Kansas USA Wrestling

2024 KANSAS STATE WRESTLING FOLKSTYLE

CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

 

DATE: March 8-9-10, 2024

 

LOCATION: Stormont Vail Events Center, One Expocentre Drive, Topeka, Kansas

 

RULES:  National Federation of State High School Association Rules with USAWA- Kansas modifications will be followed.  Skin conditions, fingernails, and special equipment will be checked before entering weigh-in or before stepping on the scale. 

 

ALL BOYS / GIRLS AND POTENTIAL WALK-ONS MUST BE REGISTERED AT A SELECTED WEIGHT ONE HOUR BEFORE THE DISTRICT SEEDING MEETING STARTS IN THE DISTRICT YOU ARE REPRESENTING.  NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE.

 

 

BOYS/GIRLS SEEDING:  Boys bracket district placement on the state bracket will be determined by blind draw.  District registration must be completed one (1) hour before your District Seeding Meeting at trackwrestling.com.

 

 

BOYS/GIRLS DISTRICT SEEDING MEETINGS –Seeding meeting dates and times are established at the District level.  At the seeding meeting, weight or age corrections or scratches may be made in all age groups, including walk-on wrestlers, before the start of seeding the wrestlers without requiring a penalty fee. Additional entries may be made in writing one hour before the published start time of the seeding meeting, but any such entrant may be required to pay a penalty fee. Once the seeding starts, no changes or additions will be allowed, except in the case of clerical errors by the tournament director. 

 

WALK ON PARTICIPANTS:  According to Section III, Article II(12), All Junior High Wrestlers who were participating in a school-affiliated (KSHSAA) wrestling program on the same day as a qualifier will be permitted to wrestle in the next level tournament.  Registration must be completed and paid online at trackwrestling.com by the close of registrations in your applicable District.  An eligibility review will be conducted by the 2024 State Committee on Discipline. Weigh-in will occur as described in this document with other wrestlers in your division. (we need to outline how we will use the USAW membership system for registration, as this will save us over $3500

 

WEIGH-IN:  All participants will weigh in wearing a properly worn singlet.  A nail, skin and special equipment check will be conducted before entering the weigh-in area.  Emergency Contact Number: (785) 224-5161 (Mark Stanley) or (785) 823-3987 (Rich Zimmerman).  If voicemail picks up, LEAVE A MESSAGE.  A missed call will not be considered proper notification, but a voicemail (with time/date stamp) will be considered in any decision-making process.

 

Once you enter the weigh-in area, you must stay on the scale you are assigned to complete weight management.  However, if an attempt is made to weigh in at the Noon – 2:00 pm session, upon request, your weigh-in card will be returned to the box, and you will be allowed a chance during the 6:00-7:00 pm session to make weight.  You are responsible for entering the weigh-in area at the weight and with all necessary paperwork and equipment. 

 

Friday, March 8 in Landon Arena 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. (all)

Friday, March 8 in Exhibition Hall   6:00 – 7:00 p.m. (remainder of 8U/10/12U/14U)

 

NO SATURDAY WEIGH-IN OPTION, AND WE ENCOURAGE ALL THAT CAN TO UTILIZE THE  12:00 – 2:00 PM TIME

 

When weighing in, you must have YOUR USAWKS CARD and all paperwork / special equipment (mouth guard, etc.).   If the referee suspects a wrestler of having a communicable skin disease or any other condition that makes participation appear inadvisable, the parent/coach shall provide current (dated within one week of the State Tournament) written documentation as defined by NFHS (from) and USAW Kansas (script with doc signature), from an appropriate health-care professional stating that the suspected disease or condition is not communicable and that the athlete’s participation would not be harmful to any opponent.  This document shall be furnished at the weigh-in.  The only exception would be if a designated, on-site meet, the appropriate healthcare professional, is present and can examine the wrestler immediately before or after weigh-in.  Covering a communicable condition is unacceptable and does not make the wrestler eligible to participate. If a designated, on-site meeting with the appropriate healthcare professional is present, he/she may overrule the diagnosis of the appropriate healthcare professional signing the medical release form for a wrestler to participate or not participate with a particular skin condition. USAW card will be scanned at the time of weigh-in, and an email will be sent indicating what weight your child weighed in at and by whom. This will help you as Parents to know when to be looking for your child. 

