TURKEY BLOG: Veterans turn in strong performance at Worlds

August 16

Our only guy in Division 'A', Tony Piva was 5th. He wrestled well this morning and the Turk he lost to pulled him through. While it's definitely not a good thing, Tony's repechage match was the excitement highlight of the entire event.

Tony beat the Russian 2-0 in the first period and took him down out of bounds, to start the second. The Russian dude lost his mind! He jumped up and, before Tony could get back to the center, the guy decked him. It wasn't quite Henderson on Bisbing, but it was a shot.

The guy kept on! While Tony was down, the guy kicked him, twice. That was it, they dragged the guy away, still wanting more. To Tony's credit, he did no retaliate. It was on my mat. I managed to get Tony's attention, telling him to, "Come to me." Keeping his cool, in the worst possible situation, made us all look good.

We got some pretty cool compliment from the big dogs. Unfortunately, Tony was not able to cash in for Bronze and ended up 5th to a really solid Turk.

So, now it's time to finish this, get it sent (hopefully) and pack the last couple of things. Most of us are outta here very early tomorrow morning.

I plan to see this through for you. I have a seven-hour layover in Chicago Monday afternoon. I can drop some notes and, maybe, it'll keep me awake. I'll close the thing out Tuesday sometime and call it done.

Thanks for playing along. I enjoy doing this. One sneaky little request… If you happen to be Mark Reiland, and you read this, please tell someone to pick me up at 11:00 next Friday night!

Ciao

August 15

We celebrated another great day… Three guys, one Gold and one Bronze. All three, Johnny Akin, John Tush, and Brad Swartz, are at the same weight, 76kg. Akin is in Division D, while the other two ended up wrestling each other in the Division C quarters.

Akin lost his initial match to an opponent from Iran. The guy made the finals, thereby pulling Johnny into the repechage. Unfortunately, Akin had long ago booked his return flight for Saturday afternoon (thinking group D competed on Friday). With the number of people in Ankara this time of year, there was just no way to change the flight. So, Johnny Akin was forced to default in the repechage… no medal this year!

This was actually our second bit of bad luck in as many days. Yesterday (Friday), it struck Fred Jahad. The FILA delegates have taken an extremely strict stand here on reporting directly to the mat when called. Several athletes have been disqualified, including both from one match, today.

Unfortunately, Fred was one of those, on Friday. Appearing just 10 or 15 seconds after the last call time had expired, Fred was DQed from the event. Both Sam and I questioned the decision… within reason.

The FILA delegates are people I know and trust. They assured us there was no way around the ruling. Out of fairness, they also assured us that the strict application had nothing to do with Fred or the U.S. delegation, but that, "other delegations have been abusing the rule".
It was a shame, because Fred wrestled well and won his first match. The saving grace is the dignity Fred showed in accepting the decision and going about the business of cheering on his American teammates.

Alrighty, then! I'm going down to the lobby to shoot this off to Craig. Please! Let there be an internet connection tonight.

Sam's back in Istanbul tonight. With the shortage of outgoing plane seats, Sam had to take the train to catch his plane Sunday morning. He has to be at work early Monday.

I've already missed three days, with no pay, so I'll be at work bright and early (OK, maybe not bright, but early) Tuesday. The countdown is on. Everything I'm not wearing is packed.I have completed 32 of the 36 total bus trips I have to make between hotel and competition. This has been a good ride, but I AM ready to be home!

Ciao

August 14

It was a pretty cool day to be from the USA! Starting with the medal count, we earned them in numbers to match: One 1st, Two 2nd , Three 3rd . Shirzad Ahmadi became a five-time World Champion. Sammy Chagolla and Zelek Ziegelbaum also appeared in the finals.

You can read the partial match results in Craig's piece. I watched Shirzad do the phone interview, so I know there will be full coverage. I apologize for only having partial results. Trust that Sam and I are both doing all we can do.

Sam has everybody going at the same time, so it's tough. Besides, he has also assumed his new duties as "Honorary Mayor of Ankara." That's another story, but I think I'll hang onto it.

