USA Wrestling conducted the first Women's Director Fall Clinic and Seminar, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., Oct. 18-21.

State association Women's directors and coaches came to Colorado Springs for a four-day series of technique clinics, seminars and planning sessions, all designed to enhance and improve the women's programs on the state and local levels.

"We have had Fall Coaches Clinics at the Olympic Training Center before, but this year we decided to separate the clinic for Women's State Directors and Women's Coaches only," said National Women's Coach Terry Steiner. "The purpose behind the clinic was to bring our state women's directors up to speed with the direction of the women's program." 

Technique session were conducted by National Women's Coach Terry Steiner, National Women's Developmental Coach Izzy Izboinikov, two-time World bronze medalist Katie Downing and respected women's coach Levi Weikel-Magden.

All of the participants were briefed on the new Women's Program Business Plan, which allowed them to become aligned with the mission and vision of the women's national program moving forward.

Members of the U.S. Olympic Committee's Performance Enhancement team, who work directly with USA Wrestling's women's program, also provided seminars for the participants. Featured speakers were Kirsten Peterson (sports psychology), Patrick Borkowski (strength and conditioning) and Robyn Mason (video training).

"Probably, most importantly, we had four different discussion sessions during the four-day clinic to discuss different issues with women's wrestling development," said Steiner.

These planning sessions featured the 2007-2008 women's schedule, women's wrestling website development, state association development and a legal issues review.

"I believe it was a very successful clinic for those that attended.  Hopefully next year we will attract all the State Women's Directors to the event.  Having the clinic at the USOTC is also great because our national team and resident athletes can be apart of the clinic," said Steiner.

Women's Director Fall Clinic and Seminar Participants
Brittany Shell Caulkins (AK)
John Diederich (AK)
Patricia Fox (NJ/CO)
Mike Goddard (IN)
Doug Reese (CA)
Lila Ristevska (FL)
George Shell (AK)
Dana Skroch (NV)
Ron Tirpak (PA)
Pat Varland (WY)
Peter Weaver (ME)
Ed Wojdyla (IN)
Billy Wood (HI/ID)

Clinic and Seminar Presenters
Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Tony Black, USA Wrestling
Patrick Borkowski, USOC
Katie Downing, Women's Team USA
Izzy Izboinikov, USA Wrestling
Robyn Mason, USOC
Kirsten Peterson, USOC
Terry Steiner, USA Wrestling
Levi Weikel-Magden, Women's National Coaches Pool