Excel Wrestling Begins 2010-2011 USAW Junior Olympic Program in Gillette, Wyoming

A new elite program for middle school and high school wrestlers comes to Gillette, WY.  

USA Wrestling, the national governing body for amateur wrestling has developed the Junior Olympic Program concept in several states.  It is a national development program being offered to enhance learning for the more serious, committed wrestlers who are looking to advance on to the next level. USA Wrestling has partnered with Excel Wrestling and has already established training sites in Iowa and Colorado.

The program has been designed to bring elite coaches to the high school level to help increase skills as well as motivation, work ethic and love of the sport. The Wyoming Junior Olympic Program operated in Cheyenne from 2002 thru 2007 with much success and it is hoped that the same will be true with a new location in Gillette. 

The Junior Olympic Program mission has been set in motion to encourage wrestlers to compete nationally, wrestle in college and pursue long term goals on the mat.  Over the years, Excel Wrestling has seen many wrestlers go on to be High School and College All Americans through their different Junior Olympic Programs.

John Bear, editor of the state website, www.wyowrestling.com, commented, “There couldn’t be a better opportunity for Wyoming wrestlers than Excel’s Junior Olympic Programs. My son was involved in Colorado years ago and we’re excited to see it come to Gillette.”   

Team Excel Coach Steve Knight, who helped facilitate the program for Wyoming, is excited to see it take off. 

"We hope Gillette will be a central enough location for wrestlers from several communities to participate.  I think Coach Cort Peterson will do an outstanding job with the program and we’re very excited to have him on our staff”, said Knight.

The Wyoming Junior Olympic Program is hosted by Twin Spruce Junior High School in Gillette, WY. 

For more information on the program, contact Coach Jeff Wagoner in Gillette at 307.660.4014 or the Excel Wrestling office at 303.931.3973 or on the web at www.excelwrestling.com