By Gary Fauber
Preparations for the second annual AAU/Friends of Coal Power Nationals wrestling tournament are hitting the home stretch, and director Jamie Humphrey is ready.
“Things have been great,” Humphrey said. “Kids have been signing up here from different states all over the country. And we’re still having signups. We have not hit the deadline yet.”
The tournament will be held Nov. 27-28. Weigh-ins will be made from 2 to 9 p.m. Nov. 27 at The Resort at Glade Springs, the tournament’s headquarters.
The next day, doors at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center will open at 7:30 a.m. Iaeger native and wrestling coaching legend Rob Waller will conduct a free clinic soon thereafter. The clinic will be for anyone who presents an AAU card.
Wrestling will begin at about 9:15 a.m. and go until the tournament is complete. Humphrey anticipates over 500 wrestlers in 118 age groups and weight divisions competing on eight mats.
“We’ve got what we think are some of the best wrestlers in the country coming here,” Humphrey said.
Word about the tournament has been out for five months now, Humphrey said, with the help of AAU and several individuals. Bart Friedenberg, who conducts the Ohio Tournament of Champions, which is the largest one-day wrestling tournament in the world, and AAU executive committee members Karen Wilson and Rodney and Darling Granger have aided in advertising of the tournament.
A familiar name in wrestling circles also has lent immeasurable assistance.
“Ken Chertow has been instrumental in promoting the tournament through his network of wrestlers,” Humphrey said.
The deadline to enter the tournament is this coming Saturday. Entry fee is $40 and no pre-qualifying is required.
To enter, go to www.wvmat.com and click on the tournament link for entry forms. Wrestlers can also call Humphrey at 304-763-2694.
