Marano, Agonian, McCoy
The Metropolitan Wrestling Association, a USA Wrestling allied member and a leader in the development of the sport, welcomed home some of its own heroes during its annual awards dinner on May 26.    Kerry McCoy, who grew up on nearby Long Island and just days before qualified for his second U.S. Olympic team, was honored, as well as two-time World Champion Kristie Marano, an Albany, N.Y. native who won her World title on the home mats in Madison Square Garden last year.     Also recognized was Jay Kriegel, the Executive Director of NYC2012, for his outstanding work in organizing the World Wrestling Championships in New York City. Kriegel and his staff manage the NYC2012 Olympic bid effort, and New York City is one of the five finalist cities under consideration by the International Olympic Committee to host the 2012 Summer Olympics.    The function was held at the New York Athletic Club, one of the most famous and successful Olympic sports clubs in the world. Both McCoy and Marano compete for the New York Athletic Club.     For McCoy, it was a celebration of his triumph at the Olympic Team Trials less than two nights before. For Marano, who was defeated in the Olympic Team Trials finals, it was a chance to appreciate her for her achievements and success, in spite of her disappointment.    Introducing both McCoy and Marano was Sonny Greenhalgh, the Director of Wrestling for the New York AC and a coach for both athletes.    
USAW state chair Gould with athletes
"Kerry is a great guy to me," said Greenhalgh. "He walked out of the Olympic Games and he was thinking he might be finished wrestling. He decided to go four more years, and he is moving up the line. This is the Olympic year right now. One, there is what he did last year at the World Championships. Two, we are all behind him this year. You will get the gold this time."    McCoy thanked all of the people there for supporting him and making a difference in his career. He looked back at the World Championships and thanked the volunteers for working so hard on his behalf. He also encouraged NYC2012 in its effort to win the Olympic Games bid.    "I had it easy at the World Championships. All I had to do was wrestle. You all did the hard work," said McCoy. "I have confidence we will win the Olympic bid and get it here. It is a no-brainer. New York will get the bid."    McCoy then praised Marano for her tremendous effort in winning the World Championships last year. He thanked Greenhalgh for all of his work in supporting his training. Then he thanked Angelo Borzio, his regular workout partner and opponent, for being there throughout his journey.    "I want to thank the MWA and the New York Athletic Club," said McCoy. "Hopefully, I'll be back here in a few months with the gold medal around my neck."    Greenhalgh then introduced Marano, saying "she's the toughest girl I have ever seen. If she gets her opponent close to her back, it's over."    Greenhalgh then discussed a painful topic for Marano, the fact that she had missed weight at the Olympic Trials and placed second. However, he explained things in a way that gave her ultimate respect in spite of her falling short of her dream.    "Kristie experienced something that happens sometimes, a body shutdown," said Greenhalgh. "She could not lose that last pound. So she had to go up in weight. Women's wrestling has seven weight classes, but only four in the Olympics. So she actually had to go up two weight classes. She went up 20 pounds. You try beating people who weigh 20 pounds more than you."    
Agonian and Kriegel
"She put on her singlet and did a hell of a job," he said. "She won all of her matches, until the finals, where she lost to another wrestler from the New York Athletic Club, Toccara Montgomery. They were two of the greatest matches I've seen. Kristie lost them by one point. The first Women's team will be going to the Olympics, and Kristie will not be a part of it. But this is Kristie Marano. We will see a lot more of her. That girl who got the job done at the World Championships, she will be back. Last year at the World meet, when Kristie won, it was one of the greatest tournaments I have ever seen."    Marano accepted her award and praised everybody there for their support.    "I want to thank everybody for helping our careers," said Marano. "Really, without everybody supporting us, I couldn't do half the stuff I do. Thank you to everybody."    Kriegel also accepted his award, in recognition for his efforts with NYC2012 at the World Championships in Madison Square Garden.    "It was a unique event in New York," said Kriegel. "We were scheduled for September 2001. 9/11 gave this event great meaning. There was tremendous tragedy and sorrow, then a rebirth."    Kriegel then thanked a variety of people for their efforts in the World Championships, each for their individual special contributions. They included Ken Podziba (NYC Sports Commission), Wendy Hilliard (NYC2012), then Al Bevilacqua, Bill Crum and Set Agonian (MWA).    Part of the evening featured an awards ceremony for New York City high school wrestlers who had won the Metropolitan Tournament, featuring the public, private and Catholic schools with wrestling programs.    The athletes received a special presentation from the MWA, and were able to pose for pictures with McCoy and Marano. It provided the young athletes a chance to meet some great role models.    Attending the event was the Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Raymond G. Loretan, as well as the Counsel General of Bulgaria, Mr. Anton Karlov.    Agonian thanked Mr. Loretan for his attendance, and praised his support of wrestling and its new FILA President, Mr. Raphael Martinetti of Switzerland.    Agonian also presented a plaque to Mr. Karlov, for him to deliver to Bulgarian Wrestling Federation President Valentin Jordanov. The award recognized the Bulgarian wrestling community for its willingness to host the 2001 World Championships after it was postponed in New York because of the 9/11 terror attack.    Agonian also talked about the importance of creating wrestling opportunities for young people, especially in our urban centers.    "There are poor people in America who live in big cities," said Agonian prior to the dinner.  "In other parts of the nation, wrestling has an infrastructure and it is easier for them to be successful. In big cities, it is hard to find places to start wrestling clubs. It is time for us to work with the inner-city schools to start international wrestling. We should give city kids a chance to perhaps some day become Olympic champions."    "We have to help our young people through sports," Agonian said at the dinner. "We have many sports in the Olympics but we choose wrestling. There are many people who make it happen, who are dedicated. Some are parents, referees, coaches. It is a big structure with many people involved."    Agonian also made a special mention of all the hardworking people who made the 2003 World Championships such a success.    "These World Championships were a great success, thanks to the many volunteers. We could not do anything without them, and without our Board," said Agonian.    When the dinner was over, and everybody was shaking hands, posing for pictures and talking wrestling, Kerry McCoy quietly made an unselfish effort that shows the kind of character that makes the sport so special.    He brought in two full garbage bags full of wrestling and running shoes to donate young people who are involved in wrestling. They were shoes that he had received as a Senior athlete and national team member, provided as par