Hosted by: CVTP
About California Republic Invitational
In 2011, The California Republic Invitational was introduced to the California wrestling community. The event was born as a transitional event once known as the John Muir Invitational on the eve of its 20th Anniversary. The John Muir Invite was already an established event but was mainly suited for Junior High (6-8th grade) for the 1st 19 years. With the help of Central Valley Youth Wrestling Association members and the obvious growth of K-5th grade wrestling in Central Valley and around the State, it was
fitting that the format needed to include its younger age groups. It was at this point that the John Muir Invitational would adopt a multiple divisions format seen at the State and National level... thus a 6 & under, 8 & under, 11& under, and Jr. High divisions were adopted. Event coordinators now realized that with the growth of the event in Jr. High competition along with the foreseen participation of the younger divisions, the host location for 19 years would no longer suit the growth of the event any longer. After months of research and deliberation, the newly formed California Republic Invitational found Mcdermont Fieldhouse as the host location. With enough room to lay down 14 mats, Mcdermont had more than enough space to satisfy the growth of the event and inclusion of multiple divisions in year one... In year 2., we used the 2nd field on the 3rd floor to lay down 4 more mats giving us 17 total. Year 3 can accomodate even more growth by including more mats (4 more on top floor) or up to 10 more in the south section of the facility. Sky is the limit for this event as we discuss the possibility of adding a High School division... a High School Girls Division... and a Youth Girls Division in the near future.
With over 650 participants the 1st year and over 710 participants the 2nd year, and 730 in its 3rd year, CRI has proved to be a monster event for California. Brackets have been deep with talent from every part of California and Nevada. With 53 weight classes in 4 age divisions on 17+ mats, CRI is THE measuring stick for what will happen at SCWAY/USA state in March. Some weight classes have been so deep with talent that many previous State and National placers failed to get on the podium at this event. Thus the motto, "CRI... Where Champions Come to Lose!" is accepted as truth.
In its 4th and 5th years , CRI attraced a stronger following than the previous years. The who's who of youth wrestling continued to flock to this event adding wrestlers from Arizona,Oregon, and Texas to the already strong Nevada and California following. The competition was undoubtedly as tough as ever with over 750 participating wrestlers.
We are in the 10th year now. Although much has changed through the years, one thing is certain....we continue to attract many of the best wrestlers throughout the State of California and we get lucky sometimes to bring our neighboring states as well. This year should be no different continuing to build on the youth level as well as being one of very few events who has taken building youth girls wrestling very serious. This year we even added a MS Novice division so that those wrestlers who are not at the level yet can still participate next to their teammates. Not many events offer a solid K-8th events and even less with girls divisions and Novice all under the same roof. As we did 10 years ago, California Republic continues to help build and fortify youth wrestling in California and western states.
