I sent an email to "Egg" (i.e. Gregg Mann) to make sure I understood the hydration testing. With wrestling season approaching we thought it would be helpful to put the questions I asked and Mr. Mann's answers on the talk forum. Here it is:

Mr. Mann – I was reading your comments on the wrestling forum about hydration. Soon teams will start having a preseason meetings with their wrestlers and parents. I want to be able to clearly explain the new hydration test if asked. Would you please check the following to make sure it is correct?

1. On the first day of practice wrestlers will give a sample of their urine. It will be examined next to a color chart. If clear enough then the wrestler will be deemed “hydrated” and allowed to weigh in to get a base weight. If not clear enough then a dip strip will be placed in the urine to see if other factors colored the urine and not dehyration. If the dip strip shows hydration then the wrestler may weigh in. If the urine doesn’t pass the dip strip then the wrestler must drink some fluid and submit another urine sample until the urine passes the hydration test. Once this is done he may weigh in?

"This is correct. It is very important to note that the did stick will NOT indicate what is in the urine, only if the urine is composed of a high enough level of water."

2. Once this “hydrated weight” is established then the rules are the same as always about how much weight a wrestler can lose (no more than 10% of the hydrated weight unless medically cleared)?

"For 2006-07 this is correct. In 2007-08 there will be a fat test component added to the hydration test. We hope that the 10% rule can be “fitted” to the fat test component—but that is also still being worked on."

3. Certification of weight will take place on or before January 12th. This must also be a “hydrated weight” as described in 1 above?

"Correct. There was one change made by the KSHSAA Exec council from the committees original proposal. The committee had recommended that certification could take place at any time prior to January 12, that it did not have to be at a competition weigh-in. The Exec committee did not approve this recommendation and certification must occur at a competition weigh-in, but it can be a home weigh-in; that is, the opposing team(s) need not be in attendance."

4. Once certificatio weight is established there will be no more hydrated weigh ins (ex: a state)?

"Correct."

Mr. Mann also added: "The new KSHSAA wrestling manuals should be out soon and it will contain the hydration plan."