I spent all day doing the mat assignments and never got to go on the mat, myself, much less watch any Americans. Tomorrow, I'm assigning myself on the whistle a couple of times. That won't help me watch Americans, but it will make me happy. I like being in the fray.

The sessions went long today. We didn't get back to the hotel until after 10:00 tonight. That's my excuse for hurrying. I want to sleep.

Before I say goodnight to you and the Mayor of Ankara, I have to share just two quick observations. For starters, I've had three, count 'em, three guys, today, approach me about how to get asylum in the U.S. Out of respect for the powers to be, I'm really playing up the, "I have no idea", story. The truth is, "I have no idea."

I told you that so I can tell you this. Tonight were the opening ceremonies and the Turks put on a good show. As with most ceremonies, they asked for a few volunteers from each delegation to march in behind the country plaquard.

Like most native born Americans, I run from this like the plague. It's just not much fun to stand and listen to welcoming speeches in three languages.

But, we had three Americans jump all over the chance to represent us. Fred and Ray were born in Iran. Zelek is native to Latvia. All three stood so proudly behind the USA sign, it gave me pause. I sit here admitting I am one of the fortunate millions who take all the USA stuff for granted. I really appreciate the lesson I got tonight from three of my countrymen who know the difference.

August 13

We had our officials' clinic this morning. Sam Barber went over to the workout facility to help our guys with their workout. This afternoon we have the Technical Conference, then weigh in groups B and E.

Last week, I told you reason one of my fondness for Turkey; the success Ali Bernard had here in 2003. Ali is competing this weekend, in Poland. You can check the other articles and follow the progress of our Americans in Poland.

The second reason I love to be in Turkey is that it's one of those cultures that finds wrestling important. Most people on the street know wrestling and the country's great heroes.

Last week, we had lunch in town. We chose the café because it had Olympic rings on its sign. Sure enough, we get inside and there's a picture of a wrestler (the owner) on the table placemats. The placemats tell the story of this great wrestler who won the Greco Roman World Championship in 1958.

During the Juniors competition, I had the opportunity to visit with one of my heroes, Hamsa Yerlikaya. Yerelikaya was three times World Champion and Olympic Champion. In 1993, he won both the Juniors and Seniors World Championships. I got to raise his hand in the Junior finals.

While we were shopping in Istanbul, several shopkeepers approached us wanting to talk about wrestling. They knew us simply by Sam's ears. One guy swears he sold leather to Sasha (Alexander) Karelin. The guy recited every detail of the match in Sydney, when Rulon beat Sasha.

Every culture has its own Folkstyle of wrestling. Turkey reveres Oil Wrestling. I got a chance to take part in one of their big Oil tournaments in Antalya, in 2006. I was there with Gary Abbott, Director of Media Relations, for the first Beach Wrestling World Championship and Festival of Wrestling Styles. Ironically, that same event is going on in Antalya this weekend.

In Turkish Oil Wrestling, it's last man standing. The competition is held on a soccer field with up to 300 guys, at the start. Every guy is wearing thick, leather. knee-high pants, with rope handles at the knees and waist. Every guy is also completely saturated with olive oil. Referees wander the field throughout, as do kids with buckets of extra oil.

The competitors are originally paired, roughly, by size. Anyone crossing his back is eliminated, immediately. Each winner is then directed to another guy, again somewhere close to his size. Ordinarily, this comes down to the biggest guys.

In Antalya, I was the only non-Turkish guy who volunteered to referee. It just seemed like the thing to do. I guess, to make me feel good, they decided to let me ref the final pair. These were two giants and they went at each other for a good 10 minutes.

The younger of the two ended up upsetting the returning National Champion. As I was raising his hand and presenting him to the crowd, I heard the other big guy count to three. Both giants grabbed me, hoisted me onto their shoulders, paraded me around, then (gently) took me down to the grass.

I still have the shirt I was wearing that day. I tried washing it, several times, with no luck. Maybe, I should say, with extra luck. It is totally discolored with olive oil stains and will always remain one of my favorite keepsakes.

