The first Colorado Springs Metro Wrestling  Championships  set for February 3 at Doherty High School    For the first time, high school wrestling teams from Colorado Springs will get together in one showcase event to determine the best athletes and teams from the metropolitan area.    The first Colorado Springs Metro Wrestling Championships will be hosted February 3 by Doherty High School. Fourteen high school wrestling teams from the city and metropolitan area have entered the competition. The event will crown individual metropolitan champions, and will also be a key tune-up event for the regional and state championships starting the next week.    This exciting new event has been organized by the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation and USA Wrestling.   The Colorado Springs Sports Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing sports for the economic and social benefit of the citizens of Colorado Springs. Commonly referred to as *the Sports Corp,* the  organization and its members are committed to cultivating and preserving a dynamic sports environment that enriches the quality of life for residents of the Pikes Peak region. USA Wrestling is the national governing body for wrestling in the United States, and is headquartered in Colorado Springs.    The concept of a Metro Championships has been several years in the making. With a great wrestling tradition in the city, the sport was in need of a showcase event. Through the efforts of the athletic directors of the various school districts within the Colorado Springs area, plus USA Wrestling and the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, the inaugural event has become a reality. All involved agree that the goal is to have every Colorado Springs metropolitan team in the event in the future.    The teams included in this inaugural Metro Championships include:  Cheyenne Mountain Doherty Harrison  Lewis Palmer Liberty Mesa Ridge  Mitchell Palmer Rampart  Sand Creek Sierra Widefield  Woodland Park    "We are proud to partner with USA Wrestling and our area high schools in presenting this exciting new event," said  Dave Ogrean, President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation. "Rivalries are always most intense when they involve teams and athletes from common areas, and we expect the competition in this tournament to be first-rate."    "USA Wrestling is excited to help recognize the talented high school wrestlers in the city where our staff works and lives," said USA Wrestling acting Executive Director Rich Bender. "This should be an outstanding event and the beginning of a great tradition."      Medals will be awarded for the top six placewinners in each weight division. Attractive team awards will be presented to the top four schools. Outstanding Wrestler awards will be presented in both the lower and upper weights. Special awards include Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year, Manager of the Year, Outstanding Underclassman and Outstanding Student Athlete of the Year (senior).    The competition is scheduled to appear on local television on Adelphia, Channel 4 on a tape delayed basis. The broadcast team for the event will be Darryl Seibel, the Director of Operations for the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation and Mitch Hull, USA Wrestling National Teams Director. Scheduling information on the broadcast times will be announced when available.    Competition is scheduled to begin on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 9:00 a.m. at Doherty High School. Competition will continue throughout the day, with the gold-medal finals tentatively set for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students for all-day passes. Championship finals tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for students. The tournament will honor Metro and CHSAA passes.    Sports fans in Colorado Springs will have an opportunity to see the best high school wrestlers in the city in action. This event is planned to be held annually, and is expected to grow in size and support each year. Wrestling is active and growing in Colorado Springs, and the local sports community is excited to provide this quality showcase for our high school wrestling stars.    For media information, contact Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling Director of Communications, at 719-598-8181.