DeKalb, IL –Northern Illinois University’s (NIU) Convocation Center is set to host the 2023 Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) State Wrestling Finals, March 10-11.  The event is hosted locally by the DeKalb Wrestling Club, and DeKalb County has been the site of the IESA State Wrestling Finals since 1999. The event traditionally attracts 5,000 visitors to the area and contributes an estimated $400,000 to the local economy during the two-day event.

Admission for spectators at the NIU Convocation Center opens at 10 a.m. Friday, March 10 and 8 a.m. Saturday, March 11 with competition in both Class A and Class AA starting at 11:30 a.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday. Daily admission fees for the IESA State Wrestling Finals are $15 for adults, and $10 for senior citizens and K-8 students. Pre-school children are admitted free. Additional information about the IESA State Wrestling Finals can be found on the IESA website, www.iesa.org/activities/bwr.

Wrestlers in grades fifth through eighth from across the state will participate individually and in team competition in a two-class format. 278 schools from across the state are participating in this year’s IESA State Wrestling State Tournament Series. The IESA State Wrestling Finals made its DeKalb County debut in 1999 with venerable Chick Evans Field House serving as the host venue. The NIU Convocation Center has hosted the event since 2003.

DeKalb County and Northern Illinois University’s long history of supporting and hosting student-athletes and state tournaments include the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Football Championships, IHSA Boys and Girls Basketball Super-Sectionals and numerous cheerleading and dance competitions. The DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud of its strong relationship with the IESA and the State Wrestling Finals, and DeKalb County looks forward to welcoming thousands of fans from across the state to the NIU Convocation Center the weekend of March 10 – 11.