New program to honor high school state champions at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis

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Jeff Weitekamp (Indiana Sports Corporation)
02/23/2004


INDIANAPOLIS - America's finest high school wrestlers are being given the opportunity to be recognized, motivated and inspired at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Wrestling Sunday, May 23, at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.    Indiana Sports Corporation, local host of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling, and USA Wrestling are co-presenting the "State's Best-America's Best" program prior to the finals session during which the U.S. Olympic team for the Athens Games will be determined.    "We want to salute the state champions for their achievements and inspire them to the possibilities that lie ahead in their wrestling careers," said Indianapolis attorney Thomas Major, co-chairman of the Trials organizing committee. "Indeed, it's quite possible that a number of this year's high school champions will represent the USA four years from now in the Beijing Games and that they will go from being their state's best to America's best."    "We think there is tremendous value in not only recognizing our state champions, but in allowing them to experience the passion and drama of competing for a spot to be on America's team for the Olympic Games," said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. "We hope as many state champions as possible can join us in Indianapolis, along with their parents, coaches, teammates and friends."    Activities for the state high school champions include meet-and-greet sessions and motivational talks from legendary wrestlers; presentation of certificates of honor from USA Wrestling and recognition ceremony on the competition mats prior to the finals session.    State high school champions will be notified within two weeks after their high school championships have concluded. Champions from all 50 states will be invited. Each state champion who is interested in participating in the special recognition ceremony on Sunday will need to submit a form to Indiana Sports Corporation.    The U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling begins on Friday, May 21 and continues with qualifying competition on Saturday, May 22. The wrestlers who will represent America in Athens will be determined during Finals competition on May 23.     There are 18 U.S. Olympic Team berths available: seven in men's freestyle, seven in Greco-Roman and four in women's freestyle. Women's freestyle is the only new discipline being added to the entire Olympic sports program in 2004.     All-session tickets are currently on sale through all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information, log on to trials2004.com or themat.com.