New World Team Trials procedures in place for men's FILA Junior and University World Teams

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Josi Carlson (USA Wrestling)
03/28/2005


USA Wrestling will be holding team trials for the 2005 men's U.S. World Team on the FILA Junior and University levels in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 22-29.    The FILA Junior World Championships feature the best 17-20 year old wrestlers in the world. Over the years, this event has consistently produced athletes who have gone on to win World and Olympic medals on the Senior level. This is a major proving ground for international stars.    While the U.S. has been competing in the University World Championships for college-student wrestlers across the world for a number of years, this is the first time since 1981 that wrestling is part of the World University Games.    The World University Games is a major multi-sport event to be held in Ismir, Turkey.    The 2005 FILA Junior World Championships will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania.    In order to field the most competitive teams possible, USA Wrestling has changed the criteria for the selection of teams on the FILA Junior and University levels.    As it is done on the Senior level, there will be a Challenge Tournament with all of the qualifiers, except for the National Champion, with the winner moving on to a best-of-three final series against the National Champion for the spot on the team.     The FILA Junior National Championships will be held in Las Vegas, Nev., April 29-30. The University National Championships will be April 13-16 in Evanston, Ill.    Athletes can qualify for the Team Trials by meeting the following credentials:  University World Team  - Any 2005 All-American from the University Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - Any 2005 All-American from the NCAA DI Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - Any 2005 All-American from the Senior Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - The 2005 finalists from the NCAA DII Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - The 2005 finalists from the NCAA DIII Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - The 2005 finalists from the NAIA Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - The 2005 finalists from the Junior College Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - Two wild cards, per weight class, may be selected by the USA Wrestling Developmental Coach for the specific style.  FILA Junior World Team  - Top three place winners from the 2004 Junior Nationals who meet the age group criteria.  - The top six place winners from the 2005 FILA Junior National tournament.  - Any All-American from the 2005 University Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - Any All-American from the 2005 NCAA Division I Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - Any All-American from the 2005 Senior Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - The finalists from the 2005 NCAA DII Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - The finalists from the 2005 NCAA DIII Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - The finalists from the 2005 NAIA Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - The finalists from the 2005 Junior College Nationals who meets the age group criteria.  - Two wild cards, per weight class, may be selected by the USA Wrestling Developmental Coach for the specific style.    For the women, the FILA Junior World Team will be based upon the results of the Body Bar FILA Junior Nationals in San Diego, Calif., April 8-10. The University Team will be determined by the highest place winner per weight class from the Women's Senior World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa, other than the Team Trials Champion, that meets age-group and college enrollment requirements.