Please note the new sponsor of the Cadet Nationals, AdvoCare.Over 1,500 of the best young wrestlers in the country will head to Fargo, N.D., to compete in the 1999 AdvoCare Cadet National Championships, July 17-24. This event features the best 15-16 years olds in the nation.
Four 1998 Cadet National Champions will return to Fargo in an attempt to repeat their titles in freestyle competition. Taylor Graham of Oregon, in the 83.5-pound weight class, won his first national title, a 9-4 decision over Kyle Klooster of Michigan. Nate Gallick of Arizona, runner-up in the 1998 Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals, captured the freestyle title in the 88-pound weight class with a 7-1 decision over Jaffari Vanier of Minnesota. At 94.5 pounds, Joe Streu of California decisioned John Foster of Ohio, 10-7. Paul Bradley of Iowa will try for his second national title this year as well. Last year, Bradley decisioned Mike Dratz of Wisconsin, 6-4, at 154 pounds.
In Greco-Roman action, three 1998 champions are eligible to return to the tournament this year. Cam Jones of Utah scored a 10-0 technical fall over Gallick, giving Jones his first national title at the 88-pound weight class. Lucas Smith of Wisconsin also won his first national title at the 94.5-pound weight class at last year's tournament scoring a 5-3 decision over Todd Meneely of Nebraska. Joe Hennis of Florida won the 242-pound title over Ryan Martinez of Colorado.
1998 runners-up James Holt of California (83.5), Matt McIntire of Ohio (121) and Zemoir Pittman of Michigan (143) will also be returning to Greco-Roman competition this year.
The tournament will once again be held at the Fargodome on the North Dakota State University campus in Fargo, N.D. It is being held in conjunction with the 1999 Asics/Vaughan Junior National Championships. Together, these tournaments comprise the largest wrestling event in the world.
To be eligible for Cadet competition, a wrestler must be born either in 1983 or 1984. Thirteen weight classes comprise the Cadet division: 83.5, 88, 94.5, 103.5, 112, 121, 132, 143, 154, 167, 182.5, 209 and 242.
Weigh-ins for Cadet Greco-Roman wrestlers are from 8:00-9:00 a.m. on July 17 in the Fargodome-South. Weigh-ins for for Cadet Freestyle wrestlers are on July 21 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. in the Fargodome-South.
Session I of the Cadet Greco-Roman competition will begin at 4:00 p.m. on July 17. Session II begins at 9:00 a.m. on July 18. Cadet Greco-Roman finals and awards begin at 7:00 p.m. on July 19.
Cadet freestyle session I begins July 21 at 3:00 p.m., session II begins at 9:00 a.m., July 22 and session III begins at 9:00 a.m., July 23. The finals and awards begins at 7:00 p.m., July 23.