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By Makayla Cook, CookM3@Findlay.edu
After five years, the University of Findlay’s wrestling team returned to their roots by hosting the GMAC tournament on Jan. 25.
In 2020, UF attempted to host the GMAC tournament, but that was interrupted by the COVID-19 virus; and they were forced to have a normal dual. Since then, they haven’t held GMACs at home, until now.
“It’s cool to wrestle GMACs at home,” Graduate Assistant Graham Shore said. “There’s a lot more on the line – more fans and a bigger atmosphere.”
The University of Findlay wrestlers finished with one champion, heavyweight Giulian Bodiu. Yet a couple of other wrestlers competed very well, including Cade Cass and Ashton Anderson, Shore confirmed.
One of the wrestlers, Steele Boysel, believes that competing at home for the GMAC tournament helps performance because of the familiarity of being here, along with the support of family and friends.
“(For the rest of the season, we will) take it one dual at a time and hoping that all 10 will be on the podium in March,” Boysel said.
For UF to host the GMAC tournament, the money from tickets and gate fees is used to pay officials and other hired workers. The University can keep the revenue from concessions, according to Director of Athletics Jim Givens.
“The sport is so unique,” Givens said. “It’s mostly families and friends. The event is supported very nicely.”
It took two days for the University to prepare to host, between getting the concession stocked and getting the mats out, as they need time to lay out and adapt to the many different conditions of the environment they’re placed in.
“We have something to prove this year,” said Boysel, “and we want to show it.”
