03/18/2024
Hi all. Just sent this email out to all registered wrestlers.
Greetings to all paid registrants for the 2024 Montana Open. As it is tournament week, I wanted to send out a message with some important information to help make this weekend a positive experience for you:
1) Weighins:
A) Location: First Interstate Bank Arena, enter bldg on lower Southwest corner of the arena. There are multiple large glass doors there. Please be aware that if you show up early, you will be waiting outside as there is very limited space inside and those doors won't open until weighin times start.
B) Times: 12U/15U/18U/Open (all boys and girls) weighin from 2pm-4pm on Friday, 3/22
6U/8U/10U (all boys and girls) weighin from 5pm-8pm
C) Check scales: We will have scales for both girls and boys to use
D) Be prepared to weighin in your wrestling uniform (singlet, two-piece uniform, etc). All boys and girls will use the same scales. Use the available bathrooms to change if necessary. But, it would be best if you came already dressed and just needed to remove a pair of sweats, etc.
E) Lines to get your weighin card will be done by age group (one line for 12U, one line for 15U, etc)
F) Please make sure to bring your waiver form to exchange for your weighin card. A copy of your birth certificate, is not required during weighin. This is exclusively for use should a wrestler's age be challenged during the tournament.
G) Once you have weighed in, you will need to leave back out the same location you came in. For Friday session wrestlers, the main doors upstairs will open at 4:30pm.
H) If you need to change a weight class and/or team affiliation, this can all be done at the scales during weighins. We will have pairers at each scale to help you. Of course we do ask that you make every effort to make the weight class you've signed up for. But, we also understand that things can happen.
2) Coach passes:
A) Pre-paid will have a dedicated line to pick up your pass during weighins
B) Onsite sales will be a separate line to purchase and get your pass
C) We will be actively enforcing only two people in a corner this year (this includes teammates, video, etc). Anyone found to be in violation will receive a mark on their band. Third violation will result in forfeiture of coach privileges and no further access to arena floor will be permitted. Aside from the current match, only the on-deck and in-the-hole wrestler (and coaches) can be inside the fencing. Once your match ends, please work to go behind the fencing and/or back up into the stands.
**NOTE** if you don't get your pass on Friday during weighins, you will be required to pay admission in order to get in the building on Saturday or Sunday. This will not be reimbursed.
3) Wrestling schedule:
A) Friday: Session I is 12U/15U/18U/Open- Wrestling starts at 5:30pm. With the numbers we have this year, this session will likely run until around 9:30pm.
B) Saturday: Session II is 6U, 8U, 10U- Doors open at 7am. Opening ceremonies will start around 8:15am. Wrestling will begin at conclusion of opening ceremonies. Session will go until approximately 5:30pm.
C) Saturday: Session III is 12U/15U/18U/Open- There will be a 30 minute break for warming up once all session II matches have concluded. No wrestlers may be on arena floor until those matches are done. Session III will wrestle from 5:30pm to 9:30pm.
***NOTE*** These times are approximate and are subject to change as needed.
D) Sunday: Session IV is all remaining brackets that have matches left. Doors open at 8am. Wrestling begins at 9am.
4) Coach meeting: There will be a coach meeting before each of the first three sessions. Every person who has purchased a coach band has an obligation to attend this meeting so that they are aware of tournament rules and expectations. There will be multiple announcements regarding time/location for this meeting.
5) Spectator ticketing: You will be able to buy tickets in person from the Metra box office. Or, you can purchase ahead of time via their website. That option should be available very soon.
We sincerely look forward to sharing this upcoming weekend with you. Please travel safe and we will see you soon,
Jason Wiers
Tournament Director
