Jeff Graham | Kitsap

The threat of snow is turning Mat Classic XXXI at the Tacoma Dome into the biggest state wrestling tournament yet.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association made the decision Friday morning to cancel boys and girls regional wrestling tournaments around the state due to snow forecasted through the weekend and into next week.

WIAA staff and state tournament officials will spend the weekend altering the format of Mat Classic XXXI. Instead of utilizing traditional brackets with 16 competitors per weight class in each of the state’s six classifications (4A, 3A, 2A, 1A, B and girls), brackets will feature 32 wrestlers per weight class.

Essentially, the field of wrestlers will be doubled.

“The details of that schedule will be released by early Monday, Feb. 11,” the WIAA news release said.

Larry Steagall / Kitsap Sun

Mat Classic XXXI is currently scheduled to begin Feb. 14 with weigh-ins, followed by first-day matches on Feb. 15 and placing/championship matches on Feb. 16. The schedule is subject to change.

Wrestling coaches in West Sound had mixed reactions concerning Friday’s regional cancellations and planned alteration of the state tournament.

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South Kitsap coach Chad Nass, whose Wolves won the Class 4A boys state title last February, said he’s concerned about the potential of wrestlers getting no mat time prior to state.

“If the snow goes as forecasted, there is not going to be school,” Nass said. “Are they going to hold the state tournament and we haven’t practiced at all?”

Nass said the worst-case scenario would be the region getting hit with enough snow that Mat Classic XXXI needs to be postponed or moved to a different venue.

"I think they'll do everything in their power to try to hold it," Nass said.

Klahowya coach Mike Schmitt questions whether the state tournament can be completed in two days with double the amount of wrestlers in attendance.

"It's going to be a logistical nightmare," Schmitt said.

"Longer days and less places to sit for sure," added Bainbridge coach Dan Pippinger.

North Mason coach Bill McCarthy, whose school was scheduled to host Saturday's 2A Region II tournament, said he likes the potential of a 32-wrestler bracket at state. He said the traditional wrestling postseason schedule of holding sub-district, regional and state tournaments on three consecutive weekends takes its toll.

"It's cool that more kids get to enjoy the state experience," McCarty said.

Kingston coach Casey Nelson said the 32-wrestler bracket should add an extra layer of intrigue at state since there will be more opportunities for early-round upsets.

“Anybody can knock off anybody at a different time," Nelson said.

Coaches said with the potential loss of practice time, wrestlers are going to need to watch their weight and figure out ways to — safely — stay conditioned.