Welcome to a one-of-a-kind opportunity to wrestle inside of an actual penitentiary!  Moundsville Penitentiary, in Moundsville WV, was built in 1866 and decommissioned in 1995.  This former state penitentiary now offers day tours, paranormal investigations, escape rooms, and a haunted house in October!

Last year we had over 600 wrestlers in attendance from all over the US and Canada! The tournament was so popular that we had to close online registration two days ahead of time! 

This year we've added a second day to accommodate everyone!

Escape The Pen Open and Girls division Champions will receive a custom pair of handcuffs! Novice Champions receive a custom trophy!

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All attendees are eligible for a discounted penitentiary tour.  See below for details to plan your stay accordingly

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DATE & LOCATION

Wrestling will be held in the event center which is located in the courtyard inside the walls of the penitentiary on Saturday and Sunday May 13-14, 2023.  Enter through the North Gate off of 8th St.

Moundsville Penitentiary

818 Jefferson Ave

Moundsville, WV 26041

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Saturday 5/13 - Novice & Girls Divisions

• Session 1 starts at 9:00AM

• Session 2 starts at 2:00PM

Sunday 5/14 - Open Divisions

• Session 3 starts at 9:00AM

• Session 4 starts at 2:00PM

*Doors open at 7:00AM both days

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REGISTRATION FEES AND DEADLINES​​

• $45 for online registrations until Friday May 12th at 11:00 AM

• $60 for WALK-INS if limit of 800 wrestlers not met (*will update website if full)

• $30 Double Bracket at weigh-ins (*ALL double bracketing will be handled at weigh-ins.  Double bracket must be in a different age/division) 

LAST DAY FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION IS FRIDAY, MAY 12th AT 11:00 AM

**WE WILL CLOSE ONLINE REGISTRATIONS PRIOR TO CUT OFF DATE/TIME IF REGISTRATIONS REACH 800 WRESTLERS**

*a $3.00 service charge added to each transaction for online registrations

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AGE, DIVISIONS & WEIGHT CLASSES

All divisions are folkstyle

Age as of 12/31/2022

Grade as of 2022-23 School Year

NOVICE – Saturday, 5/13

*Must be in second year or less of wrestling to qualify*

• 6U (+1lb) – 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 80 – Session 1 (Saturday)

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• 8U (+1lb) – 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 85, 95, 110 – Session 1 (Saturday)

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• 10U (+1lb)– 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 105, 120, 150 - Session 1 (Saturday)

 

GIRLS – Saturday, 5/13

• K-3rd GRADE (+1lb) – 40, 45, 52, 60, 85 – Session 2 (Saturday)

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• 4th-6th GRADE (+1lb) – 52, 58, 64, 72, 80, 92, 101, 112, 125, 145 – Session 2 (Saturday)

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• GIRLS JUNIOR HIGH (Grades 7,8,9 *no varsity experience*) - (+2lbs) – 75, 83, 92, 100, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 155, 180, 210 –Session 2 (Saturday)

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• GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 9-12) - (+3lbs)– 100, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 155, 170, 190, 235 – Session 2 (Saturday)

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• WOMEN'S SENIOR - Graduated 2022 or later - Madison Weights

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​OPEN – Sunday, 5/14

• 6U (+1lb) - 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 80 - Session 4 (Sunday)

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• 8U (+1lb) – 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 85, 95, 110 – Session 3 (Sunday)

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• 10U (+1lb) – 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 105, 120, 160 – Session 3 (Sunday)

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• 12U (+1lb) – 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 160, 200​ – Session 3 (Sunday)

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• JUNIOR HIGH - (Grades 7,8,9 *no varsity experience*) - (+2lbs) – 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 122, 130, 138, 145, 155, 165, 185, 210, 250 – Session 4 (Sunday)

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• HIGH SCHOOL - (Grades 9-12) - (+3lbs) – 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220, 285 – Session 4 (Sunday)

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• SENIOR - Graduated 2022 or later -  (+4lbs) – 125, 133, 141, 149, 157, 165, 174, 184, 197, 285 – Session 3 (Sunday)

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PERIODS

• 6U & 8U (Open and Novice), and Girls K-3rd Grade – 1:00, 1:00, 1:00

• 10U & 12U, and Girls 4th-6th Grade – 1:15, 1:15, 1:15

• JUNIOR HIGH (Boys and Girls) – 1:30, 1:30, 1:30

• HIGH SCHOOL (Boys and Girls) and SENIOR – 2, 1:30, 1:30
  - All divisions will have modified 1 minute overtime with 30 second ride out