Last week, I got to add two more reasons why I love being in Turkey. Watching Victoria Anthony and Dom Bradley win Junior World Championships here is right up there on my favorite memories list!

Tomorrow, another group of Americans will create great memories of their own. Until then…

Ciao

August 12

Back in Ankara. Sam and I left the hotel in Istanbul, maybe a little earlier than some would have thought necessary, 5:15 a.m. We knew that, if we walked to the main center of Sultanhamet, then followed the tram tracks downhill, they would lead us to the Bosporus. Not a bad 20-minute hike.

The guy at the hotel had assured us the first ferry to the Asian side was at 6:00. Our train was at 7:10. After wandering back and forth along the quiet pier we finally found a sign that listed the first ferry at 8:30. So, I stood back and watched Sam tap several times, then bang loudly to wake up the only cab driver in sight. We got to drive across the Bosporus bridge, see much more of Istanbul and, yes, we made the train.

We got back to the Buyuk Andolu, our host hotel, about 1:30 p.m. Our first Americans arrived a little after two. When we get 'em all in, we'll have a total of 21 of us, including 11 athletes, myself, Sam, and a cadre of coaches and spouses.

The Veteran's Division is made up of five categories, A through E, progressing in five year age increments. We will have six in the E group, one D, two C's and two B's. We have no athletes entered in the youngest category. The B's and E's compete Friday, the C's and D's Saturday and the A's on Sunday.

We have been told to expect pretty strong numbers. Iran and Russia should have over 50 each and the host Turkey anticipates nearly a hundred.

It is a serious treat for me to be able to witness this. If you happen to be one of those that don't get it, you're reading this and wondering why a bunch of old guys want to travel halfway around the planet to get beat up. I can't explain it without using that favorite word of mine… Passion!

As one who has done it myself (2001), I can say that it's seldom about capturing lost glory. The lust is more for the training than the medal hopes. It's just one more way that the lifestyle infected us. I think FILA was very clever to design this event.

It's also a big 'family reunion' feeling. Many of the competitors actually do bring their families. It's a great way to see the world, being immersed in a safe climate and a common set of values.

The reunion part is the most fun. Watching guys from several countries, who haven't seen each other for a year but have grown through two age categories together is great fun.

I have to admit, it's as much or more fun to watch the guys that are having their first overseas experience. It's a little like watching the first time Cadets, but even more pronounced. Seeing people who have enough years to be what you'd call, "Set in their ways," reactions to the food, transportation and cultural subtleties of a foreign environment is often a real kick.

Bottom line, you gotta admire people who love wrestling as much as the Veteran competitors. Many of these guys are burning all their vacation and savings to travel far and fight hard. Every one of ours displays a fierce patriotism. There's more "Go, USA" in this group than I've ever seen in younger teams.

For their love of wrestling and country, for their sacrifice, for what they have to teach the rest of us… I hope all these guys have the time of their lives.

Ciao

August 11

Started this morning at the coffee place with the free Wi-Fi. As soon as I can peck this out, I'll walk around the corner and finish the day at the same place. Their "free" Wi Fi is actually that the young waiters have stolen the passwords from the two big hotels across the street.

After coffee and internet, Sam and I met Roy in between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofya. Roy had not seen the inside of the Mosque. Sam and I did yesterday. So we split up and enjoyed some really amazing history and architecture on both side of the road, physically and culturally.

Next was the big visit to Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar. All three of us needed to stock up on small gifts for those important folks back home. Truthfully, I think all three of us were really looking forward to the competition of the moment, that being the never-ending haggling that one can enjoy in the Bazaar!

We were successful snagging some cool Turkish goodies for everyone, went back outside and had a nice Doner Sandwich for lunch. That's the meat, the Turks slice of the giant skewer. Good stuff!

Roy had kind of started a deal for a small Turkish Carpet, and wanted to go back into the Bazaar to see if he could get the price right. Sam and I were along for the ride.

After enjoying the Rose Tea the merchant offered (every good Turkish Carpet deal requires the consumption of tea), I got up to look around. I kind of wandered into the back office area and met a young woman who spoke brilliant (Australian) English.

