Joey Palmer wrestling in the semifinals of the U.S. Open (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)AMES, Iowa -- Today, Cyclone Regional Training Center Director, Kevin Dresser, announced another addition to the C-RTC. Former three-time NCAA Qualifier Joey Palmer will join up with the C-RTC in Ames.
"It is exciting to add another elite level guy to our program," Dresser said. "Joey has had a great 2019 and has already defeated top level guys this year. He is very serious about his training and his opportunities moving forward. He is a young guy with great focus and we are excited for our athletes to get a chance to train with another guy who is striving to be the best in the world. I think his best days are ahead of him. Joey will join us immediately."
The program that Dresser and company are building in Ames is ultimately what lured Palmer into making the decision to come to Ames.
"You look at everywhere Dresser has been, he's had success," Palmer said. "Now he's in Ames with Metcalf, St. John and all the talent they have in that room, and it's really exciting to see what those guys have done. The state of Iowa and Ames is a great place for me to train and to learn from these coaches."
Palmer burst on to the Senior Level scene this past April at the US Open in Las Vegas. There, Palmer finished third place at 61 kg, defeating current World Team Member Tyler Graff and former World Team member Tony Ramos.
"I've always had a dream to make the Olympics and to be a World Champ," Palmer said. "I hadn't been competing when I was teaching and going to school for my masters. When I stepped out on to the mat again (at the US Open), all of those dreams and emotions hit me. I hadn't lost sight of what my dreams and goals were, but I think I just wanted it more."
Palmer has spent the last two season coaching, one year at his alma mater of Oregon State, and one at his high school in Tahoma, Washington.
Earlier this summer, Dresser announced that NCAA Champion Jesse Delgado would be joining the C-RTC. With the addition of Palmer, the lighter weights are beginning to take shape, joining Kyven Gadson, who is a National Team Member at 97 kg.
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