Continued from page 19
Finals Rodeo, which he’s competed in nine times.
Knowles won three events in 2012 and placed 10th in the world standings. His career earnings total more than $1
million.
“Just qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo was one of my biggest goals. Just to make it there one time is a huge accomplishment and I’ve been there nine times. When we were little kids we’d be playing around, pretending we were there. That was a far-fetched dream back then. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some success against the best guys in the world, I just haven’t been able to bring a world title home yet.” Unfortunately, competitions aren’t even the half of what Knowles has to do to be successful in rodeo, something profes- sional and amateur athletes alike can relate to. Practicing and traveling take up a lot of Knowles’ time. “A lot of times I’m away from home traveling, flying, driving all-nighters. We might be in Missouri one night and have to load up and drive all night and be in New Mexico the next day,” said Knowles, who may be gone for months at a time during rodeo season. “The competition itself never gets old. That’s the best part. The worst part is the to-and-from and the hours spent practicing. The preparation is the hardest part of rodeo.”
Knowles never planned to be rodeoing as long as he has, but has no intention
Knowles has excelled as a top steer wrestler. Fred McClanahan Jr. photo.
on stopping while he is still able-bodied and getting the rush from competition. A cowboy to his core, he plans on returning to his family business of ranching, and is already working on leasing more ranch property and putting together a cattle herd.
Knowles’ biggest passion outside of his profession is hunting, and he travels the world looking for the best game. Knowles is no longer wrestling, but said he is a lifelong fan and makes it to com- petitions in Las Vegas when he can. He is also looking forward to coaching his
young nephews, who, at age five, are just beginning to wrestle. “I’m a huge wrestling fan. As long as you’re wrestling for USA, I’m your fan. I just like to see good matches,” he said. “If you’ve ever tried your hand at wrestling, whether you were great or you weren’t, anybody who puts the effort out and is winning and at the top of their game has earned every bit of it. “Wrestling is hands down the toughest sport I’ve ever played. There’s nothing else like it the rest of your life as far as I’m concerned. So hats off.”
USA WRESTLING NATIONAL EVENTS SCHEDULE
April 16-19 Western Jr. Regionals/Veterans Nationals April 17-20 April 18-20 April 18-20 May 3-5 May 9-11 May 10-12 May 17-19 May 23-26 May 24-26
FILA Junior Nationals
Las Vegas/ASICS U.S. Open Grappling World Team Trials Northeast Regionals
Northern Plains Jr Regionals Body Bar Women’s Nationals Central Regional Championships
ASICS FILA Cadet and University Nationals
May 30-June 2 Southern Plains Regionals June 5-9
June 11-15 June 13-15 June 16-22 June 21-22 June 23
June 24-26 June 25-29 July 12-20 TBD
Cadet National Duals
Northern Plains Kids and Cadet Regionals Cliff Keen West Kids and Cadet Regionals U.S. World Team Trials
FILA Junior World Team Trials
ASICS Kids National Championships Junior National Duals
ASICS Cadet and Junior Nationals Beach National Championships
V/J Las Vegas, Nevada FJ
S/W Las Vegas, Nevada S
Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada
SB/C/J East Stroudsburg, Pa. J Waterloo, Iowa FJ/FC/K Lakeland, Fla.
J/C/K Indiana (City TBD) U/FC Akron, Ohio
Cliff Keen Southeast Regional Championships J/C/SB/K Atlanta, Ga. Schooboy National Duals
J/C/SB/K Dodge City, Kan. SB Indianapolis C
C/K Waterloo, Iowa C/SB/K Pocatello, Idaho S/W Stillwater, Okla. FJ
Stillwater, Okla.
SB/K Orem, Utah J
C/J S/J/C/SB TBD
Oklahoma City, Okla. Fargo, N.D.
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Larry Barnson Larry Barnson Larry Barnson Larry Barnson Van Plocus Steve Knipp Stuart Mahler
702-361-5017 702-361-5017 702-361-5017 702-361-5017 814-590-4700 319-415-4091
Louis Rosbottom 812-284-1652 Chris Kallai Anthony Flatt Mike Juby
Louis Rosbottom 812-284-1652 Stuart Mahler Steve Knipp Ned Zollinger Pete Isais Pete Isais Cole Kelley
330-603-4574 678-442-8852 620-663-1312
319-415-4091 208-356-9309 719-598-8181 719-598-8181 801-830-4191
Archie Randall 405-834-2976 Pete Isais TBD
V = Veterans; S = Senior; W = Senior Women; U = University; FJ = FILA Junior; J = Junior, FC = FILA Cadet; C = Cadet MS = Middle School; HS = High School; SB = Schoolboy; K = Kids
For complete USA Wrestling Event information, including event fliers, visit
TheMat.com (
www.themat.com) or
usawrestlingevents.com Dates are subject to change 38 USA Wrestler
719-598-8181
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