U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling and the NCAA Wrestling Championships finalists for SportsTravel Maga
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
09/10/2004
SportsTravel magazine, a leader in the industry, is hosting its 2004 Reader's Choice Awards. Two major wrestling events have been selected as finalists for these prestigious awards. The U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling, held in Indianapolis, Ind., May 21-23, is a finalist in the "Amateur Sporting Events" category, under the topic of "Best Single-Sport Event." The NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships, held in St. Louis, Mo. March 18-20, is a finalist in the "Collegiate Sporting Events" category, under the topic of "Best Single-Sport Event." There are seven events that have been named finalists in each category. The are nine different categories under consideration, three categories each from Amateur Sports, Collegiate Sports and Professional Sports. The magazine allowing the public to vote on the best sporting event of the year in each category. To vote on these wrestling events and in the other categories, simply click on http://www.SportsTravelMagazine.com/STRCAballot.html The Olympic Trials for wrestling was held in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind., with over 24,000 fans attending the three days of outstanding competition. The U.S. Olympic Team for wrestling was determined in all three international styles: men's freestyle, women's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman. The quality of the wrestling competition was outstanding, and the excitement of the Championship Series (which determined the Olympic team members) made this event one of the greatest in wrestling history. In addition, the Indiana Sports Corporation and its local organizing committee (which included leadership from the Indiana State Wrestling Association) put together a first-class presentation. Competition was held on four raised mats during the weekend, and was produced in a very "fan-friendly" fashion. The event was televised on USA Network, in a two-hour show that was considered one of the best wrestling broadcasts on the national level. The NCAA Wrestling Championships was held in the Savvis Center in St. Louis, and featured the top Div. I wrestling teams in the nation. Oklahoma State won the team title. The event was aired on ESPN live and received the highest television rating ever for college wrestling. The St. Louis Sports Commission was an active participant in the hosting of the competition. St. Louis will also host the 2005 NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships. The SportsTravel Readers' Choice Awards will be presented on Friday, October 22, 2004, at the TEAMS Conference & Expo in Houston. Voting ends Sept. 15, so vote today and throughout the final days of the balloting for the wrestling events.