Olympic Team Trials champion (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)It's now one month until Team USA wrestlers proudly march in the Opening Ceremonies for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The U.S. is sending a total of 14 wrestlers to Rio -- four women and six men in freestyle, and four Greco-Roman athletes. While transportation, accommodations and meals for the athletes are taken care of, it's another matter for the families and friends who want to cheer them on in person.
Sure, these families could raise funds the old-fashioned way, with bake sales, selling chocolate bars, or conducting yard sales. Now, thanks to online fundraising sites, fans from all over the world can quickly, easily and safely make a contribution to help the families of their favorite wrestlers… and the families aren't stuck with leftover cookies or candy.
InterMat wanted to do its part to help the families of these deserving athletes on the road to Rio… by sharing a list of fundraising websites for individual members of Team USA , put together by USA Wrestling's Richard Immel, and posted on the international wrestling forum of the organization's website, TheMat.com.
To make a donation to help a particular wrestler's family, simply click on the link and follow the instructions on that page.
Women's Freestyle
Haley Augello
Athlete's message: "Hi! My name is Haley Augello. I have been wrestling for 13 years and this April I made the Olympic team at 48 kg. I am raising money to send my family to Rio so they can watch me compete in the 2016 Olympic Games. Over the years, I have realized how important it is to have the people who love and support you in your corner. It would mean the world to me to have them there to see me fight for the Gold! I would be super thankful for anything anyone can do to help make this dream a reality!"
Helen Maroulis
Athlete's message: "Hi, my name is Helen Maroulis… I moved one step closer to achieving my life-long dream of winning an Olympic gold medal by qualifying my weight class for the Rio Games. Now I am hoping that with your help I will be able to achieve the next step of my goal, which is to send my support system -- made up of my amazing family and coaches -- to Rio with me. While there is nothing I want and have worked for more than to win a gold medal for my country, I never once pictured this dream without having these people by my side to share it with. Nothing would mean more than to be able to look into the stands and see their smiles and tears of joy…"
Elena Pirozhkova
Message: Elena Pirozhkova has been wrestling for 11 years to see her Olympic dream come true in Rio de Janeiro this summer. Wrestling is her life, and being her family, we are a part of that life and are a part of the wrestling community. Unfortunately we cannot go down to Rio and support Elena... There are 9 children plus my mom, making us a pack of 10. But there is a total of 9 people traveling (since Elena is competing). (Note: The fundraising page has a breakdown of actual anticipated expenses… along with prizes available to donors.)
Adeline Gray
Athlete's message: "I'm reaching out to my best friends, followers and fans to ask for your help in order to get my family to join me in Rio for the Olympics! My father and ex-coach, George, is a policeman and detective in Denver and he recently broke his foot, taking away his ability to earn enough funds for me to take him, mom, my three sisters and my boyfriend to Rio… I've fought my whole life to do something other girls haven't and my family has been my bedrock through this entire process. Please help me honor their commitment by helping me raise enough funds to take them with me…"
Greco-Roman
Jesse Thielke
Athlete's message: "Wrestling in the Olympics has always been a dream for me since I was in second grade… During my entire wrestling journey my faith, family and true friends have always supported me. There were times when wrestling was not fun for me, or them. They always believed and encouraged me to continue to be the best I can be and "never waste a minute". They have been there for all the pain, sweat and tears of joy and also some of the tough times. The sport of Greco-Roman wrestling demands the highest level of physical training; yet, it's the emotional preparation which is even more important. As an athlete, the most important emotional support is seeing and hearing family and friends in the stands during a tournament."
Andy Bisek
Note: InterMat was unable to find a fundraising website for Andy Bisek, Team USA's Greco-Roman entry at 75 kilograms/165 pounds. If you are aware of an official fundraiser page, please let us know so we may share it with the wrestling community.
Ben Provisor
Athlete's message: "My singular purpose for writing this letter is to ask for financial support, so that my family can attend the games and help me bring home the gold. When it comes to training and competition, having the support of your family is an athlete's secret weapon. I truly believe that the encouragement from them is a key factor in building my confidence, and it's this confidence that can lead to success in a high-pressure sporting event. It would mean a lot to have them in Rio with me to see firsthand what all of their sacrifice and energy has resulted in."
Robby Smith
Athlete's message: "As my Olympic dreams are becoming reality I have been reflecting on my journey. What an incredible experience this has been!!! I am so grateful to all of my fans for the years of support and encouragement! My parents have made a tremendous sacrifice to see my dream through. Years of driving to practice, traveling the world, feeding me, guiding me and supporting me on every level. Their commitment to my journey is beyond words. Now, as years of hard work and discipline are coming to a head, it is more important to me than ever that my mom and dad are there, my dad banging his drum and my mom hiding in the shadows. I am so excited to look up at their faces with undying gratitude and give them the ultimate 'thumbs up.'"
Men's Freestyle
Daniel Dennis
Frank Molinaro
Athlete's message: "My wife and I are starting this page to try to get as many of our family members and friends out to Rio to support me in my dreams of attaining Olympic Gold this summer! It would mean so much to me to have a huge support system in Brazil, and to know that I can help them attain this. My wife might not be able to come (unless she has our Son, Frank Anthony a few weeks early), so it would mean the world to me to be able to send as many extended family as possible. Thank you so much for any help you can give…"
Jordan Burroughs http://www.teamusa.org/usa-wrestling/forums
Athlete's message: "My wife and I were blessed to have our second little one arrive…Our little girl, Ora, was born on Saturday June 11th, and she is absolutely perfect. She will be in Rio to cheer Daddy on this summer. A huge thanks to everyone who has supported so far, and please feel free to share… I am hoping that with your support I will be able to help send my family to Rio this summer to watch me attempt to bring home a second Olympic Gold. All contributions will go directly to flights, housing, tickets, and food. Thank you!"
J'den Cox
Kyle Snyder
Tervel Dlagnev
Athlete's message: "Tervel Dlagnev here, I need your help to get my family to Rio to cheer me on!... This will be my second Olympic Games. I came up short of a medal in London and it has been a journey to get another chance. This past year has been the toughest of my career as I had to give up my spot on the 2015 World Team due to back surgery. It has been a grind getting back into wrestling form, but I believe I have more to give; I'm very thankful for this opportunity, this could be the last tournament of my life. That being said, my wife and I want this experience to be extra special and we want our families there to experien
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