Weightlifting Advisory Committee

Minutes
September 3, 2003
FHSAA Headquarters
Gainesville, Florida


I. Purpose and Introductions
Denarvise Thornton called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M. Mr. Thornton at this time noted the purpose of the meeting and went through brief introductions of the members in attendance. Members present were: Dusty Boylson, Dixie Hollins H. S.; Kirk Harrell, Rutherford H. S.; Bobby Johns, Blountstown H. S.; Brian Manley, Seabreeze H. S. / FACA Weightlifting representative; Michael Randow, Spruce Creek H. S.; and David Tullis, Lake Brantley H. S. FHSAA staff members present were: M. Denarvise Thornton, Associate Director of Athletics; Tamara J. Wilsey, Associate Director of Athletics; and John A. Stewart, Associate Commissioner.

II. There was a motion to accept the 2001 minutes by Mr. Johns and seconded by Mr. Manley. Passed 6-0.

III. The committee unanimously selected David Tullis as Chairperson.

IV. The agenda was adopted in its entirety.

V. Action
A.1 Review of State Meet
Mr. Thornton shared comments regarding the state weightlifting meets and commended Mr. Randow and Mr. Johns for the success of both meets. The committee noted that although the number of platforms was less than ten, the facilities were conducive to a successful meet with five platforms, particularly because the number of participants had been reduced.

A.2 Review of 2002-03 FHSAA Weightlifting Manual and Don Bridges’ Communication
The committee reviewed the weigh-in procedure as it was implemented and noted discrepancies between the policy as written and its implementation. Mr. Thornton informed the committee of the procedure that was used which allowed a lifter to lift in a weight class heavier than his actual weight at weigh-in; this procedure gave precedence to the lifter’s weight class as identified and dictated by the school/team’s official entry list.

B. WtAC Recommendations

Recommendation #1 (Effective 03-04) FAST TRACK
Item: Weigh-in procedures/entry list
Recommendation: Re-word policy 17.033 to read “Weigh-in procedures as stated in the general regulations section will apply except that:
(a) When a lifter weighs in he/she must declare a weight category as dictated by the school’s entry list (Clarification: Entry list determines weight class and not when lifter steps onto the scale.)
(b) Only those lifters who are not within the limits of their weight category may return to the scales a maximum of three (3) times to make weight during the time allocated for the weigh-in; and
(c) A lifter must lift in the weight class in which he is entered as dictated by the entry list by the official close of weigh-ins. After the allocated time has elapsed, a lifter who has not made weight will be disqualified from the meet. (Clarification: Lifter may not move up to the next weight class.) NOTE: delete corresponding statement in 20.02: A lifter whose body weight is under the limit of the weight category in which he qualified still may compete.
Motioned by Johns / 2nd by Manley
WtAC 1st Rdg: 6-0 Approve (9/3/03)
ADAC 1st Rdg: 8-0 Support (9/10/03)

Recommendation #2 (Effective 03-04) FAST TRACK
Item: Qualifying Method
Recommendation: Advance the top lifter in each section, and the next nine lifters (at-large) in the weight class from all sections combined. (Clarification: in 03-04 all results will be reported to the sectional coordinator and the sectional coordinator shall report the top four lifters in its section using form WT4 to the FHSAA. . .in 04-05 sectional coordinators shall report the top five lifters in its section.)
Motioned by Randow/2nd by Johns
WtAC 1st Rdg: 6-0 Approve (9/3/03)
ADAC 2nd Rdg: 8-0 Support (9/10/03)

Recommendation #3 (Effective 04-05)
Item: Correcting Errors
Recommendation: Establish a statute of limitation for correcting clerical error, i.e. scoring.
WtAC 1st Rdg: No action taken. Staff and committee clarified policy already present in the manual to include state series.

Recommendation #4 (Effective 04-05)
Item: Jury of Appeals
Recommendation: Set minimum number of members of the jury of appeals at three with a minimum of two alternates.
Motioned by Boylson/2nd by Manley
WtAC 1st Rdg: 6-0 Approve (9/3/03)
ADAC 1st Rdg: 8-9 Support (9/10/03)

Recommendation #5 (Effective 04-05)
Item: Additional weight-class
Recommendation: Create an additional weight-class to include either 254 or 258.
Motioned by Manley/2nd Randow
WtAC 1st Rdg: 6-0 Deny
number of platforms for typical facility a concern; below average increase of body weight from one weight class to another – 6.8%

Recommendation #6 (Effective 04-05)
Item: Officials
Recommendation: Adopt the USA’s weightlifting mechanic of officiating, allowing all three referees equal rights of decision and adjudication on a lift.
Staff recommendation withdrawn

Recommendation #7 (Effective 04-05)
Item: Qualifying Method
Recommendation: Advance the top two lifters and top nine at-large from sections to finals or revert to previous method of using qualifying totals.
WtAC: No action taken in favor of Recommendation #2.

