The PIAA approved a reduction in the number of weight classes starting with the 2020-21 wrestling season from 14 to 13 during Wednesday’s board of directors meeting.

The modification will go into place this season and follows the recommendation of the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Under the new format, the weight classes would be 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215 and 285.

Previously, the weight classes above 160 pounds were 170, 182, 195, 215 and 285.

The vote on the third reading of the change was unanimous.

“I think it’s the right move,” said PIAA Executive Director Robert Lombardi. “It’s been a three-year process … and the coaches association is fully supportive of this, and they wanted it; they voted for it, repeatedly.

“I’m disappointed at some of the other levels where we tried to get this addressed … it wasn’t addressed through their process, and things happened and I understand that. But to wait five years to get a change our people have been clamoring for for three, I think is counterproductive to the young people that are wrestling, especially when we’re putting them in weight classes that they are fulfilling. And the support of the coaches association and the sport medicine committee was huge. They think that this is the right thing to do, and I agree and the board agrees.”

For Lombardi, the ultimate goal is simple.

“Stop the huge number of forfeits that we have in dual meets,” Lombardi said. “I think last year the number was in 93% of our wrestling matches we had a forfeit; that’s ridiculous. That means you’re not having kids fulfill weight classes; you’ve got too many.

“I think it’s important that we follow the lead of the Wrestling Steering Committee, the coaches association and provide them the opportunities they want at 13.”

In other news, the PIAA also announced that it selected the sites for the winter championships for the next four years. Competitive cheer, team wrestling, individual wrestling and basketball will all take place at the Giant Center in Hershey.

The swimming and diving championships will remain at Bucknell University.