Wrestlers get ready to Clash

The Clash VIII National Wrestling Duals

The dual-format tournament features 10 nationally ranked teams in the 32-team field. Apple Valley is the top-ranked team at No. 2.

When, where: Friday and Saturday at the UCR Regional Sports Center.

Time: Wrestling begins at 9 a.m. each day. There will be duals at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the first session each day, and the second session has duals at 4, 6 and 8 p.m.

Tickets: $30 for an all-tournament pass ($25 for students), $12 per session ($10 students). Tickets are available at the door or at www.clashmn.com.

Charity: Money raised at The Clash goes to local wrestling programs, families, scholarships and charities. Last year alone, Southeast Minnesota Wrestling Coalition, which is the group that runs The Clash, donated more than $35,000. SEMWREC has donated more than $100,000 over the last few years.

On Saturday evening, when Steve Patton stands in the middle of the floor at UCR Regional Sports Center and feels the crowd’s energy pulsating through his body, he’ll know the long volunteer hours he’s put in were well worth it.

That’s when it really hits Patton, who is the tournament director of The Clash National Wrestling Duals.

Patton along with all of the members of Southeast Minnesota Wrestling Coalition (SEMWREC) put in countless hours each year getting ready for and running The Clash, which is arguably the country’s most prestigious dual-format high school wrestling tournament.

SEMWREC members simply love wrestling, and their goal is to promote the sport in southeastern Minnesota and throughout the state.

Read the entire article by Ben Pherson of www.postbulletin.com here…