It's been another interesting, challenging and memorable year for me as the communications manager at USA Wrestling.

Traveling around the United States - and going halfway around the globe for the Pan American Games in Brazil and the World Championships in Azerbaijan - has provided me with an opportunity to see some great wrestling. And witness some amazing moments.

Here is my Top 10 list - from the home office in Colorado Springs - of my favorite moments that I was able to witness in person from 2007.

10. Memorable homecoming for Lester - One of the most impressive performances of the year was turned in by two-time World Greco-Roman bronze medalist Harry Lester at the University Nationals in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. As expected, Lester breezed to the title in Greco-Roman. He then turned in a phenomenal performance by moving up a weight class to win the freestyle title at 74 kg/163 lbs. Lester, who competes at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. in Greco-Roman, knocked off NCAA All-Americans Mike Poeta and Travis Paulson en route to winning the freestyle crown. Lester was very close to being a World champion in 2007 and expect him to make a strong run at an Olympic gold medal in 2008.

9. Close battle at NCAAs as Gophers edge Iowa State - Cole Konrad won his second straight NCAA title to lead Minnesota to the team championship. The Gophers edged Iowa State and first-year head coach Cael Sanderson for the title in Auburn Hills, Mich. Sanderson, the best wrestler in NCAA history, showed he can coach as well. Sanderson, who was 159-0 and a four-time national champion for Iowa State, led ISU to the Big 12 tournament title and the runner-up finish at the NCAAs. Minnesota and Iowa State have both been ranked No. 1 this season.

8. Strong showing for U.S. in Brazil - The United States tuned up for the World Championships by winning a combined 17 medals in 18 weight classes at July's Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Harry Lester, Brad Vering and Justin Ruiz won gold medals in Greco-Roman, Sara McMann and Kristie Marano won titles in women's freestyle, and Henry Cejudo struck gold in men's freestyle. Seeing Cejudo skillfully handle interviews by ESPN Deportes in both English and Spanish was something to see.

7. Heskett places fifth in first World Championships before career abruptly ends - Seeing Joe Heskett, a total class act, make his first World Team last June in Las Vegas was a memorable event. Heskett had the lead late in his semifinal match at the World Championships before falling to the eventual champion from Russia. Heskett ended up finishing fifth, but considering the circumstances he did an amazing job. A couple of weeks later, Heskett was involved in a scary scene where he nearly lost his life because of a heart condition nobody had known about. Heskett had to retire from wrestling, but most importantly he is going to be fine. And he will be able to watch his two young daughters grow up.

6. Finally, a medal for Cormier - You had to wonder if it was ever going to happen for Daniel Cormier. Fifth at the 2003 Worlds and fourth at the 2004 Olympics, the talented and explosive Cormier appeared on the verge of winning some hardware at the World level. After failing to place at the 2005 and 2006 Worlds, Cormier finally broke through by winning a bronze medal at the 2007 Worlds. It was the only medal the U.S. won in freestyle. Expect Cormier to contend for an Olympic medal in 2008.

5. Henry Cejudo featured in Sports Illustrated - Four of the best days of the year for USA Wrestling came when the biggest sports magazine on the planet, Sports Illustrated, came to the Olympic Training Center to do a feature on gifted young freestyle wrestler Henry Cejudo. Sports Illustrated ended up running a superb four-page feature on Henry, complete with an awesome full-page photo of him. Legendary SI photographer Peter Read Miller even was able to get Henry's coach, the hard-nosed Terry Brands, to smile for a photo with Henry that ran with the story. A couple of days after the story in SI, Cejudo made his first U.S. World Team. As someone who has subscribed to SI since fourth grade, it was a pleasure and an honor for me to have the opportunity to work with a top-notch photographer like Peter Read Miller and with talented young Sports Illustrated writer Mark Beech. Publicity like that obviously is huge for our sport.

4. Askren wins second straight Hodge Trophy - Missouri's Ben Askren will be remembered as one of the best college wrestlers in history after winning his second straight NCAA title and second straight Hodge Trophy. He also led an amazing turnaround in the Missouri program that culminated with the Tigers placing third in the team race at the 2007 NCAA meet. Askren already is making his mark in freestyle wrestling, winning a pair of tournaments to start the 2007-08 season. He definitely will be in the mix to make the Olympic Team in 2008.

3. Persistence pays off for Brad Vering - In nearly 25 years of covering sports, I haven't been around many people more competitive or more driven than Brad Vering. And I haven't seen many athletes who have been on a mission like Vering was in 2007. A disappointing third at the 2006 U.S. World Team Trials, Vering rebounded to place second in the World in 2007 with an inspiring, determined performance. Look for Vering, who had fallen short of winning a medal in three previous trips to the Worlds and a trip to the 2004 Olympics, to be in the hunt to win an Olympic gold medal in 2008.

2. 9-for-9: Marano continues phenomenal run - What more can you possibly say about Kristie Marano? The women's freestyle legend continued to add to her remarkable record by winning a silver medal at the 2007 Worlds. The two-time World champion has medaled in each of her nine trips to the World Championships. She tied freestyle legend Bruce Baumgartner's American record of nine World medals. The future Hall of Famer now takes aim at winning her first Olympic medal.

1. U.S. wins its first-ever World title in Greco-Roman wrestling - It was one of those special moments that any of us fortunate enough to be there will always remember. The American squad, despite being without returning World champion Joe Warren, showed an amazing resolve by earning a dramatic team victory at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was the first World team title ever for the U.S. in Greco-Roman wrestling. Strong performances by World silver medalist Brad Vering, bronze medalist Harry Lester and fifth-place finisher Lindsey Durlacher set the stage for veteran heavyweight Dremiel Byers to deliver with a bronze-medal performance on the final day.

That clutch win by Byers, coupled with Russia's loss to Cuba in the gold-medal match at heavyweight, lifted the U.S. to a thrilling one-point win over Russia in the team race. Coach Steve Fraser, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, saw his long-time vision become reality when his team earned its historic first title. A very cool moment occurred during the trophy ceremony. The U.S. team started to sing the Star-Spangled Banner when the folks in Baku were having trouble getting our National Anthem to play on the arena's loudspeakers. The song finally came on as a smiling Fraser stood on the top step of the podium, proudly hoisting the massive gold trophy with the victorious American team standing just a few feet away. It was a magical moment that many of us will never forget.

I can't wait to see what happens as we move into the Olympic year in 2008.