WPIAL OKs Verkleeren transfer to Hempfield
The WPIAL gave its blessing to the transfer of wrestler Jarod Verkleeren from Belle Vernon to Hempfield at the board of control meeting Monday night.
Verkleeren, a Cadet World Champion in 2015, decided to transfer to Hempfield following a controversial episode at Belle Vernon concerning his weight class that forced him out of the WPIAL postseason.
Verkleeren was considered one of the top 145-pound wrestlers in the PIAA Class AAA Championships but his weigh-ins during the PIAA Team Tournament were too high for him to compete at that weight under the criteria set by the state. The PIAA instituted a weight-management system for all wrestlers a few years ago to curb the practice of massive weight loss to qualify at a lower class. Wrestlers are permitted only to lose a percentage of their weight each week. Verkleeren’s last weigh-in did not leave enough time for him to make 145 pounds.
Verkleeren finished fourth at 145 pounds in the 2015 PIAA Championships and was a PIAA qualifier at that weight as a freshman.
Verkleeren’s family sought an injunction in Westmoreland County to hold wrestleoffs so that Verkleeren might be able to compete at a higher weight. Belle Vernon head coach Mike Doppelheuer felt it was too late in the season to hold wrestleoffs. Senior judge Albert Bell ruled Doppelheuer was in his right not to hold the wrestleoffs, forcing Verkleeren out of the WPIAL postseason.
Verkleeren recently announced he would be attending Iowa State to continue his wrestling career. He has one year of high school eligibility.