Thursday, Dec. 5, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Four of the NCAA's top 10-ranked wrestling teams will be among 43 schools competing in the 15th annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational today through Saturday at Buffalo Bill's Hotel/Casino in Primm.
In addition to the NCAA powers, seven of the top 10 NAIA teams will be competing in a dual tournament today.
"We're excited about the field," said tournament director Dave Poplin. "We've got 10 of the top 20 schools in the NCAA and seven of the top 10 NAIA schools. I think there will be some terrific wrestling -- there always has been in this event.
"This tournament has always been an early meeting of some good kids meeting each other early in the season and kind of establishing the pattern for what's going to happen in the season.
Headlining the tournament will be fourth-ranked Iowa State, a perennial national power; No. 6 Illinois, ninth-ranked Michigan and No. 10 Clarion of Pennsylvania. Missouri Valley is the top-ranked team in the NAIA preseason poll.
Among the top-ranked individuals competing this weekend will be Sheldon Thomas of Clarion, a two-time All-American at 118 pounds ranked No. 1 in the NCAA. Also participating in the meet, which will be held in the Star of the Desert Arena at Buffalo Bill's, are Coby Wright (126 pounds) of Cal State Bakersfield and Iowa State's Chris Bono (150 pounds) and Barry Waldon (167 pounds). All three are ranked No. 2 in their respective divisions.
Poplin said the Cliff Keen Invitational is an excellent opportunity for young Las Vegas-area wrestlers to see top collegiate wrestlers in person, but is disappointed that more local high school coaches don't take more of an interest in the event.
"Interest in the tournament has grown some, but I'm disappointed that the high schools can't get more involved in what we're doing," Poplin said. "These high school wrestlers will never get another opportunity, during this season, to ever see this quality and be around this quality of wrestler.
"I would hope that as a wrestling community, (the local coaches) could see the value of the event and would want to get more involved and make sure an event like this can continue to prosper and grow in Las Vegas."
While local interest is marginal, the response from the collegiate ranks has been staggering, he said.
"I think we've got an excellent field just in the number of teams competing," Poplin said. "Right now, we're at 43 teams and we had 34 last year, so that's a remarkable improvement. The interest has really been overwhelming, right up to the last minute, on teams that have wanted to come.
"I think what we're seeing is this is our 15th tournament and a lot of the coaches now probably wrestled in this tournament at one time or another. Now they're bringing their teams here."
The NAIA dual-meet tournament runs today until 6 p.m. and will be followed by an open dual competition featuring many of the NCAA wrestlers. Friday and Saturday will feature day and evening sessions beginning at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
All-session tickets for Friday and Saturday are $25 for adults and $12 for students. Tickets for Friday's two sessions and the Saturday day session are $6 for adults and $3 for students. Tickets for each day's finals are $8 for adults and $4 for students. Tickets will be available at the door.
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