 

 

Weigh In Procedure – MODIFIED 2024

• Wrestlers and their families will be able to enter the facility at 10am through Exhibition Hall. You may either stay in Exhibition Hall or go into Landon Arena and be seated with your age group.  However, you will not be allowed on the wrestling arena floor (Landon Arena) until your weight is called.  Weigh-ins will not start until 12:00 p.m. NEW THIS YEAR wrestlers in the 8U and 10U groups can be accompanied by one (1) adult chaperone.  All other wrestlers will in 12U/14U/HS will enter Landon Areana for weigh-ins unaccompanied. PARENTS when wrestlers are finished weigh in according to the schedule below they will exit Landon Areana from the north end tunnel between Exhibition Hall and Landon Arena.  We encourage you to wait for your wrestlers in the designated (by age group in preassigned waiting areas located in Landon arena.  YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CROWD AND BLOCK THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE

• Wrestlers will be seated in Landon Arena age and weight.  High School division wrestlers will be allowed to stand behind the dashers starting at 11:00am.

• Wrestlers will be called to the floor by groups.

  • “First Call” for HS will be at NOON (and an overflow scale will  be open if you miss your scheduled time.

  • “First Call” for 8U will be at 12:20pm

  • “First Call” for 10U will be at 12:40pm

  • “First Call” for 12U will be at 1:00pm

  • “First Call” for 14U will be at 1:20pm

  • From 1:20pm until 2:00pm we will call kids to the mat as they arrive.

• If you miss your age/weight group, you will weigh-in after the other groups are complete from 1:20pm – 2:00pm.

• If you do not make weight, you will be able to weigh-in again after the groups are done.

• Wrestlers will be able to use all scales to try to make weight.

• Once you have made weight, you will exit to Exhibition Hall and you can either stay in that part of the building or leave.

• The Topeka Lodging Association will be hosting a BBQ from Noon-3pm just outside Exhibition Hall for participating athletes.  A ticket, which will be handed out at weigh-in, is required to take part.

 

TICKET SALES:  Tickets may be purchased from the Event Center Ticket Office during the hours listed below.  Doors to the arena will open both days at 6:30 a.m.  Seating will be on a first-come / first-serve basis.  Sales will be open to purchase online upon release of the State Brackets NLT Wednesday, March 8th.

 

Friday March 8 10:00 a.m. – Session 1 complete

Saturday March 9 6:30   a.m. – Session 3 complete

Sunday March 10 6:30   a.m. – Start of Finals 

 

 

General Admission (all seating is GA)

Toddlers (4 and under) FREE

Children (5-12) $ 5.00 per day

Adults (13 and over) $ 10.00 per day

 

You may purchase tickets online but can avoid the “Ticketmaster” fee by buying tickets at the box office.  If purchasing tickets through the box office we encourage you to make those purchases on Friday while your wrestlers are being weighed in.  This will help getting presold ticketed spectators into the building more efficiently on during tournament operation.

 

 

You must retain your ticket stub if you plan to exit and re-enter the Even Center.  If you lose your ticket stub, you will be required to purchase another ticket.  There is no exception to this rule as the Event Center handles all ticket sales.  No saving of seats on Friday night for Saturday or Saturday night for Sunday will be allowed and all ADA handicapped seating are reserved for its intended purpose.  Violation of this will result in a member of staff reminding you of the violation and you will be asked to move.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

COACHES MEETING:  Friday, March 8 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 9 7:00 a.m.

*The meeting will be held in the coach’s hospitality area in Exhibition Hall.

 

PARADE OF ATHLETES:  The procession will start at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, March 9. All officials, wrestlers, and coaches should be in Exhibition Hall no later than 7:45 a.m. ready to go.  

 

WRESTLING SESSIONS (GIRL AND BOY BY AGE DIVISION): 

Friday, March 8th

3:30 p.m.  Session 1 HS (G/B) Division Start to Finish (including placement)

 

Saturday, March 9th

8:30 a.m.  Session 2 8U & 10U (G/B) Division (front side through semi and one match out back)

1:00 p.m.  Session 3 12U & 14U (G/B) Division (front side through semi and one match out back) We will start Session 3 up to 30 minutes early if time allows.

