Everything You Need to Get Started
Pre-Register for the Takedown
Registration for the 5th Annual Takedown the Tumor Youth Wrestling Tournament will be live soon! Join us for this youth tournament that benefits childhood brain cancer research. Click below to pre-register.
Earn Cool Gear
Kids are encouraged to fundraise for Team Jack leading up to the Takedown. They’ll earn cool prizes for each level they achieve. Prizes range from Takedown the Tumor hats, fight shorts, to hoodies, singlets, Beats & more!
Event Details
The Takedown the Tumor Youth Wrestling Tournament will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2026 at Gretna East High School in Gretna, NE. All girls and boys divisions will begin at 12:00 PM on 10-12 mats until complete.
Wrestle. Fundraise. WIN.
Take your Takedown to the Next Level! Compete on the mat. Raise money for kids with brain cancer. Earn awesome rewards along the way!
• Raise $150 and get your registration fee refunded, then keep fundraising and earn a t-shirt, hat, hoodie, fight shorts, singlet, wrestling shoes from Rudis, and Beats!
• The Team/Club with the most funds raised will win a *two-hour camp session led by members of the University of Nebraska Wrestling program!
• The first 10 wrestlers that raise $1,000 in fundraising will receive a FREE Competition Hammer Camp from Purler Wrestling!
Takedown the Tumor is a youth wrestling tournament held annually in Omaha. The proceeds from the event will benefit childhood brain cancer research through the Team Jack Foundation.
The first four years of the Takedown combined to raise over $295,000 for childhood brain cancer research. Register early to guarantee your spot at the Takedown! We are excited to continue to grow this event to further advance our mission while providing a competitive youth wrestling experience! Kids love the giant trophies and awesome Takedown medals!
Sponsor the Takedown
This event simply would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. Takedown the Tumor raises significant funds for childhood brain cancer research. Research so desperately needed to develop kinder, more effective treatments to help kids not only survive their diagnosis, but go on to live happy and healthy lives. There are various sponsorship levels available, so please take a look at the sponsorship packet to find what level suits your needs.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors:
Takedown Mat Sponsors:
Victory Sponsors:
Takedown the Tumor is Supported by:
In-Kind Sponsors:
Weigh-In Sites | Stay Tuned for Details
Kieran Akerson: The inspiration behind the Takedown
The inspiration behind the wrestling tournament is Kieran Akerson of Valley, Nebraska. As a youngster, Kieran was a multiple-time state wrestling champion. In late 2020 at age 12, he was diagnosed with brain cancer (low grade glioma/astrocytoma). After a successful 11-hour tumor resection surgery and inpatient rehabilitation he was on the road to recovery. There is residual tumor that is being monitored closely and another surgery in the future in probable. Remarkably, Kieran is a three-time Class A State medalist for Creighton Prep!
After being directly affected by childhood brain cancer and learning of the lack of funding and outdated treatments, Kieran’s family started the annual charity wrestling tournament, Takedown the Tumor. Funds from the tournament benefit Team Jack and our Brain Tumor Program at UNMC and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
In 2013, Jack Hoffman scored a touchdown in the Nebraska Spring Game, and won an ESPY Award for Best Moment in Sports.
Help Us Fund the Cure.
The Team Jack Foundation, a Nebraska-based nonprofit organization, was founded in January 2013, by Andy and Brianna Hoffman, parents of the late Jack Hoffman. The mission of the Foundation is to raise money to fund impactful childhood brain cancer research and work to raise national awareness for the disease.