Ten kids win the 2001 Triple Crown at the 2001 Kids Nationals, July 8

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Heather Van Peursem (USA Wrestling)
07/08/2001


 Ten kids win the 2001 Triple Crown at the 2001 Kids Nationals in Fresno, Calif., July 8     Ten kids won the 2001 Triple Crown honor at the 2001 Kids Nationals in Fresno, Calif., July 8.     The Triple Crown recognizes athletes who win all three USA Wrestling national titles in one year - folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman. The 2001 Kids Folkstyle Nationals were held in April in Topeka, Kan.     Competition was held in three age levels: Midget (9-10 years), Novice (11-12 years) and Schoolboy/girl (13-14 years).      Winning the Triple Crown in the Midget division were: R.J. Pena of Oregon and Jeff Olsen of Georgia. In Novice: Riley Adamson of New Mexico, Eric Starks of Washington and Elijah Madison of Kansas. In Schoolboy/girl: Jake Swensen of Utah, Daniel LeClere of Iowa, Angel Escobedo of Indiana, David Craig of Florida and Joe Zlatnik of Kansas.     Adamson won the Triple Crown in 1999 and 2000 and is the only repeat champion from last year.     Two wrestlers won the Triple Crown in 1997, eight in 1998, ten in 1999 and 11 in 2000.     There were a total of 469 competitiors in the freestyle competition.