Battle of the Bo tournament brings more than 60 high school wrestling teams to Bojangles’ Coliseum

The 8th Annual Holy Angels Invitational, coined The “Battle at the Bo,” will bring more than 60 high school wrestling teams to Bojangles’ Coliseum Dec. 28 and 29. Charlotte Catholic High School will host wrestlers competing in more than 1,500 matches during the two-day event, making the competition the largest high school wrestling tournament in the state.

Tournament Director and Charlotte Catholic High School Head Wrestling Coach Steve Wyniemko has witnessed the growth of the tournament since its inception in 1993, including its expansion to include junior varsity wrestlers in 2013. “Including a JV division allows us to welcome more teams and additional wrestlers, enabling us to grow the tournament,” Wyniemko said. “Many JV wrestlers do not have the opportunity to wrestle in a tournament during the season, so this also allows these athletes to gain valuable experience in the sport.”

The Holy Angels Invitational was started 20 years ago by Charlotte Catholic Coach Brendon Battle as the Cougar Invitational. In 2010, Charlotte Catholic High School renamed the event to the Holy Angels Invitational. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Holy Angels, a Belmont facility providing residential, vehicle and medical services as well as educational and vocational programs to people with intellectual development disabilities and medical conditions.

Confirmed high schools competing include: A.L. Brown, Asheboro, Cape Fear, Charlotte Catholic, Charlotte Christian, Charlotte Country Day, Chase, Chilhowie (Virginia), Cuthbertson, Fairfax (Virginia), Glenn, Hickory Ridge, Hopewell, Hough, Independence, Jay M. Robinson, Ledford, Marvin Ridge, Metrolina Christian Academy, Myers Park, North Gaston, North Henderson, North Mecklenburg, Northwest Cabarrus, Northwood, Olympic, Parkwood, Piedmont, Porter Ridge, Providence, Ragsdale, R-S Central, South Rowan, South Stanly, Southwest Guilford, Stuart Cramer, T.C. Roberson, Trinity and Uwharrie Charter.

Competition matches will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28 and 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29. Admission is $10 per individual, per day and includes parking. For more information, email Jim Trenner at jtrenner@live.com.

About Holy Angels

Holy Angels is a private, nonprofit corporation, founded in 1956 by the Sister of Mercy in Belmont, North Carolina, dedicated to providing a home of unconditional love and unlimited possibilities for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. For more information, visit holyangelsnc.org.

About Bojangles’ Coliseum

Bojangles’ Coliseum first opened in 1955 as the largest unsupported steel dome coliseum in the nation. Since then, the multipurpose venue has hosted a wide array of concerts, sporting events, family shows and other diverse entertainment events. The celebrated facility has been known by many names: Charlotte Coliseum, Independence Arena, Cricket Arena and currently Bojangles’ Coliseum. For more information, visit bojanglescoliseum.com.