Bill Dies Memorial wrestling tournament to return, APS teachers strike or not

Michael Leonard, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
Copley's Kyren Butler, left, wrestles Brecksville's Devin Miller in early rounds during the Bill Dies Memorial Tournament in January 2020.
Copley's Kyren Butler, left, wrestles Brecksville's Devin Miller in early rounds during the Bill Dies Memorial Tournament in January 2020.

Akron's midseason wrestling classic is officially back.

After two years of COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions, the Bill Dies Memorial Tournament will return to Firestone High School Jan. 13 and 14.

The tournament will take place regardless of a possible strike by teachers in Akron Public Schools.

Mike Dies, public relations director for the tournament named after his grandfather, said he was happy to have the tournament back.

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"After a few years of interruptions, we're excited to have the tournament again," Dies said. "I know the wrestlers and coaches look forward to this tournament. It's going to be great to have everybody back."

Dies said this year's tournament will include 29 teams, but 2020 champion Brecksville-Broadview Heights will not be among them.

"We were talking about how this could be the most wide-open tournament in years," he said.

The number of teams could still be reduced.

Akron Public Schools has said any teachers strike would suspend all extracurricular activities, keeping all APS wrestlers out of the Dies.

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"Let's just hope that there is no strike," Dies said.

APS athletic director Joe Vassalotti confirmed the tournament will go on as scheduled regardless of a potential strike. Dies said the decision to host the tournament was approved by APS office of business affairs.

"It was all reliant on what the APS decided," Dies said. "From our end, we need to have it. We can't afford to not have the tournament again."

The Dies will begin at 4 p.m. Jan. 13 with wrestling resuming at 9 a.m. Jan. 14. Finals will be at 3 p.m. Jan. 14.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Dies Tournament set to return regardless of possible teacher strike