INDIANAPOLIS - USA Wrestling and Indiana Sports Corporation (ISC) are proud to announce that the 2003 World Team Trials of Wrestling will be held in Indianapolis, Ind., at the Indiana Convention Center, June 27-29, 2003.  Indianapolis already has been chosen to host the U.S. Olympic Team Wrestling Trials in 2004.    The best men's freestyle, men's Greco-Roman and women's freestyle wrestlers in the nation will battle for the right to represent the United States in the 2003 World Championships at this popular and prestigious event.     The quality of the competition is expected to be outstanding. Many past World and Olympic medalists in all three styles are expected to participate. This event will provide a preview of the top contenders for the 2004 Olympic Team for the United States.       "We are very excited to have USA Wrestling again choose Indianapolis and Indiana Sports Corporation as hosts of another of their outstanding events," said ISC President Dale Neuburger. "Our successful bid is not just reflective of our facilities and event management, but of the popularity of wrestling in Indiana and throughout the Midwest."    "USA Wrestling is pleased to bring the World Team Trials event to Indianapolis in 2003,"  said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. "Indianapolis is a proven leader in the organization of quality Olympic sports events, and the region is a hotbed for wrestling. Both the 2003 World Team Trials and the 2004 Olympic Team Trials will provide a tremendous showcase for our sport and its champion athletes."    This will be only the third time in USA Wrestling history that the World Team Trials for men's freestyle, women's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman will be staged together at one site.    The tournament format features a two-day Challenge Tournament and a championship finals series. The Challenge Tournament in all three styles will take place Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28. This includes all of the competitors, except for the 2002 National Champions who are automatically in the finals.     Sunday, June 29,  are  the Championship finals in each weight class, featuring the national champion against the Challenge Tournament winner in a best-of-three series.     There are seven weight classes in each style. Only the champions at each weight class will qualify to represent the United States at the World Championships.    The United States is among the top wrestling nations in the world. The U.S. won seven wrestling medals at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, including four medals in freestyle and three medals in Greco-Roman. The United States also captured seven medals at the 2001 World Championships, including three in Greco-Roman and two each in men's freestyle and women's freestyle.    Indiana has a rich tradition in amateur wrestling. Its high school state championships are popular and well-attended. A number of universities in the state have successful programs, including Big Ten teams at Indiana and Purdue. The Indiana State Wrestling Association, USA Wrestling's state organization, is one of the largest and most active in the entire nation, with strong programs on all levels.    Indiana has 8,200 registered wrestlers, the second most of any state in the country, trailing California.          "I already was excited about 2004 and now this news is even better," said Mike Dowden, president of the ISWA. "The potential for exposing Olympic-style wrestling to wrestlers in Indiana and surrounding states is great and we hope to take advantage of it."    The location in Indianapolis makes the event within close range of wrestling fans from across the region and nation. All sports fans are encouraged to make plans to come to Indianapolis for some truly special wrestling.    A number of athletes with Indiana ties are expected to be competitors at the World Team Trials. Charles Burton, a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team in freestyle wrestling, is an assistant coach at Indiana University, as is Mike Mena, another nationally ranked freestyle star. Katie Downing, a Junior World medalist in women's wrestling, is originally from Pendleton, Ind.        The U.S. Olympic Team Wrestling Trials will be in late June, 2004, at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.