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KIDS TOURNAMENTS
Because of the popularity of the sport of wrestling
in Iowa, it is possible to wrestle year around. The
traditional youth (Grades K - 8) folkstyle wrestling
tournaments begin in November and end in early
April. Freestyle tourneys begin in March and end in
July.
Youth tournaments are held at most all schools
throughout the state. You can travel as much as
you like, but it is not necessary. You can participate
in nearly 20 tournaments a year within an hour’s
driving distance. It is hard to point you to entry-
level tournaments because large and small school
tournaments can be very competitive. As
mentioned before, most tournament pairings are
made by age / year in school and weight. Your
young wrestler could be bracketed in with more
experienced wrestlers.
Youth tournaments are usually available for grades
1-8. Kindergartners are usually allowed to wrestle
even though it is not so advertised. Tournament
entry costs range between $6.00-$10.00. There is
also an admission charge for parents and other
children. Most tournaments are 4-man round robin,
so each wrestler has 3 matches consisting of 3
one-minute periods. Medals and occasional trophies
or ribbons are distributed to each wrestler at the
end of the tourney.
Weigh-in times will vary but are usually on the
same day of the tournament from 6:30 a.m. to
8:00 a.m. Some tournaments will stagger the
wrestling times for the different age/grade groups
and weigh-in times could vary. Breakfast and
snacks are available at all tournaments.
The number of tournaments you attend is up to
you. It is recommended that grades K - 1 attend at
least four tournaments a year; Grades 2 - 3 at least
8 tournaments and grades 4 - 8 should attend
eight or more tournaments a year. To supplement
club practices, these tournaments offer the needed
“mat time” for success in the sport.
Transportation to tournaments is the responsibility
of the parent. The club is not organized to provide
this service. If you are unable to take your child,
another parent may be traveling to a
tournament
and willing to provide the transportation. Coaching
at the tournaments usually falls in the hands of the
parent. Our club, by nature of the organization,
does not have a traveling coach. Even though you
may not have a wrestling background, don’t be
afraid to go to mat side and cheer for your child.
Feel free to ask another experienced parent for
help. Many times parents in the club or club
assistants will help coach the club wrestlers during
their matches.
Tournament Registration Forms
A master schedule of available tournaments will be
distributed to club members. We encourage you to
attend these tournaments so club wrestlers can
support one another. Tournament entry forms will
be distributed at wrestling club practices. You will
also find them distributed at many of the youth
tournaments.
AAU District & State Tournaments
During the middle and end of March, the AAU
District Tournament is held. The top four finishers
in each weight class qualify for the state
tournament currently held in Cedar Rapids. This
tournament is open for Grades 3 - 8. AAU cards are
required. These tourneys are competitive but offer
quality-wrestling experiences for young wrestlers.
Entry forms will be available at club practices.
Camps & Clinics
Wrestling camps and clinics are generally held in
the summer months of June, July, and August.
Weeklong overnight or commuter camps are held
at many of the state colleges and universities.
These weeklong camps are available to youth
wrestlers in grades 3 – 12 grade and range in cost
from $200 - $300. Costs include room, meals and a
T-shirt. Camps are recommended for the serious
youth wrestler. Week-long commuter camps or
clinics vary in cost from $25 - $50 and are held at
many of the local high schools including Linn-Mar,
CR Jefferson, CR Prairie, Vinton, and Manchester.
Let’s……………..WRESTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We wish you the best of success in the sport of
wrestling. Hopefully this guide has sufficiently
outlined the opportunities ahead. Good luck!
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