By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – At least 17 states will be represented this weekend in a two-day wrestling event that is set to have a huge economic impact on Bloomington-Normal.
As estimated $165,000 is set to bolster the Twin Cities from the Midwest National Wrestling Tournament in which wrestlers from over 17 states wrestle for titles.
“The Midwest National Wrestling Tournament in its 15th year is an event owned and operated from the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission. In it’s 15th year we are expecting over 1,000 wrestlers in which we have had the last three or four years now,” added Matt Hawkins, Marketing Manager for the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We will be running on 20 mats at the Illinois Wesleyan [University] Shirk Center. This year we have added some girls and womens divisions starting in third grade to college open. It’s an event that brings kids and adults from really all over the country. We have 17 states represented and its an event that has seen representation from 30 plus states over it’s 15 years. It’s an event that brings in a decent amount of economic impact, I think this year we have estimated over $165,000 through the over night stays and day trip visitors coming to the event that day.”
The two-day event will feature weight in on Friday night and then the wrestling on Saturday. One of the main features of the event is guest speaker Sally Roberts, who is a two-time bronze medalist, three-time national champion and founder of Wrestle Like a Girl.
“She’s all about female wrestling and in a bigger aspect female empowerment and how she uses wrestling to build confidence in young girls,” added Hawkins. “She will address the crowd Saturday morning to kick off the event and she will be there to sign autographs as well. Besides being on the U.S national wrestling team she served a tour in Afghanistan as well.”
With all of the wrestling happening on the mats, Hawkins added that one person in particular is to thank for all of the hard work and dedication.
“Although the Sports Commission hosts the event, this event would not happen without Mike Manahan, the tournament director,” said Hawkins. “He volunteers his time every year to put on this event and basically plans it from top to bottom. Through his contacts through the wrestling community pretty much state wide bringing in volunteers to help with scoring at each mat and at the head table. We would not be able to do this without Mike and his generous contributions.”
For more information about the Midwest National Tournament visit www.midwestnationalwrestling.com.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
