Avella hosting youth wrestling tournament … outdoors
Avella Athletics Inc. will be holding an interesting summer wrestling tournament Saturday.
What makes it that way is that the event will be held outdoors.
The Bull In The Ring Outdoor Wrestling Classic begins at 10 a.m. at Avella Arena on Campbell Road. Wrestlers, ages 4 and older, can register on the day of the event or go to the tournament website for pre-registration.
The event is a collaboration between Avella Athletics Inc. and the Avella Area Community Foundation.
Karen Klages, president of the Avella Area Community Association, said this event is unique to the area.
“I haven’t been involved with wrestling since high school,” said Klages. “But I’m learning. This is the first time we’re doing an outdoor wrestling tournament. Apparently, it’s the happening thing. This is a community thing, where we want to help everyone out.”
Other past activities hosted by the Avella Area Community Association include a tractor pull and bull-riding.
Vendors will be on hand to provide food and drinks, and EMT workers have donated their time for the event. Trophies were made by Angelo Morasczyk and will be presented to the winner of each classification.
Washington Auto Mall is donating 200 T-shirts and DNT Enterprise will present a fireworks display at the end of the day.
“The money they raise here will go to help Avella athletics, in general,” said Klages. “We’ve always had success with our organization. We’re a small organizations and we do things like the Christmas lights. We haven’t had an event for a couple years. But every event we’ve had at the arena, we’ve never lost money. So (the Avella Athletics Inc.) came to us and said, ‘You know what you’re doing, can we try to do this together?’ And we said yes.”
Klages said more than four dozen wrestlers have signed up and she expects more to register between 8-10 a.m. Saturday. Registration cost is $40 and athlete can do so on the site’s webpage www.pywrestling.com. Similar events in the area have drawn a couple hundred competitors.
Seating is limited; those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students and free for children under 4.