The Melee is On!
June 17, 2023
Registration Now Open!
Due to heavy demand, we are capping registration at 500 wrestlers, so please don’t wait to register!
Tournament streaming by:
About The Tournament
- Pre-tournament Clinic led by Coaches and Collegiate Wrestlers from George Mason University
- Live Mat Side Event Announcer
- Champions receive a custom Melee 'til Midnight Singlet
- Marine Corps Color Guard kickoff
- Wrestlers from 17 states in prior years
- 12 Mats
- Girls High School Division
Melee 'til Midnight Champion's Singlet
Hosted by the Eric Monday Foundation
that is focused on the wrestling community and to
#TAKEDOWNTHESTIGMA
of mental health challenges
Location
George Mason University Field House
4501 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Registration Fee – $45.00 + Flo fee ($1.75)
Deadline for Registration is June 16 at midnight
Schedule
June 16, 2023
6:00pm – 8:00pm: Weigh-ins @ GMU Field house
June 17, 2023
2:00pm – 3:00pm: Last Chance Weigh-ins
4:30pm – 5:00pm: Eric Monday Foundation Coaches Clinic – Wrestlers and Mental Health
5:00pm – 5:45pm: Wrestling Clinic & Warm-ups
5:55pm – 6:10pm: Welcome Announcements; Present Colors; & National Anthem
6:10pm – Wrestling Begins!
Age & Weight Classes
BANTAM – 8U
Age: Born 2015-2016
Weight Classes: Pooled weight classes (Madison system)
Time periods: All Matches – 1-1-1
MIDGET – 10U
Age: Born 2013-2014
Weight Classes: Pooled weight classes (Madison system)
Time periods: All Matches – 1-1-1
JUNIOR – 12U
Age: Born 2011-2012
Weight Classes: 63, 70, 78, 86, 96, 108, 120, 140, 166 lbs. or Pooled weight classes if necessary (Madison system)
Time periods – Championship: 1:00 – 1:30 – 1:30
Time periods – Consolation: 1:00 – 1:00 – 1:00
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Age: Born 2008-2010 (plus enrolled in grades 6-8)
Weight Classes: 77, 85, 93, 100, 106, 112, 119, 127, 136, 149, 165, 187, 250 lbs.
Time periods – Championship: 1:30- 1:30 – 1:30
Time periods – Consolation: 1:00 – 1:30 – 1:30
HIGH SCHOOL
Enrolled in grades 9 -12, born after 6/1/2004
Time Periods – Championship: 2:00 – 1:30 – 1:30
Time Periods – Consolation: 1:30 – 1:30 – 1:30
Weight Classes: 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215, 285
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS
Enrolled in grades 9 -12, born after 6/1/2004
Time Periods – Championship: 2:00 – 1:30 – 1:30
Time Periods – Consolation: 1:30 – 1:30 – 1:30
Weight Classes: 100, 106, 112, 118, 127, 136, 146, 156, 170, 185, 225 or Pooled weight classes if necessary (Madison system)
OPEN DIVISION
Wrestlers 19 yrs. and older; born on or before 6/1/2004
Weight Classes: Pooled weight classes (Madison system)
Time Periods – Championship: 2:00 – 1:30 – 1:30
Time Periods – Consolation: 1:30 – 1:30 – 1:30
* WEIGHT CLASSES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE *
FAQS
Admission:
$5.00
per person
$4.00
with valid military ID
$15.00
per family
Coaches with a valid USA Wrestling Card will be allowed to enter free of charge.
If you do not have a USA Wrestling Card, you will be charged $5.
Parking:
Free parking is available in Field House Parking Lots M, O and P.
Concessions:
There will be a variety of different types of food and drinks available to purchase throughout the event.
Area Hotels:
There are numerous hotel accommodations located near George Mason University. These are just a few suggestions:
Best Western Fairfax
3535 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-591-5500
Courtyard Marriott
11220 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-273-6161
Residence Inn
3565 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-267-2525
Hampton Inn
Fairfax City
10860 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA, 22030
(703) 385-2600
Event Map
Questions?
Please email Tournament Director Phil Cronin – phil@croninsouth.com or Info@ericmondayfoundation.org
The Rules
You must pre-register – no walk-ins allowed
USA Wrestling cards are required to participate in the tournament.
Buy Online USA Wrestling Membership
www.usawmembership.com
• Shorts and t-shirt or singlet AND wrestling shoes are required •
Head Gear recommended but optional
Registration
Due to heavy demand, we are capping registration at 500 wrestlers, so please don’t wait to register!
Satellite Weigh-Ins
Coming Soon
The Foundation
The Eric Monday Foundation seeks to #TAKEDOWNTHESTIGMA of mental health by educating coaches and key influencers in the lives of young people in mental health awareness, open communication and the core attributes of commitment, mental and physical discipline, and continual improvement that is core to competition. The Foundation is also focused on promoting and supporting the sport of wrestling for young athletes who strive to develop their mind, body, and spirit while raising up fellow participants.
Why Wrestling?
Dan Gable once said “After wrestling, everything else is easy.” So, if it’s so hard, then why should a child choose to wrestle?
For the same reasons that people of all ages and backgrounds choose to challenge themselves — to build self-confidence and to answer that one burning question: What am I really made of?
Success demands preparation which involves sacrifice. “Wrestling shape” is an elite level of mental strength and cardio conditioning requiring months of intense preparation for minutes of match time. Like building a muscle, all of a wrestler’s hard work, discipline and sacrifice quietly strengthens the mind. With a strong mind, comes the foundation of courage, confidence and a belief in one’s self — those critical yet elusive traits that lead to better self-image and success.
That is perhaps the greatest pay-off from wrestling: that a young person will discover what it means and how it feels to be their best self – strong, capable, disciplined, resilient and focused. All of these life lessons and revelations which are slowly discovered on the mat and in the wrestling room last a lifetime — long after the wrestler’s final match.
To learn more about The Eric Monday Foundation, visit their website at: www.ericmondayfoundation.org
