NEWARK, Del., August 8, 2020 – The 2020 Beast of the East wrestling tournament at the University of Delaware has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association suspended all high school sports in the state of Delaware through January 2021, the Delaware Wrestling Alliance, which runs the tournament, cancelled the event.
The 28th annual event was scheduled for December. Teams and wrestlers register for this year’s event will be automatically accepted at the December 2021 event. “We are saddened by the news but understand it is in the best interest of the wrestlers, coaches, fans and volunteers,” the tournament committee said in a statement.
In Delaware, wrestling and football are not approved to be played at this time — even in January, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health.
Three Connecticut wrestlers have won medals at the tournament, one of the most prestigious early-season tournaments on the East Coast. Danbury’s Ryan Jack (126) was fourth in December 2018 while Danbury’s Jakob Camacho (120) was fifth in December 2016.
In December 2017, Jack finished sixth at 120 pounds while Xavier’s Ryan Devivo was sixth at 170 pounds.
Connecticut Wrestling Online has been covering the sport of wrestling in Connecticut and New England since 2001.