Trent Paulson made the 2009 World Team at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Larry Slater photo.

Not everything has gone according to plan for Trent Paulson this season.

He has been slowed by injuries and missed April's U.S. Open.

He has struggled at times in overseas competitions.

And he has been unable to train with his twin brother, Travis, a 2010 World Team member who is out with an injury.

But Paulson, a past NCAA champion and 2009 World Team member, is back feeling healthy again and ready to make a big impact at next week’s U.S. World Team Trials in Oklahoma City.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to wrestle in the Trials,” Trent said. “I really can’t wait. I’m feeling great now and I’m ready to go.”

Paulson, 28, lost to his brother at the U.S. World Team Trials last year in their hometown of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Travis went on to make his first World Team and Trent finished third at 74 kg/163 lbs.

Travis Paulson had surgery after the World Championships and has been sidelined all season. He recently started training again, but will not be ready in time to compete at the Trials.

“It’s been a lot different, not having my brother to train with,” Trent said. “We always push each other in practice, so it has hurt my training a little bit. Travis has taken a real active role in giving me pointers and helping me prepare. He shouts motivational things in my ear and he will be in my corner helping me at the Trials.”

Trent Paulson is in a loaded weight class at the Trials that includes U.S. Open champion and two-time NCAA champion Jordan Burroughs. Paulson trained in Lincoln for a year while Burroughs was in college at Nebraska.

“Burroughs is a great athlete,” Paulson said. “He’s always looking to score and he has dangerous attacks on his feet. You have to respect that.”

Burroughs has clinched a spot in the finals of the Trials by virtue of his win at the U.S. Open. Paulson will have to win the Challenge Tournament to earn a shot at facing Burroughs in the finals.
 
Among the top wrestlers in the Challenge Tournament will be 2010 U.S. Open champion Andrew Howe and 2011 U.S. Open runner-up Nick Marable. Howe beat Paulson in the finals of last year’s U.S. Open.

“I’ve wrestled with all of the guys in the weight class,” Paulson said. “I will know what to expect when I get out there. I’m excited to see what I can do.”

Paulson, who wrestles for the Sunkist Kids, started the season by winning the New York AC International title. He lost in the first round at the Ivan Yarygin and Buryatia Republic events in Russia. He then placed fifth in the Takhti Cup in Iran.

Paulson has trained primarily in Ames, Iowa. He trains in the Iowa State University wrestling room he practiced in as a collegian. He is being coached by Kevin Jackson, the past U.S. National Freestyle Coach who is now the head coach at Iowa State.

“Coach Jackson has done a great job preparing me,” Paulson said. “He has been working a lot with me and he has me in great shape. I’m going in there with the attitude I’m going to make the World Team. I’m real motivated to win this tournament.”

Paulson has been training with Jon Reader, a 2010 University World Team member who won an NCAA title for ISU this past March. Reader will compete at 84 kg/185 lbs. at the Trials.

Paulson made the 2009 World Team at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. before bumping up to 74 kilos last year.

“Trent’s a past World Team member and that always makes a wrestler a threat to make the team,” U.S. National Coach Zeke Jones said. “The weight is loaded with a lot guys capable of making the team, so he’ll need to be ready. Improving in his areas of concentration is critical if he’s going to win in Oklahoma City. Trent’s a good game-planner – that’s what makes him good. He scouts well and that always helps him.”

Paulson hopes to regain some momentum heading into the Olympic year in 2012. He placed third at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas.

“I’ve been waiting for the Olympics to come around again ever since I got third at the Trials,” he said. “It gets my blood pumping for sure. It’s exciting to think about.”