The first annual Brute adidas Nationals was held in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2003. The second annual event was held in 2004. At that tournament, a young man by the name of Henry Cejudo finished second in the sophomore division, losing to Ben Ashmore of Texas.
It's now 2010 and the Brute adidas Nationals is in its eighth year. This year's event takes place April 2-4 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO. Nearly 1,500 wrestlers in grades 1 through 12 from over 40 states are expected to compete in a folkstyle event for a chance to be crowned a national champion or for a chance to earn All-American honors.
"Henry provides an inspiration to wrestlers at all levels with his story and real life experience," says Jeff Bowyer, Tournament Director for the Brute adidas Nationals. "Henry works well with the kids and is young enough to be able to relate to what they are experiencing and what they're going through. Henry is extremely successful at getting his message across to the kids."
That message is Follow your Dreams and Never Give Up.
A perfect example of a wrestler following his dreams -- and not giving up -- is Tanner Madl of Kansas. A few weeks ago Madl wasn't sure he was going to be able to participate this weekend because of a broken foot. But late last week he got clearance from the doctor and will be able to compete. Now Madl, the 2009 5th grade Most Outstanding Wrestler and a three-time Brute adidas Nationals champion, will be able to attempt to win a fourth title.
"We love this tournament and Tanner is pumped to get on the mat again," says Perry Madl, Tanner's father. "We can't wait to get back and compete against some great wrestlers and be involved with the many great people who come to this tournament from across the country."
Then there are clubs and teams that make the trip to Kansas City, banded together like family, like the group of 15 kids from Allen, Texas. These team members are part of the 2010 Texas UIL state tournament championship team and the Texas Dual State champions. The coach of this group is Jerry Best, a four-time Oklahoma high school state champion, a three-time Division II champion, an Espoir National freestyle champion, and former coach at the University of Central Oklahoma. Among this group from Allen are two Texas high school state champions and a Fargo cadet national champion. Best has helped build the Allen program into one of the most successful in Texas and helped turn the community into a wrestling hot bed.
In addition to the individuals and clubs from throughout the country, this tournament has also attracted competitors from other countries. This year is no different, as the nephew of the President of Honduras will be competing in the event.
Those types of individuals and types of teams will be a part of what is sure to be another great Brute adidas Nationals event this weekend, says Andrew Hipps, senior editor of InterMat, which will be providing coverage of the event throughout the weekend.
"The competition on the mat will be intense because so many wrestlers from across the country will be working hard to achieve their goals," says Hipps. "It's great to see so many dedicated wrestlers, coaches and fans in one arena, giving it their all. Watching these kids participate in a sport they love and seeing how determined they are is something any true fan will cherish."
B.A.N. Provides Support Off The Mat
Scott Casber of Takedown Radio (takedownradio.com) will broadcast the event live, and is excited to see some of America's future stars compete.
"The Brute adidas Nationals is one of the premier wrestling events in the country," says Casber, who will be filming a future Takedown Radio TV show Saturday morning from the arena. "It's an opportunity for wrestlers and families from across the country to come together under one arena to compete, but also to help the sport of wrestling grow and prosper."
What Casber was referring to was the off the mat support the tournament provides. In addition to a free FanFest, highlighted by Cejudo autograph sessions and also featuring wrestling vendors and suppliers, as well as free educational seminars and clinics for parents, wrestlers and fans, the Brute adidas Nationals helps give back to the sport of wrestling.
Profits from this event are used to grow wrestling all levels throughout the country and used to assist youth, high school and college programs. For example, in 2009 B.A.N. funds helped provide uniforms and apparel for teams from Maryvale High School, Buford Middle School and the Forest City Little Indians wrestling club. In 2008 B.A.N. funds assisted in helping West Chester University purchase a new wrestling mat. In 2007 B.A.N. funds helped two Arkansas high schools purchase mats to start a new program. In 2004, funds helped assist New Mexico Highlands with start up costs for funding a new wrestling program. Since 2003 the tournament has helped give back $50,000 to wrestling programs at all levels.
In addition, many wrestling clubs utilize this event as a fundraiser for their clubs and programs by providing 175 volunteers necessary to run the weekend event. A donation for their services is made to their club from the R.E.A.C.H.E.S. (Rewarding Educational Athletic Choices Helping Each Sport) program, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2007 in an effort to promote, protect and preserve amateur athletics in its truest form. R.E.A.C.H.E.S. provides athletic opportunities to athletes of all ages and abilities in a unique environment with the profits of each event earmarked for specific needs in that sport (get more information at www.reachessports.org).
On the Mat
The top eight place finishers from each division in each weight class will receive awards and Brute All-American certificates. The top two wrestlers in each weight class will receive a free custom designed Brute singlet to wear for the finals. Each finalist's coach will receive a free Adidas coaching shirt to wear for the finals. In addition, an "Outstanding Wrestler" award will be presented to each grade (1-12).
The format will be a traditional bracket system tournament. Each wrestler is guaranteed a minimum of two matches. There will be no seeding -- it's a blind draw (weight classes with five or less wrestlers will be round robin format). For the first time in 2010 there will be challenge matches for wrestlers who lose their first two matches, giving kids an opportunity for extra competition.
In addition, the event attracts many college coaches for a last chance recruiting opportunity for athletes in the high school division (there is a coaches recruiting day planned for 2011). There is also a parade of All-Americans prior to Sunday's finals and a 2010 B.A.N. highlight video that will be played and available to participants.
"The goal of the tournament is to provide all athletes with an opportunity to experience an NCAA Championship-type experience at all grade levels and provide an overall, family wrestling experience for the weekend," says Bowyer.
A weekend that will be sure to provide memories that last a lifetime. And maybe a glimpse at a future Olympian or collegiate star, just like Cejudo in 2004.
Matt Krumrie is a longtime wrestling journalist and author of the new book, The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps, available at wrestlingcampguide.com.
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