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World Team Trials to Council Bluffs, IA

February 9, 2009

World Team Trials, presented by the U.S. Marines, is set for Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 30-31

The 2009 World Team Trials, presented by the U.S. Marines, will be hosted at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 30-31.

This event will determine the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2009 World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark, Sept. 21-27. Competition will be held in the three Olympic styles of the sport: Greco-Roman, men’s freestyle and women’s freestyle.

The Local Organizing Committee is the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We are very pleased that USA Wrestling is bringing the World Team Trials to Council Bluffs. We believe that this is one of a series of events that will put Council Bluffs on the national map,” said Bob Mundt, President and CEO of the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce. “Wrestling is very popular in this area, and many World-class wrestlers come out of this region. We take great pride in our wrestling tradition.”

The nation’s best Olympic-caliber wrestlers will be on display, including numerous past Olympic and World medalists, as well as collegiate national champions and All-Americans.

Ticket prices have been established, including a number of discount programs for current USA Wrestling members.

All-Session tickets cost $45 for adults and $30 for youth (high school and younger). However, current USA Wrestling youth members (high school and younger) can receive an All-Session ticket for just $15.

The single day price is $30 for adults and $20 for youth (high school and younger). However, current USA Wrestling youth members (high school and younger) can receive a single day ticket for just $10.

“USA Wrestling is excited to bring this outstanding event to Council Bluffs,” said USA Wrestling National Events Director Pete Isais. “It is nice to form a partnership with the Council Bluffs CVB to provide discounts for USA Wrestling youth members. Our goal is to expose top international wrestling to more fans, with a focus on young athletes.”

USA Wrestling has hosted this popular event in the state of Iowa in the past. Most recently, the World Team Trials were held in Sioux City, Iowa in 2006 and in Ames, Iowa in 2005. Iowa and the surrounding Midwest states are considered a hotbed for amateur wrestling, with a strong fan following for the sport.

Athletes must qualify to participate in the World Team Trials, through a series of qualifying events and performance standards.

In addition to determining the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2009 World Championships, the World Team Trials will also identify the members of the U.S. national team for 2009-10 in all three styles. The top three athletes in each weight class are considered members of Team USA.

In addition to the best wrestlers from all across the nation, there are expected to be numerous participants who are either natives of Iowa and Nebraska, or attended college in those two wrestling-rich states.

Council Bluffs natives Trent and Travis Paulson, who were college wrestling stars at Iowa State, are among the nation’s top freestyle wrestlers and are expected to compete in this event. The Paulsons attended Lewis Central High School, and are currently training for their international careers at the Univ. of Nebraska in Lincoln. Numerous other athletes with a strong local connection are expected to participate.

For more information on this exciting event and other USA Wrestling programs, please visit TheMat.com (www.TheMat.com)

WORLD TEAM TRIALS, presented by the U.S. Marines

At Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 30-31

SATURDAY, MAY 30

Men’s Freestyle: 60 KG, 74 KG, and 96 KG
Greco-Roman: 55 KG, 74 KG, 84 KG, and 120 KG
Women’s Freestyle: 51 KG, 59 KG, 67 KG and 72 KG
SUNDAY, MAY 31

Men’s Freestyle: 55 KG, 66 KG, 84 KG and 120 KG
Greco-Roman: 60 KG, 66 KG, and 96 KG
Women’s Freestyle: 48 KG, 55 KG, and 63 KG