Black Hills Nationals
Connecting Black Hills Wrestling with the Nation
Connecting Black Hills Wrestling
with the Nation
Registrations
For Tournaments and Camps
Wrestling Clinic
Annual Black Hills Nationals Wrestling Clinic,
Spearfish High School Wrestling Room- Spearfish, SD
Accommodations
The Northern Hills has a wide variety of lodging options. Book your Hotel for the Annual Black Hills
Nationals in March
Providing our youth opportunities without limits
About Us
The annual Black Hills Nationals Wrestling Tournament (BHN) hosted its first ever tournament in 2003 in beautiful Spearfish, South Dakota. In 2025 BHN moved to a larger venue in Rapid City, South Dakota, to meet the needs for more mat space and expanded spectator seating. This popular Midwestern tournament welcomes hundreds of wrestlers, coaches, and fans from over 25 states. Competitors range from 6 years and under to high school age and from college age to Grand Masters 50+ years. An average of 1,700 wrestlers compete annually.
Frank A. Pavich, a long-time wrestling enthusiast and Black Hills native, is the founder and Director of this iconic event. Through his love of wrestling and dedication to the sport, Frank created BHN. Its goal is to offer an environment for all to strengthen and support wrestling.
The mission of BHN is two-fold: first, to encourage healthy competition among its wrestlers inspiring courage and confidence in one another; second, to focus on philanthropic endeavors. From supporting college athletics to helping fund local youth activities like swimming and tennis, BHN enriches the lives of athletes of all ages and sports. Also, BHN supports individual athletes in need. For example, in 2022 BHN donated funds to help defray the medical costs of wrestlers involved in two separate life-threatening incidents—a motorcycle accident and a grizzly bear attack. Helping athletes is important and central to BHN’s mission.
Black Hills Nationals Wrestling Tournament invites you to be part of this noteworthy national event where the competition is great and the memories are lasting. Join us this year and be a part of something truly meaningful.
Our skills development clinics
are all about the fundamentals
Our skills development clinics are all about the fundamentals
Our clinics teach solid wrestling technique and other life skills:
• Highly skilled collegiate coaches and wrestlers
are the primary instructors.
• Wrestlers learn various wrestling take-downs and attacks.
• Pinning and offensive maneuvers from the top position are taught.
• Escapes and reversal technique from the bottom
position are practiced and learned.
• Safety in all wrestling technique is always stressed.
• Team-building is continuously emphasized.
• An important by-product of the clinics is the lasting
friendships that are developed.
Age/Weight Classifications
Black Hills Nationals Age/Weight Categories
The tournament director reserves the right to combine weight classes.
The tournament director reserves the right to combine weight classes.
Important:
Wrestlers can double-bracket. However, the wrestler needs to register twice,
and make note of the fact that they’re wrestling in two separate brackets.
Register/Pay On-Line
2025 Black Hills Nationals Wrestling Clinic
Register/Pay On-Line
2025 Black Hills Nationals Wrestling Clinic
Black Hills Nationals Scholarship
Each year Black Hills National Wrestling awards 10 scholarships ranging from $50 to $250. Although funds are very limited, applicants are encouraged to submit a 300 word essay addressing the following areas:
– Person requesting a scholarship,
– Amount being requested and why,
– When the scholarship will be used,
– How the scholarship will be used, and
– Coach’s name or other personal reference.
Send essay to:
Frank Pavich
789 Main Street
Deadwood, SD 57732
Frequently Asked Questions
What if a wrestler doesn't make weight?
• If your wrestler doesn't make weight, they will be moved up to the next highest weight class automatically, free of charge.
Can you double bracket a wrestler?
• Wrestlers can double-bracket. However, the wrestler needs to register twice, and at weigh-ins make note verbally of the fact that they’re wrestling in two separate brackets.
What equipment do wrestlers need to have?
• It is recommended, but not required, to wear a singlet and headgear.
How does a wrestler's name appear on the back of the tournament vendor t-shirt?
• IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THE NAME OF YOUR WRESTLER ON OUR TOURNAMENT VENDOR T-SHIRT YOU MUST HAVE THEM REGISTERED BY 6PM CST MARCH 29th. (This is capitalized because invariably we will have procrastinators)! Nothing we can do after this timeline.
Do the participants get a T-Shirt?
• All participants will receive a free AAU t-shirt during weigh-ins. If you have weighed-in offsite, inquire at the announcer's stand and we will let you know how to pick up your AAU t-shirt.
Do you need a AAU Card to Register?
• All athletes must have an AAU card in order to register. Seniors and Masters must have the Adult AAU Athlete card. Purchase membership at AAUsports.org
Is there an early sign-up discount?
• $50 Early Pre-Registration online ends March 29th at 6PM (CST).
• $75 Online Registration available through April 1, 6PM (CST).
• $100 You may register in person on site April 2 & 3 at weigh-ins.
When are Weigh ins?
• There will be two weigh-in times for this event, both held at James Kjerstad Event Center in Rapid City, SD. For divisions 14U, High School, Seniors, Masters & Grand Masters weigh-ins will be on Thursday, April 2nd from 5pm - 7pm. For 6U, 8U, 10U & 12U weigh-ins will be on Friday, April 3rd from 5 pm - 7pm.
Are there off site weigh in locations?
• Information for off site weigh ins shall be posted soon. All sites, To Be Determined
Questions and contact info about off site weigh ins
Please call the off site weigh in officials.
1. Black Hills Academy, Rapid City,SD, Will Williams, 605-220-0688
2. Terrisa Henry, Gillette WY, 307-696-3391
3. Mark Wanner, Bowman HS, Bowman, ND, 513-519-0710
4. Jayson Branagh, Bon Homme HS, Tyndall, SD 605-295-1161
5. Chad Uhrig, Riggs HS, Pierre, SD, 605-280-3407
6. Angela Simmons, Sheridan HS, Sheridan, WY, 307-259-7979
Sponsors
We would like to give special thanks to our sponsors, who make this tournament possible!
© Copyright 2025. Black Hills Nationals