PRTC named new host of Keystone Classic
by Kevin McGuigan, PRTC
PHILADELPHIA, Pa - The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC), an official USA Wrestling organization, is the new host of the Keystone Classic, a perennial college kickoff event to the NCAA Division 1 season. The event, previously hosted by the University of Pennsylvania, has been held in the historic Palestra on campus in University City, Philadelphia since its inception in 1996.
PRTC Executive Director and Head Coach Brandon Slay is excited about the future of the event he once competed in.
“It is an honor to become the host of the Keystone Classic,” Slay said. “26 years ago, I wrestled in this tournament with my teammates at Penn. Continuing the tradition of presenting a high-level event for programs looking to test their student-athletes early in the season is something I am very much looking forward to. I am thankful to Coach Reina and the Penn Administration for this opportunity.”
Penn Wrestling Head Coach Roger Reina created the Keystone Classic in 1996. Calling it a “classic” in the first year was a bold move by Reina but the name has stuck through the decades. One of the founders of the PRTC, Reina is excited about the future of his original creation.
“The Keystone Classic has hosted many of the top teams in the NCAA over the past 25 years,” Reina said. “Going forward, we expect competitive levels to continue to rise, fan excitement and access to increase and the Keystone clearly becoming the preeminent NCAA DI tournament in the East."
The 2022 PRTC Keystone Classic field will include a mix of teams from conferences around the country including EIWA, Ivy League, ACC, MAC, Southern Conference, and PAC 12. This year’s teams include Appalachian State, Arizona State, Drexel, Duke, Franklin & Marshall, George Mason, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Rider, Sacred Heart and Virginia Tech.
The PRTC has also reached an agreement with media provider FloWrestling to stream all matches live online. Brackets and updates throughout the tournament will be provided on FloArena.
"We are excited to announce the PRTC and FloWrestling partnering to host and broadcast the Keystone Classic,” Reina said. “In Penn's historic and vibrant Palestra, which is Greek for ‘House of Wrestling,’ and one of the very best wrestling arenas in the nation, we will continue the tradition we started so long ago and take it well into the future.”
The Keystone Classic will be held on Nov. 20, 2022. Wrestling begins at 9:30 am ET. Tickets are available at PRTC Keystone Classic. For more information and for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kevin McGuigan at kevin@pennsylvaniartc.org.