Open Tournament

J Robinson and Saint Thomas Academy Host New Youth Wrestling Tournament Preceding MNUSA State Tournament

Proceeds from tournament for PreK- 8th graders will benefit United Heroes League

MINNEAPOLIS/MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn – J Robinson, founder of JROB Intensive Wrestling Camps and three-time NCAA National Champion wrestling coach, and all-boys, college-preparatory Saint Thomas Academy, are partnering to host the inaugural J Robinson Wrestling Classic on Sunday, March 4, the final tournament before the MNUSA State Youth Wrestling Tournament, March 9-11, in Rochester, Minn. The tournament is open to boys and girls in PreK through 8th grades, with all proceeds benefitting Minnesota-based United Heroes League (UHL), a charity that makes it financially possible for children in military families to participate in and experience athletic competition.

Robinson, a former Army Ranger and Vietnam veteran, and Saint Thomas Academy see the tournament as an opportunity to contribute to the growth of wrestling in Minnesota and encourage athletes to further their athletic potential. “Providing young wrestlers with access to great tournaments is the best way to help them stay involved in the sport long-term,” Robinson said. “The success of our sport depends on it, and I am honored to partner with such a respected school as Saint Thomas Academy to help grow the sport of wrestling.”

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Ripplinger, Lloyd, Glazier, Cassioppi among champs at JJ Classic

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Ryan Ripplinger, a two-time state champion, came to Rochester with unfinished business. Last year he failed to reach the finals of the finals of the InterMat JJ Classic in Rochester, losing in the semifinals by a point and placing third. Two months later, he dropped two matches at the Minnesota Christmas Tournament to place fifth.

This year at the JJ Classic he left no doubt, cruising to the title at 126 pounds on Saturday. After picking up two technical falls and a fall to reach the quarterfinals, Ripplinger shut out two-time undefeated state champion Hunter Burnett (Pipestone, Minn.) 6-0 in the semifinals. He carried the momentum to his finals match, pinning Reid Ballantyne (Stillwater, Minn.), a returning JJ Classic champion and undefeated state champion. Ripplinger was named Outstanding Wrestler of the event. Continue reading at intermatwrestle.com

Iowa Christmas Classic

The Iowa Christmas Classic youth open tournament is coming up on Friday, December 30th at the Iowa State Fairgrounds (Jacobson Center) in Des Moines, Iowa. Registration closes this Sunday at Midnight (December 25th). Only Iowa and its bordering states are invited (Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin). Wrestlers ages PreK-8th are welcome. Check out all details at www.IowaChristmasClassic.com. This post is sponsored by the Iowa Christmas Classic.

Lloyd captures third InterMat JJ Classic title, earns OW

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Wrestlers from the host state of Minnesota starred at the InterMat JJ Classic on Saturday. Both wrestlers to repeat as champions of the tournament came from the Gopher State. Alex Lloyd (Shakopee, Minn.) was champion of the 145-pound weight class, winning the tournament for a third straight year. He absolutely dominated his way through the tournament, with a pair of technical falls and pair of second-period pins leading to a 12-4 major decision victory over 2015 state champion Jaden Winchel (Sparta, Wis.) in the championship bout.

I feel pretty good,” said Lloyd. “I have a hand injury, but that’s nothing. I got a lot better on top. I’m improving on a lot of things, so I was happy with what happened.”

Lloyd, ranked No. 30 overall in the Class of 2018, became just the fourth wrestler to win three or more titles at the InterMat JJ Classic. The performance and resume of accomplishment earned him Outstanding Wrestler honors in the tournament. Continue reading at intermatwrestle.com