Guest Editorial, by Ted Witulski: One Hundred and Twenty Five Days and Counting

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Ted Witulski (USA Wrestling)
01/15/2004


In Colorado Springs, Colo., just off Academy Blvd., the busiest street in town, sits the National Headquarters for USA Wrestling.  When any visitor walks in their eyes  almost immediately will be fixed at the bright countdown clock.      The seconds have spiraled downward, and the clock has reached 125 days.      The countdown clock is a constant reminder for those people organizing the Olympic Trials May 21-23rd in Indianapolis, Ind.  In fact, it was supplied by the Indiana Sports Corporation (ISC), who has invested time, energy, and capital into this most important of wrestling events.      Last year, the ISC successfully hosted the World Team Trials. The setting for the tournament was stunning.  It featured three staged mats and three video screens, with bleachers tightly placed close to the action, creating a fan-friendly atmosphere.      Those in attendance saw fierce battles to reach the top of the platform.  Of course, people remember the Gardner vs. Byers series---a chance to see two World Champions scrap for one World Team spot.      But don't overlook these contested series that made the event special ---Sieracki vs.Dantzler, Guerrero vs. Zadick, Morrison vs. Hartung, Miranda vs. Chun, Bono vs. Kelly and Marano vs. McMann.      From every region of the country, whether it was the Northeast, the South, the West, or the Midwest, wrestling fans from everywhere had one of their favorites to cheer for.      In 125 days, nearly four years will have passed since the Olympic Trials in Dallas. For these four years, hundreds of wrestlers from across this great wrestling country have pointed their energy and determination to May 21-23, 2004 in Indianapolis.      They have only one shot to succeed or that dream slips away for another four years.      Some won't have the energy to continue the journey.  Think of Melvin Douglas, at age 40, trying to make plans to last another quadrennium?      Other younger athletes may not feel the need to wait their turn.  Certainly Brandon Slay wasn't expected to leave Dallas as an Olympian.  Proper succession wasn't in his mindset.      To the athletes that have focused on fulfilling their Olympic Dreams, 125 days will race by.  Similarly, for the people working behind the scenes to make the United States Olympic Trials for Wrestling in 2004 surpass everyone's expectations, there will not be enough time in the day.      Indianapolis will be abuzz with wrestling excitement in less than 125 days.  One end zone of the RCA Dome will feature four wrestling mats. The dedicated fans of the sport of wrestling will await with anticipation the coveted match-ups. After three fantastic days of wrestling America will know the 18 wrestlers that will carry our hopes to Athens.      To some, 125 days may seem like there is plenty of time to make plans.  But, don't be left out in the cold.  The U.S. Olympic Team Trials are a special weekend of wrestling. Active members of the wrestling community need to work to bring their friends, teammates, and coaches together so that they can share in the excitement of this once-in-a-lifetime event.      It's 125 days to Indy!