“Roadmap” to Fargo!
The USA Freestyle and Greco Roman National tournament is held each year in Fargo, ND at the Fargodome. The tournament is affectionately known as “Fargo” to wrestlers and coaches throughout the U.S. It is the largest, by attendance, high school wrestling tournament in the world. Nearly, if not all, fifty states are represented each year. You will find 25 or more mats of wrestling action each day for almost a week straight. It is one of the BEST wrestling experience a competitor will ever get. From the preliminary rounds to the finals and awards ceremony this is THE premier wrestling event.
ATHLETES!
Open to only the Cadets & Juniors, both male and female.
Cadets (born in 2000-2001)
88, 94, 100, 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220, 285
Juniors ( born in 1997-1999 and currently enrolled in grades 9-12)
100, 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220, 285
ROADMAP
Each year Kansas sends a team to compete against the rest of the U.S. How do you become a member or this team or a member of this coaching staff? Please read below:
ATHLETES
Each state is allocated the option to fill three spots in every weight class, in both Freestyle and Greco Roman, for the Cadet and Junior Divisions. Kansas, like all other states, will be limited to a total of 51 Cadet, 45 Junior, automatic qualifiers and AS MANY regional top three placing wrestlers we can qualify!
STATE – Kansas FS/GR
Kansas attempts to fill these spots by using the FS/GR State tournament. Each of the top three placers at this event are qualified for “Fargo” in their respective age group, weight class and style. If a placer elects not to compete then the USAWKS Coaching staff is allowed to fill these spots. Athletes can choose to change weight classes but in the event all spots are occupied they will have to win a best of three challenge match series. The coaching staff will move to the 4th place finisher first and then look to ANY and ALL wrestlers from Kansas to fill the 51 and 45 spots! If we have more than 4 in a specific weight and style then the top four will be chosen through a wrestle off process during the “Fargo” prep camp. ALL Kansas USA Cadets and Juniors are invited to participate in the preparation camp but only those who are earn a spot through either the Kansas qualifying or USA regional qualifying processes will be invited to ride the bus to compete in Fargo.
REGIONAL QUALIFIERS
Any wrestler who competes in a USA regional, such as Southern Plains in Dodge City, KS, and places 1st, 2nd or 3rd in either the Cadet or Junior divisions is AUTOMATICALLY qualified for Fargo. Top three placers at the FILA (now known as the UWW) Cadet & Junior Nationals will also be AUTOMATICALLY qualified. This qualifier “spot” would be “in addition to” the three slots allocated to Kansas. These AUTOMATIC qualifiers may choose to compete in any weight class
For example: If the placers at USAWKS State in Freestyle at 126 were: 1. Tommy 2. Johnny 3. Billy 4. Bobby. At that time only the top 3 would be able to compete in the Juniors, 126, Freestyle bracket if they all chose to do so. Bobby would be out. If Tommy places in the top 3 at Southern Plains, then he is an automatic qualifier and we can now offer the opportunity to compete to Bobby as well!
Wrestlers must have a current USA Wrestling Membership Card.
All registration is handled through the state. Registration is not available to individuals.
For Women’s Freestyle, there is no limit for the amount of female wrestlers each state can enter in this style.
ALL competitors MUST adhere to all individual state association policies. For Kansas this means you must attend our preparation camp to be held in the days preceding the tournament.
2016 USA Kansas Wrestling
Team Kansas Incentive Plan
Full Cost $850
Returning AA $50
Returning Team member (if not AA) $25
Attend Minimum 8 RTC Practices $150
Attend Minimum 4 RTC Practices $50
UWW Placer (Former FILA Cadet or FILA Junior) $50
Attend FS/GR State (both styles) $40
Attend FS/GR State (one style) $25
Attend SP Camp $75
Attend SP Tournament, place top 3 Only one of these 3 discounts $50
Attend SP Tournament (both styles) $30
Attend SP Tournament (one style) $20
Attend Other Regional, place top 3 $50
Attend Other Regional (if not place in top 3) $25
Member of Cadet or Junior Dual Team $50
TOTAL POSSIBLE $690
Every year we encourage all of the Kansas Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestlers to attend as many of the training and competition events listed above. The cost to attend the USA Wrestling Freestyle and Greco Roman Nationals will start at $850 for round trip transportation, training camp, dormitory lodging, meals, gear and entry fees. If you do not meet a single one of the criteria above then your cost will be $850. You can earn up to $300 of credits by attending any of the list of the above opportunities. For example: 8 RTC Practices, Place in the top 3 at the Southern Plains Regional, place in top 3 at Northern Plains Regional, Member of the Cadet Dual team. That would give you a total of $300 credits lowering your cost for “Fargo” to $550.
** Coaches may apply for other events or workouts to be added for incentive credit. Please do NOT hesitate to reach out to me to have your event or workout added!!
In addition, if you officiate any of the Kansas FS/GR events we will apply additional funds to reduce your cost below the $550 minimum. You will have to register as a USWOA official. Contact Keith Ashpole for details. Keith.Ashpole@via-christi.org I encourage you to explore this option!! Kansas NEEDS new FS/GR officials!
Please call me or email me with any questions!
Will Cokeley willcokeley@gmail.com (708) 267-6615
