Teyon Ware battles in freestyle at the 2006 World Team Trials. Larry Slater photo.

Teyon Ware's resume glows like someone who was destined for greatness at the international level.

He was a four-time, undefeated Oklahoma state champion in high school. He won a pair of Junior Nationals titles in freestyle.

And he was a three-time NCAA finalist and two-time NCAA champion for the Oklahoma Sooners.

But Ware's international career has included its share of struggles since he finished his college career in 2006.

The 26-year-old Ware's fortunes have changed this season.

He placed second at the Sunkist Kids and Hargobind international events before he won the Wrestle-Off for the spot on the U.S. World Cup Team in freestyle wrestling at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

"It's been kind of a slow process since I started wrestling internationally, and I knew it would take some time," Ware said. "I know this is the last level, and I've won at every other level. I never had any doubt that I could win at this level."

Ware started wrestling internationally at 60 kg/132 lbs. He lost in the quarterfinals of the 2006 U.S. World Team Trials.

He eventually moved up to 66 kilos. He struggled in 2007 and 2008, going 0-2 at both the U.S. World Team Trials and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Ware made a dramatic move in the 2008-09 season. He decided to switch styles - changing from freestyle to Greco-Roman.

"I moved to Ohio, and I was up there training with (past Olympian) Kevin Bracken and (National Team member) Sam Hazewinkel, who trained in Greco," Ware said. "I decided to give Greco a try, and I liked it at first. But Greco got too slow for me."

After going 2-2 at the 2009 World Team Trials in Greco-Roman and falling short of placing, Ware switched back to freestyle this season.

"Wrestling Greco helped me a lot when I came back to freestyle," Ware said. "I can attack your legs or I can attack your upper body now. And I'm turning guys a lot more now when I'm in the top position."

Ware has moved to Pennsylvania, and is now training with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club at Penn State University. He also helps out with the college program at nearby Lock Haven.

"I couldn't ask for a better training situation," Ware said. "The Nittany Lion Wrestling Club is taking care of me financially. I have Matt Dernlan and Cael Sanderson working with me, and I have some great workout partners. It's a great situation."

Ware is scheduled to compete in an event in Cuba this weekend.

Winning the World Cup Wrestle-Offs has provided Ware with a big boost.

"It's a good step forward for me," he said. "I'm happy with it and I'm honored to be on the team, but I'm not satisfied. I want to make a World Team and win a World gold medal. I'm excited to wrestle in the World Cup and gain some more experience."

Ware's college teammate, Sam Hazewinkel, also has excelled after switching from Greco to freestyle this season. Hazewinkel, who trains in Norman, Okla., made the World Cup Team at 55 kg/121 lbs.

"Sam is a very tough wrestler," Ware said. "He's been throwing these freestyle guys all over the place. We both want to be wrestling together (on the World Team) in September."

Ware is in a deep 66 kilos class that is traditionally the toughest weight class in the U.S.

Trent Paulson made the World Team in 2009 at 66 kilos after Doug Schwab made the World Team in 2007 and the Olympic Team in 2008.

"It's a very tough weight class - the No. 1 guy can get beat on any given day," Ware said. "You need to be ready to wrestle every match and treat every opponent the same."

Ware beat Josh Churella and Corey Jantzen in Wrestle-Off bouts in late January to make the World Cup Team. The World Cup is set for early next month in Russia.

"Teyon is getting better, and I think after the Wrestle-Offs and the World Cup, he'll get a good dose of wrestling the best in the World," U.S. National Coach Zeke Jones said. "He's tough to score on, everyone knows that, but what he did the best during the Wrestle-Offs was get to his leg attacks to score. He had a balanced attack, of offense and counter offense, and that was the difference. When he goes overseas, he'll have to increase his attack rate to beat the best in the World.  

"It's also nice to see some fresh new faces in the lineup for Team USA. We need to keep growing our pipeline, and Teyon is starting to show he can wrestle with the best in America."

Ware wants to prove that he's more than just the best guy in the U.S.

"I want to win the Olympics - that's what I'm working toward," he said. "If being a World and Olympic champion wasn't my goal, I wouldn't be wasting my time out here. There is no reason I can't be up there with the best guys in the World. Now I just have to go out there and prove it."