“Nothing to Apologize For”: Wrestling Community Backs High School Star as Poor Decision Cost Easton

Well, that was a wild turnaround! This year’s Lehigh Valley wrestling tournament would surely go down as one of the most controversial in history thanks to the bizarre way that Nazareth won over Easton. A seemingly innocent headgear toss by Kurtis Crossman irked the match referee, which made the latter award the math point to Nazareth’s Vinnie Giacobbe. Easton’s foes walked away with a 27-28 victory, but the fans seem to be reluctant to blame Crossman for it.

Crossman led his opponent 19-4 at December 11’s matchup, but his actions during the last stretches of the bout didn’t sit well with the NCAA referee. Dubbing Kurtis’ headgear throws as “unsportsmanlike“, Nazareth was given the match point, which naturally shocked Crossman. However, the wrestling community members aren’t about to vilify the high schooler just yet.

Crossman took to X on December 12 to write an apology post for his deeds from the night before. “I regret that I put my team and coaches in this unfortunate position,” he said flatly, highlighting that he isn’t looking to defend his actions in any way. Instead, noting that he understands that such unprecedented situations can arise, Crossman further wrote, ‘I wholeheartedly accept the responsibilities and consequences that come with competition and leadership.” But Kurtis wasn’t done feeling the heavy burden of what he triggered last night.

“It is unfortunate what the outcome was last night but I will take that responsibility. I thank my coaches and teammates for always supporting me,” he wrote further, underscoring that the only way out of the ordeal is by marching ahead and compensating for the fumble. The Red Rovers were close to victory, but the referee’s debatable way of looking at Crossman’s antics on the wrestling mat cost the team the match. Naturally, the Easton wrestler couldn’t help but feel the blues about it. However, the fans weren’t having any of it!

One fan pointed out that Kurtis gave his best at Wednesday’s event, and he should walk around with his head held high. “Kurtis, you have nothing to apologize for -IMO…It takes someone of great character to put something like this out on Social Media. You are a great athlete, and teammate,” commented the fan, assuring Crossman that better things will come to him. Others soon poured in with their support.

The wrestling community stands firm behind Kurtis Crossman

It looks like the community is more interested in ensuring that the whole conundrum doesn’t get under Crossman’s skin. “…dominating the aftermath of last nights events! Well done young man and best of luck rest of the season!” commented one fan, reiterating again that one setback doesn’t define an athlete. Instead, how they bounce back is what truly shows their worth. “Pure class,” Crossman’s elite wrestling character, received approval from another fan.

Fans were already calling for Mark Getz’s head after last night’s startling incident caught the fans off-guard. Another wrestling community member also is thinking along the same trajectory. “This should be the Refs apology,” grunted the fan about how the referee docked Easton’s point without putting much thought into it.

“I have never seen a match end quite like that,” said Dave Crowell, the head coach of Nazareth, about what went down during the final bout from last night. The Wrestling Room’s Pat Mineo was also taken aback by Getz’s call and took to X to highlight his dissatisfaction about it. He also pointed out that the official casebook regulations don’t assert what Crossman did was unsportsmanlike, underscoring that the point deduction isn’t justified.

“Shouldn’t have been called!” said Pat Mineo while replying to a post that highlighted the following text from the official casebook: “Tossing the ear guards or any equipment to a teammate or manager or dropping it to the floor near the team bench would not be considered unsportsmanlike conduct.” 

However, it is important to note that the 2023-24 NFHS Wrestling Rules state, “Unsportsmanlike conduct involves physical or nonphysical acts which occur before, during or after a match. It includes, but is not limited to, such acts as failure to comply with the direction of the referee, pushing, shoving, swearing, taunting, intimidation, baiting an opponent, throwing ear guards or any other equipment, spitting, the clearing of the nasal passage in other than the proper receptacle, repeatedly dropping to one knee to break locked hands, indicating displeasure with a call, failure to keep shoulder straps up while on the mat and failure to comply with the end-of-match procedure.“

Understandably, other fans are also feeling sad for the high schoolers. “Nah, you deserved better kid. Should have been an amazing moment for you and your teammates. Hate the fashion in which that was taken away from you guys,” said another fan. What are your thoughts about the Lehigh Valley drama? Tell us in the comments!