USA Bracketing to Become Technology Platform for MHSAA Wrestling

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

August 24, 2026

The MHSAA has partnered with USA Wrestling for the use of USA Bracketing for all events, results, statistics and weight management technology needs, beginning this upcoming season.

With the partnership, all MHSAA postseason events in Michigan will use USA Bracketing. Additionally, all school-hosted dual meets and tournaments will be able to use the software at no additional cost to the school/host and will be able to stream with fully integrated graphics.

USA Bracketing grants event hosts the ability to manage multiple levels of competition—including varsity and junior varsity — while running individual and dual meets within a single event.

The MHSAA will be the eighth state high school association to select USA Bracketing to manage its overall wrestling program. Other state high school associations that have announced partnerships with USA Bracketing include the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA), the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA), the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA).

USA Bracketing, the event-management software developed by USA Wrestling, serves as the event management software for all USA Wrestling regional and national events. Additionally, USA Bracketing has been used for more than 9,000 events since its launch on Jan. 1, 2025.

USA Wrestling is the national governing body for wrestling in the United States, and a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. 

Be the Referee: Wrestling In Bounds or Out?

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

January 28, 2025

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Wrestling In Bounds or Out? - Listen

During a high school wrestling match, Wrestler A executes a takedown on Wrestler B near the edge of the mat. Wrestler A's foot/toe remain in contact with the mat inside the boundary line, while all of Wrestler B's body is outside the boundary. 

Is the action considered in bounds, and should points be awarded for the takedown? 

Yes, a match is considered in bounds if at least one point of contact of either wrestler is inside or on the boundary line. In this scenario, Wrestler A's foot/toe in contact with the mat inside the boundary satisfies this requirement. Therefore, the takedown is valid, and Wrestler A should be awarded the appropriate points.

Previous 2024-25 Editions

Jan. 21: Block or Charge? - Listen
Jan. 14: Out of Bounds, In Play - Listen
Jan. 7: Wrestling Scoring - Listen
Dec. 17: Bowling Ball Rules - Listen
Dec. 10: Neck Laceration Protector - Listen
Dec. 3: Basketball Goaltending - Listen
Nov. 26: 11-Player Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 19: 8-Player vs. 11-Player Football - Listen
Nov. 12: Back Row Setter - Listen
Nov. 5: Football OT - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Registration - Listen
Oct. 22: Volleyball Serve - Listen
Oct. 15: "You Make the Call"
- Soccer Offside - Listen
Oct. 8: Roughing the Passer - Listen
Oct. 1: Abnormal Course Condition - Listen
Sept. 25: Tennis Nets - Listen
Sept. 18:
 Libero - Listen
Sept. 10:
 Cross Country Uniforms - Listen
Sept. 3: Soccer Handling - Listen
Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen

(Photo by Gary Shook.)