It allows the kids some options. There are so many rules about what you can and cannot do to your head gear and other pieces of equipment. This at least allows some freedom to the teams in that area.”

Freedom, or maybe a breath of fresh air.

With origins dating back to ancient Greece and ties to the first modern Olympic Games, wrestling is a sport dripping in tradition.

While its history is rich, the future of the sport is less certain. Wrestling was dropped from the 2020 Games before being reinstated seven months later.

MMA, on the other hand, has been on the rise in recent years. With new uniforms that feature MMA-inspired fight shorts, some area coaches are hoping it makes the sport of wrestling more appealing to those who would have otherwise overlooked it.

“I think MMA has a lot to do with it,” said Panther Valley head coach Tim Robb. “For years, I heard kids, ‘Oh, well I’d wrestle but I don’t want to wear a singlet.’”

Wrestling ranks seventh in popularity among boys at the high school level with 250,653 participants, according to the 2015-16 NFHS Athletics Participation Survey.

In addition, 13,496 girls participate in the sport throughout the nation.

With forfeits always a topic of conversation, and many teams struggling to fill all 14 spots in a lineup, generating more interest is paramount for the future of the sport.

“The wrestling rules committee did another phenomenal job in taking the necessary strides to promote participation by approving a two-piece alternate uniform to be worn,” said Elliot Hopkins, the NFHS director of sports and student services.

Like Northwestern, Panther Valley has utilized both the singlet and the new two-piece uniform this season, though Robb sees the latter as being the primary options for many teams in the years to come.

“I think it’ll help the sport,” said Robb. “I talked to a guy from the company, and he said about 20 percent of teams were buying the new uniforms this year. I haven’t quite seen that much. But he said out in the Midwest it’s a lot more prominent. But he said in a matter of three or four years, everybody’s gonna have them … just because the teams that don’t have them are gonna want them.

“We like them. I think they look good. This was our first shot at them. It’s just a matter of time. I think they’ll catch on and be the way to go.”

If that’s the case, a surge in new uniforms might be the look wrestling needs moving forward.

“I think it is something we may try next season. If it is something that may help with participation in the sport, it is definitely something that we need to think about,” said Lehighton head coach Floyd Brown.

“I haven’t seen a lot of it this year, but I think over the next few seasons, you will see a lot of schools going that route.”

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ICYMI … Lehighton enjoyed a strong performance at the Indian Duals on Saturday, posting a 4-1 record as a team. Lehighton defeated East Stroudsburg North (41-36) and Central Bucks South (54-12), before falling to Notre Dame of Green Pond (40-36) in pool play. The Indians finished the day with wins over Allen (56-24,) and Schuylkill Haven (54-22). Individually, Nate Kemmerer went 5-0 with three pins, while teammates Logan Pagotto and Lucas Sanguiliano both went 4-1 with three pins.

Lehighton’s Lucas Ferguson and Austin Kern captured championships at the North Schuylkill Tournament recently. The Indians’ Darrell Hull and Nick Zeigenfuss both had third-place finishes, while Mike Rodriguez added a sixth-place finish.

Elsewhere, Palmerton’s Matt Lalik and Lucas Christman both put up 6-0 weeks. Shawn Gardner went 5-1. Nate Sterner, Dylan Gonyo, and Hunter went 3-3.

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MILESTONE … Lehighton’s Brown recently picked up his 100th career victory at the Anthracite Duals. The Indians went 4-1 in the tournament, defeating ES North, CB South, Allen, and Schuylkill Haven.

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OFF THE MAT … Five Times News area wrestlers were ranked in Off the Mat’s third issue of Class AA rankings. Northwestern’s Caleb Clymer was ranked seventh at 170 pounds, while Panther Valley’s Hunter Kennedy was ninth. Clymer was sixth and Kennedy eighth in last week’s poll. At 160 pounds, Northwestern’s Jackson Bernhard was still ranked 10th, while Panther Valley’s Tanner Kennedy remained 11th. Tamaqua’s Bronson Strouse was ranked 15th at 220 pounds, up from 16th last week. Two District 11 teams made the top 25. Saucon Valley held firm at the No. 9 spot, while Wilson dropped from 14th to 19th.

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LAST TIME … A total of 17 Times News area wrestlers stood on the podium last year at the Schuylkill League Wrestling Tournament. Panther Valley’s Tanner Kennedy was the only area wrestler to leave with a gold medal. The junior topped Lehighton’s Cody Scherer 4-3 in the 152-pound final at Jim Thorpe Area High School. Former Tamaqua standout Tanner McHugh dropped an 11-3 major decision to Tri-Valley’s Sammy Hepler in the 138-pound final. In addition to Kennedy, Scherer and McHugh, the following area wrestlers finished in the top-six: Jim Thorpe - John Newhall (third, 113), Cameron Condly (fourth, 160), Ethan Mordaunt (sixth, 220); Lehighton - Nate Kemmerer (fourth, 120), Logan Pagotto (sixth, 126), Tyler Schock (third, 132), Chris Whiteman (sixth, 145), Dylan Schock (fourth, 170); Panther Valley - Derek Beckham (fifth, 145), Hunter Kennedy (third, 160), Chris Walkinshaw (sixth, 285); Tamaqua - Caleb Sell (fourth, 106), Pierce Demetriades (fourth, 113), Bronson Strouse (fourth, 220).

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STANDINGS … Lehighton is currently 12-3 and third in the District 11 Class 2A rankings. Northwestern (5-3) is fourth, and Panther Valley (5-4) sixth.

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR … In addition to the Schuylkill League Tournament, Northern Lehigh will be in action at the Buckley Duals on Saturday.