Recommendation #8 (Effective 04-05)
Item: Qualifying Method
Recommendation: Advance the top two lifters and top seven at-large from sections to finals.
WtAC: No action taken in favor of Recommendation #2.

Recommendation #9 (Effective 04-05)
Item: Sectional Awards
Recommendation: Allow trophies or medals to be given at sectional meets to top lifters and top teams. At least allow the sections to make this decision as in districts for other sports.
WtAC: No action taken/no second. Staff shared with the committee the financial ramifications of instituting awards for both teams and individuals.

Recommendation #10 (Effective 04-05)
Item: Uniform
Recommendation: The verbiage regarding the singlet needs to be more specific, only a singlet or a singlet and cotton t-shirt but no garment that covers the legs or arms.
WtAC: No action taken. Staff and committee identified the following verbiage for clarification: Each lifter must wear a school-issued uniform. This uniform must consist of a one-piece uniform (singlet). The singlet must be close-fitting and must have a minimum of four-inch seam and maximum length which does not extend beyond the top of the knee. The top must not be cut lower in the front or back than the armpits and under the armpits no lower than half the distance between the armpit and the beltline. Proper undergarments, support and shoes with laces are required. All bench shirts, squat suits or any rubberized uniforms that aid the lifter are prohibited. Undergarments must be of a single, solid color. Undergarments covering the legs may not extend below the top of the knee and undergarments covering the torso may not extend beyond or cover the elbow.

Recommendation #11 (Effective 04-05)
Item: Weight Classes
Recommendation: A rule clarification that limits a lifter at the section and state meet to lift within the weight class that his body weight dictates.
WtAC: No action taken. Committee feels this procedure is clarified and addressed in Recommendation #1.

Recommendation #12 (Effective 04-05)
Item: Platform(s)
Recommendation: The platform at the state meet(s) shall be an 8x8 feet dimension. (Clarification: The actual platform may still be a maximum of 12X12 feet, but the competition boundaries must be 8X8)
Motioned by Boylson/2nd by Johns
WtAC 1st Rdg: 6-0 Approve (9/3/03)
ADAC 1st Rdg: 8-0 Approve (9/10/03)

C. Correspondence (Labeled FYI)
1. Joe Sorrentino’s email
The committee discussed the contents of Mr. Joe Sorrentino’s email relative to: 1) qualifying methods and 2) the sanctioning of invitational events. Mr. Sorrentino referenced a Vanguard Weightlifting Invitational for 9-10 graders relative to the procedures for advancing from sectionals to finals. Staff noted its concern for the number of “weightlifting invitationals” that have not been sanctioned according to policy and will watch this closely in the upcoming seasons.
2. Les Rogers emails
The committee discussed the contents of Mr. Roger’s email relative to incorporating Olympic Style Weightlifting. The committee is very interested in incorporating the Olympic lifts – clean and jerk and snatch, but through consensus agreed that the majority of coaches would be opposed to this primarily due to a lack coaches qualified to teach the snatch effectively. However, the committee noted that some NCAA Division I colleges are beginning to offer scholarships to females for competitive weightlifting, using the Olympic lifts.
3. Terry Sapp’s email
After reviewing Mr. Sapp’s communication, the committee feels that should the Board adopt the above recommendations, Mr. Sapp’s concerns regarding weight classes will be satisfied.
4. Julia Martin’s letter
The committee acknowledged Ms. Martin’s (a student-athlete) letter requesting the Board to reconsider its position on the competitive lifts for girls’ weightlifting in its inaugural season to include the jerk. Staff informed the committee of the Board’s rationale to use only the bench and the clean for the 1st season and to progress to the bench press and clean-and-jerk in the following year. This approach provides coaches/schools that have been using the “clean only” an opportunity to gather safe teaching/training techniques. Staff clarified that schools which currently use the clean and jerk for girls competition may continue to do so during regular season meets if all schools participating in the meet agree, and it is so stated on the school’s contract. However, the clean only will be used in sectional and state meets.

D. Discussion
The committee discussed the possibility of requiring all sections to use the structured method, but through consensus agreed to monitor the number of sections that choose to use either the open or structure format and remain status quo. During the 2002-03 season, the sections were divided 50-50 in their use of the two formats. The committee noted the biggest advantage of the open structure was that it allowed flexibility for schools to schedule considering a lack of financial support for their programs and each school district’s spring break.

Meeting was adjourned at 1 p.m.