All RF middle school wrestlers and non-participating high school wrestlers are expected to help during this event.  While helping, it is eye opening for many athletes to see this very high level tournament.  To think that they will soon wrestle in this very tournament in the next year or two - is sometimes a bit overwhelming.  Every kid in this tournament was likely in a middle school program, where they had good influences and goals to strive for.  For those that have yet to see a very large tournament, this is an extremely good experience right here in River Falls.

The 25th Annual Northern Badger Wrestling tournament will truly be awesome!  Last year’s tournament was a gigantic success and a great boost for the athletes, coaches, fans and our wonderful community.  I am personally grateful to our own club, parents and volunteers.  These people truly produce this event to be the colossal tournament that it is.

In 1985, several area coaches felt a holiday tournament was needed.  These coaches started this tournament in Menomonie at the Johnson Field house with a 24-team field of competition.  It has now grown to 39 teams from all over the state of Wisconsin.  We do make a specific effort not to include any Minnesota teams; with the event highlighting our own Wisconsin programs. Recently, in the past few years, we made exceptions by including some other (not-so-near) states.  In 2005, we had a team from Arizona and in 2006, we had a team from Chugiak, Alaska. The Chugiak’s won their state championship in 2005 and was looking for some tough competition.  In their own words, they certainly found it here in River Falls.  Chugiak finished runner-up.  They were very grateful for the opportunity and impressed with our community and willingness to include them.  Recently I had some conversations with a coach in Alabama about future participation.  They are seriously considering it; however, timing and funds will ultimately tell what their future is.

After a quick scan of the coaches this year, 19 of them had been participants in this actual tournament.  Two of them being our own high school coaches - Brady Cudd and Joe Cudd. The tournament has only had three four-time champions and two of them are from River Falls, Kevin Black and Collin Cudd and Spring Valley’s Tyler Turner.  All three of those wrestlers went on to be UW-Badgers and competed for their entire college career as varsity wrestlers. Throughout the years, I have had numerous college coaches and recruiters that have contacted me about athletes that compete in the Northern Badger tournament.  Many athletes unknowingly gave themselves an opportunity to wrestle in college from those coaches that watched them at this tournament.

As I mention college wrestlers, did you know that River Falls Wrestling alumni - Brady Cudd, Joe Cudd, Kevin Black, Tony Black, Collin Cudd and Trevor Brandvold have all been wrestlers for the Wisconsin Badgers in the past?  Those six wrestlers had 17 Northern Badger championship titles between them.  This speaks extremely well of the tournament and this River Falls program.  

I look forward to seeing all of you at this awesome event!  

Yours in Wrestling, Dave Black

Contact Dave Black via Email - dave@riverfallswrestling.org

Volunteer Page - If you would like to volunteer to help, please let us know

 Download the Spectator, Participant and Logistic Details

Northern Badger Spectator Details

Admission: Adults - $10 (1 day) $17 (2 days), Students - $7 (1 day) $12 (2 days), Finals only - $5. 

There will be two admission lines this year.  One line for exact change; the other line for those that need change.  Those with personal checks can go to either line.  Checks payable to River Falls Wrestling.  Concessions and clothing available all day on both days.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

• 8:45 AM  Doors open for the public
• 9:00 AM  Opening ceremony
  
• 9:15 AM  1st round with "pig tails", 5 mats
  
• 12:30 PM 2nd round Consolation
• 2:10 PM  3rd round – Championship side
• 4:30 PM  4th round – 2nd round of consolation
• 6:40 PM  5th round – 3rd round of consolation
• 8:00 PM  Quarter finals – At the end of the day, there will be 12 left in each weight class

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

• 9:00 AM  Doors open for the public
• 10:00 AM Consolation Quarterfinals
• 11:45 AM Medal Position, immediately after all mats are cleared
• 1:15 PM  Semi Finals
• 2:30 PM  Medal Round (3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th places)
• 4:45 PM  Introduction of finalists
• 5:00 PM  Finals.  We will award medals after the 125, 145, 189, and 275 matches

Northern Badger Wrestler Participant Details (as of 12/09/2009)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

• 8:00 AM Weigh Ins - Four digital scales will be utilized.  Weigh-ins will be in the auxiliary gym. Talk to your coach regarding weight allotment.  After weigh-ins, the auxiliary gym will remain as a warm-up and rest area for wrestlers.  However, they will be the only ones allowed in this area. (No friends or parents in auxiliary gym.)
  

Scale 1 – 103, 130, 152, 215
Scale 2 – 112, 135, 160, 215
Scale 3 – 119, 140, 171, 275
Scale 4 – 125, 145, 189, 275

• 8:45 AM Coaches meeting in band room; wrestler's meeting in auxiliary gym
  
• 9:00 AM Opening ceremony
• 9:15 AM 1st round begins; see further details on times above
  

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

• 8:00 AM High school open for participants only. 
  