She explained that her father owned the store and her mother is Australian. She also mentioned that she had visited several states. When I told here I'm from New Mexico, she not only knew where it is, she said she had friends from Colorado.

I mentioned that Sam is from Colorado Springs and she told me that's where her friends are from. I told her we are all wrestlers. Yup, she told me her friends are wrestlers. Of course, I asked her their names.
Her answer set me back, but then really, not that much. She said, and I'm quoting, "Thomas Dantzler, Jr. and a big man named Byers." So, you can see where this is going.

And I could go on! But, suffice it to say that Wrestling really does make the world small. Suffice it to say that Roy Scott is the proud owner of a new Turkish Carpet (at a fraction of the asking price). Suffice it to say we had another cup of tea and did not have to haggle much the rest of the day, as we now had an in-house private guide and bargaining agent.

If you don't know, the guys she was talking about are American Greco wrestlers Dremiel Byers and the Danzler man we know as T.C. They had been on a carpet buying binge last spring, during the Greco World Cup. She also described who I think must be Joe Betterman and Spenser Mango.

Those of you who choose to follow this pilgrim's commentary will get it, instantly. You already think what I think. There is a real magic to the brotherhood, the sisterhood… the cult… we live in. Those of you who don't get what I'm talking about, I pity you. You are not wrestlers.

We finished up, sitting on a neighboring rooftop, sipping a beer and watching the sun set over the Bosporus. Tough job, but someone's gotta do it!

Tomorrow, we walk down to the peer at 5:15, catch the first ferry at 6:00, train at 7:10 and arrive in Ankara shortly after noon. This is an express train. We begin receiving Americans on our World Veteran's freestyle team later tomorrow.

Ciao

August 10

You can imagine for yourself, the great sleep we got, sitting up in a fully lighted train car that stopped at every farmhouse from Ankara to Istanbul. The good part is… we're in Istanbul!

Ankara is a good city, with plenty to do, but Istanbul has the cosmopolitan feel that a city on two continents should. Our train pulled in at seven, sharp and Sam and I were on the ferry across the Bosporus 15 minutes later.

Once on the European side, we wandered for a few minutes, then stopped for coffee and a roll at a little mom and pop bakery. We grabbed a cab and found the hotel Sam's friends in Ankara had arranged for us. Nice place, but we couldn't check in until noon.

They guy stored our bags for us and we took in some of Istanbul's rich history. We visited the Blue Mosque, which is one of the world's majestic architectural works. We thought we would go across the street to the equally stunning Hagya Sofia, only to find it close on Mondays. Tomorrow.

We got back to the hotel, checked in, had a shower with warm water and slept for a couple of hours… laying down !

On our second outing, we met up with with fellow American official, Roy Scott. We visited a Turkish Bath that's been open since the 1600's. After another walk through the ancient Hypodrome, we settled in for a light meal at the Derbish Café.

You've got to see these 'dancers.' Better described as 'Monks' the guys practice a sort of meditation while spinning in circles for up to half an hour at a time. Hence the cliché, Whirling Derbish. The ones we saw tonight were shorter in duration, but performed multiple times.

We also enjoyed watching families smoking flavored coals from these giant houkas. The pipes are actually on the restaurant menu, with flavors like apple and strawberry.

There's place around the corner that advertises, "Free Wi-Fi with your Coffee." I'm planning to take them up on their offer tomorrow morning and get this to Craig, who waits patiently for me… or not !

As soon as the guys singing on the rooftop bar, across the street, take a break, I going to sleep. Sam beat me to it. He's been asleep since the last break. Ciao

August 9

They're playing our song again ! This time it's in honor of Dom Bradley, World Champion at 120kg. Dom wrestled great all day, against quality opponents. The highlight, for me, was a blast double in the finals. You could see the big kid from Georgia break.

Our other guys wrestled well. We just got beat. The Indian guy pulled Ramos into the bronze medal match, but our other losses did not pull our guys back in.

What a treat it is to see Dom do well. I have developed close personal ties with Dom, over the years. He's one of Hag's kids. (Mike Hagerty is the Head Coach at Blue Springs High in Missouri.)

