It's a big weekend for wrestling fans in the Ohio Valley -- the 59th annual Ron Mauck OVAC Wrestling Tournament.


Hundreds of high school students are competing for a number of awards, and while Friday is just the beginning for the event, NEWS9 found out how it impacts the Friendly City."


Over the course of the three-day event held in Wesbanco Arena, officials estimate 9,000 people will walk into the arena.


"It's been said this is the largest high school tournament in America," arena Executive Director Denny Magruder said.


Magruder said people have been watching teams compete for two days now.


"It's amazing how many people will come and sit and will literally watch 16 to 20 hours of wrestling. They are the real fans," Magruder said.


Besides the wrestling, people from all over the tri-state area gather in Wheeling.


"A lot of people will head back to a hotel and maybe catch some TV; some of the people commute back and forth each day," Magruder said.


Folks at the McClure Hotel, just up the street, don't have a room to spare.


"We have multiple rooms currently occupied by the wrestling championship, and it's been a lot of fun. Keeping us busy, no doubt," hotel manager Cynthia Adams said.


Adams said people started arriving Wednesday, and all seven floors are packed with nothing but wrestlers and their families. She says all-around, the event is great for business.


"Not only is it good for us here at the McClure, but multiple of the businesses here in the downtown area. We all prosper from it," Adams said.


Back at the arena, with the weather holding up, Magruder said Saturday will be the big night.


"It varies and it depends on the weather, but sometimes on Saturday night, they will have 2,300 to 2,400 people here for that event," Magruder said.


Starting Saturday, the tournament, presented by WTOV9, will be aired live following NEWS9 at 6.