Israel Martinez of West Aurora High (Ill.) is a top wrestler at this year's TOC.

The Columbus Convention Center (Ohio) will be bursting at its seams this Saturday (April 29), when the Tournament of Champions (TOC) kicks off its eighth annual national wrestling tourney. Considered the largest one-day tournament in the country, the TOC will have 26 mats going at the same time, with 2,945 participants spanning grades K-12 competing in a total of 83 weight classes.

"I've done other tournaments in the 500-kid range, but I was looking to start a big tournament," says TOC founder and director Bart Freidenberg, 39. "It's amazing to get this many kids in one place."

Getting participants to come from 33 states for a one-day event shows the amount of respect the TOC has built through its eight-year existence. Freidenberg, who spent 13 years as head manager of the Ohio State University men's wrestling team, along with leading an Ohio All-Star traveling team for the last 17 years, admits the TOC got off to a shaky start back in the early to mid-'90s. However, the tourney now runs like clockwork, and Freidenberg credits the enormous amount of time and effort people in the arena and behind the scenes have invested in making it a success.

"The reason why the tournament is so successful is that the people involved are consistent, good and reliable," says Freidenberg. "We brought in the head officials at high school tournaments. They bring class to the event and can take care of all the problems."

"It's got to be the best run tournament for the amount of kids. It runs real smooth," adds Newfane High (N.Y.) freshman Ryan Needle, who finished second last year and won titles in 1995 and 1997.

With tremendous help and high-quality officials, it's no wonder the TOC can attract so many wrestlers. This will be the fifth consecutive year enrollment has increased, which has forced the TOC to turn away 800 competitors for Saturday's competition. Freidenberg, who has a committee handle the selections, says he hates to turn away wrestlers, but there is only so much space and so much time.

Last year, the tournament began at 9 a.m. and the last match concluded at 11:58 p.m. Next year, the TOC moves into a bigger hall within the Columbus Convention Center and may be able to host a few more individuals, according to Freidenberg.

It's good news for those who live, eat and breathe wrestling. It's good news for people like Nathan Galloway of State College Area High (Pa.).

"This is a good opportunity to wrestle good competition from around the country," says Galloway, who will be looking to win his fourth title at the TOC after victories in 1996, '97 and '98.

Along with Galloway, other big names include professional wrestler Ric Flair's son, Reid Fliehr, who finished second in his class last year, and Ricky Steamboat's son, Richie Blood, who won a title in 1995. Matt Kallai of Wadsworth High (Ohio) is a five-time champion who will be out to defend his title and try to become the only six-time winner in the history of the event. Thomas Schaefer of Aurora High (Ohio) also has won five times, but has a prior baseball commitment that will not allow him to defend his championship.

Schaefer's absence brings up the question of why the TOC wrestles in late April instead of late winter, but Freidenberg says his tournament is scheduled for the most opportune time.

"We run the tournament after the Ohio high school wrestling season and right at the beginning of the freestyle season," explains Freidenberg. "There are rule modifications to fit both styles."

No matter when the tourney is scheduled, wrestlers consider it a privilege to take part.

"I look at it as an honor," says Galloway. "I can use it as a measuring stick to see where I match up against major national talent."

"It's a chance to wrestle the best in the country," adds Needle. "It's an honor just to be able to go."