The Colorado USA Wrestling Board is seeking nominations for the 4 member at large positions on the CUSAW board.  The CUSAW board is looking for individuals who are ready to give input and dedication, to include attendance at or on the board meetings, whether in-person board meetings or on conference calls.

If you have an interest in filling one of these positions, please contact the Colorado State Chairperson, Cory Kness at Cory@CUSAW.org with your interest in serving as a member at large no later than February 3rd.

Team USA mentors Denver high school students on being Champions in Life
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
01/08/2012

Freestyle wrestling star Chase Pami speaks to a class of Denver high school students about life traits needed for success.

USA Wrestling athletes, coaches and staff participated in a special Olympic-themed education program at a public high school in Denver, Colo. on Friday, January 6.

A Team USA delegation of 11 made the drive from the U.S. Olympic Training Center an hour north to CEC Middle College, a special career education high school within the Denver Public Schools. The facility is only a few blocks from Sports Authority Field, the stadium where the NFL Denver Broncos play.

The entire school is focusing this year on “What it Takes to be a Champion in Life,” using the Olympic Games and the U.S. wrestlers as examples of what it takes to succeed. Darryl Miller, a teacher at the school and one of USA Wrestling’s most active athletic trainers, helped organize this program, which kicked off with the day-long visit from the Team USA wrestlers.

“We tell these students every day the importance of being a champion in life,” said Miller. “We want to empower these kids, whatever discipline they choose. We felt that with the 2012 Olympics coming up, what a wonderful theme this would be for them.”

There are banners about this program in the school, with USA Wrestling and Olympic Training Center logos. In addition, an Olympic word wall, with 30 different words which describe championship traits, is central to the project.

“We are hoping working with our Olympic athletes who embrace all of these characteristics that the students can realize that they can make a difference by taking some of these characteristics and applying them to their lives,” said Miller.

VIDEO: Darryl Miller talks about Olympic program at school

Team USA consisted of men’s freestyle wrestlers Phillip Simpson, Chase Pami, Moza Fay, Wynn Michalak, Derek Moore, Nathan Burak and Ryan Marble, women’s freestyle wrestlers Adeline Gray and Melissa Simmons, plus National Freestyle Developmental Coach Bill Zadick and National Teams Director Mitch Hull.

There were two assemblies held during the day, kicking off with introductions during the morning, and a live wrestling demonstration at the end of the day.

The wrestlers were also split up into eight different classrooms, speaking directly to groups of students on a specific topic. Students rotated four different times, giving them an opportunity to hear from a variety of the wrestlers as well as to learn about a number of different topics.

“We are here to tell you what has helped us get there and what helps us to develop as a person and athlete. These are the same things you can use. It is no different. Whatever you want to be successful in, the same traits we are using are the same things you can carry over and use to be successful,” said Simpson, whose topic was about sacrifice.

VIDEO: Phillip Simpson talks about sacrifice

Gray was a huge favorite of the students, since she grew up in Denver and attended one of the middle schools in the district. Gray received loud ovations at both assemblies held during the day, as well as in her individual classroom speaking appearances.

“We are here to talk to you about those words on the Olympic wall and what these words mean to us,” said Gray, whose topic was a positive environment. “Find those people in your life who are good, who make you feel good, who put you in a positive setting and make those people who you hang out with. You guys can be amazing. Take that potential and tap into it.”

VIDEO: Adeline Gray talks about positive environment

The students and faculty of the school were excited about the visit by the wrestlers, spending additional time talking to them and posing for photos and videos.

“These men and women are such good examples of solid characteristics such as integrity and hard work. That persona is displayed by them when they speak. These young high school kids have never rubbed shoulders with true champions like our U.S. wrestlers. You can see the excitement in these kids,” said Miller.

THEMAT.TV: See talks from Simpson, Gray, Fay, Michalak, Simmons, Burak, Miller

Loveland Colorado Native Tyler Graff

By Craig Sesker USA Wrestling

12/03/2011

Tyler Graff controls Martin Berberyan in the finals at 60 kg/132 lbs. John Sachs photo.

