Ohio Tournament of Champions - Team Dual Meet Info

[OhioTofC 1]

OHIO TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS - APRIL 25, 2009 - Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (feel free to forward to other coaches, or post on any wrestling sites)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Bart Freidenberg 614-833-5885

RE: Team Discounts, Update on Elementary Division Weights

***22 of our 60 team spots have already been claimed and currently represent 10 states***

This year, the Ohio Tournament of Champions announces the addition of a Team Dual Meet competition, which will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2009, from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. These duals will be held prior to the start of the individual tournament, which will have the younger age groups beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the older groups beginning about 6:00 p.m. All wrestling should be completed, as in the past, by approximately 11:00 p.m.

The TofC duals will be held in three different age divisions and a total of 60 teams will be accepted. Each of these age divisions will also have different levels, based on the formation of the teams entering. Each team will be placed in a bracket which should guarantee each squad five matches. The individual tournament will be accepting 2700 wrestlers this year. Both of these events are slated to take place on 30 full size mats - all under one roof.

At this time, the TofC is offering those teams interesting in entering into the Team Dual Competition the opporutnity to save some money.

The entry fee for the team duals is currenlty $850. However, your team(s) can save up to $250 each by the following:

1. Any team that pays its initial $100 team deposit be December 31, 2008, will save an addiitonal $100. Note: Any team that has already paid their deposit will receive this credit.

2. Any team that provides two (3) workers (at least one adult) for the five duals will receive an additional $100 credit.

--One adult will help at the scoring table (bout scoring or running the scoreboard)

--Another worker will help get the on deck wrestlers ready

--Another worker will be a towel tapper

Note: Unless a team informs us otherwise, they will be expected to provide the table help listed above and will receive the $100 discount.

3. Finally, any team that pays off their balance due by February 28, 2009, will receive an addiitonal $50 credit.

Please keep in mind that teams that contact us first will be given first opportunity to compete. However, failure to pay their initial deposit within two weeks, will open their spot back up should, there be a waiting list.

Also, those competing in the Individual portion of the TofC will still need to meet valid qualification and properly register and send their entry form, proof of date of birth and payment in.

Team Information - Updated

The Ohio Tournament of Champions, the largest one day amateur wrestling tournament in the world, announces the addition of dual meet competition for 2009. This is in addition to the individual competition, which will also be held the same day and will commence at the completion of the team competition. ALL wrestling will still be completed in one day. Now in its 17th year, the Ohio TofC will again be held at the Columbus Convention Center, in Downtown Columbus, OH, in 200,000 square feet of wrestling space and up to 34 full size mats - all under one roof.. Additional information on the individual tournament, as well as hotel information, can be found on our event website.

Entry fee: There will be 17 weight classes in each division.and the entry fee will be $50 per weight class (total of $850), regardless of the number of wrestlers that you have on your team. In addition, each competitor must also have a current AAU card. (Note: for possible team discounts, see above)

Wrestlers in the team compeition MAY enter the individual competition as well. However, being a member of one of the competing teams DOES NOT guarantee him a spot in the individual tournament.

Divisions: The Divisions to be contested will be:

1A. High School Club Team/Community Division: For those wrestlers born in the years 1990-1994* ( a wrestler born in 1995 may compete in this division and may be in middle school). No high school graduates will be allowed to compete in this division. Wrestlers in this division must reside in a 30 mile range of each other, be from schools that are adjacent to each other or be from a club that practices regularly together (at least twice per week. There will be a maximum of 24 teams allowed in this division.

1B. High School All-Star Division: For those wrestlers born in the years 1990-1994* ( a wrestler born in 1995 may compete in this division and may be in middle school). No high school graduates will be allowed to compete in this division. There will be no restriction on where a wrestler resides to be in this division. There will be a maximum of 12 teams allowed in this division.

Weight classes for Divisions 1 will be: 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 220, 285

2A. Middle School Club Team/Community Division: For those wrestlers born in 1994-1996 (wrestlers born in 1997 may compete in this division and may be in the 5th grade).Wrestlers in this division must reside in a 30 mile range of each other, be from schools that are adjacent to each other or be from a club that practices regularly together (at least twice per week). No all star teams are permitted in this division. There will be a maximum of 12 teams allowed in this division.

2B. Middle School All Star Division: For those wrestlers born in 1994-1996 (wrestlers born in 1997 may compete in this division and may be in the 5th grade). There will be no restriction on where a wrestler resides to be in this division. There will be a maximum of 12 teams allowed in this division.

Weight classes for Division 2A & 2B will be: 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 126, 132, 140, 148, 160, 180, 230

3A. Elementary School Club Team/Community Division: For those wrestlers born in 1997-2004. Wrestlers in this division must reside in a 30 mile range of each other, be from schools that are adjacent to each other or be from a club that practices regularly together (at least twice per week). No all star teams are permitted in this division. There will be a maximum of 12 teams allowed in this division.

3B. Elementary All Star Division: For those wrestlers born in 1997-2004. There will be no restriction on where a wrestler resides to be in this division. There will be a maximum of 12 teams allowed in this division.

Weight classes for Divisions 3A & 3B will be: 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 112, 120, 130, 150

Competition: all matches will consist of one three minute period...similar to the individual Tournament of Champions. However, if after the regulation time the match is tied, a one minute overtime will be contested. If the match is still tied, then there will be no addiitonal wrestling and each team will receive an equal number of team points. The team competition will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2009 - from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The individual competition will begin at 1:00 p.m., with certain ages/weights wrestling from 1:00-6:00 p.m. and the remainder fo the groups from 6:00-11:00 p.m. ALL wrestling will be compeleted on April 25. There will be NO WRESTLING on Sunday, April 26.

Brackets: Will be determined by the number of teams in each particular division. Each competing team will be guaranteed five dual meets.

Weigh-ins: All weigh ins for the team competition will occur on Friday, April 24, 2009,at the Columbus Convention Center. A separate scale will be allocated to teams weighing in. Those wrestlers competiing in the individual tournament also may weigh in for the individual tournament at that time, but will need to have their individual weigh in card with them. Otherwise, they will need to weigh in a second time.

Team Rosters: Need to be received two weeks prior to the event date. You may have up to 34 kids on your team roster, but a maximum of three in any one weight class. ALL wrestlers in the team competiition will need to submit proof of date of birth and have verification of a current AAU card, in order to participate. You may change roster names at the site, BUT any substitutions will need to have proof of AAU card purchase and also proof of date of birth with them. NO AAU cards will be sold at the event. WRESTLERS MAY ONLY BE ON THE ROSTER OF ONE TEAM.

Awards: Will be given to the top 3 teams in each division, with a maximum number of individual awards of 25 per team.

RESERVE A SPOT: To reserve your team