Wrestlers from two Fox Valley high schools may have been exposed to a herpes virus, after competing in a Minnesota tournament where wrestlers from several states participated . A wrestler from Nebraska is believed to have spread the infection.
While Minnesota officials have suspended wrestling in the state for eight days, Kaukauna wrestling coach Jeff Matczak feels the situation is being overblown. "I'm not in any saying that it's not a big deal. There's a reason we take it very seriously, because it is," said Matczak, adding that media made the story "bigger than what it is." However, Matczak said the decision in Minnesota was "probably a good thing." Matczak says precautions are taken to keep wrestlers from catching viruses like ringworm and impetigo from other athletes. For one, he says the mats are washed every day, both before and after practice. Matczak says there is no more risk of catching a disease on the wrestling mat than there is just going to school, and there's no need for people to panic about wrestling safety. [ WHBY 's Rick Schuh contributed this story]