For SA application, is this "varsity" or "jv"?

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ders_dad

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For SA application, I'm hoping we can get informed opinion. My DS, who is a junior and applying to SAs wrestled JV this year (his first year wrestling). He signed up for wrestling because (a) he wanted and found out he likes contact/combat sports, (b) one of his best friends is a wrestler, (c) he thought it would be a good, disciplined way of getting into great shape in prep for this summer's CFA (and it has), and (d) his soon-to-be BGO suggested it when they first met last fall. DS works after school 2 days a week and misses two practices each week. Coach told him at the beginning of the season that he probably couldn't wrestle varsity and would not have enough practice points to letter even if he did. DS understood and dug in and did his best, cheered his team mates on at meets, wrestled JV opponents, and was an all-around team guy. He derived many of the benefits and experiences that interscholastic athletics can provide. He went from zero wrestling experience to being okay (so he tells me).

Sectionals are this weekend. On Tuesday, coach pulled him aside and asked if he would be willing to wrestle varsity one weight class up at Sectionals - at 182 (he weighs 165). Coach wants him to have a varsity ranking going into next season (BTW, I know nothing about wrestling and I have never seen him wrestle). At his current weight class, there is a a senior on the team who is state-ranked, so he can't wrestle at his current weight class. Coach (and DS) both understand that DS will likely "get the crap kicked out of him" but that's okay (and who knows, he may get lucky).

So, this brought up the following question. Can DS legitimately list that he wrestled varsity on his SA applications? (Baseball has always been his sport and he will letter this year,). DS (and I) want to be honest but understand the importance placed on varsity athletics by SAs. While it seems likely that DS will wrestle varsity next year, he is not sure it is legitimate to say he wrestled varsity on his application at this time (i.e. during the period when his SA ap will be developed and submitted).
 
To be clear - he will not letter (for reasons outlined in the original posting). My understanding is that lettering and participating (competing) on a varsity team at varsity level are not the same thing and that SAs differentiate between the two - i.e. on their class profiles, they list percentage of class participating in varsity athletics separate from percentage of class lettering in varsity athletics.
 
Is he completing the Summer Seminar app now? I’d list JV because that’s what he’s wrestled the majority of the season. That appears to be the truly honest approach. I believe there is a section on the app for comments or additional information. Perhaps that section would be an appropriate area for him to elaborate regarding his wrestling accomplishment this year, but choose wording wisely because it’ll eat up space regarding character usage.
Best wishes.
 
Wow, that's a big jump in weight class. Good luck to him.

If he's lettering in Baseball why cloud the issue with a maybe he wrestled varsity.
 
DS is already accepted in NASS. We were thinking more about the more complete application going forward. It may not be a really big deal. Or, it could someday be a situation in which he is being compared to another candidate that has that one extra thing. As has been pointed out in many threads, you want to be honest but you don't want to leave anything on the table, either. I know of schools where a player dresses for one varsity game and that qualifies he or she for a letter. Not so at DS's school, which I think is appropriate. Same with captains - DS's varsity baseball does not have captains - never did.

If "varsity letter" checks the box for "sports" and that's all it is - box checking, then its a done deal. If having multiple varsity sports on the resume is important - well, that's why I'm asking.
 
The thing that sticks out for me in your post is that the coach asked HIM to do it, not another JV athlete. If the coach had other athletes to select from, then I think there could be something worth mentioning somewhere about that, bc there is a reason DS was selected instead of someone else. That may be a point to think about!

Enjoy seminar, DS had an amazing time!!
 
We have speculated on why he was asked (there is another jv wrestler at 182). In the last meet of the year, 2 weeks ago, the coached asked DS if he would wrestle a jv from another team at 182 (this was after DS had already wrestled two opponents at his weight class). Turns out, the other wrestler is downs (high functioning). I wasn't at the meet but my wife was. I don't know how to say this another way - DS tanked the match - but in an artful and not obvious way and let it go all three rounds, with the opponent pinning him in the last round. It was the last match of the meet (I guess they dim the gym and spot light the last matches). His opponent was thrilled - everyone gave the winner a standing ovation. DS's middle school PE teacher was there and I ran into him a couple of days later. He said no one but DS could have pulled it off that way. Just speculation, but I think this is the reason coach selected him to wrestle sectionals.
 
