The USA Wrestling national schedule continues this week with the University World Team Trials, set for Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. on August 18.

This event will set the U.S. teams in men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman which will compete in the World University Championships in Kourtane, Finland, October 2-7.

Discounted online registration of $30 ends on Wednesday, August 15 at 10:00 p.m. Central time. To register online, visit:
http://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/registration/BasicPreReg1.jsp?tournamentGroupId=15088009

Onsite registration on Friday, August 17 is also available for $40 

Many of those expected to compete were top stars at the University National Championships, which were held in Akron, Ohio, June 1-3.

The winner of the University National Championships at the World Championship weights will sit at the top of the ladder and wrestle a best two out of three final against the winner of the challenge tournament.

Among those eligible to sit out in men’s freestyle are 2011 NCAA champion Dustin Kilgore of Kent State at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and 2012 NCAA champion Tony Nelson of Minnesota at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Among the Greco-Roman athletes eligible to sit out is 2011 Junior World bronze medalist Toby Erickson at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., who is with the USOEC program at Northern Michigan Univ.

To participate in this event, an athlete has to be currently registered and proceding towards a degree at a university or similar academic institution, or have completed a university degree in the year preceding the event.

There are specific qualifying standards for athletes who will be in the field at the University World Team Trials. The top six wrestlers in each weight class from the University Nationals are eligible to enter the event.  Any All-American from the 2012 NCAA Div. I Championships may enter, as well as finalists from the NCAA Div. II and the NCAA Div. II National Championships. Champions from the NAIA and the NJCAA Nationals may also enter. Among the other qualifying standards for those who meet eligibility requirements are the top U.S. athlete at the 2011 NYAC Holiday Tournament or the top six athletes from the 2011 U.S. Open.  There are also wild card entries through a petition process to the National Coaching Staff.

For more information, visit the University World Team Trials website at:
http://www.themat.com/events/default.php?page=default&EventID=26182

Often, the athletes who compete for the USA at the University World Championships go on to success on the World and Olympic level. For example, Cael Sanderson won a University World title before he went on to win the 2004 Olympic Games.

You can follow the action on TheMat.com, and see video coverage of the event on TheMat.tv

UNIVERSITY WORLD TEAM TRIALS 
At Colorado Springs, Colo., August 17-18

Event schedule

Friday, August 17
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Registration
3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Medical Check
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Weigh-in

Saturday, August 18
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Challenge Tournament
4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Best of Three Championship Series

2012 UNIVERSITY NATIONALS CHAMPIONS
(Champions at Olympic weight classes move directly to Championship Series)

Men’s Freestyle Olympic weight champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Evan Silver (Cardinal Wrestling Club)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Chris Dardanes (Minnesota Storm)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jason Chamberlain (Broncs Wrestling Club)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Jake Salazar (Cliff Keen Wrestling Club)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Michael Letts (Navy Mat Club)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Dustin Kilgore (OTC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Tony Nelson (Minnesota Storm)

Greco-Roman Olympic weight champions
55 kg/ 121.25 lbs - Max Nowry (New York AC)
60 kg/ 132.25 lbs. - Paul Tellgren (Minnesota Storm)
66 kg/ 145.5 lbs. - Nick Alvarez (USOEC)
74 kg/ 163 lbs. - Tanner Andrews (USOEC)
84 kg/ 185 lbs. - Mark Stenberg (New York AC)
96 kg/ 211.5 lbs. - Caylor Williams (YES Wrestling)
120 kg/ 264.5 lbs.  - Toby Erickson (New York AC)