DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack today honored Cael Sanderson of Ames, Chris Bono of Gilbert, and Joe Williams of Coralville, members of the U.S. Men's Freestyle Wrestling team, and their coaches, Bobby Douglas of Ames and Tom Brands of Iowa City, as "Iowa's Wrestling Champions."      The wrestlers and coaches attended a special proclamation signing at the Governor's Office in Des Moines.     The five Iowans were part of the U.S. team that was scheduled to compete at the 2002 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships September 4-7 in Tehran, Iran. The U.S. Team was forced to withdraw from competition after terrorist threats against Americans.    "Wrestling is one of the world's most enduring sports, with a proud tradition dating back to the ancient Olympic games," Vilsack said. "Wrestling has a special place in Iowa because our state has long been a national leader in wrestling participation, and a home to wrestling champions."    "Although all Iowans are disappointed that the U.S. team was not able to compete because of security concerns, we honor the spirit of determination, endurance, and dedication that wrestlers have displayed, from the ancient Olympics to today."    Iowa State wrestling coach Bobby Douglas, former ISU wrestler Chris Bono, and former University of Iowa wrestler Joe Williams attended the ceremony at the Governor's Formal Office today.    PROCLAMATION  WHEREAS, Wrestling is one of the world's most enduring sports, with a long and proud tradition dating back to ancient African, Greek, and Roman civilizations, and the original Olympic Games; AND    WHEREAS, The state of Iowa has long been one of the leading states in the nation for wrestling participation and performance, and a home of wrestling champions; AND    WHEREAS, Five Iowans - three wrestlers and two coaches - were members of the U.S. team for the 2002 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships in Tehran, Iran, held September 4-7, 2002; AND    WHEREAS, The U.S. Team was forced to withdraw from competition and cancel their trip due to terrorist threats against Americans; AND    WHEREAS, The three wrestlers, Joe Williams of Coralville, Chris Bono of Gilbert, and Cael Sanderson of Ames, and the two coaches, Bobby Douglas of Ames, and Tom Brands of Iowa City, are among the best in the nation and the world, and would have represented our country well; AND    WHEREAS, Iowans are disappointed that the U.S. team was not allowed to compete, but we admire the drive, determination and dedication that wrestlers have always shown, from the ancient Olympics to today:    NOW, THEREFORE, I, THOMAS J. VILSACK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF IOWA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 5, 2002 AS    IOWA WRESTLING CHAMPIONS DAY    IN IOWA.