 

Sunday, March 10th  

8:00 a.m.  Session 4 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U (G/B) Division backside matches

2:00 p.m.  Session 5 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U (G/B) Championship, Third Place, and Fifth Place   matches wrestled on 12 surfaces in Landon Arena

 

*All Times Are Approximate

 

SMOKING POLICY:  The Stormont Vail Events Center is SMOKE-FREE!  During all events, designated smoking will be outside the south center glass doors.  Event Center personnel will staff this area and they will provide individuals with a hand stamp. This hand stamp will allow admittance back into the facility.  

 

PASS GATE:  The pass gate is located on the south end / lower level of Landon Arena (handicap entrance).  It is SUGGESTED that anyone entering the facility FREE OF CHARGE, enter through the pass gate.  The pass gate is for wrestlers who are participating in the tournament (arms must have the appropriate marking), coaches with 2023-24 coaches cards, officials, table workers, and press officials (MUST HAVE CREDENTIALS FOR EVENT). 

 

SECURITY:   The Stormont Vail Event Center handles all of our security needs.  If they find you on the floor without proper identification, you will be asked to return to the stands.  Do not disagree with them, just do as they ask!  Please inform your coaches and parents that to be on the floor, they must have the correctly colored wristband visible at all times.

 

COACHES:  You will be allowed in the building free of charge when entering through the pass gate provided you have your 2023-24 (current year) coaches card with you.  To be allowed onto the arena floor you must have the coaches band on and visible at all times.

COACHES BANDS:  A motion passed at the 2008 State Body Meeting requires any coach to have a Bronze card certification, current year USA Wrestling Coach Membership Card, be in good standing with their Club, District and State to receive a nontransferable coaches pass.  You can pick up your Coaches Bands in Exhibition Hall on Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The Club Directors MUST submit a list of coaches names who are NOT in good-standing or will not be allowed to have a coaches pass after Districts to the State Tournament Director by email on a Deadline of Monday midnight, March 7th to Mark Stanley.

Email your list of coaches who are NOT in good standing to:  Mark Stanley, Asst. Folkstyle Director at usawks.statetournament@gmail.com and Alicia Edwards, Administrative Assistant at scout682@outlook.com .

 

To pick up your coaches bands, you will need to provide the information listed below, at a designated table near the box office outside of Exhibition Hall from 2:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday.  The only other time coaches’ passes will be available is from the same location from 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. and  10 a.m. Sunday morning.  In order to obtain a coaches pass, you must present the following:

1. 2023-24 Coaches Card

2. Bronze Level Certification Card (check to be sure your name is on the list on the web site prior to the Qualifying Tournament Series)

3. Identification (must be a photo ID)

 

TABLE WORKERS:  District directors are in charge of finding table workers from their area.  Club directors should contact them if you who are willing to offer your clubs assistance.  District Directors are District I – Wade Doering (620) 363-1828, District II – Richard Salyer (316) 258-1019, District III – Rich Zimmerman – (785) 823-3987, and District IV – Jesse Pfortmiller (785) 533-1345. Table workers should not purchase a ticket for the day they are working.  Table workers will be admitted free only the day they are working.  Table workers will be allowed floor access only for the session they are working. Table workers must enter through the pass gate (handicap entrance) and be wearing the correct colored wristbands.  You can pick up your table workers wristbands/passes Friday evening during weigh-in from your District Director. There will be two different colored bands for each day.  You are allowed on the floor only during the session you are working.  Security and/or officials will not allow a table workers pass to be mat side coaching.

 

PARADE OF CHAMPIONS / FINALS ROUND:  The finals round is tentatively scheduled to begin at approximately 1 p.m. on Sunday (we will start up to 30 minutes early if time allows).  ALL WRESTLERS participating in the Parade of Champions will be required to be in a team uniform.   Before the start of the finals round, all six wrestlers will be escorted into the arena.  Only those wrestlers competing for the title of “Champion” will be introduced.  These wrestlers should begin lining up in Exhibition Hall at 1:00 p.m.  Remember, these times are approximate!  We will begin earlier schedule permitting!

