Lined up and stripped down to their underwear, they aggressively stare down their opponent. A voice calls their name, and they approach the scale, which will judge if they are able to participate in their meet and see their hard work pay off.

According to Wrestling Head Coach Jason Erwinski, wrestling is divided into weight classes so wrestlers compete against someone whose weight is similar to their own. If a wrestler is not within the range of his weight class, he forfeits the match to his opponent. As a result of extreme weight-loss techniques causing the death of three college wrestlers in 1997, rules have been put in place to ensure that wrestlers do not lose unhealthy amounts of weight.

According to Erwinski, high school wrestlers first take a hydration test to ensure that they are at a healthy hydration level so that body composition can be accurately measured. They then take a body fat test so their minimum wrestling weight can be determined. Wrestlers cannot lose more than 1.5 percent of their body fat in one week. They are also not allowed to weigh in below seven percent body fat during the season if, at the first body fat test, they weighed in at above seven percent body fat.

Erwinski said starvation is not encouraged as a method to lose weight in the Glenbrook North wrestling program and believes the regulations are effective at keeping the athletes safe.

“Typically, a student-athlete who diets [in an unhealthy manner] is taking the easy way out and refusing to get an additional workout in order to correctly maintain a weight,” said Erwinski. “It is a misguided mindset where student-athletes substitute meals for an additional workout.”

Senior Liam Poczatek said the wrestling program is very good at keeping athletes safe while they cut weight.

“You can’t kill yourself with it,” said Poczatek. “Our coaches are really good with [saying], ‘Make weight, but make weight correctly.’”

Erwinski said the workouts are so demanding that wrestlers can naturally lose the weight necessary to meet their weight class through hard work at intense practices.

Senior Jacob Weingardt said the workouts are very exhausting.

“It looks like we just showered with our shirts on, but really [it is] just our sweat,” said Weingardt. “It’s the most disgusting thing.”

According to Poczatek, the pressure associated with making a certain weight class causes some wrestlers to go to extreme measures to cut their weight.

“There’s a right way and a wrong way of losing weight,” said Poczatek. “The bad thing is that the right way takes weeks, [and] the wrong way takes days.”

Poczatek said the right way of losing weight is to cut down pounds over a few weeks and maintain it for the season, whereas the wrong way consists of skipping meals and dehydrating the body.

According to Weingardt, intensive workouts are not always enough to lose the weight necessary. His sophomore year, he lost 15 lbs. in one week by eating and drinking nothing but bananas and water.

“I felt like I was [going to] die,” said Weingardt. “I lost all my muscle strength.”

Weingardt said that at the meet at the end of that week, he was flipped on his back and heard a crack. Upon further evaluation, it was determined that he suffered a second degree tear in his shoulder, an injury Weingardt attributes to his malnutrition the preceding week.

According to dietitian Beth Stencel, Weingardt’s injury cannot be definitively connected to his extreme diet. However, when people exercise without eating protein to replenish their muscles, their bodies break down their lean body mass, causing their muscles to deteriorate.

Weingardt said cutting weight causes immediate, harmful effects as well.

“You get cramps, you can barely walk [and] you can’t even sleep at night sometimes,” said Weingardt. “ … You’re a lot more moody, like the slightest thing will tick you off. Then you’ll be screaming at the top of your lungs.”

Weingardt said losing weight by not eating is not a normal practice for wrestlers, and most are able to lose weight by working out more and keeping to a strict diet.

According to Poczatek, though some wrestlers don’t cut weight the “right” way, the regulations keep people smart about their weight management.

“[Some people] allow their sport to take over their identity,” said Poczatek. “ … If they didn’t have these tests, [stressing about their weights] would consume [them].”

Poczatek said properly cutting weight has some benefits.

“It definitely shows dedication and commitment,” Poczatek said.

Poczatek said his personal record so far this is year 3-2, and the team record is 0-5, though three of the team losses can be attributed to forfeits because team members did not make their weight class.

According to Erwinski, wrestling teaches kids lessons about integrity that transcend the gym.

“It’s a grueling sport in a good way,” said Erwinski. “It [says] a lot about an individual’s character. They learn a lot about hard work and sacrifice.”