By Karla Pomeroy
Editor
Tournament brings 22 teams to Worland
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WORLAND — Twenty-two wrestling teams and 400 to 500 high school wrestlers will be descending upon the City of Worland today and tomorrow for the ninth annual Battle in the Big Horns tournament.
Worland High School Activities Director Bruce Miller said typically, the tournament, which began in 2007, has 23 to 24 teams competing, so it is down just slightly this year.
“We pack our motels pretty full,” Miller said, adding that teams also stay in Thermopolis. In addition to the 400 to 500 wrestlers, he said there are a lot of fans from out of town that come to the tournament.
The tournament started, Miller said, because of Worland’s strong wrestling tradition. They were looking to host a tournament, teams had an available opportunity and Worland “jumped on the opportunity,” he said.
In addition to the wrestlers, coaches and fans, Miller said, he will have between 40 to 55 officials, workers and others “helping us pull this together.”
The tournament features eight mats, utilizing the districts three main gyms — two at WHS and one at WMS.
Miller said most of the teams have been coming for years and know what motels and restaurants are available in Worland. He said they do send out a list of both in one of the packets that are sent to each team.
Teams roll in about 10 to 10:30 a.m. with wrestling beginning at 12:30 p.m., Miller said. Friday night wrestling goes until about 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, wrestling begins at 8:30 and the tournament finishes up about 4:30 to 5 p.m.
“It should be a pretty big impact to our community, especially the food services and obviously the motels,” Miller said.
He said they do try and let the restaurants know about the tournament, but realizes a lot of them do close prior to the tournament finishing up late Friday.
Miller said, “We do have a lot of community support for this. We’re pretty good hosts and have a great community to having this all nine years.”
He encourages everyone to come out and support the wrestlers. “We have a pretty good sized wrestling team this year. I’d like to get them some hometown support when their wrestling. You’re not going to see this much wrestling the rest of the season.”
Worland will be wrestling five times on Friday. For more on the tournament see page B1.
Worland-Ten Sleep Chamber Director Jenn Rasmussen said tournaments like the Battle in the Big Horns can “be a great boost to the economy” with teams, coaches and fans eating, staying and shopping in the community.
She having more conventions and more tournaments in town benefits everyone with dollars being spent locally.
Tim Hislop, owner of Rumors Sports Bar & Grill, said “When there’s something going on in town we’re open until 10.”
He said in past years they have had parents and officials come and dine but they don’t normally see many wrestlers due to them having to watch their weight.
