USA WRESTLING AND GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCE RETURN OF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS TO AKRON, OHIO APRIL 10-13, 2008

Second Consecutive Year for ASICS University & FILA Cadet National Championships at the University of Akron Athletic Field House with the Return of Women's University Nationals

CLEVELAND, OH - February 25, 2008 - The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC) and USA Wrestling have announced the return of the ASICS University & FILA Cadet National Championships.  This four-day event will again take place April 10-13, 2008 at the Louis and Freda Stile Athletic Field House at the University of Akron.  

First held in Ohio in 2007, the 2008 event includes the return of the Women's University Nationals.  Five event records were set in 2007, with an anticipated growth again in 2008.  The event will bring over 1,200 athletes and family into the City of Akron.

The event's move to the University of Akron in 2007 marked an historic year for the ASICS University and FILA Cadet National Championships.  Five event records were set including: largest University freestyle field (490), largest University field (freestyle and Greco-Roman combined) (604), largest FILA Cadet freestyle field (377), largest FILA Cadet Greco-Roman field (215) and largest FILA Cadet field (freestyle and Greco-Roman combined) (592).  

"We are excited to go back to Akron with this major event," said USA Wrestling National Events Director Pete Isais. "We set records in the FILA Cadet and University divisions last year. We anticipate continued success, and look forward to working again with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and USA Wrestling Ohio."

"It's great to see the return of the ASICS National and FILA Cadet National Championships to our region.  The proven success of Northeast Ohio's hosting of this event is a testament to the goal of the Sports Commission, which is to make Northeast Ohio the premier sports destination.  We are grateful to the local wrestling community, as well, for their tremendous support of this event," says David Gilbert, President & CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

This tournament has been hosted by the wrestling team at Northwestern Univ. and held in the Chicago area since 1992. The University Nationals has only had one other site during its history, at Penn State Univ. in 1990 and 1991. 

The Women's University Nationals were originally held alongside the Men's University Nationals in Evanston, Il for five years (1998 - 2002).  Since 2002, the women's division was part of the Body Bar Women's Nationals, an event that combined four age-group levels.

The 16 mats necessary for the event will be supplied by Dollamur Mats in a deal secured by Chris Kallai, State Chairman of USA Wrestling Ohio. These mats will be available for purchase from those in the local community.  

Competition will be held in the Olympic styles of freestyle and Greco-Roman in both age divisions. The University Nationals feature many of the nation's top college-age wrestlers, both from college wrestling programs and the U.S. military teams. The FILA Cadet Nationals showcases many of the best high school wrestlers in the United States. 

University-age athletes are 18-24 years old (Born 1984-90) and the athlete must have graduated from high school. FILA Cadets are 15-17 years old (Born 1991-92, and 1993 with a medical certificate). 

Finalists in the University Nationals in both styles qualify to participate in the U.S. Senior World Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., June 8-10. The top three place winners at the FILA Cadet Nationals qualify for their state's Cadet Nationals team above the state limit (and must adhere to all state policies). 

FILA Cadet and University qualifiers will receive information regarding an international tour opportunity from USA Wrestling's National Developmental coaches upon completion of the event. 

The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is the non-profit organization that works to measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the Greater Cleveland community by attracting and creating significant sporting events and activities.