• 9:00 AM Weigh Ins - Four digital scales will be utilized.  Weigh-ins will be in the auxiliary gym. Talk to your coach regarding weight allotment.  After weigh-ins, the auxiliary gym will remain as a warm-up and rest area for wrestlers.  However, they will be the only ones allowed in this area. (No friends or parents in auxiliary gym.)

Scale 1 – 103, 130, 152, 215
Scale 2 – 112, 135, 160, 215
Scale 3 – 119, 140, 171, 275
Scale 4 – 125, 145, 189, 275

• 9:50 AM Opening ceremony

• 10:00 AM Consolation Quarterfinals, 5 mats
  
• 1:15 PM  Semi Finals, 3 mats
  
• 2:30 PM  Medal Round (3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th places), 5 mats; please note we will not take a break to change mats.  These matches will be run on separate mat (for example, all 3rd place matches on mat 2, 5th place matches on mat 1, etc.)  If one mat gets done, we will move others on these mats.  All finalist – Be sure to complete introduction sheet at the head table immediately after your semifinal match.
• 4:00 PM  Break; reset for finals
• 4:45 PM Introduction of finalists
• All finalist, top bracket, meet in North corner (entrance end)
• All finalist, bottom bracket, meet in South corner (concession end)
• Upon being introduced, run out onto the mat and shake hands and then line up on your respective mat. 
• All finalist will remain on the mat (facing the center flag) for the singing of the National Anthem.
  
• 5:00 PM  Finals, 1 mat.  We will award medals after the 125, 145, 189, and 275 matches

Tournament Organization & Logistic Details

• This year’s tournament will include 39 teams.  
• We will award six team trophies; three first place division trophies, a grand-champion, a runner-up (2nd), and a 3rd overall trophy.  A team may win only one trophy, i.e. the three overall champions can not receive a division trophy.  Six separate teams will receive awards.
• All finals (1st places) on Tuesday, December 30th, will run on one mat.
• All Championship round matches will run 2-2-2.  All consolation round matches will run 1-2-2.
• All place winners (1-12), in each weight class, are to be present and in uniform for the awarding of medals.  We will award medals after the 125, 145, 189, and 275 matches.
• We are asking that the coach of each weight class champion present medals to each of the medal recipients in the respective weight class at the awards presentation.
• All wrestlers are required to stop all activity when weigh-in is called for.  When weigh-in is called, all wrestlers must proceed immediately to the scales.
• All wrestlers will be utilizing the four locker rooms that are located in the high school.  Team assignments will be posted on the locker room doors upon your arrival.  Athletes will need to bring their own towels and locks.
• The bottom two rows of the bleachers are reserved for coaches and wrestlers.  No one else is allowed to sit in these areas.

Head table:

• David Black, River Falls, Meet Manager/Announcer
• Scott Hamilton, Ellsworth, Official/Scorer
• Kevin Black, River Falls, Announcer
• Tony Black, River Falls, Announcer
• Mary Black, River Falls, Bouts
  

Middle School Tournament [Triple Header Weekend Event #1]
Friday, February 5, 2010

We host a middle school tournament on Friday night.  Set up starts at approximately 3:30 PM and wrestling starts at 4:30 PM.  For the first part of the event, the varsity high school team will work the tables, do the set up and help throughout.  These same group of kids have their own Big Rivers-Dunn St. Croix conference tournament in the morning so they are asked to leave at around 8:00 to get a good night sleep and to focus on their championships in the morning.  The high school junior varsity wrestlers will be in Menomomie Friday night for their own JV conference tournament. 

Volunteer Page

Triple Header Letter

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Varsity BR-DSC Conference Tournament [Triple Header Weekend Event #2]
Saturday, February 6, 2010

The high school varsity team hosts the (12-team) Big Rivers-Dunn St. Croix conference wrestling tournament here in River Falls.  Big Rivers teams include Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire Memorial, Eau Claire North, Hudson, Menomonie, Rice Lake, and River Falls.  The Dunn-St. Croix teams include Boyceville, Glenwood City, Mondovi, Saint Croix Central (Hammond), and Spring Valley/Elmwood.

Volunteer Page

Triple Header Letter

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Super Youth Open Tournament [Triple Header Weekend Event #3]
Sunday, February 7, 2010

Every year we host a super tournament.  This year it is very special because it is on Superbowl Sunday this year.  We should conclude before 2:00 PM.  This is a folkstyle event.  All middle school wrestlers are highly encouraged to participate in this event.

Super Youth Open Tournament Flier   

Triple Header Letter

Volunteer Page