KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The 51st Annual National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Wrestling Championships is set to begin on March 6. The tournament, which has been called "the ultimate showdown," is a three-day event featuring 272 grapplers from a total of 30 teams. The Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena, located in Sioux Falls Iowa, will host the event for the fourth consecutive year.

"This year's championship promises to be a tremendous showcase for NAIA wrestling. We have several returning All-Americans and the largest field of qualifiers in recent history," said Scott McClure, Manager of Championship Sports.  "The Sioux City Convention & Tourism Bureau and the wrestling community in Sioux City will do another outstanding job in hosting this event; and the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena is a great venue for this NAIA National Championship."

Last year, Lindenwood University (Mo.) scored 177 points, 67 points more than runner-up Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.), to win the 2007 NAIA National Wrestling Championship. The win was the Lions second national championship in three years. Lindenwood has won 21 individual championships in its program's history, good for seventh all-time. 

Joe Parisi, Lindenwood head coach, said repeating as champs will not come easy for his squad. 

"We are all looking forward to this exciting event," Parisi said.  "Our team is very appreciative of the NAIA and everyone who puts so much time and effort into the tournament.  We expect the championships to be extremely competitive and you can bet that when the whistle blows Thursday, the Lions will be ready to go."

The first session and opening ceremonies will begin Thursday at 7 p.m. Sessions II and III take place Friday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. The final session begins Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by the Championship Banquet at 3:30 p.m. 

For complete information on the Wrestling Championships click here.