The University of Northern Iowa will once again play host to the ASICS USAW Folkstyle Nationals. Anticipation is building for the final folkstyle event of the season which takes place in Cedar Falls, Iowa, March 30 – April 1.

Last year the event brought in over 2,400 wrestlers from 39 states, with the Cadet and Junior divisions selling out with 1,100 entries, and featuring many of the nation’s top college recruits Click here to see results from last year’s Cadet and Junior Nationals. This year, the Cadet and Junior cap has been pushed to 1,300, and registration is open and expected to go quickly. 

One exciting new feature for Cadets and Juniors this year is that the 1st Place and True 2nd Place matches will take place in the McLeod Center, UNI’s championship arena. The Cadet and Junior finals will be broadcast by USA Wrestling’s Jason Bryant and Badger State Wrestling’s Shane Sparks. All finals matches will appear on  www.themat.tv.   

In addition to what is expected to be a star studded Cadet and Junior finals, Northern Iowa will also be hosting the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier for Men’s Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women’s Freestyle. Men’s Freestyle competition takes place on Saturday, March 31 and Greco-Roman and Women’s Freestyle wrestle on Sunday, April 1. As the name suggests, this is the last opportunity for senior level athletes to qualify to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials, which take place about 100 miles from Cedar Falls at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa on April 21 – 22. Fans interested in tickets for the U.S. Olympic Trials should visit www.iowacitytolondon.com. 

Finally, the event culminates with one of the largest youth folkstyle events in the country as over 1,500 youth wrestlers vie for a national championship. Many champions and place winners from USA Wrestling’s Folkstyle Tour of America will head to Iowa to test their skills against the best wrestlers in the country. Click here to see results from last year’s Kids & Veterans nationals. 

Wrestlers in this event earn points for the U.S. Future Olympian Rankings, and it is also the first stage of USA Wrestling’s illustrious Triple Crown award. All wrestlers that win the Folkstyle Nationals, the Freestyle Nationals, and the Greco-Roman Nationals in the same season are named Triple Crown winners and earn their picture on USA Wrestling’s National Events Poster for the following year. 

Our special guest on Sunday, April 1, is two-time NCAA Champion from the University of Nebraska and 2011 World Champion Jordan Burroughs. Kids will have the chance to meet Burroughs as he signs autographs and hands out awards for the youth tournament.

It all takes place March 30 – April 1 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. USA Wrestling does not charge for adjusting weight classes, even at weigh-ins, so all wrestlers interested in competing are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible in order to guarantee their spot in the event. Also, please be sure to book hotel rooms in advance as well, as rooms in Cedar Falls typically fill up quickly. For event registration and more information on the 2012 ASICS USAW Folkstyle Nationals, please visit www.usafolkstyle.com