#FreestyleFriday: Five reasons to wrestle at next month’s Senior Nationals
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by Taylor Miller, USA Wrestling
Photo of Bill Zadick by Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com
In July, USA Wrestling announced it will be holding a Senior Nationals event Oct. 9-11 in Iowa City, Iowa.
This year’s Senior Nationals is unique for several reasons and doesn’t include the usual rewards like prize money or a qualifying spot in the Olympic Team Trials.
So why wrestle in this year’s Senior Nationals?
USA Wrestling sat down with Men’s Freestyle National Team Coaches Bill Zadick, Joe Russell and Kevin Jackson to get their takes on why it’s important to consider competing in Iowa City next month.
1. Wrestling is what we love to do. We miss seeing you guys compete and look forward to getting the wrestling community back on the mats
“Getting back to doing what we love to do is important. This is what we’ve dedicated ourselves to. Coming off of six months of quarantine, it emphasizes how important and how precious these opportunities are. It’s a great chance to wrestle in a safe environment, and we don’t take these chances for granted!” – Bill Zadick
2. Having a competition on the horizon will help focus your training
3. Getting some matches under your belt will help you evaluate where you are at, how your training is progressing, tweak your plan in preparation for the upcoming Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier and Olympic Trials
“There’s no substitute for live competition. This event setting allows for more than just a simulated match because it will have mat officiating, video reviews and other things that you don’t get from a live go in the practice room. Live events are critical for having the right periodization schedule for peaking for certain events and having the opportunity to make weight.” – Joe Russell
4. The event is geared for getting matches without the added pressure of it being an Olympic Trials Qualifier, but also could impact seeding at the Olympic Trials
“There’s no such thing as an easy draw at the Olympic Trials, but you want to give yourself every opportunity to put yourself in the best position possible. This event is perfectly tailored for that! Finally a chance to do what we love, compete! See you there!” – Kevin Jackson
5. Staying in the USA, following COVID Committee and local medical advice is a safer way to get back on the competition carpet
In addition to the coaches advice, one well known athlete is already signed up as multiple-time National Team member and 2017 U.S. Open champion Kyven Gadson announced his intention to compete at Senior Nationals after the Wrestling Underground event last weekend. A Waterloo, Iowa, native, this is what Gadson said about his decision to wrestle:
“I don't always get to compete in my home state, and I have an opportunity to do so and I relish those opportunities! Competing at Senior Nationals gives me a great opportunity to earn a stop sign, while giving me valuable information on where I am at in my process on the Trek To Tokyo!” – Kyven Gadson
In July, USA Wrestling announced it will be holding a Senior Nationals event Oct. 9-11 in Iowa City, Iowa.
This year’s Senior Nationals is unique for several reasons and doesn’t include the usual rewards like prize money or a qualifying spot in the Olympic Team Trials.
So why wrestle in this year’s Senior Nationals?
USA Wrestling sat down with Men’s Freestyle National Team Coaches Bill Zadick, Joe Russell and Kevin Jackson to get their takes on why it’s important to consider competing in Iowa City next month.
1. Wrestling is what we love to do. We miss seeing you guys compete and look forward to getting the wrestling community back on the mats
“Getting back to doing what we love to do is important. This is what we’ve dedicated ourselves to. Coming off of six months of quarantine, it emphasizes how important and how precious these opportunities are. It’s a great chance to wrestle in a safe environment, and we don’t take these chances for granted!” – Bill Zadick
2. Having a competition on the horizon will help focus your training
3. Getting some matches under your belt will help you evaluate where you are at, how your training is progressing, tweak your plan in preparation for the upcoming Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier and Olympic Trials
“There’s no substitute for live competition. This event setting allows for more than just a simulated match because it will have mat officiating, video reviews and other things that you don’t get from a live go in the practice room. Live events are critical for having the right periodization schedule for peaking for certain events and having the opportunity to make weight.” – Joe Russell
4. The event is geared for getting matches without the added pressure of it being an Olympic Trials Qualifier, but also could impact seeding at the Olympic Trials
“There’s no such thing as an easy draw at the Olympic Trials, but you want to give yourself every opportunity to put yourself in the best position possible. This event is perfectly tailored for that! Finally a chance to do what we love, compete! See you there!” – Kevin Jackson
5. Staying in the USA, following COVID Committee and local medical advice is a safer way to get back on the competition carpet
In addition to the coaches advice, one well known athlete is already signed up as multiple-time National Team member and 2017 U.S. Open champion Kyven Gadson announced his intention to compete at Senior Nationals after the Wrestling Underground event last weekend. A Waterloo, Iowa, native, this is what Gadson said about his decision to wrestle:
“I don't always get to compete in my home state, and I have an opportunity to do so and I relish those opportunities! Competing at Senior Nationals gives me a great opportunity to earn a stop sign, while giving me valuable information on where I am at in my process on the Trek To Tokyo!” – Kyven Gadson
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