USA Wrestling has selected Orem, Utah as the host city for the 2010 and 2011 USA Wrestling Kids Freestyle and Greco-Roman National Championships. It will be held at the McKay Events Center on the campus of Utah Valley University.

The competition has been held at this location for the last two years, and USA Wrestling is pleased to extend the relationship. The local organizing committee for the event is USA Wrestling-Utah.

The 2010 USA Wrestling Kids Freestyle and Greco-Roman National Championships is scheduled for June 28-30. The 2011 date has not yet been finalized.

The competition features wrestlers in three separate age divisions: Intermediate (9-10 years old), Novice (11-12 years old), and Schoolboy/girl (13-14 years old). The athletes compete in the two Olympic styles of wrestling, freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Participants will have an opportunity to compete against the best wrestlers in the nation, in an attempt to garner national titles and All-American honors. The event is the final leg of the prestigious USA Wrestling Kids Triple Crown, an award given to any wrestler who wins USA Wrestling national titles in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle in the same year.

"USA Wrestling is pleased to award the 2010 and 2011 Kids Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships to USA Wrestling-Utah," said Pete Isais, USA Wrestling National Events Director.  "USA Wrestling-Utah submitted a fantastic bid, coupled with increasing athlete attendance at this location.  We saw a 45% increase from 2008 to 2009 working with our local organizers in Utah."

USA Wrestling-Utah President Craig LaMont was responsible for the bid submission and helped to highlight the Utah Valley in winning ways.

"It was a fun process, but it is a relief to know (the bid) is official," said LaMont.  "We believe that this area and facility have more than enough to offer the wrestling community."

Annually, this tournament features great young talent, including many future champions in high school and college.  Recent NCAA Division I national champions Brent Metcalf and Angel Escobedo participated in this tournament when they were young.

LaMont has been pleased not only with the growth of the competition, but also the quality of the athletes who participate. 

"I felt the competition this year was the first time the majority of the weights were attracting the best wrestlers in the nation," said LaMont.

It is never too soon to begin to schedule plans to attend this highly competitive and prestigious tournament!