U.S. FILA Junior women wrestlers are encouraged to attend the Nordhagen Junior Classic International Women's Wrestling Tournament at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Canada from Feb. 2-4.

The tournament is named after Canadian wrestling star Christine Nordhagen, a six-time World champion. Nordhagen was the first woman inducted into the FILA International Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Entries for the Nordhagen Junior competition are due by January 12. Entry fee is 25 Canadian dollars per athlete. Weigh-ins are on Friday Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. The competition starts on Saturday Feb. 3 at 9 a.m.

USA Wrestling's National Women's coach Terry Steiner said the tournament is a great experience that is hard to pass up.

"For the U.S. girls to be so close not to participate in the tournament would be misfortunate," said Steiner. "International competition is the biggest thing we struggle with, with costs to foreign countries. This makes financial sense."

Leigh Vierling, Canada's National Women's Coach and the host of the tournament, said the event was started to give wrestlers more experience with international competition. Vierling said wrestlers who are entering the Senior level sometimes only experience this kind of competition the summer before World championships.

"We are trying to entice people to come by offering two competitions and a training camp," said Vierling. "There are a number of matches, training sessions and a great learning experience."

On Feb. 4 the Calgary Open for Senior women wrestlers will be held. All Junior wrestlers who meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to enter.

The competition is open to women born from 1987 to 1989. Wrestlers born in 1990 are eligible to participate with permission from a doctor and coach.

Weight categories are 44 kg/ 97 lbs., 48 kg/ 105.5 lbs., 51 kg/ 112.25 lbs., 55 kg/ 121 lbs., 59 kg/ 130 lbs., 63 kg/ 138.75 lbs., 67 kg/ 147.5 lbs. and 72 kg/ 156.5 lbs.

Following the tournament, wrestlers are encouraged to attend a training camp running from Feb. 5-7. If interested in the camp, contact Vierling at lvierling@wrestling.ca

All U.S. wrestlers who plan to attend the tournament must contact the National Women's Developmental Coach Izzy Izboinikov at (719) 598-8181 or through e-mail at izzy@usawrestling.org.

NORDHAGEN JUNIOR CLASSIC
Friday Feb. 2
5-5:30 p.m. - Weigh-ins
Saturday Feb. 3
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Elimination Rounds
2 to 4 p.m. - Consolation Bracket
4 p.m. - Welcoming Ceremony
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Final Matches

CALGARY OPEN
Sunday Feb. 4
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Elimination Rounds
2 to 4 p.m. - Consolation Bracket
4 p.m. - Finals

Click here to download event flyer