NEW YORK, New York (November 1, 2011) – Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. announces that it will sponsor an International Dual Meet between National Team Members from the USA vs. National Team Members from Mongolia.

The match will take place on Thursday, November 10th, 2011 at 6:00 PM at Grand Street Campus High School in Brooklyn.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for us to host such a high-level event at one of our marquee programs,” said Beat the Streets Board Chairman, Michael Novogratz. “Not only will our kids be able to see international-caliber competition up close, but they have an opportunity to learn from the Olympic team coach, Zeke Jones. We’re excited about it.”

Competition will be held in both Men’s and Women’s Freestyle and will feature some of the best wrestlers in the country: 2011 World Team member Reece Humphrey, 2010 member Brent Metcalf, as well as Sam Hazewinkel and Andrew Howe, both 2011 World Team runners-up.

On the Women’s side, participants include 2008 World Champion Clarissa Chun, 2005 World Champion Iris Smith, 2011 Pan-Am Champion Helen Maroulis, 2009 Junior World Bronze Medalist Veronica Carlson, and 7-time Age Group National Champion Melissa Simmons.

The Mongolian team will also be very talented and experienced.

The women’s team will feature 2009 World silver medalist Burmaa Ochirbat at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. and 2009 World bronze medalist Odonchimeg Badrakh at 72 kg/158.5 lbs., plus 2010 Junior World silver medalist Davaasuren Bayarmagnai at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. The men’s team will include two members of its 2011 World Team, Mandakhnaran Ganzorig at 60 kg/132 lbs and Unurbat Purevjav at 74 kg/163 lbs.

Prior to the match, National Team Coach Zeke Jones will conduct a practice for Beat the Streets Junior Olympic Athletes from grades 6 through High School at Grand Street. “Beat the Streets has a history of putting on really top-notch events and we’re very happy to be working with them again on this one,” Jones said.

Mitch Hull, USA Wrestling Director of National Teams, said, “It’s always a special opportunity when you can bring a team from halfway around the world and set up a competition in the middle of Brooklyn. That doesn’t happen too often.”

The members of the Mongolian National Freestyle Team are in the U.S. on a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) SportsUnited Sports Visitor Program. During the recent visit of Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj to the U.S., Ambassador Adam Ereli, the Bureau’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, presented President Elbegdorj with a USA Wrestling jacket and announced the upcoming exchange.

General Admission is only $5.00 at the door.

Grand Street Campus High School is located at the corner of Grand St. and Bushwick Ave in Brooklyn and is easily accessible from the “L” Subway Line. See www.beat-the-streets.org for more information.

About Beat the Streets

Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to help New York City’s student-athletes achieve their athletic and personal goals. Since the institution of the first Beat the Streets program in 2004, New York City has seen over 100 new Middle School, High School, and Club wrestling teams begin, in all five boroughs. BTS programs provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which thousands of disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of personal responsibility, physical fitness, education, and teamwork. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through tutoring, after-school programs, mentoring, and coaching. More information can be found at www.beat-the-streets.org.

USA Wrestling has released the first 65 athletes who have qualified to compete at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling in Iowa City, Iowa, April 21-22.

The qualification process for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials has begun, based upon the qualifying procedures approved by the U.S. Olympic Committee for wrestling.

Each of the three Olympic styles of wrestling will have a different qualification process, as proposed by their individual Sports Committees, presented by USA Wrestling and approved by the USOC.

Athletes who have already qualified include the following:

Past U.S. World and Olympic Team members in all three styles
The top three placewinners at the 2011 U.S. World Team Trials in men’s freestyle wrestling.

The list of past U.S. World and Olympic Team members includes wrestlers who have indicated that they may try out for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team.

Based upon the approved qualification process, three athletes have already guaranteed themselves a spot in the Championship Finals Series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City, by virtue of winning a medal at an Olympic weight class at the 2011 World Wrestling Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

Those automatically in the Championship Finals Series are:

• 2011 World Champion Jordan Burroughs (Lincoln, Neb./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. in men’s freestyle
• 2011 World bronze medalist Ali Bernard (New Ulm, Minn./Gator WC) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. in women’s freestyle
• 2011 World bronze medalist Jake Varner (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. in men’s freestyle

These three athletes will only have to win a best-of-three series in Iowa City to secure a spot on the Olympic team.

