RMN Head Official Bill X. Barron with RJ Lowdog (Montana High School State Placer: Freshman 2018 6th, Sophomore 2019 3rd)

NOTE: If you have questions on the rules or their interpretations, or you would like input on a situation you experienced, email Bill: bill@rmnevents.com. Provide as much detail and context as possible, including the opponent, age & weight group, period and time, tournament round, as well as any illustrative pictures.

Principle & Spirit of Competition

Wrestling, as life, is a series of tests and challenges. If character is the measure of a person’s response to adversity, the sport of wrestling consistently reminds one that adversity is inescapable. Therefore, to approach your best not only in wrestling, but in life as well, one must know and believe in the person and athlete you are. Because you may approach a contest not even knowing what your best looks like, you must be willing to experience a best previously unknown to you. That takes courage, foresight, integrity, as well as a heightened level of self-honesty.

Our Perspective on Officiating

Given the nature of this open tournament and the youth age groups we serve, it is important to remember the principle of maintaining the integrity of the sport and spirit of the meet. With the younger kids we are teachers as much as guides and enforcers, a give-and-take situation which may initially require more guidance and patience, especially with regard to keeping holds legal and when starting or restarting the action. We will make our best effort to remain patient, positive, and professional at all times.

Because the offensive wrestler has earned the position of advantage, we monitor the situation while ensuring that the wrestler safely and successfully executes his/her hold. Officials will verbally warn before stopping a hold from endangering the opponent. Single and double arm bars, half nelsons, and headlocks are legal when used properly, yet they are always potentially dangerous.

We remain aware of the impact of vast differences in strength, ability, or experience within an age group. As the experience and age level advance, compounded by the more competitive rounds in the tournament, the expectations of the athletes, coaches, and officials rise in similar measure.

– Bill X. Barron, RMN Head Official

Tim ‘Rico’ Gilbert, Georgia

Rico encourages colleagues who seek improvement to “work the best tournaments like Rocky Mountain Nationals Events. I applaud RMN for all the opportunities they give officials across the country to officiate at the highest level. Their competition is far greater than any other wrestling organization. RMN leadership is on point, always looking for ways that officials can improve as well as listening to their suggestions.”

Rico asserts: “If wrestling is to survive, then coaches, officials, athletes, teams, and states all need to work with each other. With an RMN Event, you find that Ed Gutierrez and his family are good people; people who are involved with everyone, cite a prayer, and have a personal touch. Everyone can learn from their example.”

Bill Barron - Spirit and Principle of Competition

Bill Barron Philosophy & Perspective

Rico Gilbert, GA Hall of Fame Official

Kim Hernandez, TX Top Female Official