The NCAA Wrestling Committee modified several rules and championships administration policies at its annual meeting April 8-11, 2002 in Indianapolis. While the committee made no sweeping changes, there were several significant alterations that, the committee hopes, will help collegewrestling overall.    The committee's main focus, however, was the current state of college wrestling. At the Division I level, the championships were extremely popular. The event was sold out in Albany, New York and television coverage and media attention was unprecedented, largely due to Iowa State's Cael Sanderson and his perfect college career.    "Certainly, what Cael did had a major effect on the amount of television coverage," said David A. Martin, chair of the committee and senior associate director of athletics at Oklahoma State University. "We feel like it started the year before, however, with getting the championship on same-day, prime-time coverage. This was clearly a major plus for college wrestling."     Adjustments to the weight certification program were made to allow more flexibility without sacrificing safe weight management.    The main change in the weight management program concerns wrestlers that select the one-time certification option. Previously, the wrestlers that chose this option were not allowed to wrestle at a higher weight class early in the season while making the descent to the lowest allowable weight.     Now, wrestlers using this system are allowed to wrestle at a higher weight class while descending to the lowest allowable weight.    "This change makes sense, because it allows student-athletes to systematically reduce body fat through proper training while wrestling competitively," Martin said. "This will help student-athletes safely and adequately manage their weight while allowing them to wrestle."    Student-athletes will have to establish a weight class for the season by a mid-December deadline, as in the past.    The other weight management-related change involves making the random draw for dual meets and multiple dual meets optional. Both coaches must be in agreement to use this option.    "The committee felt that allowing a marquee match to be featured will be better for college wrestling," Martin said. "This should allow coaches to feature matches without sacrificing the integrity of the weight management program."    Once both coaches agree on a starting weight class, the classes follow in sequential order.     If the coaches are not able to agree on the starting class, a random draw will be held following weigh-ins. Regardless, the announcement of the starting weight class will come after weigh-ins are complete.    The committee also made minor adjustments with regard to coach and student-athlete apparel. These administrative adjustments were made to ensure proper dress for meets and tournaments.    "This rule change simply gives officials more direction should a violation occur," Martin said.    The only other major rules change of note is that protective ear guards will be required any time wrestling occurs, including practice, meets or tournaments. Previously, ear guards were only required during competition.    "It is the intent of the committee to minimize damage to the student-athlete's ears and head," Martin said. "This change is for the safety of the student-athlete."    In other rules issues, the committee:    * Voted to eliminate Rule 6-6 for match misconduct. The committee felt this rule is unnecessary and takes out a penalty level.    * Added jewelry to the list of items wrestlers shall not be allowed to wear during competition.    * Made viewing the annual rules videotape presentation mandatory for referees officiating regular-season meets or tournaments, beginning with the 2003-04 season. This requirement is already in place for championships competition, but the committee felt all college officials should have NCAA training. Additionally, the committee supported the change from a satellite broadcast to one involving the videotape and teleconference, similar to last year's clinic.    * Made a recommendation to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet to increase the range of the specific gravity testing. The Cabinet will rule on this recommendation at an upcoming meeting.    * Reduced the number of violations allowed from five to four in the penalty table. Now, four violations will remove the offender from the premises.    * Voted to stop wrestling when penalizing the offensive wrestler for stalling.    * Developed several items for the rules questionnaire, including adjusting the weight classes and surveying the number of tiebreaker matches won by advantage time versus the number won by scoring.    * Required that weigh-in sheets should be kept on file by both coaches for dual meets and by the coach of the host institution for tournaments.    Each divisional championships committee also met during the annual meeting and made some modifications to each championship.     Division I    * The committee forwarded a recommendation to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet to increase the credential replacement fee from $100 to $150. The group also forwarded a recommendation to increase the protest fee from $25 to $50.    * The championships date formula was clarified, subject to approval of the Cabinet, to read "regionals shall be conducted two weekends prior to the finals on a Friday and Saturday." Previously, the wording was "two weeks prior."     * Whenever possible, the committee voted to begin wrestling no earlier than 9 a.m. in Session 5 (Saturday morning of the championships). The committee feels starting any earlier is a major hardship on the student-athletes and fans.    * Regional site recommendations were forwarded to the cabinet for its approval.     * Curt Blake, director of athletics at Rider College, was named chair of the NCAA Wrestling Committee, as well as chair of the Division I subcommittee.    * The group thanked David Martin, Oklahoma State University, and Joe Wells, Oregon State University, for their service on the committee.    Division II    * Discussed the championships pairing formula that was used for the 2002 championships. The committee thought this formula was a positive step and that the process was an improvement over seeding in the past. The group voted to continue using this system of bracket determination for 2003.    * Site recommendations for the 2003 regionals and 2004 finals sites were forwarded to the Division II Championships Committee for approval.    * The committee altered the registration deadline for replacements. The new deadline will be following medical checks.    Division III    * The championships date formula was clarified, subject to approval of the Division III Championships Committee. The regionals shall take place one or two weekends prior to the finals (Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday). If the regionals are planned one weekend prior to the finals, however, Sunday competition would not be permitted.    * Voted to move the seeding meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the Wednesday of the championships.    * The committee examined the current qualified allocation criteria and received input from the National Wrestling Coaches Association on the issue. The group forwarded a revised criteria to the Division III Championships Committee for approval.     * Steve Erber, Muhlenburg College, was appointed chair of the Division III Championships Committee.    * The committee altered the registration deadline for replacements. The new deadline will be following medical checks.    * Site recommendations for the 2003 regionals and 2004 finals sites were forwarded to the Division III Championships Committee for approval.