The approved Olympic Team Selection Criteria for each style can be read at:

http://www.themat.com/usawrestling.org/nationalteams.php?page=team_criteria

The next scheduled event which will provide the opportunity to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for wrestling is the Sunkist Kids International Open in Mesa, Ariz., October 29-30.

This year, there will not be a U.S. Open for men’s freestyle. Instead, there will be a Men’s Freestyle Olympic Trials Qualifier held in Las Vegas, Nev., Dec. 3 in Las Vegas, Nev., held alongside the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational. Three athletes in each weight class will qualify for Iowa City.

The U.S. Open for Greco-Roman and Women’s Freestyle will be held in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 16-17, 2011. Seven athletes in each weight class will qualify for Iowa City from this event.

In addition to listing the athletes by weight class, USA Wrestling will also produce a list of qualifiers based upon their college affiliation, either as a current or past student-athlete, current coach or involvement with a Regional Training Center.

USA Wrestling will continue to update and publish the list of athletes who have qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling.

For more information on the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, visit:

IowaCitytoLondon.com

UPDATED QUALIFIERS FOR U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS FOR WRESTLING (as of Oct. 5)

The qualification process has begun for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa, April 20-21. Please note that athletes may change weights from where they qualified. Also, please note that each style has a different qualification system for their Olympic Trials field.

2012 MEN’S FREESTYLE U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS QUALIFIERS

55 kg/121 pounds

’11 World Team Trials Champion – Nick Simmons, Corvallis, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)

’11 World Team Trials second place – Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)

’11 World Team Trials, true third place – Obe Blanc, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)

*Sunkist International highest U.S. in top 4 –

*New York AC International highest U.S. in top 4 –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier Champion –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place –

*Dave Schultz highest U.S. in top 6 –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Henry Cejudo, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member – Danny Felix, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member – Obe Blanc, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Nick Simmons, Corvallis, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

60 kg/132 pounds

’11 World Team Trials Champion – Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)

’11 World Team Trials second place – Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC)

’11 World Team Trials, true third place – Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)

*Sunkist International highest U.S. in top 4 –

*New York AC International highest U.S. in top 4 –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier Champion –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place –

*Dave Schultz highest U.S. in top 6 –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC)

Past U.S. World Team member -

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

66 kg/145.5 pounds

’11 World Team Trials Champion – Teyon Ware, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

’11 World Team Trials second place – Brent Metcalf, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC)

’11 World Team Trials, true third place – Josh Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)

*Sunkist International highest U.S. in top 4 –

*New York AC International highest U.S. in top 4 –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier Champion –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place –

*Dave Schultz highest U.S. in top 6 –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Cary Kolat, Chapel Hill, N.C. (North Carolina RTC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Teyon Ware, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Brent Metcalf, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member -

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

74 kg/163 pounds

’11 World Medalist in Trials Finals – Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)

Challenge Tournament qualifiers

’11 World Team Trials second place – Andrew Howe, Cedar Lake, Ind. (New York AC)

’11 World Team Trials, true third place – Nick Marable, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)

*Sunkist International highest U.S. in top 4 –

*New York AC International highest U.S. in top 4 –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier Champion –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place –

*Dave Schultz highest U.S. in top 6 –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. World Team member – Trent Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member – Dustin Schlatter, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Past U.S. World Team member – Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

84 kg/185 pounds

’11 World Team Trials Champion – Cael Sanderson, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

’11 World Team Trials second place – Jake Herbert, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)

’11 World Team Trials, true third place – Keith Gavin, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)

*Sunkist International highest U.S. in top 4 –

*New York AC International highest U.S. in top 4 –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier Champion –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place –

*Dave Schultz highest U.S. in top 6 –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Cael Sanderson, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Jake Herbert, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member -

