Boys weight classes
| # | Class (lb) | With growth allowance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 106 | 108 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 2 | 113 | 115 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 3 | 120 | 122 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 4 | 126 | 128 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 5 | 132 | 134 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 6 | 138 | 140 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 7 | 144 | 146 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 8 | 150 | 152 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 9 | 157 | 159 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 10 | 165 | 167 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 11 | 175 | 177 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 12 | 190 | 192 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 13 | 215 | 217 lb after January 1, 2027 |
| 14 | 285 | 287 lb after January 1, 2027 |
Girls weight classes
| # | Class (lb) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100 |
| 2 | 105 |
| 3 | 110 |
| 4 | 115 |
| 5 | 120 |
| 6 | 125 |
| 7 | 130 |
| 8 | 135 |
| 9 | 140 |
| 10 | 145 |
| 11 | 155 |
| 12 | 170 |
| 13 | 190 |
| 14 | 235 |
Growth allowance
- +2 lb starting January 1, 2027
Weight certification and hydration
- Hydration test limit: not listed in the handbook
- Descent plan ends: not listed in the handbook
How weight classes work in Arkansas wrestling
Arkansas high school wrestling uses 14 weight classes for boys and 14 for girls in the 2026-27 season. The Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) follows the NFHS-approved class lists, with boys competing from 106 to 285 pounds and girls from 100 to 235 pounds. These are separate divisions, so you need to check the correct list before choosing your target class. AAA Wrestling Handbook
Your weight class is not just a number you choose before a match. Arkansas also uses a weight certification program to determine how low you can safely compete during the season.
That means you should think about your certified minimum weight before deciding which class to enter. Even when a class looks close to your current weight, your assessment results may affect whether you can reach it.
Arkansas growth allowance and weigh-in rules
Arkansas adds a 2-pound growth allowance beginning January 1, 2027. The allowance raises the competition weight limit, but it does not change the minimum weight class determined by your certification.
| Date | Growth allowance | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Before January 1, 2027 | None | Use the regular class limit |
| January 1, 2027 onward | 2 lb | The class limit increases by 2 lb |
AAA also recognizes a successive-day allowance. However, the handbook does not give its exact pound amount.
Rule check: Growth and successive-day allowances cannot make you eligible for a class below your certified minimum. Do not assume that extra weight at a weigh-in allows you to move into a lower division.
Talk with your coach before planning around a successive-day competition. You need to know which limits apply to your event.
Weight certification in Arkansas
Arkansas requires a hydration assessment before body composition testing. The handbook does not list a specific urine gravity cutoff or a required waiting period after a failed hydration assessment.
The minimum body fat standards are 7% for boys and 19% for girls. Body composition can be measured through skinfold testing or Tanita bioelectrical impedance analysis. Certification information is managed through the NWCA Optimal Performance Calculator on TrackWrestling.
The AAA schedule includes these important dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Assessments begin | October 19, 2026 |
| Wrestling season begins | November 16, 2026 |
| Girls certification forms due | January 30, 2027, 7:00 AM |
| Boys certification forms due | February 6, 2027, 7:00 AM |
Arkansas limits weight loss to 1.5% per week, calculated from your original assessment date. The deadlines above are absolute deadlines for certification forms. AAA Wrestling Handbook
Planning your season in Arkansas
Start by getting assessed early enough to understand your options before competition begins. Your original assessment date matters because it starts your permitted weight descent.
Use the weight certification calculator to estimate your minimum weight from your assessment results. Then use the descent plan calculator to see how a target class might fit your season.
A practical checklist:
- Ask your coach when your assessment is scheduled.
- Choose a target class based on your certified minimum.
- Plan regular meals and hydration throughout training.
- Check how the January growth allowance affects your class.
- Make sure your certification forms are completed before the deadline for your division.
Safety: Avoid trying to force your weight down through dehydration or skipped meals. A class that requires constant last-minute cutting may not be the best class for your performance.
Source
AAA 2026-27 Wrestling Handbook (linked as "Handbook" on ahsaa.org/page/wrestling) (AAA (Arkansas Activities Association, ahsaa.org)). Last checked October 28, 2026.