Kalispell hosts Little Guy State Tournament

A big venue, MOA officials, 10 full mats — this weekend’s 2012 Little Guy State Tournament and Beginners State Tournament have it all for local wrestling fans.

The Flathead County Fairgrounds will be a sea of youngsters in singlets starting at about 3:30 p.m. today.

Kalispell Wrestling Club, which is hosting the tournaments, is expecting over 900 competitors, according to coach Rich Vasquez.

“We’re looking forward to showcasing a quality tournament,” Vasquez said. “Hopefully they’ll be excited to come to the tournament in April.”

A new division of PeeWee wrestling will compete for about an hour, followed by the beginners at 5 p.m.

Vasquez expects about 250 kids in the beginner tournament.

It’s a two-day event with the novice, middles and juniors wrestling Saturday. That tournament starts at 8:30 a.m. and should conclude around 5 p.m.

Teams competing include Arlee, Bonner, Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Corvallis, Darby, Dillon, Drummond, Eureka, Evergreen, Florence, Frenchtown, Hamilton, Kalispell, Libby, Lolo, Missoula, Noxon, Plains, Polson, Ronan, Superior, Mission-Charlo, Thompson Falls, Troy, Victor and Whitefish.

Those teams make up four units, which then unite for a state tournament.

“I’m feeling great. I think we’re sitting good. We’re about where we need to be (to put the tournament on). It’ll be a fun weekend,” he said.

For Friday’s competition, there will be two 16-man brackets in which the top six all place.

The ‘A’ bracket will include more experienced wrestlers, while the ‘B’ bracket is set up for those who haven’t wrestled as much.

“That will give those kids an opportunity to have some fun,” Vasquez said.

Getting a larger venue, putting in 10 full mats and bringing in MOA officials was a commitment, Vasquez said.

Pulling it all off included a ton of help and donations from both the City of Kalispell and the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, he added.

“It’s been nice to work with them.

“We spent a little more, but (these kids) work hard. I think they deserve to have a venue and quality officials. It’s worth it,” he said.

Tournament results will be updated throughout the day on trackwrestling.com.