NYAC HOLIDAY FEATURE: Many U.S. wrestlers are changing weights for their Olympic year push

During the Olympic year, athletes often make sacrifices in order to attempt to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. For many, it includes changing weight classes.

This is most prominent in the women's freestyle division, because there are only four weight classes in the Olympics, rather than the normal seven in the World Championships. However, even in the men's styles, athletes are willing to make a move up or down in weight to achieve a lifelong dream.

The weight drop is a little easier this week, because the NYAC Holiday International has a 2 kg allowance (about 4.4 lbs.). However, some of these athletes have made the drop with the commitment to get the extra weight off and compete at the Olympic Trials at this division. Others are looking to move up in weight and add size and strength.

In women's freestyle, Leigh Jaynes of the U.S. Army made her first World Team in 2007, competing at 59 kg/130 lbs. However, this is not an Olympic weight class. So, this year at the New York AC Holiday International, Jaynes has dropped down to 55 kg/121 lbs., one of the Olympic weights.

Jaynes was down at 55 kg during the 2005 season. She upset two-time World silver medalist Tina George in the first round at the U.S. Nationals that year, but lost to George in the bronze-medal bout to take fourth. At the World Team Trials, she had a disappointing performance and did not make the national team.

"It didn't go well at all," said Jaynes of her previous drop to 55 kg. "I didn't drop properly and recover properly. I had no juice.'

This time, she expects things to be different.

"This is my plan. I knew I could make 121 pounds. What was most important was to wrestle up in 2007 and learn as much as I can. I wanted to dominate the 130 pound weight class and get in World-level competition. I was glad to get the World Championships experience," she said.

In fact, when Jaynes wanted to get accepted into the Army World Class Athlete Program, they required that she write down her plan. She has followed that plan completely.

Jaynes said that she wakes up every morning at scratch weight, 130 pounds, which made the drop to 55 kg, plus 2 kg allowance, possible at this time. However, when the Women's World Cup is held in China, she will remain at 59 kg at least one more time as part of the U.S. team. Jaynes has had less trouble getting down in weight this time around.

"I felt fantastic," said Jaynes of her weight loss this tournament. "People told me they didn't even notice. I have stayed leaner. The last time I was down at 121 pounds, I was weighing 142. Now that I am going down to 121 pounds, I start at 132 pounds. I am 10 pounds lighter now which makes it easier. It has been a really disciplined diet. I am disciplined about what I put in my body. If I crave something, I only have a little bit and then I'm done."

Jaynes will not be the only women's wrestler who changes weight for the Olympic quest, but some are going to wait a little longer to make the change.

Katie Downing of the Sunkist Kids has won two World bronze medals at 67 kg/147.5 lbs., a non-Olympic division. During the 2004 season, Downing went up to 72 kg/158 lbs., and was unable to qualify for the Olympic team.

This time around, Downing considered a drop to 63 kg/138.75 lbs. for the 2008 Olympic quest. However, just recently, she decided it was in her best interest to go up in weight again for the Olympic year.

"For awhile, I though I would go down, but that is not going to happen," said Downing. "After this tournament, I will go up. I have a lot of frustration. I am not a 63 kg wrestler, not since 14 years old. Since I have been a woman, I have been this weight. I am not a 72 kg wrestler either."

"When I am training, I am a light heavyweight. I will get this tournament in at my weight class, and also wrestle at 67 kg at an international tournament. I will get to be a better wrestler as a lighter heavyweight than being a weight cutter. This decision has come around the last couple of weeks."

Like many others, Downing was aware that FILA, the international federation, has made it a public priority to get all seven women's weight classes at the Olympics. However, this change, if it comes at all, would not be possible until the 2012 Olympics in London, at the earliest.

"It is frustrating. There was so much talk about it; they said it was a good chance it might change to seven weights. Perhaps it is a good decision to elevate the sport first. But it is a raw deal for me," said Downing.

In the men's Greco-Roman division, longtime Greco-Roman contender Glenn Garrison of the U.S. Army has also changed weight. Garrison is a past U.S. Nationals champion, and has been ranked as high at No. 2 on the National Team at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. For this season, and for this event, Garrison is now down at 60 kg/132 lbs., based upon a decision he made more than two months ago.

"Unfortunately, I'm kind of an up and down wrestler. Sometimes I show up, and sometimes I make a mistake and can't overcome it," said Garrison. "At 66 kg, everyone is so close in skill. I was pretty light at that weight class. Because of that, one mistake will cost me there. For me to get my best chance to make the Olympics, I have to get down."

Garrison has the support of his coaches, since he is doing the weight loss over time and with a specific diet and training plan.

"They are alright with it, because I am doing it right. Now I have to get used to this weight class. I lose a lot of muscle, not that I have a lot. In the room at the USOTC, I don't feel much bigger than the 60 kg wrestlers, just a pinch bigger. But the 66 kg guys feel much bigger right now. I have always been skinny. I had to work hard to get the weight down."

Garrison is 33 years old, and the last time he weighed 132 pounds was his junior year in high school in 1991.

"This is probably my last year," said Garrison. "I figured, 'what am I doing waiting around to wrestle my best.' Now is the time, to give my best for one year."

On Sunday, veteran freestyle wrestler Danny Felix of the Sunkist Kids will be competing at a new weight class for this season. For many years, Felix competed up at 60 kg/130 lbs. He has already made the drop to 55 kg/121 lbs., and won the Sunkist Kids International at his new division.

When he arrived on Friday, Felix looked relaxed and healthy, even though he is much lighter than he has been in years. Felix said that the weight has come off well. He credits a change in diet and lifestyle, which has helped him remain competitive even with the challenge of getting lighter.

Keep an eye out for additional weight class changes for top U.S. contenders as the year progresses.