Recently in an email a young wrestler asked familiar questions.  It went something like this.  "How do I get started?  I have a lot of questions.  I want to start out by trying Greco.  I was good in my freshman year of high school, but now I need to know what to do next."      The question-filled email was common.  Every year as the high school season ends, young wrestlers that listen to their high school coaches learn the famous phrase, "summer wrestling makes winter champions".      So, after hearing the lecture about wrestling this spring and summer, getting to the weight room, and attending some technique camps there are always going to be a few wrestlers that take the lecture seriously.      They're motivated.  They're ready.  But, they don't know the path to take.      The wrestling community can be a convoluted entity for a young cadet to figure out.  When a coach gives his wrestlers the summer wrestling lecture, he/she must be prepared to lead those wrestlers down the right path.  Certainly, there are many options that wrestlers have in the spring and summer.  However, wrestlers and coaches need to make the most of their time, and that means they need to spend their time, energy, and even dollars on a proven path for success.      USA Wrestling provides wrestlers and coaches with a comprehensive framework that will improve any wrestler regardless of experience in the sport.  Every year over 130,000 coaches and athletes follow this path of training and tournaments.  Nationally, the members of USA Wrestling comprise a long list of the best wrestlers and coaches in the country.      From Gable, to the Brands' Brothers, to nationally prominent athletes past their college careers like Stephen Abas and Cael Sanderson, down to current collegiate stars like Tommy Rowlands, Zack Esposito, and Teyon Ware, USA Wrestling's structure is trusted nationally.  For every elite USA Wrestling star there are literally hundreds of aspiring wrestlers beginning their journey along the path.  The great thing about it is the organization is really a pipeline for young kids to move from the youth to the Olympic Level.      Even though not all kids will reach that elite level status, the message to the wrestlers and coaches is that they can continue along the path.  USA Wrestling's structure is meant to lead coaches and wrestlers through an organized system of success.  From that standpoint, when a wrestler wants to take that step forward towards commitment in the spring and summer, the first thing they should look to do is purchase a USA Wrestling Membership Card.  Membership in USA Wrestling is required for all participants in sanctioned events.       Young kids, particularly at the late junior high and early high school levels, often fit into that category of wrestlers that want to do more but they don't know where to start.  Once these kids take the active step of being a member of USA Wrestling, they need to seek out structured training in the USA Wrestling system.      Commonly, after the high school finishes up, motivated students still want to head down to the wrestling room to scrap a little at the end of the school day.  Certainly no coach would discourage this youthful energy.  However, coaches should be prepared to help these aspiring wrestlers to make the most out of their time.      To do this, coaches should organize a USA Wrestling Club for kids to join, or coaches should help their young athletes to sign up with an active USAW Club in the area.  The club season kicks into gear quickly after states finish up their high school state tournament.  Across the nation, thousands of wrestlers choose to continue honing their skills in a USA Wrestling club to gain that competitive edge.  If a wrestler or coach is unaware of any local USA Wrestling Club get in contact with the USAW State Association, the State Chairperson or Membership Director can help in finding a club for wrestlers to join.    As wrestlers and develop their skills in USA Wrestling Clubs, the pathway to competitive tournaments appears before them.  Whether they are a Cadet or a Junior or even younger, USA Wrestling's State Associations and National Office host many outstanding events nationally.      For wrestlers at the Cadet Level the Topeka Folkstyle National Championship will be open to their age group for the first time.  After the USAW Folkstyle season draws to a conclusion in early April, most areas of the country have state and regional championships in Freestyle and Greco-Roman.  The ultimate goal for wrestlers at the Cadet and Junior Level is to compete at the National Championships held in Fargo, North Dakota in late July.  High School wrestlers that are ready to commit to the sport no longer just have a state high school title to look forward to.      The very best nationally set goals to become All-American and National Champions on their way to earning Funded Access Status to the United States Olympic Training Centers.  Once wrestlers reach the top in their age group, the USA Wrestling system always offers them the opportunity to continue on.      It's the pathway from youth wrestling to Olympic glory.      ****************************************************************    For more information on USA Wrestling or the National Coaches Education Program contact Ted Witulski at (719) 598 8181 ext 636 or email twitulski@usawrestling.org