USMCdevil2005;1699773 wrote:Is this the Reiman Invitational?
Yes. Appropriately honoring one of the greatest wrestling families in all of Ohio:
The Riemans. It was initially named after
Tony Rieman, Delaware's longtime tournament director, supporter, wrestling dad, mentor, and friend. And anyone who has been to or competed in a tournament in Delaware can attest to Tony's competence as a tournament director; a military man, he runs them with precision...as effectively, efficiently, and appropriately as anyone in the sport. Over the years, the tournament name has also come to be connected with Tony's late wife Traci Rieman, who, beyond putting together one of the grandest hospitality rooms known to our sport, helped to raise three outstanding Hayes' wrestlers, cared for a number of our less-fortunate wrestlers, and supported our program in innumerable ways. And, over the years, whether it has been said or not, the tournament name is connected with all the Riemans who affect Delaware Wrestling. Tony and Traci's eldest son Joe was a Hayes state placer in the early 2000's and is now a doctor in Michigan raising wrestlers of his own. When in town, he always finds his way into our wrestling room to help coach and pass on wrestling knowledge to our current athletes. Kevin, their middle son, a teacher at Delaware's Willis Intermediate School, was also a state placer for Hayes, and a standout GR/FS wrestler. He is now is a Hayes' HS assistant and heavily involved in the AAU JO's. Mark, their youngest son, also a teacher at Willis, had over 120 HS wins at Hayes. He is the head coach of Delaware Dempsey Middle School and heavily involved with the off-season youth program and the AAU JO's. Mark and Kevin have both been recognized by the CDWCA as MS Coach-of-the-Year. Their positive influence on the lives of young men in Delaware is amazing. Kevin's wife, Beth Rieman, at DCS teacher, has picked up where Traci left off as hospitality room coordinator and, along with Traci's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cooperstein, supports Delaware wrestlers in the stands at nearly every event. Mark's girlfriend Rachel is the stat adviser for Mark's MS team and sings the National Anthem (beautifully) at our tournaments. Tony has recently remarried and Sally, his new wife, is as appreciative of Tony passion for the sport and supportive of our program as any Rieman. Though he'll hate that I wrote this because he is not recognition-seeking sort of guy, Tony is utterly deserving of any small honor Delaware Wrestling can bestow upon him. Our team, program, district and sport are better because of his, and his family's, efforts. If you ever get the chance, find Tony, shake his hand, and thank him for what he does for wrestling. He'll probably say something that'll make you laugh.
I'll also add this: Besides being a meat-grinder of a one-day tournament filled with studs in every weight, the tournament also does something else deserving of recognition: it honors
wrestling moms. This was an idea of Tony's after Traci's passing and has come to be one of the BEST pre-finals event I have ever witnessed. Each team recognizes one wrestling mom in a short ceremony before the finals. The head coach writes a few lines why that particular team mom was chosen to be honored and, usually, there is a more lengthy speech given by one coach specially honoring a mom. In the past, Tony has said words on behalf of Traci; Michael Freado, a Delaware Dempsey MS coach spoke about lessons his late mother gave him; Dom Disabato, Hilliard Davidson's head coach, told some stories about his mom, who knew a thing or two about the sport. It is a pretty moving ceremony...a well spent few minutes honoring the strong women behind the scenes that support our sport, our coaches, and, most importantly, our athletes.
That ceremony is set to start around 5pm on Saturday before the finals.
