Despite calls for its postponement following concerns raised by players over “mat herpes”, organizers of the state wrestling tournament are adamant on holding the event as per schedule.

The concerns were first raised by Blake Flovin, who claimed he contracted the virus while playing on a wrestling mat at a recent high school tournament in San Jose. The Herpes virus attack that began with swollen glands and dozens of sores spreading across Flovin’s forehead and face has brought the player’s wrestling career to a halt, at least for the moment.

“It’s heartbreaking. It’s really unnecessary for anybody to get this. They could take the precautions necessary to stop it”, said Flovin. A fear has spread among his family members that unknowingly Flovin may have spread the infection to others.

Letting go the associated shame and torment as his splotchy face appeared throughout the media this week, the 17-year-old had braced for the worst when he went public about the virus. But what he got in return was only “shocking” for him as the organizers refused to believe him even as he got support from his friends and fellow wrestlers.

The California Interscholastic Federation says the event will be held as planned. The federation said in a statement that they were confident that their practices, along with an exhaustive medical review of this particular situation, would ensure that there was no justification for concern about the spread of a contagious disease.

Whitney High wrestling coach Dan Parker says catching the virus is something very rare. “Skin issues do occasionally pop up; sounds like he has more a serious case, haven’t seen anything like that. All athletes go through skin checks before each match, and screenings are especially strict with a state tournament. Any athlete with an active infection won’t be allowed to compete”, said Parker.