Past U.S. World Team member -

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

96 kg/211.5 pounds

’11 World Medalist in Trials Finals – Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

Challenge Tournament qualifiers

’11 World Team Trials second place – Chad Hanke, Dayton, Ore. (NWRTC)

’11 World Team Trials, true third place – Dustin Kilgore, Berea, Ohio (Golden Pride WC)

*Sunkist International highest U.S. in top 4 –

*New York AC International highest U.S. in top 4 –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier Champion –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place –

*Dave Schultz highest U.S. in top 6 –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Kurt Angle, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Past U.S. World Team member – J. D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

Wildcard selection, if applicable –

120 kg/264.5 pounds

’11 World Team Trials Champion – Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)

’11 World Team Trials second place – Steve Mocco, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC)

’11 World Team Trials, true third place – Dom Bradley, Blue Springs, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)

*Sunkist International highest U.S. in top 4 –

*New York AC International highest U.S. in top 4 –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier Champion –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up –

’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place –

*Dave Schultz highest U.S. in top 6 –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Steve Mocco, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member – Tommy Rowlands, Hilliard, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

* For Sunkist, NYAC and Schultz events, this is the highest previously non-qualified U.S. athlete within the specified placement range.

2012 GRECO-ROMAN U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS QUALIFIERS

55 kg/121 pounds

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

’11 Interservice champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Spenser Mango, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

Past U.S. World Team member –

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

60 kg/132 pounds

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

’11 Interservice champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member –

Past U.S. World Team member – Joe Betterman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member – Jeremiah Davis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

Past U.S. World Team member – Joe Warren, Monument, Colo. (New York AC)

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

66 kg/145.5 pounds

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

’11 Interservice champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member –

Past U.S. World Team member – Justin Lester, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

Past U.S. World Team member – Faruk Sahin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

74 kg/163 pounds

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

’11 Interservice champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Jacob Deitchler, Ramsey, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Past U.S. World Team member – Jake Fisher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Andrew Bisek, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm)

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

84 kg/185 pounds

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

’11 Interservice champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member –

Past U.S. World Team member – Cheney Haight, Boise, Idaho (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Jake Clark, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Past U.S. World Team member – Chas Betts, Colorado Springs, Colo.(Minnesota Storm)

Past U.S. World Team member – Keith Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

96 kg/211.5 pounds

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

’11 Interservice champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member –

Past U.S. World Team member – Justin Ruiz, Meridian, Idaho (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member – R.C. Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

120 kg/264.5 pounds

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

’11 Interservice champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Rulon Gardner, Logan, Utah (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member –

Wildcard selection, if applicable -

** Pan Am/North American events from July 1, 2011 through Olympic Trials date

*** Approved international event within one year of Olympic Trials date

2012 WOMEN’S FREESTYLE U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS QUALIFIERS

48 kg/105.5 pounds

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 48 kg Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 48 kg, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 48 kg, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 48 kg, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 48 kg, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 48 kg, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 48 kg, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

’12 WCWA 48 kg No. 1 American –

’12 WCWA 48 kg No. 2 American –

’12 WCWA non-Olympic weight No. 1 American –

’12 University Nationals 48 kg champion -

Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member – Mary Kelly, Marquette, Mich. (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Jessica Medina, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member – Alyssa Lampe, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

55 kg/121 pounds

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 55 kg Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 55 kg, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 55 kg, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 55 kg, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 55 kg, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 55 kg, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 55 kg, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

’12 WCWA 55 kg No. 1 American –

’12 WCWA 55 kg No. 2 American –

’12 WCWA non-Olympic weight No. 1 American –

’12 University Nationals 55 kg champion -

Past U.S. Olympic Team member –

Past U.S. World Team member – Tatiana Padilla, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member – Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (New York AC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Kelsey Campbell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

Past U.S. World Team member – Deanna Rix, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

63 kg/138.75 pounds

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 63 kg Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 63 kg, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 63 kg, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 63 kg, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 63 kg, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 63 kg, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 63 kg, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

