WRESTLING
Southland's Summer Smash incorporates football theme
ADAMS — Southland Youth Wrestling's Summer Smash is returning to Adams on Friday. Hundreds of pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade wrestlers from at least five states will converge onto the football field at the Southland Athletic Complex to wrestle under the lights. Upwards of 700 people will be on the football field at 7 p.m. to watch this unique wrestling event.
With the awards podium having a football field backdrop and the scoreboard lit up to show the date of the event, Summer Smash incorporates the gridiron theme for the awards ceremony and photos.
Normally wrestling is an indoor winter sport. Southland Youth Wrestling coach Paul Kirtz brought the idea of wrestling under the lights on a summer night to the Southland Youth Wrestling board of directors more than three years ago. The board members not only endorsed the idea but individually they donate many hours, services, and products to the event. Summer Smash is also sponsored by several area businesses and supported with help from area clubs and organizations.
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Normally held in conjunction with the long-running celebration of Adams Dairy Days, the schedule did not match up this year as Dairy Days were held; however it is expected they will be held together again next year.
Summer Smash is open to all youth wrestlers to participate in and the public is encouraged to attend. More information and the registration form can be found at www.theguillotine.com or by contacting Paul Kirtz at 507-438-0335 or Scott Swanek at 507-269-8350. You can also learn more about the event on the Southland Youth Wrestling Facebook page.
VOLLEYBALL
Rochester 12-year-old going to national training program
Kelly Klees of Rochester recently participated in the USA Girls Volleyball national tryouts at the Minneapolis Convention Center. As a result of that tryout, she received and accepted an invitation to attend the 2014 USA Volleyball national training program in Grand Rapids, Mich. Klees, a sixth-grader, was one of 23 setters selected nationwide for this program and is currently on the 12-1 SMV volleyball team.
BASEBALL
Clinic scheduled for Saturday in Stewartville
A free Minnesota Play Ball Clinic will be held Saturday in Stewartville at the middle school baseball/softball complex.
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The clinic, for youths ages 6-16, does not require registration, just show up. Those ages 6-9 should begin at 9 a.m.; ages 10-16 start at 10:30 a.m. Clinics focus on hitting, fielding and throwing. Parents are encouraged to participate with their children.
The Play Ball! Minnesota Youth Clinics program provides boys and girls from throughout the Upper Midwest with the opportunity to enhance their baseball and softball skills, while also hearing positive messages about staying in school and away from drugs and alcohol. Play Ball! Minnesota Youth Clinics are funded and administered by the Twins Community Fund.
The clinics were established in 1961 by the Minnesota Twins.
