January 1, 2007

Dear Wrestling Coach/Athletic Director,

Only a couple days left until Clash 6. Here is a quick update on some last minute information.

Coaches’ To-Dos (details in the paragraphs below):

1. Make sure any wrestler with any observable skin condition has the necessary documentation.
2. If you want to utilize the field house for a practice session on Wednesday or Thursday, you must call Chuck and schedule it prior to arriving in Rochester.
3. Plan on bringing your own first-aid supplies (cotton balls, athletic tape, etc).

Important information (details in the paragraphs below):

• Top and bottom mouth guards will be required for wrestlers with braces.
• Weigh-in times have been scheduled (see below).
• There is a 3 lb weight allowance on Friday and 4 lbs on Saturday
• The starting weight class will be drawn at the coaches’ dinner on Thursday evening. Each round will start at one weight class higher than the last.
• Scholar/Athlete award winners will be announced before the 2^nd and 3^rd rounds in both sessions.
• Passes and lanyards will be distributed at the coaches’ dinner, delivered to your hotel, or given to you when you arrive at the field house.

Coaches’ Dinner – The coaches’ dinner will be on Thursday night, January 3^rd at 8pm in the Galleria Ballroom of the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Rochester. Each team is welcome to bring all 6 coaches to this free social event. The hotel’s address is 150 South Broadway and is easily accessible by skyway from any downtown hotel. Best Western Soldier’s Field will provide transportation to the dinner for any team staying in that hotel. It’s easy (indoor) walking distance from any other downtown hotel. We will be drawing the starting weight class at this dinner, so please consider sending a representative if you are not planning on attending.

Seeding – Brackets were announced on December 17^th. If you have not seen them yet, please go to the Clash website and click on the “Clash Brackets” link.

Practice Sessions - The field house will be available for practice sessions for teams that arrive early. You must contact Chuck Siefert directly at 507-421-4146 or e-mail Chuck at Chuck.Siefert@roch.edu to schedule your Tuesday or Wednesday practice session(s).

Competition Venue - University Center-Rochester (UCR) field house. The street address is: 851 30th Ave SE, Rochester MN.

Weigh Ins - Weigh-ins, skin checks, and team pictures are scheduled as follows. You may opt to defer your team to the end of the line if you wish. You may weigh in 20 wrestlers only.

First Aid Supplies: We will have two trainers and an MD on site, but, just as a reminder, it is your responsibility to provide personal first aid supplies (athletic tape, cotton balls, etc) to your team.

Weigh in Schedule - Friday, January 4th, 2008
Team	State	Weigh-in	Team	State	Weigh-in
Don Bosco	IA	7:00 AM	Apple Valley	MN	2:00 PM
Ponderosa	CO	7:00 AM	Goodhue	MN	2:00 PM
Scott West	MN	7:00 AM	P-E-M	MN	2:00 PM
Anoka	MN	7:00 AM	Hastings	MN	2:00 PM
Glenbard North	IL	7:15 AM	Wisconsin Rapids	MN	2:15 PM
Carl Harrison	GA	7:15 AM	Wagner	SD	2:15 PM
Blue Springs	MO	7:15 AM	Canton	SD	2:15 PM
Montini Catholic	IL	7:15 AM	Waverly-Shellrock	IA	2:15 PM
Jackson County	MN	7:30 AM	Creighton Prep	NE	2:30 PM
Simley	MN	7:30 AM	Ballard (Huxley)	IA	2:30 PM
Wrightstown	WI	7:30 AM	Vacaville	CA	2:30 PM
Punahou	HI	7:30 AM	Independence	IA	2:30 PM
Wheaton North	IL	7:45 AM	Plainfield Central	IL	2:45 PM
Chaparral	CO	7:45 AM	Albert Lea	MN	2:45 PM
Kasson-Mantorville	MN	7:45 AM	Kaukauna	WI	2:45 PM
Heber City-Wasatch	UT	7:45 AM	Kenyon-Wanamingo	MN	2:45 PM

Tickets – Each team will receive up to 28 passes for the event. These passes are for: 20 wrestlers, 6 coaches (including trainers and assistants), and 2 cheerleader chaperones. Cheerleaders in, in uniform, will be admitted free and allowed matside. Additional tickets can be purchased at the door. Ticket prices are Adults: $10 per session, or $25 for a two-day pass.

Roster size – Teams may weigh in 20 wrestlers each day. These are the only wrestlers who may compete during a given day. The 20 wrestlers do not have to be the same 20 wrestlers both days.

Skin Checks: We will again be paying extra close attention to skin conditions. If a wrestler has an observable skin condition, we ask that the wrestler have a physician complete a Minnesota State High School Skin Condition Report describing the type and length of treatment. The form is available at: http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/publications/code/forms/WRskinreport.pdf.  Lesions will not be covered to allow participation.  We will have dermatologists (MDs) from the Mayo Clinic on site to do the final skin checks. Ultimately, the onsite doctors will have the final say in all questions of participation. There is no appeal process.

Weight Allowances – Minnesota provides for a 2 pound growth allowance on January 1^st each year. Multiple teams have matches Thursday evening so all teams will have a 3 pound allowance in all weight classes. To compete in the 103 pound division, a wrestler will need to weigh 106 pounds or less on the first day of the tournament. All teams will have an additional 1-pound weight allowance on Saturday.

Press – Passes for the media and press will be available at the field house ticket office on the days of the tournament. Members of the press are encouraged to contact Kent Harfmann prior to the event to identify any unique on-site electrical or telecommunication requirements. His contact information is listed on the Clash website.

Weather – Although Minnesota has had mild winters the last few years, the average temperature in Rochester for the first week of January is 12 degrees. Please Note: This event will NOT be cancelled, regardless of the weather conditions.

Starting Weight Class:  We will be drawing for a starting weight class at the coaches banquet on Thursday night January 3rd. Each successive round will start at one weight class higher. For example, if 160 is drawn, then the sequence would be:

Day 1
Round 1 ---> 160, 171, 189, 215, 275, 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152
Round 2 ---> 171, 189, 215, 275, 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160
Round 3 ---> 189, 215, 275, 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171

Day 2
Round 4 ---> 215, 275, 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189
Round 5 ---> 275, 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215
Round 6 ---> 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215, 275

Late Arrival Policy: If you are late arriving to the facility, for any reason, including weather problems and airline delays, then you will forfeit all matches missed up to that point and will have up to 2 hours prior to the next round to weigh-in.

Opening Ceremonies - At the start of the morning and afternoon sessions, we will have a brief ceremony to introduce the teams.  Please go to your assigned mats at least 20 minutes prior to the start of wrestling (8:40 AM for the morning session and 3:40 PM for the afternoon session). Line your team up on one side of the mat.  We will introduce each team (en masse).  When your team is introduced, they should walk to the center of the mat.  When both teams are at the center, instruct your wrestlers to shake hands with whoever happens to be across from them. They should then return to their side of the mat and stand at attention until all teams are introduced (first couple wrestlers can warm up) at which time we will have the national anthem.

Please refer to our website www.ClashMN.org for tournament information and updates. Feel free to call or contact anyone on the Clash committee anytime that you may have a question.

Have a great holiday and we’ll see you all here in Rochester in two weeks.

Steven B. Patton, Tournament Chairman, “The Clash -- National High School Duals”

Rochester, Minnesota, TheClash@ClashMN.com , 507-261-5273 (cell phone - call anytime)