’12 WCWA 63 kg No. 1 American –

’12 WCWA 63 kg No. 2 American –

’12 WCWA non-Olympic weight No. 1 American –

’12 University Nationals 63 kg champion -

Past U.S. Olympic Team member –

Past U.S. World Team member – Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)

Past U.S. World Team member – Kristie Davis, Yukon, Okla. (Gator WC/OCU)

Past U.S. World Team member – Adeline Gray, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

72 kg/158.5 pounds

’11 World Medalist in Trials Finals – Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Gator WC)

Challenge Tournament qualifiers

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 72 kg Champion –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 72 kg, second place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 72 kg, third place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 72 kg, fourth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 72 kg, fifth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 72 kg, sixth place –

Dec. ’11 U.S. Open 72 kg, seventh place –

**FILA Pan Am/North American Sr. event champion –

***International tour medalist in Europe –

***International tour medalist in Asia –

***International tour medalist in Cuba -

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 1 non-qualified –

’12 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier No. 2 non-qualified –

’12 WCWA 72 kg No. 1 American –

’12 WCWA 72 kg No. 2 American –

’12 WCWA non-Olympic weight No. 1 American –

’12 University Nationals 72 kg champion -

Past U.S. Olympic Team member –

Past U.S. World Team member – Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

Past U.S. World Team member – Stephany Lee, Colo. Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

** Pan Am/North American events from July 1, 2011 through Olympic Trials date

*** Approved international event within one year of Olympic Trials date

UPDATED COLLEGE AFFILIATIONS

(as student-athletes, current coach or training center affiliation)

Alberta (Canada) – Ali Bernard (72kg W)

Arizona State – Danny Felix (55kg FS), Kelsey Campbell (55kg W)

Clarion – Kurt Angle (96kg FS)

Cumberlands – Jessica Medina (48kg W)

Edinboro – Shawn Bunch (60kg FS)

Hudson Valley CC – Kristie Davis (63kg W)

Iowa – Mike Zadick (60kg FS), Brent Metcalf (66kg FS), Steve Mocco (120kg FS)

Iowa State – Trent Paulson (74kg FS), Travis Paulson (74kg FS), Cael Sanderson (84kg FS), Jake Varner (96kg FS), Justin Lester (66kg GR),

Kent State – Dustin Kilgore (96kg FS),

Lehigh – Coach/Train: Keith Gavin (84kg FS), Steve Mocco (120kg FS)

Lindenwood – Tatiana Padilla (55kg W)

Lock Haven – Obe Blanc (55kg FS), Cary Kolat (66kg FS)

MacMurray – Mary Kelly (48kg W),

Michigan – Josh Churella (66kg FS); Andy Hrovat (84kg FS), Joe Warren (60kg GR), Coach/Train: Andrew Howe (74kg FS), Jake Herbert (84kg FS),

Michigan State – Nick Simmons (55kg FS)

Minnesota – Dustin Schlatter (74kg FS), Jake Deitchler (74kg GR), Jake Clark (84kg GR),

Missouri – Nick Marable (74 kg FS), Dom Bradley (120kg FS)

Missouri Baptist – Helen Maroulis (55kg W)

Missouri Valley – Clarissa Chun (48kg W), Stephany Lee (72kg W)

Nebraska – Jordan Burroughs (74kg FS), Justin Ruiz (96kg GR), Rulon Gardner (120kg GR)

Nebraska-Kearney: Tervel Dlagnev (120kg FS)

Nebraska-Omaha: Les Sigman (120kg FS)

Neosho County CC – Mary Kelly (48kg FS)

North Carolina – Coach/Train: Cary Kolat (66kg FS)

North Carolina A&T – Dremiel Byers (120kg GR)

Northern Michigan – Spenser Mango (55kg GR), Joe Betterman (60kg GR), Jeremiah Davis (60kg GR), Justin Lester (66kg GR), Jake Fisher (74kg GR), Andrew Bisek (74kg GR), Cheney Haight (84kg GR), Chas Betts (84kg GR), R.C. Johnson (96kg GR), Mary Kelly (48kg W), Whitney Conder (48kg W), Alyssa Lampe (48kg W); Deanna Rix (55kg W),

