California wrestler urges tournament delay after contracting 'mat herpes'

A California student-athlete says his wrestling career is over after he contracted a highly contagious form of herpes during a match. Flovin's father, who is the assistant coach at Blake's high school, says there is high motivation to wrestle in big events no matter what because of college scholarship opportunities.

Flovin, a senior at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, said he was exposed to herpes gladiatorum, a skin infection caused by the same herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores on the lips, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

'I'm never gonna wrestle again, ' the Sunnyvale teen, who had an opportunity to compete at this weekend's state tournament, told NBC Bay Area.

But the California Interscholastic Federation says it's not postponing the championship, noting everything's soundly in place to stop anyone else from getting the virus.

There have been several outbreaks over the years among wrestlers in particular, either through skin-to-skin contact or from the mats themselves.

According to Rick, Independence High lacked this type of safety practice. The virus becomes contagious when wrestlers have a flare of lesions.

Flovin said he's seen student-athletes wrestle while infected, and try to hide their diagnoses.

'We've had many times where our doctors have removed an athlete who was showing symptoms or some sort of skin lesion. 'We follow protocol to the letter of the law'.

"This is why we have experienced medical doctors on staff who ensure all our programs adhere to established protocols, the latest scientific research, the best medical advice and the most respected national health and safety standards for high school sports", says Roger Blake, CIF Director.

Coaches interviewed Friday also were not anxious as their wrestlers began the two-day quest for a coveted state championship. "That made him know he made the right decision".

Morgan said while driving to Bakersfield on Thursday that he's confident wrestlers will be safe at the tournament because "we're doing what we need to be doing to protect the kids and the tournament". The virus has been known to infect wrestlers throughout the country over the years.

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