In my honest opinion, the difference between one season/one sport participating JV/varsity will have no meaningful impact in the way he is scored in the process.

Worry about bigger things that have more of an impact on your score; (Hint Hint Test Scores/Being named Captain in Baseball)
 
ders_dad said:
We have speculated on why he was asked (there is another jv wrestler at 182). In the last meet of the year, 2 weeks ago, the coached asked DS if he would wrestle a jv from another team at 182 (this was after DS had already wrestled two opponents at his weight class). Turns out, the other wrestler is downs (high functioning). I wasn't at the meet but my wife was. I don't know how to say this another way - DS tanked the match - but in an artful and not obvious way and let it go all three rounds, with the opponent pinning him in the last round. It was the last match of the meet (I guess they dim the gym and spot light the last matches). His opponent was thrilled - everyone gave the winner a standing ovation. DS's middle school PE teacher was there and I ran into him a couple of days later. He said no one but DS could have pulled it off that way. Just speculation, but I think this is the reason coach selected him to wrestle sectionals.
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First, it sounds like you have raised a fine young man capable of mature decisions. I know you're proud. I also know many folks who would have gone out and pulverized the opponent. That being said, having Downs Syndrome doesn't make one a bad wrestler, not that I even think you were saying that. I'm just stating it for lurkers. In any case, hats off to your DS.

My son wrestled for 6 years starting in middle school. I wrestled 1 year in high school. I think it's one of the most grueling sports there is. I know it was always (and still is) the longest 6 minutes in my life. Victory doesn't always go the the larger person (although that can be an advantage). Instead it often goes to the one that thinks the quickest and is the fastest. Speed can defeat size.

I don't have an application in front of me but if there is some way to list both, then list both. If you can only list one, then pick one and mention the other in a comments section or something. Personally I would have no problem checking varsity on this as long as he expended on it elsewhere.

Good luck to your DS.
 
ders_dad said:
We have speculated on why he was asked (there is another jv wrestler at 182). In the last meet of the year, 2 weeks ago, the coached asked DS if he would wrestle a jv from another team at 182 (this was after DS had already wrestled two opponents at his weight class). Turns out, the other wrestler is downs (high functioning). I wasn't at the meet but my wife was. I don't know how to say this another way - DS tanked the match - but in an artful and not obvious way and let it go all three rounds, with the opponent pinning him in the last round. It was the last match of the meet (I guess they dim the gym and spot light the last matches). His opponent was thrilled - everyone gave the winner a standing ovation. DS's middle school PE teacher was there and I ran into him a couple of days later. He said no one but DS could have pulled it off that way. Just speculation, but I think this is the reason coach selected him to wrestle sectionals.
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I have tears reading this. You have raised a well rounded young man. Speaks directly about his Character. My DS was also a wrestler for 2 yrs but had to pull out Sophmore year (he was to wrestle Varsity) due to a massive injury he was sidelined that entire season. Recovered and became really good at another sport he was already Varsity on. I miss the all day wrestling matches
 
ders_dad said:
We have speculated on why he was asked (there is another jv wrestler at 182). In the last meet of the year, 2 weeks ago, the coached asked DS if he would wrestle a jv from another team at 182 (this was after DS had already wrestled two opponents at his weight class). Turns out, the other wrestler is downs (high functioning). I wasn't at the meet but my wife was. I don't know how to say this another way - DS tanked the match - but in an artful and not obvious way and let it go all three rounds, with the opponent pinning him in the last round. It was the last match of the meet (I guess they dim the gym and spot light the last matches). His opponent was thrilled - everyone gave the winner a standing ovation. DS's middle school PE teacher was there and I ran into him a couple of days later. He said no one but DS could have pulled it off that way. Just speculation, but I think this is the reason coach selected him to wrestle sectionals.
Click to expand...
Proud Moment for sure!
I would say on his application he can honestly put JV for this year, and Varsity for next year, because even though at the time he fills out the application he hasn't started his senior year season, his coach has already indicated he will be wrestling varsity next year. I would then weave his experience quoted above and being personally asked to compete in varsity at sectionals despite being a first year wrestler into his personal statement on his application.
 
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