Calls Mount Against NCAA Wrestling Referee After Poor Decision Costs Easton: “Make a Public Apology”

Was the referee’s unsportsmanlike call a case of bad judgment, or was there bias at play? Either way, Easton-Nazareth’s wrestling match didn’t end the way anyone expected. It had everything: intense battles, a raucous crowd, and one of the wildest endings anyone’s ever seen. But instead of being remembered for the wrestling itself, this match is now infamous as “the headgear throw match.” Or maybe it’s the “headgear toss match”? Yeah, we’re stuck debating that, and honestly, it’s heartbreaking. But what exactly happened?

The drama unfolded in the final match of the night on 12th December. Easton’s Kurtis Crossman dominated Nazareth’s Vinnie Giacobbe with a 19-4 technical fall, and at first, it looked like that sealed the victory for Easton. Then came the moment that changed everything: Crossman sent his headgear flying toward the Easton bench. Was it an angry “throw” or a casual “toss”? Easton fans and honestly, most neutral observers saw it as a toss. But referee Mark Getz didn’t. He called it unsportsmanlike conduct, docked Easton a team point, and tied the match at 27. And since ties are broken by unsportsmanlike deductions, Nazareth walked away with a 28-27 win. Cue the chaos.

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Nazareth coach Dave Crowell said after the match. Crossman, who had been waiting at the center of the mat to shake hands, looked stunned as the call was made. “Mark Getz is a good official, ” Easton coach Jody Karam said, trying to keep his composure. “But I’m not so sure the rule applies in a context like that tonight.”

Here’s the kicker: the wrestling casebook makes a clear distinction between “throwing” the headgear (unsportsmanlike) and “tossing” it to a teammate (not unsportsmanlike). From 15 feet away, it looked like a toss, and video evidence seemed to back that up. But Getz, a Nazareth alum and former state champ, saw it differently, and that’s what mattered.

Naturally, emotions ran high. Easton wrestlers were visibly stunned, pacing the mat in disbelief. Fans were fuming, especially when Getz’s Nazareth connection as he was a former state champion wrestler of Nazareth, came to light. Still, Easton’s coaching staff kept their cool, calmly arguing their case without losing their heads. It was a tough pill to swallow. But fans weren’t having it. They took to social media, especially X, where Mitch Rupert posted the video and rulebook, and the backlash ensued as expected.

Is this the worst call in Wrestling history? Fans are losing it!

The controversial ending to the Easton-Nazareth wrestling match ignited a firestorm of frustration among fans, who didn’t mince words about referee Mark Getz’s call. One fan declared, “This ref should be forced to make a public apology, sit out the rest of this year, and only ref JV matches on an evaluation basis next season. If he’s passionate about the ‘sport’ he’ll do this penance for his ridiculous behavior.” Another fan echoed the outrage, calling the decision “pathetic” and insisting the referee face disciplinary action for “completely making the match about himself. What a complete farce of an official.”

A third fan agreed, blasting the call as “THAT IS SO FUCKING BAD. It’s not a matter of objectivity, we know what a “throw” is. That is not a headgear “throw.” He was giving it to the coach. This is HORRENDOUS by the referee.” Adding fuel to the fire was the fact that Getz is a former Nazareth state champion, a detail that many fans pointed to as problematic, even if no bias was proven.

Back in 2005, a similar situation happened with North Rockland wrestler C.J. Rodriguez, who lost his 135-pound state championship after being penalized for tossing his headgear. He’d initially won the match 7-6, but the penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct changed the score to 8-7 in favor of his opponent. Despite attempts to appeal, including going to the New York State Supreme Court, the ruling stuck. Rodriguez and his family felt it was a harsh call, especially given his performance. The athletic director agreed but pointed out that the referee’s decision was final. It was a tough lesson in how a single call can change everything in wrestling.

One fan stated, “That’s wild. They need to reverse that call & make this right,” while another added, “Need to put this ref on blast,” and a third chimed, “Absolutely ludicrous. And, of course, the ref allegedly wrestled at Nazareth.” Fans were frustrated by the decision and the perception that the referee’s past connection to Nazareth might have influenced his ruling. Many felt that the referee’s call shifted the spotlight from the athletes’ performances to the controversy surrounding the decision.

The controversial call in the Easton-Nazareth wrestling match brings attention to Section 30 regarding unsportsmanlike conduct. Especially referencing Article 1 and Article 2. Article 1 defines unsportsmanlike conduct for coaches and team personnel, emphasizing actions that disrupt the match’s orderly progress, including taunting, disrespect, or any behavior that incites negative reactions from others. Article 2 applies to contestants, outlining physical and non-physical actions such as failure to comply with the referee’s instructions, taunting, intimidation, or the throwing of equipment, like ear guards or headgear, which was the focus of the controversial penalty.

So, wrestling’s already intense enough without all the drama, right? What should’ve been a night to celebrate some matches ended up turning into a circus over one questionable call. Instead of talking about the athletes’ performances, we’re all tied up in knots, arguing over whether it was a throw or a toss. Hence, wrestling deserves better, and so do the athletes. At the end of the day, it’s about the blood, sweat, and tears on the mat, not the referee’s decision. Let’s hope the next Easton-Nazareth match brings us back to the heart of the sport, where the real action speaks for itself.