EXECUTIVE NOTES By Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director
Age-group World Teams and quality of national events points to bright future for USA teams in the future While many fans have enjoyed the recent U.S. World Team process, where the American team was set for the 2015 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, there has been an equally intense and exciting series of competitions to set the American teams for the age-group World Championships. In 2014, the United States had some outstanding efforts at the
World level in all three styles. Our men’s freestyle program was able to celebrate a World Team title at the University level, a second-place finish at the UWW Junior level and a third-place trophy at the UWW Cadet level. The age-group women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman teams also had very good team efforts which also included individual medal performances. After watching this year’s qualification process for the UWW
Junior World Teams and the UWW Cadet World Teams, and wit- nessing the level of competition at our age-group National Championships and National Duals competitions, we are all very encouraged about our prospects for success. Our UWW Junior World Team has experienced wrestlers in all
three styles who will represent us in Brazil in August. Combined, this group includes 12 past U.S. World Team members, includ- ing eight who have won age-group World medals. Three of the men’s freestyle wrestlers have won an age-group World gold in the past, Spencer Lee, Aaron Pico and Mark Hall. Wrestling fans are very excited to see how the USA will do against the world at this level. USA Wrestling is looking forward to reporting on the team each day of competition from Brazil on our different media platforms. Our UWW Cadet World Team is also very talented, and looks
to compete well in Bosnia-Herzogovina in late August. These young stars have been very successful in our age-group devel- opmental programs, and a number of them have previous suc- cess at international events. Part of our preparation for the age-group World Championships is bringing these young wrestlers into training camps alongside our U.S. Senior World Teams and Senior
National Teams. This is happening in all three styles this summer. Having our younger wrestlers work out with the Senior stars, as well as witness their amazing work ethic and skills, will improve their performances, not only at the World meets this summer, but also in the future when they advance through the college and Senior international levels. USA Wrestling is intensely focused on
the 2015 World Championships in Las Vegas and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. However, we are also invest- ing in the future by supporting our age-group programs and developing the stars for the 2020 Olympics, the 2024 Olympics and beyond. As we go to press, we are only weeks away from one of the
major spectacles in our event schedule, the ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D. For 45 years, this event has brought together our top young stars, many who have gone on to major success in college and on the Olympic level. It is a good time to give a big shout-out to all of the volunteers
who work hard daily to provide opportunities for young people to learn about and grow in the sport. Countless volunteers are will- ing to selflessly give up their time all year, including the summer months, to make a difference in the lives of our athletes. From our board members, state chairpersons and state leaders, to the coaches, club leaders, event volunteers and supportive parents, we salute you for what you do. USA Wrestling could not provide the quality program it has for youth without your dedicated help. I also want to give special thanks to our professional national
staff, which I am certain is the absolute best within the Olympic movement. USA Wrestling is extremely blessed to have a staff which has a passion for wrestling and consistently does whatev- er it takes to get the job done. This year, while handling the massive needs of hosting the World Championships, our staff has not missed a beat in all other areas of our program. Our staff members do not shy away from a 60-70 hour work week when it’s necessary to serve our members and our sport. It is a team effort that we can all be truly proud of.
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