Agree 100% with CoachJT. If your 1st year wrestler can beat a more experienced "open" wrestler on his team, tough cookies! He/she should wrestle their age/weight and if they face a teammate, best of luck to both. It always does stink to have teammates wrestle, but in our club it happens often especailly with the little guys! Our coaches sit mat-side and cheer but have the wrestlers basically wrestle on their own, thus no favoritism is shown! Granted, when it gets to the district level, the wrestlers should be separated into different weights according to who has the best opportunity for success at the given weight class, BUT during the season, let them wrestle in their class. Sounds like the coach did not want his kid racking up losses to a teammate...that is unfortunate!