Inaugural Hawkeye Wrestling Open Canceled

[UPDATE: 12/28, 4:52: Due to a short turnaround, lack of participation, and perhaps, as of today, weather, the first attempt at the Hawkeye Open is canceled. A press release from the Iowa City Area Sports Commission and Wrestle Like a Girl states refunds will be issued to ticket-holders within 7-10 days on their original card and that organizers look forward to putting on the event next year.]

ORIGINAL STORY: More details are emerging on the newly-created "Hawkeye Open" wrestling tournament, set for New Year's weekend at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. Just before Christmas, it was announced that The Midlands, a longtime tournament held in Illinois and hosted by Northwestern University, would be canceled due to increasing COVID-19 cases.

It was quick action by several entities affiliated with University of Iowa athletics, including men's wrestling coaches Tom & Terry Brands, to commit to participating in the event this weekend.

How can I get tickets?

All the information is available through the Hawkeye Open Facebook page. All-session tickets are $35 plus taxes and fees.

How many sessions are there?

The schedule is laid out to have 4 sessions. Sessions 1-2 will be held Saturday, January 1 at noon and 5 p.m., respectively. Then, on Sunday, January 2, sessions 3-4 will take place at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Who else is scheduled to compete?

That question is the biggest elephant in the room right now. According to Open Mat:

Wrestler registration is now available for coaches to register their athletes on TrackWrestling.com. Any unattached wrestlers can register by contacting Nathan Eichorst at n_eichorst@live.com. The registration fee is $50 for all wrestlers with registration closing at 8 p.m. on December 28. Late registration will be $75 and close at 7 p.m. on December 31. Packet pickup and payment will take place in the Xtream Arena lobby on Friday, December 31 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

As more participant information is finalized, it will be announced on the Hawkeye Open Facebook page. The event is open to both male and female wrestlers.