Northwestern – Jake Herbert (84kg FS),

Ohio State: Reece Humphrey (60kg FS); J.D. Bergman (96kg FS), Tommy Rowlands (120kg FS); Coach/Train – Shawn Bunch (60kg FS), Tervel Dlagnev (120kg FS); Henry Cejudo (55kg FS)

Oklahoma – Sam Hazewinkel (55kg FS), Teyon Ware (66kg FS)

Oklahoma City – Kristie Davis (63kg W)

Oklahoma State: Obe Blanc (55kg FS), Coleman Scott (60kg FS), Steve Mocco (120kg FS)

Oregon State – Chad Henke (96kg FS), Coach: Nick Simmons (55kg FS)

Penn State – Cary Kolat (66kg FS), Coach/Train: Teyon Ware (66kg FS), Cael Sanderson (84kg FS), Jake Varner (96kg FS); Les Sigman (120kg FS)

Pittsburgh – Keith Gavin (84kg FS),

Regina (Canada) – Ali Bernard (72kg W)

Selcuk Univ. (Turkey) – Faruk Sahin (66kg GR)

Simon Fraser (Canada) – Helen Maroulis (55kg W)

Utah Valley – Coach/Train: Justin Ruiz (96kg GR)

Wisconsin – Andrew Howe (74kg FS)

West Virginia – Coach/train: Danny Felix (55kg FS)

Eric Falkenstein, Falkenblog

This video on why Russians are better wrestlers than Americans I found quite profound. In general Russians are known as being tough–think Siberia, the battle of Stalingrad–but in wrestling it’s the Americans who are tougher, they work harder and are better conditioned. Yet Russians generally dominate American wrestlers.

Ken Primola argues that the Russians are better because they are more cerebral, they are more into technique. As I’m a coach for little kids, I see a lot of the high school and college kids, and know that in America they are basically taught that the primary attribute of a great wrestler is hard work. There’s a 90% chance that for any great high school wrestler after a big loss he will say ‘I have to work harder’, not realizing it’s a cliche because he believes it’s the essence of being the best. Clearly, to be really good you have to work hard. But after a certain point, everyone has put in 10,000 hours, and so simply working harder has very little marginal benefit.

See the Video and Read more: http://falkenblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/when-priorities-dominate-effort.html#ixzz1RQWI8Nio

It may be one of the oldest sports known to civilization but American soap-style WWE aside, freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling has never reached wide appeal in Great Britain.

GB last achieved an Olympic medal in 1984 at the Los Angeles Games, where Noel Loban battled to bronze, but like many of the lower-profile Olympic sports in Britain, wrestling hopes that 2012 will help capture a greater interest and participation.

“If we can achieve success in London, the sport will move from strength to strength because it will mean we have the structures, resources and the personnel, to achieve more as we move towards 2016,” stated British wrestling performance director Shaun Morley.

The process began in 2005 when UK Sport announced they were investing nearly £2.5m into wrestling in the lead up to the Beijing Games.

“For an athlete when you’re involved with a sport and a load of money comes into it, it’s really exciting,” commented British wrestler Mark Cocker.

British Wrestling were bold, they decided to take advice and assistance from eastern-European nations such as Ukraine and Bulgaria, where the sport enjoys much greater interest and traditionally, international success.

Read the entire article by By Nick Hope – BBC Olympic Sports Reporter here…

FILA, long known as daring a innovator in the sport of wrestling, has released new rules changes that go into effect immediately.

“We are very excited,” said Jacques Snifter, chairman of the rules committee. “It is always our goal to keep fans entertained, and how can you do that with the same rules every year? It is all terribly predictable.”

Under the new rules, each match will start with a ball grab. Each athlete will either have blue balls or red balls. Each of the three officials then flips a disk with a blue and a red side. Whichever color wins the majority wins the choice, unless the other man scores.

Matches will be only 30 seconds long, and if you take the opponent down or push him out, you win the bout.

