FIRST KIDS FREESTYLE AND GRECO-ROMAN NATIONALS A SUCCESS, AS YOUTH WRESTLERS FROM ACROSS NATION COMPETE IN WATERLOO, IOWA, JULY 2-5The first USA Wrestling Kids National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships was a historic event, which featured many firsts for youth wrestling. Held at the Young Arena in Waterloo, Iowa, July 2-5, the "Kids Nationals" was a fun and exciting event which set the stage for an even brighter future.
It was fitting that the best young athletes between the ages of 9-14 travelled to Waterloo for the first Kids Nationals in the international styles. Waterloo is the hometown of wrestling legend Dan Gable and is in the heart of one of the nation's wrestling hotbeds.
Competition was held in three age levels: Midget (9-10 years), Novice (11-12 years) and Schoolboy (13-14). A total of 36 states were represented.
The true stars of the event were the hundreds of young athletes, their parents and their coaches. The quality of the competition was high, as each of the participants were required to have entered one of the five Regional Championships.
Among the firsts which occurred in Waterloo were:
* First Triple Crown Winner - Jon Dahl of Fridley, Minn. became the first athlete to win all three of USA Wrestling's Kids National titles in the same year. Dahl won both the freestyle and Greco-Roman title at 100 pounds in the Midget division (9-10), and was also a gold medalist at USA Wrestling's Folkstyle Nationals in Kansas City in March.
Dahl is a member of the Fridley Club, coached by Pat Faber. His parents, Laurie and James, were coaching in his corner and were able to share in the celebration when John won his third National title. Dahl won the Greco-Roman gold with a pin over Adam Bonikowski of Manawa, Wis. in 2:58 and claimed the freestyle title by defeating Bonikowski in the finals, 7-0.
USA Wrestling will recognize Dahl and all future Triple Crown winners on all three Kids age group levels for their outstanding achievement.
* First Brothers to win Kids Nationals - The Halsey brothers of Oceanside, Calif., became the first brothers to win Kids Nationals titles side-by-side, when they captured gold medals in the Greco-Roman division.
Brandon Halsey won the Novice division title at 80 pounds, defeating Eric Shortenhaug of Walnut Creek, Calif. by technical fall, 10-0, in the finals. His older brother Ryan Halsey won the Schoolboy division title at 135 pounds, scoring a 10-0 technical fall over Dale Mundt of Torrington, Wyo. in the finals.
They are both members of the No Mercy club, coached by Rubin Leon.
* First girl to win a National title - Teresa Gordon-Dick of Redwood Valley, Calif. became the first female to win a gold medal competing against boys at any USA Wrestling national event, when she claimed the 100-pound Greco-Roman title in the Novice division (11-12).
Gordon-Dick had an outstanding tournament, scoring four pins and a technical fall. She displayed a superior headlock along with strength and strong technique. Gordon-Dick pinned Christopher Page of Gladstone, Mo. in the finals in 47 seconds.
Gordon-Dick is a member of the Yukiah Freestyle Club and will be entering seventh grade in the fall. Teresa also won a silver medal in the freestyle event.
* First group of Kids National double champions - Winning a double title, by claiming a gold medal in both the freestyle and Greco-Roman events, is one of the top achievements at a USA Wrestling national tournament.
At the first Kids National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships, a total of 21 athletes were able to achieve this lofty goal.
On the Midget level (9-10 years old), the double champions were Calvin Cooper of Omaha, Neb. (60), Angel Escobedo of Gary, Ind. (65), Trevor Stewart of Hazel Park, Mich. (70), James Sanchez of Centauri, Colo (95) and Jon Dahl of Fridley, Minn. (100).
On the Novice level (11-12 years old), the double champions were Cody Grant of Torrington, Wyo. (60), George Lynaugh of Rochester, Minn. (90), Shane Miller of Wautoma, Wis. (105), Mike Maresh of Dayton, Minn. (110), Gilbert Chavez of Montello, Wis. (150), Grant Miller of Belvidere, Ill. (165) and Alex Cornette of Green Bay, Wis. (HWT).
On the Schoolboy level (13-14 years old), the double champions were Willy Holst of Prescott, Wis. (75), Alonzo Martinez of Omaha, Neb. (85), Beau DeArmon of Tulsa, Okla. (100), Edward Gutnik of Iselin, N.J. (105), Kole Tolliver of Great Falls, Mont. (115), James Kish of Lapeer, Mich. (130), Ryan Halsey of Oceanside, Calif. (135), Eli Riley of Onawa, Iowa (165) and Jason Moore of Carlisle, Ind. (175).
* The first unofficial state champion - Minnesota won the unofficial state standings in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, edging neighboring Wisconsin in both styles. Among the five USA Wrestling regions, the Northern Plains Region scored the most points.
In Greco-Roman , Minnesota had nine champions and 37 All-Americans, while Wisconsin claimed eight champions and 37 All-Americans. In freestyle, Minnesota had four champions and 48 All-Americans, followed by Wisconsin with seven champions and 35 All-Americans.
Other states that had superb performances were Indiana, California, Iowa, Michigan, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and Florida.
* The first Kids National clinic - A two-day clinic was held prior to the tournament, featuring Olympic freestyle champion Tom Brands and Olympic Greco-Roman silver medalist Brandon Paulson. Over 150 kids had the opportunity to learn wrestling skills directly from these Olympic stars.
The week offered many opportunities for kids to rub elbows with wrestling heroes. Paulson and 1996 Olympic teammate Gordy Morgan helped coach many of the wrestlers from Minnesota. Alexis Vila, a two-time World Champion from Cuba who lives now in Florida, was also helping some young athletes. Kevin Darkus, a World silver medalist, was coaching young athletes from Virginia.
Mike Van Arsdale, an Olympic alternate and NCAA champion, who grew up in Waterloo, volunteered to assist the event, helping run one of the wrestling clocks.
The youth also had the chance to witness the Special Wrestle-off between Dan St. John and Rob Koll for the 167.5-pound spot on the U.S. World Team. St. John won in two straight matches, as both wrestlers excited the crowd with some outstanding techniques. Both wrestlers freely signed autographs for the young athletes.
Based on the comments from athletes, their coaches and parents, the first Kids National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships was a big success. Many families are already making plans to attend the Kids Nationals next year, which will again be held in Waterloo.