In the photo: Lindsey Durlacher with members of the seventh-grade class at MacArthur Middle School.

U.S. wrestler Lindsey Durlacher returned home to the Chicago area recently and shared his experiences from the 2007 World Championships with a seventh-grade class at MacArthur Middle School in Prospect Heights, Ill.

Durlacher played a key role on the U.S. squad that won its first World Greco-Roman team title on Sept. 19 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Durlacher, a 2006 World bronze medalist at 55 kg/121 lbs., placed fifth at the 2007 World Championships in Baku. He scored six team points for the U.S., which edged Russia 31-30 for the championship.

Durlacher (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) talked with a class taught by Dale Bernstein, one of Durlacher's former coaches and mentors. Durlacher talked with the class about his experiences traveling around the World and what life is like as a World class athlete. He also stressed the importance of pursuing an athletic career and striving for goals like competing in the Olympics.

Bernstein's class had tracked Durlacher's performance during the 2007 World Championships. The class had written letters, made posters and followed the U.S. Greco-Roman team throughout the tournament. Durlacher said he appreciated having a chance to return home and speak to the group that supported him this season.

"This is a great opportunity to reach out to the kids, who are the future of this sport, and try to motivate them," Durlacher said.