Asked about the particulars, Mr. Snifter explained, “Look, things like takedowns and pins are very overrated. Those things require a lot of effort on the part of the athlete and put a lot of stress on the officials.” As a bonus, he said, “tournaments will now take only a few hours, saving a great deal of money.”

“Now that is wrestling!” stated Snifter. Another change is that every wrestler who loses to the eventual champion will be awarded a placement of third.

Asked whether takedowns and pins were two core aspects of our sport, Snifter replied, “Maybe for you Americans, but I am French and I would much rather avoid conflict if possible. We imagine 30 very stimulating seconds that start with a ball grab, and end with a wrestler’s foot being thrust from the boundary marker.”

Other international authorities liked the plan.

“It’s good,” said Russian freestyle coach Drobstev Shutinski, with a shrug. “We can take you down in 30 seconds anyway. Now we can smoke more.”

The changes have been less popular in the United States.

“Aw, man, now I gotta come back,” complained Melvin Douglas, a former world champion. “It’s been 15 years since I stopped training, and 10 since I stopped competing, but how can I lose under these rules? Why won’t they leave me alone?”

Former U.S. Freestyle coach Terry Brands expressed disapproval also, but his comments were not suitable for publication.

Happy April Fools Day from TOM

Join Olympic & World Champion brother, Mark Schultz and USA Wrestling’s Dan Gable, Lee Kemp, Stan Dziedzic, Jim Humphrey, Kenny Monday, Lee Roy Smith and Rich Bender as well as Canadian Olympian Gary Holmes on a reflective journey back on Dave Schultz, who was tragically murdered 15 years ago.

The consummate wrestler, Dave Schultz’s results were extraordinary at every level of wrestling possible. A High School, NCAA, USA, Pan Am, World Cup, World and Olympic Champion, Dave’s accomplishments are what legends are made of. Dave’s imprint on wrestling will be forever carved in history, not only as one of America’s greatest wrestlers, but one of the most unique and prolific wrestlers to grace the world scene.

www.blogtalkradio.com/wrestlingedgeradio

After a collegiate wrestling career at Lock Haven and a succesful run as a high school head coach at Jackson Memorial High School, Rutgers head wrestling coach Scott Goodale has been steadily moving the Scarlet Knights up in the rankings.

But while an impressive 20-1 dual meet record is cause for celebration, Jason Bryant talks with Goodale about what the program will need to do in order to gain respect within the wrestling world.

Listen to Goodale’s interview on the latest installement of the USA Wrestling MatChat Podcast.

U.S. medalists Wynn Michalak (96 kg) and Nicole Woody (48 kg) at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Freestyle Tournament in Jalandhar City, India. Dave Bennett photo

JALANDHAR CITY, India – Two U.S. wrestlers won medals on the first day of the 2011 Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament on Saturday.

Capturing a silver medal at the 96 kg/211.5 lbs. division in men’s freestyle was Wynn Michalak (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC).

Michalak won his first two bouts, defeating Sumit of India, 2-0, 1-0 and Levon Setutidze of Georgia, 1-1, 3-2. He was defeated in the gold-medal finals by 2010 Asian bronze medalist Mausam Khatri of India, 1-1, 1-3.

“Michalak wrestled tough all the way through,” said U.S. coach Dr. Dave Bennett. “He got caught in a throw and an inside trip in the finals, with not enough time to battle back. He managed a takedown but the clock ran out as he was about to turn Khatri.”

Read more by Gary Abbott USA Wrestling here…

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Iowa City, Iowa has been selected to host the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling.

The event will be held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on the campus of the University of Iowa from April 21-22, 2012.

Iowa City was one of three finalist cities to make final presentations on their bid to a selection committee on January 12. The committee included USA Wrestling staff and athletes, as well as representatives from the U.S. Olympic Committee.

The other cities to make finalist presentations were Columbus, Ohio and Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Initially, seven cities bid to host the competition. Those cities which were not selected for finalist presentations were Greensboro, N.C., Hampton, Va., Oklahoma City, Okla. and Pontiac, Mich.

