Pittsburg High School will host the 5A Boys East Regional Wrestling Tournament for the State of Kansas. PHS will host over 200 wrestlers from 18 different 5A schools from across the East side of the State. The tournament begins on Friday, February 16th and will continue through the weekend. State qualifiers will be determined in the evening on Saturday, February 17th. 

“It is a huge honor to be hosting this tournament in Pittsburg,” PHS Activities Director, Jeff Staley said. “It really is a reflection on the City of Pittsburg, our community and our School district that we were chosen to host here, it means other schools enjoy coming to our town and facilities.”

Pittsburg High School has hosted several Regional events in recent years including: Regional State Track and Field, Regional Tennis, and State District auditions for Band and Choir. 

“It is exciting to be able to represent Pittsburg in a positive light to everyone that travels here,” Staley said. “We not only have over 200 athletes coming to our community, we have their families and coaching staff coming as well. For some people, this may be their first and possibly only time ever coming to Pittsburg, so it is really important to us to make it a good experience.”

USD 250 administration anticipates and hopes for a positive impact on the community from large Highschool level events being hosted here.

“The support in our community is phenomenal,” Staley said. “It is not only an undertaking on our facilities, it affects our whole community when we have a large event like this. We recognize and extremely appreciate how supportive the community of Pittsburg is when we have great opportunities like this for our students.”

PHS head wrestling coach LC Davis was excited to hear Pittsburg was chosen to host as it comes with benefits to the athletes. 

“It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to host this tournament,” Davis said. “Our boys get an opportunity to qualify for the state championships in front of their hometown fans, and we get to sleep in our own beds!”

Davis says this season has “flown by” and expects the wrestlers will perform their best when it counts as their season comes close to the end.

Due to the tournament, USD 250 has decided to cancel school for the district on Friday, February 16th, 2024.

“It is a great opportunity for our district and community to once again show our support for student athletes here, and across the state of Kansas,” USD 250 Superintendent Rich Proffitt said. “Pittsburg has gained the reputation and respect of districts across the state of being a leader in academic and extracurricular activities. This is one more shining example of the leadership that our district provides.”

Ticket sales for the tournament will be available at the door; $8 for adults and $6 for students.