2020 Ed Cressel Classic

[BearcatWrestling]

The 9th Annual Ed Cressel Classic looks to be one of the toughest tournaments around next season. So far we have 35 teams set to compete on January 10 & 11 at Virginia High School in Bristol, VA. I know it's a still a while away but we are already looking forward to another great tournament. We also welcome back TSSAA AAA powerhouse Cleveland to next year's tournament. Below is the team list and a few notable top 10 teams in their respective state tournaments.

Virginia High
Tennessee High: 6th in TSSAA (AAA)
Central, VA (Wise)
George Wythe, VA (Wytheville): 7th in VHSL 1A
Grayson County, VA: 2nd in VHSL 2A
Rockbridge County, VA
Castlewood HS, VA: 5th in VHSL 1A
Blacksburg, VA
Galax, VA: 4th in VHSL 1A
Chilhowie, VA: 10th in VHSL 1A
Marion, VA
Union, VA: 8th in VHSL 2A
Northwood, VA
Patrick Henry, VA (Glade)
Honaker, VA
Holston, VA
Shady Spring, WV
Richlands, VA
Tazewell, VA
Fishburne Military School, VA
Rustburg, VA
Roanoke Catholic, VA
John Battle, VA
Graham, VA: 7th in VHSL 2A
Lebanon, VA: 3rd in VHSL 2A
Albemarle, VA
Abingdon, VA: 6th in VHSL 3A
Lord Botetourt, VA
Greeneville, TN: 3rd in TSSAA (A-AA)
Carroll County, VA
Volunteer, TN
JI Burton, VA
Amherst County, VA: 10th in VHSL 4A
Oak Hill Academy, VA
Cleveland, TN: TSSAA State Dual & Individual AAA Champs

[BearcatWrestling]

We are proud to announce that we have added Spring Valley High School (WV) to the 2020 Ed Cressel Classic. They will make team #36 to enter next year's tournament.

[PerryHen]

This event is shaping up nicely, isn't it? Do you think this is going to be the highest attended Ed Cressel Classic?

[BearcatWrestling]

That's what we are hoping for! This is the most teams we have ever had in attendance. Will be tough to place top 6 and should be a good tune up for post season. We want to continue to grow the tournament each year and hope that it becomes a premiere tournament for all the surrounding states.

[Bearhugger]

That's what we are hoping for! This is the most teams we have ever had in attendance. Will be tough to place top 6 and should be a good tune up for post season. We want to continue to grow the tournament each year and hope that it becomes a premiere tournament for all the surrounding states.

Coach, I like your style!!!! However, with 36 teams, how do you manage this with 32 team brackets??

Thank you in advance for your reply.

[BearcatWrestling]

Typically we don't have to worry about completely full brackets due to so many teams not fielding a full team along with scratches at weigh ins. That time of the year the flu always hits hard along with injuries. If we do happen to have a bracket that is full we will be prepared to do a pigtail match. Pigtail match is not ideal but we can make sure the loser of the pigtail still gets a 2nd match if they wish.

[Bearhugger]

Typically we don't have to worry about completely full brackets due to so many teams not fielding a full team along with scratches at weigh ins. That time of the year the flu always hits hard along with injuries. If we do happen to have a bracket that is full we will be prepared to do a pigtail match. Pigtail match is not ideal but we can make sure the loser of the pigtail still gets a 2nd match if they wish.

Thank you for your input Coach. It is obvious to me that you are really in touch with wrestling as it is today. Here in West Virginia, we are hoping many of our tournament directors follow through with the same logic you are using. Too many of our tournaments have opening days filled with byes despite many teams being turned away. Good luck next season.

[BearcatWrestling]

Just trying to help grow the sport of wrestling in this area and bring attention to this amazing sport. Holding tournaments like this only bring positive media attention to the sport and it's great for the kids to see competition from other states.

[BearcatWrestling]

We just added what will possibly be the final team into the 2020 Ed Cressel Classic. We would like to welcome Wirt County, WV. We are excited to add such a quality team to our already growing tournament.

[Bearhugger]

Just trying to help grow the sport of wrestling in this area and bring attention to this amazing sport. Holding tournaments like this only bring positive media attention to the sport and it's great for the kids to see competition from other states.

Once again, I like your style and approach. In West Virginia, we have a few tournaments that the media shows up on Friday to only get film footage of wrestlers collecting byes.

[Bearhugger]

We just added what will possibly be the final team into the 2020 Ed Cressel Classic. We would like to welcome Wirt County, WV. We are excited to add such a quality team to our already growing tournament.

You grabbed a good one. Wirt has finished in the top two in Single A for the past three seasons. Always manages to fill their roster. Has many tough kids coming back.