When it comes to the Pennsylvania high school state wrestling tournament, is the WPIALbeing shortchanged?

Traditionally, the WPIAL — or the Southwest District — has led the state in the density of quality wrestlers. But when schools in the Southeast District overcame the Southwest in student enrollment a few years ago, the PIAAmoved the fourth-place state qualifying spot from the Southwest to the Southeast.

Since then, many high-quality WPIALwrestlers have been denied a trip to the state meet each year.

"You can't judge wrestling by enrollment,"Butler coach Scott Stoner said. "It's not that type of sport.

"It may not sound like a big deal, losing one (state) qualifying position, but it's punishing deserving kids and it's hurting our sport."

Case in point:North Allegheny's Rob Waltko placed second at the state meet as a sophomore in 2005. He finished fourth in the WPIALmeet last year and was denied a return trip to Hershey.

This year, Waltko finished third in the WPIALmeet and wound up winning the state title.

By comparison, all 14 fourth-place qualifiers from the Southeast District dropped their first matches at the state meet. Only two won a consolation match.

Butler's Adam Pritts finished fourth at heavyweight in the 2004 WPIALmeet as a junior and did not come out for wrestling his senior year. He chose to concentrate on football instead.

"If Adam gets the chance to wrestle at the state meet his junior year, in front of 10,000 people, just to experience that ... he may not have given up the sport," Stoner said.

The Golden Tornado's Ian McLaughlin placed fourth at the WPIALmeet in 2006 as a sophomore after winning his second straight section title. His junior season ended early due to a concussion.

"There's a kid who clearly should have been to Hershey already,"Stoner said. "With the depth in talent the WPIALhas, finishing fourth at the district meet certainly doesn't mean you're not a state-caliber wrestler."

Of the 42 WPIALwrestlers who did go to the state meet this year, 34 were among the top six wrestlers in each weight class and earned a medal.

Seneca Valley coach Lee Mullett said his 215-pounder from two years ago, Mike Bianco, was hurt by finishing fourth in the district meet.

"He's one kid who clearly would have medaled at states. And we've had others,"Mullett said.

"It's the rule. ... Our kids know going into the WPIALmeet that you finish in the top three or stay home. We're not complaining when we don't get there, but it is a frustrating situation."

The WPIALcoaches aren't looking to deny the Southeast or any other district its present qualifying spots. They prefer to see the overall state tournament field increased.

Mullett said it's all about giving wreslers an opportunity to wrestle on the big stage and further promote the sport.

Pennsylvania high school wrestling is split into two divisions — Class AAAand AA — with 16 state qualifiers in each weight class.

"I don't see why we can't go to 24 (qualifiers),"Mullett said.

Knoch coach Mark McLaughlin agreed.

"You look at state tournaments in other sports,"McLaughlin said. "Football, basketball, track — they all send a lot of teams and individuals.

"Then you look at the numbers in wrestling. Our student-athletes aren't getting that same opportunity."

Stoner argued that the new Giant Center in Hershey in a large enough venue to handle a 24-wrestler bracket.

"The state Junior Olympic tournament is a 24-wrestler bracket," he said. "Why can't we do it in high school?

"We only have two divisions as it is. Let deserving kids experience that event."

Pennsylvania sent far more wrestlers to the NCAATournament this year than any other state. There were 57 wrestlers born in the Keystone State who competed in the NCAAtourney.

Ohio was second on that list with 30. California was third with 25.

The WPIALWrestling Coaches Association is currently petitioning the PIAAto get more of its athletes to the state meet.

"We're just trying to showcase our wrestling talent because there's so much of it here,"Stoner said.