Brian Keck, event director for the USA Wrestling Preseason National Championships, has announced that the tournament has been sold out, reaching the 1,500-athlete limit prior to the end of official registration.

The tournament is set for the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on October 30. This is the third year of this event, which features many of the nation’s top wrestlers on the high school, middle school and youth levels competing in folkstyle wrestling.

Keck announced today that he will open up 50 additional spots in the tournament, with all of the proceeds from these entry fees going to the Living the Dream Medal Fund.

The entry fee will be $100 for each of the additional 50 competitors, with registration ending on Tuesday, October 26 at 12:00 midnight Central time.

To register for one of the additional spots in the tournament, visit the Preseason Nationals website at:
http://www.preseasonnationals.com/

As of October 19, there are different 33 different states represented by the wrestlers who have registered to compete. 

The Living the Dream Medal Fund was established to substantially increase the financial rewards for U.S. wrestlers who win Olympic and World medals during this four-year Olympic cycle.

Any U.S. wrestler who wins a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England will receive a quarter-million dollars ($250,000). Silver medalists in London will earn $50,000 and bronze medalists in London will receive $25,000. The payout for a World Championships medal in 2009, 2010 and 2011 will be $50,000 for a gold, $25,000 for a silver and $15,000 for a bronze.

Keck was a nationally-ranked wrestler in both Greco-Roman and freestyle during his competitive career, and won a number of medals in international competitions. He is excited to be able to assist today’s Olympic hopefuls through this donation from the USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals.

“I want to give back,” said Keck. “I lived at the U.S. Olympic Training Center for eight years. This is my way to help our athletes. They didn’t have this kind of program when I was wrestling. It is nice to support America’s wrestlers.”