Holiday Classic Champions 1986 - 2011
Our records only go back to 1986. There were tournaments before that starting with the U.C. INVITATIONAL that was founded and operated by Glenn Sample, the father of wrestling in the area, With the end of the U.C. Tournamentent the tournament floated around to different schools and was managed by the SWOWCA president. Starting in 1986 Jim Monnig decided to rescue the tournament and the SWOWCA as a non coaching supporter of the sport. He was joined by Hal Norris, another non coaching supporter, and they began the process of establishing it as a state wide recognized tournament drawing teams from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and others. When illnes forced Jim Monnig to the bench, Dave Bean, a retired coach and Craig Wilms, an active coach, joined Hal and jointly managed the event. Craig stepped aside and management passed to a committee of 15 volunteers working with Hal and Dave. In 2009 both Hal and Dave retired from the task and Melissa Stegmaier, assisted by Jodi Harger, assumed responsibility for the tournament. The records going back to the Monnig/Norris takeover have been and continue to be kept by Hal Norris. Take a moment to review the names of past champions. If anyone has records from one or more of the earlier tournaments please contact Dave Bean at dwb.dwbean@gmail.com.
