Written by Ryan Lance

The 2015 VAC Holiday Duals are upon us, as ninety-six all-star caliber teams will
compete to be crowned the nations best. This year’s event, which will kickoff on Friday,
December 11th, will feature 48 hand picked elementary and middle school teams from
across the country.

Known as the ‘Mecca of youth Wrestling,’ teams from as far away as California,
Colorado, North Dakota, Michigan, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin will make the trip east to
the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia for the chance to
contend for a National Championship.

Regarded as one of the toughest and most competitive dual meet tournaments in the
country, the 15th annual event will not disappoint wrestling fans across the country. The
event has gained popularity over the past few years as the event has now expanded from
24 elementary school teams and 32 middle school teams to 48 teams in both divisions.
Frank Lipoli, Executive Director for VAWC and the events Tournament Director says,

“The main objective of this event is to bring together the best age group wrestling in the
country to wrestle in 10 dual meets against some of the best competition in the country.
The VAC National Holiday Duals is a measuring stick to success. The elite wrestler is
challenged in every match and it is not uncommon to see wrestlers that dominate on the
national scene not place in the VAC Holiday Duals.”

The amount of depth at this event is unlike any other. With over 25 states being
represented in this year’s event, there is a plethora of talent that includes multiple time
National and State title winners.

Headlining this year’s event will be fifteen wrestlers who were ranked on the Flo Junior
High Big Board at the end of last season. These wrestlers include No. 12 Cullan
Schriever, No. 14 Beau Bartlett, No. 22 Jaxon Smith, No. 23 Kellyn March, No. 25
Dustin Plott, No. 27 Carson Manville, No. 28 Ryan Crookham, No. 34 Manzona Bryant,
No. 35 Connor Kievman, No. 40 Anthony Clark, No. 45 Kurtis Phipps, No. 47 Chance
Lamer, No. 48 Wil Guida, No. 49 Braxton Brown, and NO. 50 Cole Skinner.

“These amazing wrestlers are stepping out of their comfort zone to challenge
themselves,” says Lipoli. “They are leaving their egos at home to climb the ladder of
excellence and as they saying goes, to be the best you must wrestle the best.”

This weekend’s event will go a long way in determining the first installment of the
updated Junior High Big Board for the 2015-2016 season. You can follow the action live
all weekend long right here on FloWrestling.com!