a team must qualify for entry. 256 teams are accepted based on record, and then opponent wins. These teams are broken into eight groups by size, after which, each team is assigned to one of two 16-team brackets based on geography. Seeding within the bracket is based on record, and then opponent wins. 7Wrestling teams are assigned to a regional by geography. Individual wrestlers are seeded in each weight class. The team regional champion is based on team scores, which are standard for wrestling tournaments, based on individual advancement. The individuals then compete in individual sectionals and an individual state championship. Afterwards, the teams that won their regionals compete in a dual team sectional tournament, with sectional winners advancing to state. 8Music competition is held in a sweepstakes format. Competing schools perform at sites throughout the state. Scores are then submitted from each site to the IHSA, who then rank teams according to the judges scores, with the highest score in each Class being the State Champion. Any school earning a "First Division" distinction in judging, irrelevant of their final placement, may purchase an award. While barred from solo performance, music ensembles are the only IHSA competitions in which junior high or middle school participation is permitted. 9The IHSA stopped recognizing team champions in debate after the 1971–72 school year. Individual competition continues to the present. 10Although Football and Wrestling are boys' sports, girls can play in both of these sports. References Bibliography Johnson, Scott, et al. 100 Years of Madness: The Illinois High School Association Boys' Basketball Tournament. (Bloomington: Illinois High School Association, 2007). Whitten, Charles W. Interscholastics: A Discussion of Interscholastic Contests. (Chicago: Illinois High School Association, 1950). External links Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Oral History collection: a collection of 51 interviews with IHSA administrators, coaches, officials, players, and journalists recalling the history of the IHSA as an institution, and the various sports and activities governed by the association. High school sports associations in the United States Sports organizations established in 1900 1900 establishments in Illinois Bloomington, Illinois Youth organizations based in Illinois High school sports in Illinois