Wrestling physician B.J. Anderson, "The Mat Doctor," helps inspect more than 450 wrestlers at Xcel Energy Center, who must be medically cleared before they can compete in the state tournament. (Elizabeth Flores/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The spectacle that is the Minnesota wrestling state tournament commenced at 7:28 a.m. Thursday with a request over a walkie-talkie.

“Do you have a big rolling garbage can that we can use for fingernails,” the voice said as a tournament official nearby held a large envelope containing nail clippers.

The competitors already know the drill. Long nails will get flagged by the medical staff. Keep ‘em short and smooth, or else you’ll be forced to clip them at the large garbage can.

“We want to be safe and healthy,” said Christy Lamers, a certified athletic trainer who checked roughly 100 wrestlers from head to toe Thursday before the start of team competition at Xcel Energy Center.

Safety first is the credo of this event.

For more on how the medical professionals help keep wrestlers safe, click here to read this story on startribune.com.