USA Wrestling’s Beach Wrestling schedule features events in June and July

Summer is approaching and the USAW Beach Wrestling schedule builds steam with three events in June.

The summer fun begins with the popular North American Beach Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach, Virginia, June 6-8. This event, held each year on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, attracts wrestlers of all ages for outstanding competition.

The 2nd Annual Battle at the Beach is set for June 27 and the Ellsworth Beach Wrestling Festival is June 28 to kick off the season.

Additionally, the Beach Wrestling National Championships, World Team Trials and National High School Duals will take place July 4-6 in Rochester, N.Y at Ontario Beach Park.

The competition will serve as the qualifying event for the U.S. team that will compete in Durres, Albania, as part of the World Wrestling Games Sept. 18-20.

On Sunday, July 6, the Beach World Team Trials will be held for Senior Men and Women. The top three in each weight class from the U.S. Beach Nationals held on Saturday will be eligible to compete in the World Team Trials. New this year on Sunday is the National High School Beach Duals.

On July 11-12 the ASICS East Coast National Beach Wrestling Championships will be held in Long Beach, N.Y. This was the first major beach wrestling event held in the United States, and continues to provide outstanding competition for those who attend.

Beach Wrestling was added as a new style of international wrestling, starting in 2005. The first World Beach Wrestling Championships was held in 2006. Athletes compete on sand, in a style that features takedowns within a ring. The sport has been growing in popularity across the nation.

TENTATIVE USA WRESTLING BEACH WRESTLING SCHEDULE
(as of June 5)

North American Beach Wrestling Championships
Virginia Beach, VA
June 6-8
Division(s): Elementary, Middle School, High School, Open/Military
Style(s): Beach
Venue: Laskin Road Oceanfront
Contact: Frank Lipoli, (757) 652- 7861, flipoli@cox.net

2nd Annual Battle on the Beach
Narragansett, RI
June 27, 2008
Division(s): Senior, Junior, Cadet, Schoolboy/Girl, Novice, Veteran
Style(s): Beach
Venue: Narragansett Beach/North Pavilion
Contact: Rico Lomastro, (401) 641-1583, alomas@coscofence.com

Ellsworth Beach Wrestling Tournament
Ellsworth, WI
June 28, 2008
Division(s): Jr. High, High School, Open
Style(s): Beach
Venue: Pierce County Fairgrounds
Contact: Gary Langer, (715) 273-5812, garyalanger@gmail.com

U.S. Beach Nationals and World Team Trials
Rochester, NY
July 04-06, 2008
Division(s): Senior, Junior, Cadet, Schoolboy/Girl, Veteran
Style(s): Beach
Venue: Ontario Beach Park
Lou Lombardo, 585-313-8503, LombardoLJ@Corning.com

National High School Beach Duals
Rochester, NY
July 06, 2008
Division(s): Junior, Cadet, Schoolboy/Girl
Style(s): Beach
Venue: Ontario Beach Park, 4650 Lake Avenue
John Leone, 585-249-6466, jleone@rochester.rr.com

ASICS 2008 East Coast National Beach Wrestling Championships
Long Beach, NY
July 11-12, 2008
Division(s): Junior, Cadet, Veteran
Style(s): Beach
Venue: Long Beach
Ray Downey, (631) 871-9676, rdowney@optonline.net