USA Wrestling National Junior Olympic Programs begin in Iowa and Colorado
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Mark Scott (USA Wrestling)
11/03/2004
USA Wrestling has endorsed two more organizations to conduct official USA Wrestling Junior Olympic Program Training Centers in Iowa and Colorado. The very first Junior Olympic Program Training Center was approved last month for the state of Wyoming, headed up by WAWA State Coach Jason Nickal. In Iowa, the Golden Eagles Wrestling Club, under the leadership of Head Coach and Director Keith Massey has kicked off already for the 2004-2005 school year. The Golden Eagles operate their facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa and have had tremendous success. Keith Massey coached at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials last spring in Indianapolis. He has sent wrestlers from his program on to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to be a part of the USOTC Resident Athlete Program. Coach Massey added, "We have always been strong supporters of USA Wrestling and we are honored to have this endorsement for the state of Iowa. I would also like to thank Coach Steve Knight for all his hard work with USA Wrestling in establishing the parameters for this program." In Colorado, Excel Wrestling has also been approved and designated as a Junior Olympic Program Training Center Coordinator. Excel Wrestling has had a strong presence in Colorado wrestling for the past 10 years. Many of the Excel wrestlers have gone on to claim USA Kids National titles, Fargo Junior and Cadet All American and National Championship titles as well as achieving college NCAA Division I All American status. The 2005 season will mark the 12th year for Excel Wrestling running various camps throughout the state, as well as their 9th season of the Team Excel Year Round Training Program. Excel Wrestling Club's Junior Olympic Program Training Center Coordinator Spencer Jemelka, who also grew up in the Excel program commented, "I'm thrilled that the program's training centers have now received the endorsement as an official USA Wrestling Junior Olympic Program Training Centers. Excel Wrestling has touched the lives of so many wrestlers in Colorado and from around the country. I hope to see the program continue to do so for years to come." For the Iowa Junior Olympic Program Training Center, call Keith Massey at 402.203.1610. For more information in Colorado, call Program Coordinator Spencer Jemelka at 719.406.8871.