Wrestling in the state of Texas by all accounts is on the rise.  Membership in USA Wrestling is climbing.  The number of programs sanctioned at the high school level is growing to match the massive size of the state.  The Texas High School Activities Association also offers women's wrestling.  The tremendous growth in interest and activity in wrestling in Texas is also mirrored by tournaments like the Cotton Bowl Classic.      On December 29th, nearly a thousand wrestlers at the youth level will travel to Dallas, Texas to compete in the Cotton Bowl Classic.  (Participant information is available on the tournament website at www.cottonbowlclassic.org)  The Cotton Bowl Tournament demonstrates the potential that wrestling has in Texas.      The tournament run by Olympic Gold Medallist, Kenny Monday and the Steve Silver Company--Monday's employer draws wrestlers from across the nation.  Wrestlers from Iowa, Louisiana, Ohio, Kansas, and many other states will challenge for titles in this holiday tourney.      Held at the Mesquite Rodeo Arena, this massive undertaking features quality wrestlers at the youth level.  "Our goal is to grow this tournament into one of the great national tournaments at the youth level", said Monday, "from there we have plans to add a women's division, a high school division, as well as a senior division."      As wrestling grows in the state of Texas, wrestling activists have helped ensure better wrestling in the state by promoting USA Wrestling to the many clubs, coaches and athletes in the state.  Last year the wrestling community in the state made the move to organize its tournaments with USA Wrestling.  State leaders like Kenny Monday, Frank Halloran, and State Chairperson Al Rodger helped negotiate and institute a plan that assured wrestling tournaments in the state would be a part of the USA Wrestling structure.      Monday offered that the move of the wrestling community towards USA Wrestling was important.  "It took a lot of work communicating with people about the national organization; we needed to spend a lot of time discussing and educating people about the value of USA Wrestling", stated Monday.  "Involvement with USA Wrestling helps us offer a better quality of tournament to people in the state.  Also, this tournament shows that USA Wrestling offers so much more than just support for Olympic level athletes."      With the exciting matches happening on a dozen mats, the Cotton Bowl Classic will also have Brandon Slay spreading his message of a "Greater Gold" to the throngs of wrestlers in Dallas.  Slay, the 2000 Olympic Champion at 76 kgs in freestyle, has traveled the nation speaking to youth about the meaning spirituality and the sport of wrestling.  Last year Slay was honored with induction into the Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame. Each year the Tournament recognizes individuals who have helped to build the quality of wrestling in the state.      In talking with Olympic Champion Kenny Monday the message was clear: wrestling in Texas is on the rise.  The Cotton Bowl Classic, another sanctioned event of USA Wrestling, gives youth wrestlers a strong test of their abilities as they begin their careers in the sport.  Years from now as wrestlers earn national honors in the Cadet and Junior National Championships or the NCAA Championships, wrestling leaders in Texas want to see Cotton Bowl Classic Champion also listed on their bios.      *********************************************************************    Coaches and parents attending the Cotton Bowl Classic in Texas are encouraged to attend the Bronze Level Clinic on Friday, December 28th.  USA Wrestling is looking forward to seeing you at the Cotton Bowl Classic during this holiday season.      Bronze Certification Course  Through USA Wrestling's   National Coaches Education Program  Friday, December 28th from 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.  Mesquite Rodeo Arena  site of the 17th Annual Cotton Bowl Classic Tournament    Contact Ted Witulski, NCEP Manager for more information on the Bronze course by email at twitulski@usawrestling.org or call (719) 598-8181.       Ted Witulski, National Coaches Education Program Manager, will instruct the Bronze course. Texas has shown dramatic growth in amateur wrestling. A goal of the Texas USA Wrestling organization is to dramatically increase the number of Copper and Bronze certified coaches in the state. One participant in the Bronze course will win a set of autographed posters from the 2000 Olympic team. Please join the active members of USA Wrestling by attending this Bronze clinic at the largest youth tournament in the state of Texas