“We are unbelievably pleased and humbled with the response we received from cities wishing to host our most valuable event property,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. “We would like to thank the leaders from all three finalist cities for their outstanding presentations. We hope that all of these cities continue to be involved with USA Wrestling and host wrestling events in years to come.”

The initial bid proposal for the event also included the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Weightlifting. Due to a scheduling conflict, USA Weightlifting could no longer hold Trials on the selected dates and stepped out of the bid process.

The event will feature competition in the three Olympic styles of the sport – men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle. The competition will determine the U.S. athletes who will qualify to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.

The local organizing committee is led by the University of Iowa Athletics and the Iowa City/Coralville Area CVB and includes leaders from the City of Iowa City, City of Coralville and City of North Liberty. Among those serving on the host committee are legendary collegiate and Olympic wrestlers Dan Gable, Tom Brands, Terry Brands, Lincoln McIlravy and Cornell College coach Mike Duroe.

“I believe this is a good decision for the future of wrestling at all levels. This will help increase the visibility of our sport. I see more growth for wrestling as a result. It gets me very excited,” said wrestling legend Dan Gable from the local organizing committee.

“The Iowa City local organizing committee was selected based upon their proven track record of hosting large and successful wrestling events, as well as a history of drawing strong fan support,” said Bender. ‘We are committed to working tirelessly with the organizing committee and the entire community to host the most successful U.S. Olympic Team Trials in our history.”

“This community is fired up to welcome our nation’s best to Carver Hawkeye Arena and will come together as they have so many times to produce a Trials that is remembered for years to come,” said Joshua Schamberger, President of the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau “Our entire community couldn’t be more excited by this news. We look forward to creating an athlete and fan experience that will carry on through London.”

Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which is located on the University of Iowa campus, serves as the home arena for Iowa’s wrestling team, as well as Iowa’s basketball and volleyball squads. The arena seats 15,000 for wrestling and is named after long-time wrestling supporter Roy J. Carver. The $47 million Carver-Hawkeye Arena – Addition and Renovation Project is underway to expand and upgrade facilities, and is scheduled for completion in time for the 2011-12 athletic year.

This is the first time that the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling has been hosted in Iowa since USA Wrestling has served as National Governing Body in 1984.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena hosted the NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships four times (1986, 1991, 1995, 2001). The total attendance figures for the 1995 (80,389), 2001 (79,477) and 1991 (70.163) NCAA Championships rank ninth, 11th and 15th, respectively among NCAA Wrestling Championships. It also hosted the Big Ten Wrestling Championships three times (1983, 1994, 2005).

A preliminary U.S. Olympic Team Trials qualifying event for wrestling was held in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in 1984. Other major wrestling competitions held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena include two NWCA All-Star Classics (1993, 1996) and two Cliff Keen NWCA National Duals (1998, 1999).

The Field House at the University of Iowa hosted the first USA Wrestling Junior National Championships in 1971, and served as venue for the competition from 1971-1982. Iowa City also hosted USA Wrestling’s Greco-Roman National Championships three times (1975, 1977, 1978). Iowa City also hosted the 1983 USA Wrestling Freestyle World Team Trials.

“We are thrilled and excited with this remarkable opportunity to stage an event that will have the full attention of wrestling community not only in the state of Iowa and the Heartland, but the United States and the world. We are also delighted with the opportunity to showcase the revitalized Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Rest assured, the University of Iowa, the UI Athletics Department, and our city partners are ready to stage an event that USA Wrestling will be very, very proud of,” said Gary Barta, Athletics Director of the University of Iowa.

U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS FOR WRESTLING

(Organized by USA Wrestling as the sport’s NGB)

1984 – Allendale, Mich.

1988 – Pensacola, Fla.

1992 – Pittsburgh, Pa. (FS); Concord, Calif. (GR)

1996 – Spokane, Wash. (FS); Concord, Calif.(GR)

2000 – Dallas, Texas

2004 – Indianapolis, Ind.

2008 – Las Vegas, Nev.

2012 – Iowa City, Iowa