By Gary Abbott USA Wrestling

ROCHESTER, Minn. – Going into its third year, the Minnesota Storm Holiday Cup is building an annual tradition within USA Wrestling.

This year’s event is set for the RCTC Regional Sports Center Performance Court in Rochester, Minn., Dec. 18-20, and will feature top Senior-level wrestlers seeking a quality competition in the new international season.

Last year saw the addition of a prize money structure for the tournament, as well as the addition of a women’s Greco-Roman division. This year, organizers are looking to further grow the tournament and continue its development.

The event is hosted by the Minnesota Storm, one of the top wrestling clubs in the nation, as part of its commitment to building international wrestling.

Athletes who wish to compete can still register online through Wednesday, December 17 at 5:00 p.m. Central time. Entry fee for participants registering online is $40 per athlete, with no refunds for failure to compete.

Click here to register

There will also be onsite registration available for athletes who did not sign up online.

The top three finishers in each men’s Greco-Roman, men’s freestyle, and women’s freestyle weight class will win prize money.

In weight classes with six (6) or more athletes, champions receive $1,000, runners-up receive $250 and third-place finishers receive $100.

In weight classes with less than six (1-5 entries), champions receive $500, runners-up receive $200 and third-place finishers receive $100.

The Outstanding Wrestler in men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle and men’s Greco-Roman will also receive $1,000.

In the women’s Greco-Roman division, the Outstanding Wrestler prize money will be determined based upon the total turnout for the women’s Greco-Roman division. If 20 or more women compete in Greco-Roman, the OW will receive $1,000. At 14-19 entries, the OW prize money is $750. If the entry level is between 8-13 athletes, the OW will receive $500.

Athletes must be U.S. citizens to receive prize money. U.S. athletes must place in the top four of their weight class to qualify for prize money.

Last year, in Greco-Roman, three of the Minnesota Storm Holiday Cup champions went on to make the U.S. Senior World Team: Spenser Mango of the U.S. Army, Bryce Saddoris of the U.S. Marines and Jordan Holm of the Minnesota Storm. One of the runners-up, Joe Rau of the Minnesota Storm, also made the 2014 World Team.

The women’s Greco-Roman division was well received last year, and was fun and interesting for those women who gave it a try. Three of the Greco-Roman champions last year have been U.S. World Team members in freestyle: Victoria Anthony of the Sunkist Kids, Whitney Conder of Army WCAP and Randi Miller of Army WCAP.

Once again this year, the Minnesota Storm Cup will be held alongside one of the nation’s most respected high school wrestling holiday tournaments, the 28th annual All Force Minnesota Christmas Tournament, There will be 34 top teams in the tournament, featuring strong Minnesota programs plus additional teams from Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Colorado.

The Minnesota Storm Holiday Cup, along with the finals of the Minnesota Christmas Tournament will be webcast on TheMat.com. Chris Moen will handle the commentary.

Fans can purchase General Admission tickets for $8.00 per day.

Click Here for Minnesota Storm Holiday Cup website

MINNESOTA STORM HOLIDAY CUP
At Rochester, Minn., Dec. 18-20

Event Schedule

Thursday, December 18
2:00 p.m. – Men’s Greco and Women’s Freestyle and Greco-Roman Registration and Weigh-in (+ 2 KG) at the RCTC Regional Sports Center Wrestling Room

Friday, December 19
9:00 a.m. to conclusion – Men’s Greco-Roman and Women’s Freestyle preliminaries/finals (4 Mats) at the RCTC Regional Sports Center Performance Court

2:00 p.m. – Men’s Freestyle Registration and Weigh-ins (+ 2 KG) at the RCTC Regional Sports Center Performance Court

Saturday, December 20
9:00 a.m. to conclusion – Men’s Freestyle and Women’s Greco-Roman preliminaries/finals at RCTC Regional Sports Center Performance Court

2013 Minnesota Storm Holiday Cup champions

Greco-Roman champions
55 kg /121 lbs. – Sam Hazewinkel (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg /132 lbs.- Spenser Mango (Army WCAP)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Bryce Saddoris (U.S. Marines)
74 kg/ 163 lbs. – Kendrick Sanders (NYAC/USOEC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Jordan Holm (Minnesota Storm)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – John Wechter (Minnesota Storm)
120 kg/264.5 lbs.- David Arendt (U.S. Marines)

Men’s freestyle champions
55 kg /121 lbs.- Zach Sanders (Minnesota Storm)
60 kg /132 lbs.– B.J. Futrell (Titan Mercury WC)
66 kg /145.5 lbs. – Chase Pami (Sunkist Kids)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Kyle Ruschell (NYAC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Tyrel Todd (Sunkist Kids)
96 kg/ 211.5 lbs. – Deron Winn ( Cyclone WC/Titan Mercury WC)
120 kg/ 264.5 lbs. – Dom Bradley (Sunkist Kids)

Women’s freestyle champions
48 kg /105.5 lbs. – Victoria Anthony (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Katherine Fulp-Allen (NYAC)
55 kg /121 lbs.- Jacarra Winchester (Missouri Valley WC)
59 kg/130 lbs.- Othella Feroletto (Army WCAP)
63 kg/ 138.75 lbs.- Erin Clodgo (Sunkist Kids)
67 kg/147.5 lbs.- Leigh Jaynes (NYAC)
72 kg/158.75 lbs.- Randi Miller (Army WCAP)

Women’s Greco-Roman champions
48 kg/ 105.5 lbs.- Victoria Anthony (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Whitney Conder (Army WCAP)
63 kg /138.75 lbs.- Othella Feroletto (Army WCAP)
72 kg/158.5 lbs.- Randi Miller (Army WCAP)

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