Bruce Malinowski is a 63-year-old veteran referee for 33 years who has been Maryland wrestling’s state rules interpreter for the past 20.
A 1979 graduate of Kenwood, Malinowski placed first at states at 98 pounds in 1977, third at 105 in 1978, and first once again at 105 as a senior.
As a sophomore, Malinowski defeated Northwood’s Rusty Fiste, 2-0, for his state title. As a junior, Malinowski lost his overtime semifinal to Fiste, an eventual state runner-up after losing that year’s title match, 11-7, to Bowie’s John Ong. As a senior, Malinowski defeated Largo’s Robert McKinney, 3-0, for his crown. McKinney earned a state title in 1980.
A three-time Baltimore County and regional champion, Malinowski competed at states when it still was a unified event and seven years after its inception 1970. The state tournament split into separate programs in 1980 – AA-A for larger schools and B-C for the smaller ones.
In addition, Malinowski was a Scholastic All-American, three-time freestyle state champion and elite world freestyle champion.
A 1984 graduate of the University of Missouri, Malinowski was a two-time national championship qualifier, twice placed fourth at the Big Eight Championships, and was a full time assistant coach at his collegiate Alma Mater in 1985, where he was also a three-time member of the Big Eight All-Academic Team.
Malinowski has 26-year-old twin sons, Nathan and Nicholas, and another son, Alex, 31, all of whom wrestled for and graduated from Boys’ Latin. Nathan and Nicholas graduated in 2016, and Alex in 2011.
Nicholas Malinowski finished seventh, sixth, fifth and third in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament, and fourth, fourth, fourth and third at the Maryland Independent State Tournament. Nicholas still holds the Lakers’ record for most career victories with 151.
Nicholas was a four-year starter at McDaniel College, a conference runner-up as a senior and placed fifth as a sophomore before graduating in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Of Science in Biology.
Nathan placed fifth, fourth and second in the MIAAs, and seventh, fifth and seventh at the MIS Tournament. Also a star lacrosse player, Nathan graduated with a Bachelor’s Of Science in Communications from Randolph-Macon in 2020.
Alex finished fourth at MIAAs and seventh at states, later graduating in 2016 from Shorter University with a Bachelor’s Of Science in Communications.
For the 2024-25 season, the “three-point takedown,” the “four-point nearfall,” and the “one point of contact” inbound directive have been implemented by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee.
“The three major rule changes for wrestling have had a positive result on the sport,” Bruce Malinowski said. “The three-point takedown, the four-point nearfall have added excitement, and the one supporting point inbounds allows wrestling to continue.”
“The changes mirror similar changes previously made in college wrestling, which increased the value of a takedown from two points to three, and rewarding more offensive action in the sport.”
Legacy Wrestling sought Bruce Malinowski’s perspective and his view of how the pair of changes have affected the sport.
Bruce Malinowski on the three-point takedown
“My thoughts on the three-point take down are coming from the perspective of an official since I have not coached or wrestled under those rules. My first thought when I heard of the changes was that there was no need for the changes because the sport was not broken and didn't need that drastic of a change.
“As this season has progressed, my thoughts have changed about the implementation of these changes, and I believe that the changes have been for the better. I believe that a wrestler should be rewarded more for a takedown. Before the rule change, two escapes were equal to a takedown, and I don't think that should have been equal.
“Before the change, coaches would agonize over cutting their opponent because that escape would tie the match. I have not seen as much of that, and the coaches are much more likely to have the wrestler cut their opponent in order to secure another takedown or to avoid a stall call when they are in a standing control position.
“When I was coaching at the high school level, our practices were geared toward 60 to 70 percent on neutral technique and wrestling. Since you can dictate the start of each period in the neutral position, I would again use that same tactic when coaching.”
Bruce Malinowski and the four-point near-fall
“The four-point near fall has, in combination with the takedown change, really hastened and quickened the pace toward a wrestler’s ability to secure the 15-point technical fall. When there is a mismatch in experience or technique, it can be easily seen in how quickly the technical fall occurs.
“The change to a two, three, and four-point near fall really makes sense, because now, the arbitrary five-second nearfall for three points doesn't confuse a new spectator to the sport.
“I would have to answer the question from someone new to the sport when it comes to near falls: why does a wrestler get two points for a two-county and only three-points for a five-count. To me, it seems to have quickened the pace of an individual match as well as the total dual meet.
Bruce Malinowski on the inclusion of the one point of contact
“The best thing that can be said about the point of contact inbounds rule is that it’s a positive step forward toward expanding the wrestling area and allowing the wrestling to continue along the edge of the mat.
“In the past, things could happen near the edge of the mat and the referee had no choice but to call it out of bounds. So, now, I can call falls when there is one point of contact on the line or within the circle, while the rest of the wrestlers’ bodies may be out of bounds. I like it because it allows the wrestling action to continue.”
Bruce Malinowski’s Career Wrestling Accomplishments, At A Glance
C O A C H I N G H I S T O R Y
Head Wrestling Coach, Overlea High School, 1992- 2004 (141-48 record)
State Dual Meet Champions 1999
Regional Dual Meet Champions 1999
Regional Tournament Champions 1998
Baltimore County Champions 1998
27 State Place winners
7 finalists
1 Champion
Regional placewinners (21 Champions)
Baltimore County placewinners (15 Champions)
MSWA All-Star (Two champions, one Outstanding Wrestler)
Five 100-match winners
Wrestling Clinician, United States Naval Academy (1980-1998)
Head Wrestling Coach, Parkville High School,1987-1991 (32-30 record)
Five county finalists
One champion
12 county placewinners
Two regional champions
Eight regional placewinners
Three state placewinners
Head Freestyle Wrestling Coach, MSWA, 1987-1994
Two cadet National Champions
Five All-Americans at both Junior and Cadet Level
Assistant Wrestling Coach At Mount Saint Joseph High School, 1985-1987
Two-time MSA Champions
Two-time MSA Dual Meet Champions
Two-time National Prep runners-up
Eight MSA Champions
Two National Prep Champions
Dual meet record 23-1
Assistant Wrestling Coach, University Of Missouri, 1984-1985
OFFICIATING H I S T O R Y
Alternate NCAA Division I championships, 2011
Southern Conference National Qualifiers, 2008-Present
ACC Conference National Qualifier, 2006-2007
Maryland State Rules Interpreter Wrestling, 2004-Present
Maryland Wrestling Officials Association, 1990-Present
Mason Dixon Wrestling Officials Association, 1995-Present
Missouri Wrestling Official, 1984-1985
Head Official MPSSAA State Tournament, 2005-Present
Head Official MPSSAA State Duals Tournament, 2005-Present
Freestyle Official, 1987-1993