SnowNationals is the first tournament of its kind in the U.S. and the second wrestling event started by InterMat. Last year, InterMat launched the JJ Classic, a preseason high school wrestling tournament.
The inaugural SnowNationals will take place outdoors on Feb. 25, 2012, at Kerry Park in International Falls, Minn. SnowNationals will have high school, college, and senior divisions. The event will be governed by scholastic style rules. Matches will be four minutes in length with a 2-1-1 format.
SnowNationals is expected to attract some of the nation's top wrestlers, including two-time U.S. World Team member Jake Clark and four-time U.S. National Team member Nate Gallick.
The 31-year-old Clark, a South St. Paul, Minn. native, is thrilled about SnowNationals coming to his home state.
"Minnesota is without question the best Greco-Roman wrestling state in the country, but now we get a chance to prove that Minnesota is also the best snow wrestling state in the country," said Clark, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the U.S. at 84 kilos in Greco-Roman.
Gallick, a 2006 NCAA champion and three-time All-American at Iowa State, has been hampered by injuries. He has not competed since the 2010 U.S. World Team Trials last June, but jumped at the idea of competing at SnowNationals. He feels it will be easier on his body than wrestling freestyle, plus he feels that he and other Iowa State competitors have a leg up on the competition.
"I grew up in Tucson, Arizona, so I didn't have much experience with snow until I got to college at Iowa State," said Gallick, a University Games World champion in 2005. "My college coach, Bobby Douglas, used to have us wrestle live in the snow quite a bit to prepare us for uncomfortable environments like Carver-Hawkeye Arena. I learned that snow wrestling is great for developing balance and conditioning, but I also learned that it is much more enjoyable and easier on your body after a fresh snowfall. Wrestlers with previous snow experience are likely to come out on top at this event."
Steve Elwood, head recruiter of The Clash, will serve as head recruiter and assistant tournament director of SnowNationals. According to Elwood, snow wrestlers living in Canada will be eligible to compete at SnowNationals if they live within 350 miles of the host city.
"With SnowNationals taking place in Northern Minnesota, some of Canada's top juniors will be competing, which will certainly strengthen the field," said Elwood. "As most people know, Canada is a world force in snow wrestling, much like Russia is a world force in freestyle wrestling."
"The overwhelming success of beach wrestling was a big eye-opener for us," said InterMat president Jeremy Hipps. "We believe snow wrestling will be very successful, especially in northern climates like Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The amount of support and excitement for this event has been fantastic." Registration details will be announced closer to the event.
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