This year, March 12 and 13 is the 6th Annual Brodie Gorder Memorial Iron Eagle Open Wrestling Duels and Invitational. The competition is to raise funds for the Brodie Gorder Memorial Project, a non-profit that provides grants and scholarships for the benefit of the youth of Richland County as well as promote wrestling as a sport and ATV safety awareness.
Brodie Gorder lived on his family’s ranch along the Yellowstone River with his five brothers and sisters. He was a 4-H member but he loved wrestling and put on a singlet for the first time at the age of three. Unfortunately, at the age of eight, he was involved in an ATV accident and succumbed to his injuries. Devastated by the loss, his parents Shane and Lisa Gorder created the Brodie Gorder Memorial Project in memory of their funny and mischievous little boy. Other than the tournament, the Brodie Gorder Project also holds a Fun Run in June, an ATV safety booth at the fair, and does concessions at multiple events in the community. Lisa said, “We try to make Richland County a better place in memory of Brodie.” The organization was helpful from the start and is able to help more and more in the community as the years go on. The first year they handed out two college scholarships, then four, in 2021 the Brodie Gorder Memorial Project was able to provide eight scholarships to hopeful, young students. The Project has donated 4-H pigs and steers. They have also been able to help the local schools with projects.
The competition starts at 8 a.m. in the Sidney High School Gym and Wrestling Room on both days. Saturday will be duels while Sunday is the invitationals. Even though they had to cap the number of competitors last year for COVID safety, they are expecting 600 competitors this year. Lisa said they will have seven mats for duel competitions and ten for individuals. There will be 21 weight classes in the duels and seven divisions for the invitationals. Wrestlers who are undefeated both days will receive an Iron Eagle jacket. Further information about the tournament can be found on the Brodie Gorder Memorial Project Facebook page or their website, http://www.foreverwrestle.com.
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