 

CLEAR BAG POLICY FOR SPECTATORS

• Clear bags no larger than 12"x12"x8" will be permitted into Stormont Vail Events Center.

• Diaper bags (one per family) and medical bags will be permitted. All bags are subject to search.

• For all permitted bags and all prohibited items, etc., click HERE

 

https://www.stormontvaileventscenter.com/p/visitorinfo/reopening

 

https://www.stormontvaileventscenter.com/p/visitorinfo

 

*One (1) unopened sealed bottle of water or one (1) empty water bottle is permitted per person.

 

COOLERS AND BAGS:  The Stormont Vail Events Center will not allow ANY food, glass containers, or coolers to be brought into Landon Arena.  They are under contract for all food, beverage, novelty, and concession services in Exhibition Hall and Landon Arena.  If you bring a large bag, do not be alarmed when you are asked to open it.  BAGS WILL BE CHECKED!

 

ATHLETES WILL BE ALLOWED TO BRING WATER AND HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS INTO THE AREA IN THEIR GEAR BAG (WITHIN REASON).  GEAR BAG FOR ATHLEATES DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A CLEAR BAG.

 

DIABETIC WRESTLERS:  If you have a wrestler that is diabetic, the Event Center will allow you to bring in some snacks.  They will also have the necessary type of food to be available in the event of an emergency.  

 

AWARDS / PHOTOS:  Plaques will be presented as listed

16-man brackets place top 6

8-man brackets place top 4

Round robin brackets place top 3

The awards will be presented in Exhibition Hall and then podium shots will be taken in Exhibition Hall.  USAWKS exclusive photographer will be taking an awards photo on podium immediately following the presentation of the awards.  They will begin taking “awards” orders for photos on Friday.  Parents will be able to gain entrance to Exhibition Hall through Exit 8 (near section 125) located at the north end / upper level of Landon Arena.   USAWKS is also actively seeding a vendor for taking action photos throughout the tournament.  If you would like to order one, you can do so in Exhibition Hall.

 

PRESS PASSES:  Press passes will be provided by Tournament Staff personnel at the Pass Gate / Handicap Entrance to individuals who are employed by their local newspaper or other recognized media outlet to cover the 2024 State Tournament and will be admitted free to the tournament and allowed on the arena floor, provided they have their official press card from their local newspaper or other recognized media outlet.  Letters requesting individuals to take pictures that do not have the appropriate credentials are not acceptable!  Individuals with press passes will need to enter from the south-end (handicap entrance) / pass gate to gain admission.  Only the “official event photographer” will be allowed down the center of the mats. 

 

CLUB BANNERS: Club banners may be placed around the arena, however, the Stormont Vail Events Center asks that they be hung with string or zip-ties only….NO TAPE IS ALLOWED.

 

 

MOTELS:  We hope that your club has been able to locate motel rooms in Topeka.  If you are having a problem, please contact the Visit Topeka, Inc. as they are notified of the availability of rooms.  You can contact them at (800) 235-1030.  Topeka has more than enough motels to handle our event, so please contact them if you are staying out of the area.  We offer the following suggestions when booking motel reservations:

• Keep in contact with the motel throughout the year

• Do not overbook, book only approximately what you will need

• Provide a rooming list to the motel on Monday prior to state (fax it to them and then follow with the original)

• Cancel immediately any rooms that you will not be needing - do not hold them past Tuesday

• Club Directors, coaches, and parents - try and watch your children a little closer while at the motel

• Be responsible - you are representing your club and USAW Kansas Kids!

 

CAMPERS:  The Event Center does have camper electrical facilities available on the grounds at a charge of $35 per day.  They are on a first-come, first-serve basis.  A dump station is available on-site.  If you would like to use the camper hook-up, you will need to check in at the security entrance upon arrival.   

