In addition, USA Wrestling is also conducting the 2018 United World Wrestling (UWW) Junior Freestyle World Team Trials as well as the Senior Freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament at the RCTC Regional Sports Center this weekend. These are the top wrestlers from across the USA who were born between 1998 and 2000. Ten weight groups from 125.7 to 275.6 pounds will participate.
Only certain wrestlers are eligible to wrestle in the UWW event. Invited wrestlers include: previous Junior or Cadet World Team members; the top six place winners from the 2017 Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota; the top eight winners from the 2017 or 2018 UWW Junior National tournament; the top four from the 2017 UWW Junior World Team Trials; any All-American from the 2017 University Nationals; the top four from the 2017 U23 World Team Trials; any All-American from the 2017 or 2018 NCAA Division I Nationals; any All-American from the 2018 Folk-style Nationals; the top eight from the April 2018 U.S. Senior Nationals; the finalists from the 2018 NCAA DII Nationals; the finalists from the 2018 NCAA DIII Nationals; the Champions from the 2018 NAIA Nationals. In other words – these are the best based on previous performances.
Local leadership for Northern Plains comes from MN USA’s Bill Hinchley, Tom Kuisle and Dale Schmitz, to mention a few. They are greatly respected in the USA Wrestling world and not only play a huge part in the operations of the event but were also key in getting the event to Rochester.
The Northern Plains event brings wrestlers together from Midwest states that compete in several age divisions: Bantam (7-8 year-olds), Intermediate, Novice, Schoolboy/girl, Cadet, Junior (9-12th grade), Girls Freestyle born between 1998 - 2011. History reflects a healthy number of wrestlers will compete in Rochester with Greco registrations for all six age groups to total close to 700 and possibly over 800 for the Freestyle. Keep in mind that some of the wrestlers will compete in both Greco and Freestyle. Regardless, there should be well over 1000 wrestlers in town for this event.
Wrestling is a very strong sport nationally. High school wrestling ranks eighth in participation with 244,804 athletes competing at the high school level. In addition, the number of women wrestling in high school has grown from 804 in 1994 to 14,587 currently, according to data compiled by the National Wrestling Coaches association. And the number of high schools that sponsor wrestling teams has grown from 8,559 in 1994 to 10,629 currently.
The competition will be at a very high level. “It will be some pretty darn good wrestling. Minnesota has some great wrestlers but Illinois and Wisconsin will bring in their best too,” Bill Hinchley shared. Team scores are not formally kept “but we all know who won when it is over,” Hinchley added. So, whether it is the 7-8 year-old future stars of the mat or the top United World Wrestling competitors, our city will have more than its share of wrestling talent over the weekend.
Upcoming Events:
May 17-20: USA Wrestling Northern Plains & World Team Trials
May 17-19: NJCAA Div. III Softball Championship
May 19-20: Med-City May Daze Softball Tournament