U.S. freestyle national program holds Coaches and Athletes Summit and Camp this week

The U.S. freestyle wrestling community is coming together this week to build the National Team Program for the present and the future.

Up to 70 of the nation's top freestyle coaches, leaders and athletes are heading to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., for the National Freestyle Team Coaches and Wrestlers Summit and Evaluation Camp, Dec. 8-14.

The project has been spearheaded by National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones, and has received considerable support from USA Wrestling, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the top freestyle wrestling club programs in the nation.

"The purpose of this freestyle summit meeting is for National Coach Zeke Jones to get with all the key people in the national freestyle effort in order to do an honest assessment of the U.S. freestyle program," said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. "Once that is established, those who will be stakeholders will have an opportunity to work together to set a path for the program, with the goal of returning the United States to international prominence in freestyle wrestling."

Participants are arriving in Colorado on Monday, Dec. 8, and the hard work begins early on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 9.

"The Summit will clearly help us as the first step of setting the plan for the American freestyle wrestling resurgence," said Jones.

As many as 40 coaches and leaders will have an intensive day of meetings all day on Tuesday, and some coaches will remain to assist in the training camp. Included in the group are numerous coaches who have served as U.S. Olympic Team coaches or U.S. World Team coaches. Many of the coaches in attendance lead major Div. I college wrestling programs, and others were World and Olympic medalists as athletes.

"The opportunity to bring the most brilliant coaching minds together as part of our National Team evaluation camp allows us to focus on our entire program and evaluate all facets of it," said Jones.

A total of 30 top U.S. freestyle wrestlers will participate in a week of training camp, with a focus on evaluation and assessment. Included in the group will be 2008 U.S. Olympic champion Henry Cejudo, as well as his U.S. Olympic teammates Daniel Cormier, Andy Hrovat, Steve Mocco, Doug Schwab and Mike Zadick.

"Our wrestlers are excited about coming in for their first phase of training, as well as becoming active participants in helping lay out our plan for success," said Jones.

USA Wrestling is committed to working closely with the entire U.S. wrestling community to strengthen the freestyle program, with the goal of winning Olympic and World medals for the United States.

"The new direction is now," said Bender. "USA Wrestling is taking this monumental step towards the podium."

National Freestyle Team Coaches and Wrestlers Summit and Evaluation Camp
At Colorado Springs, Colo., Dec. 8-14

National Team Coaches
Royce Alger
David Bell
Dave Bennett
Terry Brands
Bruce Burnett
Jim Humphrey
Kevin Jackson
Zeke Jones
Jamill Kelly
Mark Manning
Kerry McCoy
Kenny Monday
Gordy Morgan
Thom Ortiz
Chris Owens
J Robinson
Joe Seay
Brandon Slay
Mike McArthur
Joel Sharratt
Bill Scherr
John Smith
Bill Zadick

National Team Wrestlers
Kurt Backes
David Bertolino
Shawn Bunch
Micah Burak
Josh Churella
Ryan Churella
Daniel Cormier
Angel Cejudo
Henry Cejudo
Zach Esposito
Luke Eustice
Nate Gallick
Keith Gavin
Bryce Hasseman
Andy Hrovat
Eric Leudke
Steve Mocco
Travis Pascoe
Travis Paulson
Trent Paulson
DaVaughn Perkins
Tommy Rowlands
Doug Schwab
Nick Simmons
Sean Stender
Brian Stith
Michael Tamillow
Matt Valenti
Mike Zadick

National Team Leaders
Alan Ashley
Krista Austin
Dave Barry
Rich Bender
Stan Dziedzic
Mike Favre
Steve Fraser
Mitch Hull
Jaimie McNab
Mike Novagratz
Kirsten Peterson
Jim Scherr
Terry Steiner
Van Stokes