DATE: February 25, Saturday

VENUE: Missouri State University – McDonald Arena, 901 S National, Springfield, MO 65804 (Just North of the football field)

TOURNAMENT FORMAT: This is a round-robin tournament, based on actual weights (not weight classes). Wrestlers will be grouped by actual weight in brackets of 4-6 wrestlers wherever possible, so that most wrestlers will get 3-5 matches. Smaller groups may be necessary if the weight spread is too large (usually 5-10 lbs). In the event that a larger group of wrestlers are close in weight, two brackets will be created, so please indicate level of wrestler if possible (novice, average, state champion, etc) or USA ratings. In additions, “challenge matches” are encouraged to wrestle others not in the same bracket.

EVENT SCHEDULE: Wrestlers must check-in at the door by 8 AM or be deleted from their brackets. Teams can check in by a coach verifying who is present.  Non-registered (walk-on) wrestlers will only be put into a bracket if an existing bracket has a vacancy.  Wrestling is scheduled to start at 9 AM, with a coaches meeting at 8:30.

DIVISIONS: All divisions are co-ed.

USA-Wrestling	Open
Div.  II	High School
Div.  III	Adult - competitive
Div.  IV	Adult – just for fun
Div.  V

RULES: USA-Wrestling rules will apply for the youth tournament [Sanctioned by USA-Wrestling]. For the open divisions, MSHSAA rules will apply, but the periods will be 1½:1½;1½ for high school and 1:1:1 for adults.

WEIGH-INS: Sportsmanship and Character-building are key aspects of the Missouri Winter Games. Integrity and the honor system will be expected in reporting actual weights.  Weigh-ins for USA-Wrestling divisions will be done by remote weigh-in no more than 5 days prior to this event.  Actual weights from these weigh-ins can be added to the registration form and sent to the Commissioner.  Open division wrestlers can weigh themselves and send the weight.  Alternatively, we will have a scale for weighing set up on Friday evening from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Since brackets will be drawn based on actual weights, losing a few pounds prior to weighing in may or may not affect which bracket you will be in.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, February 22, 2012.

REGISTRATION FEES: Open (high school and adult) Divisions = $35.00 ($300/10 wrestlers or $350/Team)
USA-Wrestling Divisions II, III, IV, and V = $20.00 ($300/20 youth or $350/Team)

NOTE: $5 from each registration fee paid is donated to the nonprofit organization:
CHAMPIONS COMMITTED TO KIDS
Each athlete will receive the official Missouri Winter Games T-Shirt.

HOW TO REGISTER: Submit the completed registration form (Excel file) as an email attachment to the Wrestling Commissioner (see below), and send your check with a hardcopy of the registration form and waiver form for each wrestler to: Missouri Winter Games, PO Box 4934, Springfield, MO 65808-4934. Alternatively, you may bring waivers and entry fees to the check-in desk at the tournament, but the form must be submitted electronically ahead of time to have the wrestlers put into brackets.

REFUND POLICY:
*NO refunds will be permitted simply because an entrant fails to participate
*NO refunds will be given due to cancellation because of inclement weather

EQUIPMENT/CLOTHING: Singlet and wrestling shoes.

WRESTLING COMMISSIONER: Tom Tomasi
TomTomasi@missouristate.edu
PHONE: (417)836-5169

TOMASI'S BIO: Tom has been wrestling for 40 seasons, first at Pittsfield HS, than at the University of Rhode Island. He has also been a MSHSAA-registered official for the last 20 years. In this capacity, he has officiated HS, MS, and youth competitions in southwest Missouri including the USA-Wrestling Missouri State Championships and the HS state championship in Arkansas. About 10 yrs ago, he helped start the Wrestling Club at Missouri State University, where he is a Professor of Biology. This club provides opportunities for informal wrestling, and serves to promote the sport of wrestling in southwest Missouri.