AMBOY – If you were strolling the streets of downtown Amboy during Depot Days this past weekend, you saw some giant mats being rolled out on Saturday.

August 24 kicked off Meet in the Streets 2, an old-timer’s wrestling tournament that was established last year to rejuvenate the wrestling culture in Amboy.

“I originally did this to get wrestling out there and let everyone in the area see more of what wrestling is and how far it goes. Wrestling is in you for life,” said John Janssen, who operated Meet in the Streets 1 with Brent Montavon, and did Meet in the Streets 2 by himself. “The first one went amazing with eight teams and some tough wrestling. There was 500-700 people standing along the mats all day long. It brings more people to Depot Days because it’s a different event with a different fan base.

“This year, we had six teams registered ahead of time. I changed the set up this year and instilled two more weights. We had 10 instead of eight. The teams could have 10 wrestlers and two alternates.”

The 21-over tournament had a few more changes.

This time around there was a winner’s bracket and a wrestle-back (consolation) bracket to crown first, second, and third. The first-place team received a seven-pound championship belt and six-inch gold medals. Also, the first-, second-, and third-place teams were able to take home winner’s brackets to hang in their gyms. 

Janssen, who grew up in Amboy and Sublette, and moved to Blackduck, Minnesota during his sophomore year, is excited to keep the Meet in the Street series going as wrestlers are coming and putting on solid performances and the crowd is interested in every grab, whistle, roll, and victory.