Dom is one of those kids that deserves good things. He comes of a little shy and he really is a very sensitive person. But, on the mat, this big, baby-faced man can turn up the heat. He's got good feet, good hips and great motion in a big man. Mizzou should cash in on Dom Bradley… Big Time !

After the awards, we took our 40 minute bus ride, for the 24th time. Got to the hotel, thinking how much I was looking forward to a shower before my all-nighter in a Turkish train seat. Of course, this was the night the hotel had no hot water.

Cold is good. At least I got a rinse. I dashed through the huge final banquet to say my good byes. It's OK that I don't have time to eat, as I'm taking my turn with the stomach bug today. We've all had it. I just waited to put it together with this train ride.

Speaking of which… Sam Barber is waiting for me to go to the station. Ciao

August 8

Two bronze medals makes it a pretty cool day for our freestyle men. Jordan Oliver and Andrew Howe both looked great all day. Tomorrow, our last four will go. Again, I look forward to great results.

It's almost midnight and I just got back from beers and a visit with Sam Barber and our group of "apprentice" coaches. Great guys, great visit. These seven guys paid their own expenses to come to Turkey and study our sport. You have to admire anybody who pays those kind of dues to take good technique, a little information and a lot of motivation to American kids back home!

I was excited to get to talk with, and listen to, these guys. We probably don't spend enough time, in our country, talking about the fine points of coaching and officiating and the way the two are supposed to work together. I got to listen to, and ponder, some great questions tonight. Food for thought!

I am about 100 percent sure I won't be able to get you a piece tomorrow night. Sam and I have to leave the hotel at 9 p.m. We finish the finals around 7:00, then have a half hour bus ride. We have to finish packing and at least make a appearance at the final banquet.

Our train to Istanbul leaves Ankara at 10 p.m., and from what I'm told, doesn't get in until 7:00 Monday morning. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Hopefully, I'll be able to get you something from a hotel in Istanbul on Monday. We will explore Turkish culture for a couple of days, then come back to Ankara to meet our U.S. Veterans freestyle team. I have another clinic Thursday and we start competition on Friday.

Ciao

August 7

We didn't get to hear our song tonight, but we did get to see our flag. Veronica Carlson lost a tough one to Sweden to go home with a silver medal. Our other three got beat along the way and nobody pulled 'em through.

Russia won the team title, running away. Ukraine was second and traditional powerhouse, Japan, third.

Tomorrow morning, we start the first four weights of the men's freestyle. It should be good and the Americans will be right in the mix.

Our Turkish hosts took all the officials out to eat tonight. We went out by a small lake, to a place called Kebabistan. True to its name and the culture, the kebabs were great.

So was the camaraderie and it came at the right time ! There are nearly 80 officials working this event on four mats. There is a lot of time spent sitting and waiting. Being on the mat so seldom creates a lot of pressure to perform.

For those who don't understand it all, officiating is competitive, just like everything else in our sport. Each of us is required to attend clinics at a certain level, each year, to maintain our category or seek promotion. This is one of very few clinics available for Category I officials, this year.

There were a significant number of retirements after the Games in Beijing. FILA has, at the same time, placed a very strict limit of 60 on the number of officials who can hold the 'Olympic' category necessary to work the Senior Worlds and the London Games.

Each national federation sends their best and their brightest to be evaluated for promotion. I must add, the United States has two of those best and brightest and they are here.

The rest of us pay our own way in order to maintain our category. That probably seems strange to many people. Not to us. While the category thing will always satisfy our urge to compete, it's simply a means to an end. It allows us to work another year, on several continents and spend time with our friends. There's a whole generation of us who have grown old together, enjoying each others' lives. We owe it all to wrestling. It makes sense to us.

OK, enough for tonight. I'm on my way downstairs, fingers crossed, hoping there's some kind of internet connection available.

Ciao

August 6

ANKARA, Turkey - I got to hear my National Anthem tonight, thanks to a small, powerful woman named Victoria Anthony. It never gets old, seeing that flag go up in the center of the others and watching another young American tear up when they realize how much they mean to all of us.