 

2024 USAWKS Board of Directors

 

State Chairman Will Cokeley

Treasurer Kurt Lang

Membership Director Jordan Best

Admin and Tech Assistant JB Harding

Folkstyle Director Scott Edwards

Asst Folkstyle Director Mark Stanley

Freestyle/Greco Director James Bilby

Women’s Director Travis Phippen

Officials Director Dylan Eck

District 1 Director Wade Doering

District 2 Director Richard Salyer

District 3 Director Rich Zimmerman

District 4 Director Jesse Pfortmiller

KWCA/University Rep Pat Kelly

Coaches Development Joe Knecht

 

 

2024 USAWKS STATE TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE

 

Chairman Mark Stanley

D1 Rep Wade Doering

D2 Rep Richard Salyer

D3 Rep Rich Zimmerman

D4 Rep Jesse Pfortmiller

 

Tournament Operations Sub-Committee

Operations Manager Alicia Edwards

Trackwrestling Manager Joe Knecht

Trackwrestling Manager JB Harding

Trackwrestling Assistant Jordan Best 

Trackwrestling Assistant Daniel Reling 

Trackwrestling Assistant Steven Foster

Weigh-in Coordinators Rich Zimmerman/Joe Knecht/Wade Doering

Mats Coordinator Patrick Kelly

Mats Coordinator Jon Ray

 

2024 State Committee on Discipline (Tournament Appeals)

 

Mark Stanley .. Wade Doering .. Richard Salyer ..Rich Zimmerman .. Jesse Pfortmiller

 

SUGGESTIONS:  If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the changes, or the tournament in general, please let one of the tournament committee members know.

We wish each Kansas Wrestling Club and their wrestlers the best of luck as we head into the qualifying tournaments.  If you have any questions pertaining to the State Tournament or the qualifying series, please contact your District Director or other members of the Tournament Committee by email or by phone.  See you at State!

 

Mark Stanley, Wade Doering, Richard Salyer, Rich Zimmerman, and Jesse Pfortmiller

 

EMERGENCY PHONE (during the event):  

This phone number is to be used for emergency calls only!  (785) 286-0899 or (785) 224-5161.  If unavailable, please leave a message as to the nature of your emergency.  A missed call will not constitute an attempt to contact without a corresponding voice mail message.

 

2024 USAW KANSAS KIDS FOLKSTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 8th  (Friday); 10am doors open to the public.

March 8th  (Friday); 12pm-2pm weigh in.

March 8th (Friday); 12pm-3pm Complimentary BBQ.

March 8th (Friday); 2:30pm close Landon Arena to public.

March 8th (Friday); 3:00pm Doors to Landon Arena open to public.

March 8th (Friday); 3:00pm coaches meeting (in coaches hospitality area).

March 8th (Friday); 3:30pm Wrestling Begins Session 1 –HS Divisions thru completion.

March 8th (Friday); Approximately pm – Session 1 ends (wrestle ALL rounds).

March 9th (Saturday); 6am All doors open to public.

March 9th (Saturday); 7:30am coaches meeting (in coaches hospitality area).

March 9th (Saturday) 7:45am line up for parade of athletes in Exhibition Hall.

March 9th (Saturday); 8:00am parade of athletes into Landon Arena.

March 9th (Saturday); 8:15am National Anthem and Dignitary Introductions.

March 9th (Saturday) 8:30am Wrestling Begins Session 2 – 8U and 10U Divisions thru and including semi-final and up to two match(s) out the backside.

March 9th (Saturday); Approximately 12:30pm - Session 2 ends.

March 9th (Saturday); Approximately 1pm (will start up to 30 minutes early if possible) Wrestling Begins Session 3 – 12U and 14U thru and including semi-final and up to two match(s) out the backside.

March 9th (Saturday; Approximately 6pm – Session 3 ends.

March 10th (Sunday); 6am All doors open to public.

March 10th (Sunday); 6:30am wrestlers allowed on the mat.

March 10th (Sunday); 7:00am Wrestlers For Christ Worship On The Mat.

March 10th (Sunday); 8am Wrestling Begins Session 4 - 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U Division backside (stop before placement matches).

March 10th (Sunday); Approximately 11am – Session 4 ends.

March 10th (Sunday); 12pm Awards Presentation followed by Top 6 line up for Parade of Champions.

March 10th (Sunday); 1:00pm Parade of Champions (will start up to 30 minutes early if possible).

March 10th (Sunday); 2:00pm Wrestling Begins Session 5 – all Championship, runner-up matches, and 5th place matches in Landon Arena.