LAS VEGAS – Tyler Graff’s decision to take an Olympic redshirt season already is starting to pay off.

The two-time All-American from Wisconsin delivered with a strong performance by winning the Men’s Freestyle Olympic Trials Qualifier on Saturday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Graff downed past World bronze medalist Martin Berberyan 2-0, 2-3, 1-0 in the finals at 60 kg/132 lbs. Berberyan, 31, a three-time Olympian and 2005 World bronze medalist for Armenia, recently became a U.S. citizen.

Graff was named Outstanding Wrestler.

“The plan’s for greatness,” Graff said. “I’m taking an Olympic redshirt and seeing how things are going. I have one goal in mind and I’m going to keep going until I get there.” Read more »

USA National Youth Folkstyle Tournament-Dec 3rd

It’s Finally Here! Welcome to Colorful Colorado!

Castle Rock, Co.- December 3, 2011 – Jump in on the action as we launch the newest addition to our  2011-2012 Tour of America, the King of the Mountain!

Registrations for this event end Thursday Dec 1st and satellite locations for Friday’s weigh-will include:  Broomfield, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and at the event location.

USA Wrestling’s National Events Coordinator Ryan Johnson is very excited about being able to bring a national folkstyle event to USA Wrestling’s home state of Colorado. “Folkstyle participation in USA Wrestling has grown very rapidly over the last few years. Last year we nearly doubled our participation in the Folkstyle Tour of America series from the year before, so clearly there is a demand for quality run, national level folkstyle events. Being able to bring this series home is very exciting for all of us here at USA Wrestling” states Johnson.

Pete Isais, USA Wrestling’s National Events Director, sees this event as a reward for the Colorado wrestling community’s strong support of national events in the past. Read more »

COWrestling.com's owner operator Roy True and his family

Last year we featured an article on Tim Yount called The man, the myth, the legend http://bit.ly/uA6l3C   We have people in Colorado that  go above and beyond what others do by lending their unique skills to make wrestling more enjoyable.  This year, we are featuring Roy True, and Roy runs the COWrestling.com website.  For those who don’t know, this is a one stop spot for anyone wanting to know about upcoming wrestling events, scores, or simply to talk wrestling on the message boards.  Few people know much about the person who operates this site as the number one resource of the Colorado wrestling family.  Roy was gracious enough to agree to be interviewed so we can get to know the man, the myth, the legend that is Roy True.

Q:  Roy, can you tell us a little bit about yourself, where you come from, your wrestling background, and your family? 

A:  I am from a wrestling family True/Flores clan.  Not sure the total but there is something like 18 state champs, 19 state placers, a college national champ, national runner ups and all americans in our family.  Family reunions were more a match than a social.  I grew up in Fowler, Colorado active in Football, Wrestling and Baseball.  I spent my years in the sport of wrestling under Legendary Coach Tom Van Hee at Fowler HS..  For a small community the wrestling room was a tough one as one of my best friends, Miles Van Hee now the head coach at Western State was my workout partner for many years to include many other successful Grizzly wrestlers.    I was fortunate to be part of two state championship teams 86 and 89.  As well as win two state titles myself in 89 and 90.  I went on to Ft Lewis College out of high school to wrestle and play football.  I loved the small town of Fowler, which led me to Eaton Fighting Reds country.  I am raising two boys, Tanner 9, Ryder 6 with my wife Julie a 1st grade teacher, in Eaton, Colorado.  Both of my boys are active in all sports and get to hang out with me at the HS as I coach with Dan Lewis and Dave Fosdick at Eaton High School.  Dan and I also run the Eaton Lil Reds Wrestling club.  I am blessed to have this opportunity.  I work full time as a Director of Information Technology, as well as own/operate a technology consulting firm True Technicians.  When I am not coaching or working  I am an avid Team Roper.  I train rope horses and get my competitive need filled from team roping. Read more »