Our other three wrestled well and lost to eventual bronze medalists. I just left Coach Izzy's room, so I know the other four are ready to rock tomorrow. Our coaches are getting the job done and our women are prepared.

I have to apologize again for the delay. It's a nightmare getting online here. Last night (Wednesday), I had just finished attaching all this to an email for Craig Sesker and, right when I hit 'Send,' I got this 'Lost Internet Connection' message. The young official from Slovakia was sitting in the lobby right next to me. He was on Skype with his wife at the same moment, when his connection was lost.

Everyone in the building is frustrated with the internet connection. I think part of the problem is that there are so many of us taxing the system, all at the same time.

I'll save this to the jump drive again, and try to get caught up with you. For now, I'm going to practice what I preach in the classroom, with students in the text-message generation. I use a quote from Colonel Potter in the old Mash series. Potter once counseled a young soldier, "Son, if you ain't where you're at, you're nowhere".

I am in Ankara. Some of the best friends I have ever had are in Ankara. I'll find a connection and tell you all about it. But, right now, I'm going to be in Ankara !

Ciao

August 5

All right then. I keep mentioning that I have this special fondness for visiting Turkey. This is my third visit and both the others provided some great moments and memories.

I was in Istanbul in 2003 as coach of our Women's Junior World Team and Ali Bernard won it. That will always be one of my favorite stories. Obviously, Ali has gone on to achieve many great things in our sport, but her 2003 performance was special to me.

We say it all the time, "It's nice to see good things happen to good people". I watched Ali Bernard work her way to those good things. We traveled together to Beijing in 2002 and spent a long preparation camp together in 2003.

Ali is one of those athletes coaches love to talk about. First to practice, last to leave, and 'in it' while she's there. There's reason number one I have a fondness for Turkey.

Now, back to today. It was a great day to be on the Iranian Greco team. In tonight's finals, they produced two gold, one silver, one bronze.

It was a great two days to be on the Russian Greco team. Their depth overcame the Iranian charge, as they won the tram championship. Azerbaijan finished third.

It was a hard couple of days to be on the American Greco team. I'd never take anything from our kids. I know how hard our coaches have worked and how frustrated they are. We just never got it rolling.
The way Greco-Roman wrestling is being presented today is much different than just a few years ago. I'm not here to argue pros and cons, but we've got to pick it up.

From my perspective, our high school and college wrestling is helping us, on our feet. It has become a battle of head position and hand control. It's our par terre, and particularly our PT defense, we have to strengthen.

Enough! I've told old war stories and I've preached fire and brimstone. Tomorrow is a brand new day and a brand new tournament. I will wake up, in the morning, thinking our American women are about to win four gold medals.

Ciao

August 4

I just sent a couple of days' worth to Craig Sesker. Sorry for the delay. Big computer problems. Last time I was successfully online was in the airport in Istanbul.

I guess my computer picked up the same virus I did. I'm better today and, thanks to Toby Walker, the computer is better, too.

It was an OK day for American wrestling. Jimmy Chase placed fifth. Max Nowry wrestled well and Tyrell Fortune won some impressive periods against good kids. Still, I have to admit all of us came away more than a little disappointed.

We'll need to turn it up a notch tomorrow. I'm confident our kids will be ready. Eric and Ike are doing a great job with our preparation. We've just gotta' suck it up and compete!

I did find out that Craig and Gary Abbott are getting match results directly, so they will get those to you. My task is to try and add some of the flavor of the event. I have come to believe that is a big secondary thing for wrestlers' families, back home.

Ciao

August 3

We were, in fact, delayed in Istanbul. Everybody was. Finally got to the hotel around midnight. The good part was I slept! As soon as I get this written, I plan to do that some more!

I still have to discover a way to send these to Craig Sesker, probably the business center downstairs. The hotel has some wireless capability. I know some of the other guys are getting on. It doesn't work in the rooms. It seems like the balconies on the east side of the building get some connection.

