Hays CVB
The Hays Wrestling Club will host approximately 800 wrestlers on Saturday at Fort Hays State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum for the USA Wrestling Kansas District 4 Championship youth wrestling tournament.
The District 4 Championship replaces the Western Kansas Wrestling Classic youth tournament.
“USA Wrestling Kansas shortened the wrestling season, so we were unable to host our regular tournament, the Western Kansas Wrestling Classic,” said Rene Meyers, secretary/treasurer of the Hays Wrestling Club. “Our club put in a bid for districts and the votes went to Hays to host.
“It’s a very exciting weekend because you have a coliseum full of wrestlers working their hardest to qualify for state next weekend. These kids have been preparing since back in December.”
Participants will include athletes as young as six through high school age. Anyone who is a Kansas certified wrestler through USA Wrestling Kansas and lives in District 4 can participate. Wrestlers must place in the top four in their weight class to advance to the state tournament in Topeka.
All board members of the Hays Wrestling Club take on various roles to put on the event. Tournament officials are paid; all others are working in a volunteer capacity. The club is also assisted by parents and community members.
“We couldn’t put this event on without the help of our talented coaches and devoted parents,” Meyers said.
Several schools in Hays have also made a commitment to the success of the event. Coaches, parents and wrestlers from Hays High School, Hays Middle School, and Thomas More Prep-Marian wrestling programs help by scoring the matches. FHSU wrestlers provide security for the event.
Meyers has been on the Hays Wrestling Club board for five years and has been involved with the club in some capacity for 11 years. Approximately 110 wrestlers are involved with the Hays Wrestling Club.