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WEIGH-IN SCHEDULE (please note different locations for different sessions)
Friday, 5/12

• Early Weigh-in (Optional) - $20 per wrestler

  • 6:00pm-8:00pm

  • Location – Holiday Inn Express, 225 Teletech Drive, Moundsville, WV 26041

  • All divisions and sessions eligible

 

Saturday, 5/13

• 7:00am-8:00am (For Session 1)

• 12:00pm to 1:00pm (For Session 2)

  • ​Location – Event Facility at Moundsville Penitentiary

 

Early Weigh-in (Optional) - $20 per wrestler

• 6:00pm to 7:00pm

  • Location – Holiday Inn Express, 225 Teletech Drive, Moundsville, WV 26041

 

Sunday, 5/14

• 7:00am to 8:00am (For Session 3)

• 12:00pm to 1:00pm (For Session 4)

  • Location – Event Facility at Moundsville Penitentiary

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HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS

Holiday Inn

225 Teletech Drive

Moundsville, WV 26041

1-304-845-8455 

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Room block held until 4/14 - discounted room rate $139+tax. Call and mention "Escape the Pen" for discount.

Or use this reservation link below.  Choose your dates and under rate preference choose "group discount code" and enter "ETP" as the discount code.

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Moundsville, WV

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Sleep Inn

8 Walmart Drive

Moundsville, WV 26041

1-304-810-4000 

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Room block held until 4/14 - discounted room rate $105+tax.  Call and mention "BTC Escape the Pen Wrestling Tournament" for discount

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AWARDS

• CUSTOM HANDCUFFS FOR OPEN AND GIRLS CHAMPIONS!

  • Handcuff medals for 2nd-4th place

• CUSTOM TROPHY FOR NOVICE CHAMPIONS!

  • Handcuff medals for 2nd-4th place​

• There will be a podium presentation for the top 4 place winners

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ADMISSION AND PARKING

Bag chairs recommended as no seating is provided.  We also have use of the courtyard so feel free to bring pop up canopies to set up outside. The brackets for the tournament will be run on FLO ARENA so you can access them on your phone to see when your wrestler will be up.

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Only street parking is available - please plan accordingly.  ABSOLUTELY NO CARS PERMITTED INSIDE THE COURTYARD.  It is best to plan to drop off at the North Gate and then go park if needed.

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Tournament is held at the event center behind the penitentiary within the yard walls.  Enter through the North Gate off of 8th Street.

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We are only permitted in the courtyard and event center.  You may not enter the penitentiary unless on a guided tour.  We do not have access to any areas that are fenced/roped off.  Please monitor kids at all times!

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ADULTS - $15

2 Day Pass - $20

STUDENTS - $5

Ages 5 & Under - Free

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RULES

-Headgear optional
- College Out of Bounds
- Singlet not required at weigh-ins
- Modified scholastic rules used for all divisions. Tournament will be double elimination or round robin.
- Tournament Director reserves the right to combine weight classes upon need.
- All officials’ decisions are final
- No video reviews
- Any disrespectful conduct towards wrestlers, adults, staff, or officials will not be tolerated and can result in removal from the tournament

 

NO REFUNDS WITHIN 48 HOURS OF TOURNAMENT

Challenges:
- Anyone wishing to challenge the age or experience level of a wrestler must present physical proof prior to or during the tournament.
- Any wrestler found wrestling in a division that they are not eligible for, by age or experience level, will be removed from the tournament.
- Final decision is left to the discretion of the Tournament Director.

 

Please contact breakthechainswrestling@gmail.com with any questions

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PENITENTIARY TOUR DISCOUNT

Everyone who attends the tournament is eligible for a discount for the Penitentiary Tour! The tour runs on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm.  You will need a discount coupon (only need 1 per family/group) that will be distributed at the tournament.  The coupons will also be distributed at the early weigh-ins on Friday night.  You must present the coupon from the tournament in order to receive the tour discount.  

Discounted tour rates:

Adults - $9

Seniors - $8

Kids - $8

Kids 5 & under are free

Be sure to check out the website of the historic Moundsville Penitentiary at www.wvpentours.com

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