I'm sure you already guessed, we're on the west side. I have been told that you can find access in the lobby of each floor, by the elevators. I am sitting there this moment… Not looking good. So, jump drive to business center I go in the morning.

We had our clinic today, with Mr. Saletnig and Mr. Kim. President Martinetti was there and helped with some of the key issues. Nothing drastic faces us tomorrow. The focus seems to be on cleaning up the application of existing rules.

There was some lively discussion about what defines Fleeing the Hold and Fleeing the Mat. We also got some insight into the protocol of thee Coach's Challenge.

Our Greco guys at 50, 60, 74 and 96 kg weighed in this afternoon. I have not seen Coaches Eric Wetzel and Ike Anderson yet, this evening. I'll get those pairings for you in the morning. You may be able to access bracket on the FILA website or the Turkish Wrestling Federation site.

Gotta get more sleep. I can't tell if I'm just upside down or if I picked up a bug. Whichever is the case, I have to overcome it before morning.

Ciao

Rusty

August 2

Waiting in the Istanbul Domestic Terminal for the 8:05 p.m. flight to Ankara. Sounds like we are delayed.

On the flight from Chicago to Istanbul, I was joined by Canadian official Jim Mitchell, a good guy. Jim was lucky enough to be near the back of the economy section. I was in row 12.

Every travel story tells of a screaming infant. This flight set the record! This absolutely horrible 2-year-old screamed a blood-curdling scream, every 15 seconds, from take off to landing. His parents seemed oblivious. He was obviously crying out solely to get and keep attention. Zero sleep on that flight. The good part is I'll sleep well tonight.

The Canadian guy was on an earlier domestic flight, so I have had a couple of hours to try and stay awake. While walking to my gate, I heard a voice calling, "Rusty! Over here," from a coffee shop. It was Andre Supron from Poland. I spent about an hour having coffee with Andre and the other Polish coaches and officials.

I still need to explain why I have so many great memories in Turkey - and I will. Right now, it's on to Ankara.

August 1

I write this to assist Gary, Craig and our media team to keep you informed on the progress of our 2009 Junior World Team. I'm confident you will get results and perspectives from Athletes, Coaches and Team Leaders, as well. I hope to offer some flavor, from the viewpoint of a volunteer official.

I always love travel days. There's a certain anonymity to wandering through airports and sitting on planes. It offers some quiet, before the storm.

That storm should be substantial, as I believe we are fielding one of the strongest Junior World Teams we've ever assembled. Top to bottom, men and women, Greco and freestyle. We are stacked!

I'm the last official into Ankara. Toby Walker traveled with the bulk of the team and arrived Friday night. He will have scouted all the best restaurants within striking distance. Zac Errett got in Saturday night and Roy Scott is just ahead of me. I get into Istanbul Sunday afternoon, then arrive in Ankara late that night.

My goal is to be able to sleep Sunday night. We have our mandatory clinic all day Monday and I need to be sharp. For those who may not know, officials of the Olympic styles of wrestling participate in a required "Clinic" at every single event we work. This is true at every level, local, regional, national and international.

It is this ongoing communication that allows us to be up to the minute in the application of wrestling's rules. I hear, often, from people in the stands, "Man, the rules change a lot! Why don't they leave 'em the way the were?" Actually, big rule changes are rare.

The dramatic changes we saw, especially in Greco, between Athens and Beijing were driven by our sport's never-ending need to appeal to television. You can argue about the success of the changes, but you have to respect the sport's leaders for being passionate about keeping us alive!

So, our clinic focuses on the finer points, the philosophy of the rules and their correct application. It's a pretty good deal, if you pay attention. That magic word, "Consistency" happens when every official working that particular event understands the way we're calling it TODAY.

I'm really looking forward to spending the next 17 days in Turkey and I'm anxious to tell you why. Right now, I need to manage Chicago O'Hare and catch my overseas flight. So, there's an excuse to keep you on the hook!

By the way, if you have a specific question or topic, email it to Craig Sesker at USA Wrestling at csesker@usawrestling.org. He is my direct link. I'll give any and all my best shot.

Ciao. Rusty