GREAT EIGHT

An Ohio Athletic Committee Sponsored Event

Direct link for registration is: http://www.ohioathletics.com/hs.html

In the beginning, Ohio hosted a single division state tournament event where only one State Champion was crowned per weight class, thus clearly defining who the best wrestler at each weight class was here in Ohio.  Through time and the increased popularity of our great sport (at least here in Ohio), the event has evolved to a three division celebration of talent held at the end of the OHSAA season.

In 1999 the Ohio Athletic Committee began a tournament series that gave Junior High School wrestlers the opportunity to compete on a state-wide level against the best the state had to offer in one non-divisional tournament event.  This event has witnessed performances of the absolute best talent available throughout the Great State of Ohio over the past eight years.

It is now our objective to combine these two efforts and host the most anticipated event in Ohio wrestling ever; Ohio's Great Eight, Non Divisional State Championship!

The event will invite ALL Ohio wrestlers from ALL divisions to compete on March 24-25, 2007.  Wrestlers will be seeded based on state placement and national rankings with the top eight finishers receiving "Great 8" recognition.

This event is well after the conclusion of college wrestling's conference and national events, thus allowing college coaches to witness Ohio's best talent against Ohio's best talent without it interfering with the hectic college schedules. This event will also give college coaches the opportunity to witness up and coming talent prior to these athletes' senior seasons.  Our intent is to invite every college coach in the nation regardless of their divisional affiliation as our guests to this event to help promote the life direction of these participants. 

With the expense of travel and entry fees to national events, it is becoming increasingly difficult for our youth to travel to Fargo or events similar to sophomore, Junior, and Senior Nationals.  This event will be very affordable to the wrestlers themselves and their coaches.  The Ohio Athletic Committee will also be issuing financial scholarship opportunities to selected participants that have competed in both the "Great 8" event and Jr. High State event. 

It is our intent to create an environment that promotes Ohio wrestling and more importantly, our Ohio raised talent by giving our youth a "sporting chance".

Direct link for registration is: http://www.ohioathletics.com/hs.html