By Gary Fauber
The time has arrived.
The second annual AAU/Friends of Coal Power Nationals wrestling tournament will be held Saturday at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.
However, today will be a busy day for tournament organizers. Wrestlers from states all over the eastern half of the United States will roll into town on Black Friday for weigh-ins. That will be handled at the tournament’s headquarters, The Resort at Glade Springs, from 2 to 9 p.m.
“We’ve got what we think are some of the best wrestlers in the country coming here,” tournament director Jamie Humphrey said.
Wrestlers in 118 age and weight divisions will compete in the one-day tournament. The youngest competitors are 3 years old, and there also is an open division for grapplers of any age.
Before the tournament kicks off Saturday, Iaeger native Rob Waller will conduct a free clinic, starting at about 8 a.m. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m.
The clinic will be free to all youth and adult enthusiasts who can present an AAU card.
As a competitor, Waller won a National Junior College Athletic Association national championship at 142 pounds in 1970. He won several regional and conference championships and has over 200 career victories.
At the coaching level, Waller has a career record of 310-93-7. He is a member of three halls of fame, including the NJCAA national hall. Thirty-five of his wrestlers have gone on to college.
Besides the top-notch wrestling, Humphrey likes the tournament because it puts the state of West Virginia and the coal industry in a positive light.
“(Other events) are not really telling anybody about the coal industry that doesn’t already know about it,” he said. “We can spin a positive image about the industry through this national wrestling tournament.”
Wrestling will begin at about 9:15 a.m. Saturday and last all day.
— E-mail: gfauber@register-herald.com
