Big Kahuna Foundation

January 16-17, 2026

The Big Kahuna Classic is a premier event, known as one of the toughest wrestling tournaments in California. Top CIF caliber teams travel from all over the state and the country to compete with the best of the best. The tournament is a nonprofit fundraiser to benefit girls wrestling programs and sponsor qualifiers to travel to the state tournament. It's all in honor of long time coach, official and mentor, the late Richard Morris - aka “The Big Kahuna.”

Event Information

Wrestling

Format: Double elimination 42-woman bracket.

Growth Allowance: In addition to the January 2026 weight allowance of 1lb, wrestlers will receive an additional 1lb on Friday and an addition 1lb on Saturday for a total of 3lbs.

Seeding and Registration: registrations must be submitted to Track Wrestling by Sunday, January 11th.

Schedule

Team Check-in: [TBA]

Weigh-In & Groom Check: 8:00am Friday / 7:00am Saturday. Weigh-in order determined by team’s arrival. There will be a 95lb weight class.

Wrestling: will begin at 10:00am Friday / 9:00am Saturday. Finals and Medal Matches will start at approximately 3:30pm.

Awards: Awards will follow after each weight class’s final match. Individual awards 1st-8th place. Custom awards to the Champions, trophies to the top 5 teams (95lb does not count toward team points) and outstanding wrestler awards to lower and upper weight classes.

Location

Cerritos College

Registration

Team Fees

$495 per team (14 weight classes) by November 1

($525 after November 1)

Teams with less than 8 wrestlers on the team $50 per entry

If a team enters additional wrestlers, including 95lb wt. class, add an additional $50 per wrestler

Coaches will receive 2 wrist bands.

Contracts

The first 45 teams to submit a contract will have a spot reserved in the tournament.

Please mail the contract along with a check made out to "Dick Morris Memorial Foundation" to Ted Norkunas at PO Box 321 Tustin CA, 92781.

CONTRACT & W9

questions?

Mike Lengyel, Tournament Director

Send an email or call (714) 655-2028

Spectators and Volunteers

Skip the line and scan your ticket at the door when you prepay for admission

Prepay for Admission

Admission

General - $10

Student with ID - $5

Kids 6-12 - $5

Under 5 - Free

2024 Tournament

Photos by Mamma Bear Photos

$35,000 raised in 2025

The funds were distributed directly to Southern California girls wrestling programs. In addition, all wrestlers who placed in the top 3 at CIF finals and qualified for the state meet were awarded a scholarship to offset travel costs.

The tournament was a huge success thanks to the 70 teams that attended and countless volunteers including Orange County Wrestling Officials Association (OCWOA) referees and local community members.

If you're interested in volunteering or sponsoring for next year's tournament, please reach out to us at wrestling@bigkahunafoundation.org

2024 Big Kahuna Legacy Award Winner

We recognized Don Apodaca, a wrestling official, coach, and community leader with the Big Kahuna Legacy Award. In addition to his incredible history with the sport, Apodaca personally funded the Santa Ana College women's wrestling "club" to enable competition before they were a sanctioned team. He was also recognized with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023. Apodaca is a prime example of upholding the legacy of the late Richard Morris through his cultivation of the wrestling community and commitment to accessibility for all.

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