The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the competition is the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC). Located in downtown Cleveland, the GCSC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the Greater Cleveland community by attracting and creating significant sporting events and activities. (www.clevelandsports.org)
The event is hosted by The University of Akron in its state-of-the-art intercollegiate Athletics Field House. The event will be sponsored by the Kent State University wrestling program, along with USA Wrestling/Ohio.
"USA Wrestling is excited to announce Akron, Ohio as the host city of the 2007 ASICS FILA Cadet & University National Championships," said Pete Isais, USA Wrestling Director of National Events. "With a great tradition of wrestling in this region of the country, we feel northeast Ohio is the perfect location for one of USA Wrestling's premier National Championship events. With the help of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, USA Wrestling-Ohio, Kent State University wrestling, and the University of Akron, we look forward to building on the continuing success of this event."
Competition will be held in the Olympic styles of freestyle and Greco-Roman in both age divisions. The University Nationals features many of the nation's top college-age wrestlers, both from college wrestling programs and the U.S. military teams. The FILA Cadet Nationals showcases many of the best high school wrestlers in the United States.
University-age athletes are 18-24 years old (Born 1983-89) and the athlete must have graduated from high school. FILA Cadets are 15-17 years old (Born 1990-91, and 1992 with a medical certificate).
This tournament has been hosted by the wrestling team at Northwestern Univ. and held in the Chicago area since 1992. The University Nationals has only had one other site during its history, at Penn State Univ. in 1990 and 1991.
Finalists in the University Nationals in both styles qualify to participate in the U.S. Senior World Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., June 8-10. The top three place winners at the FILA Cadet Nationals qualify for their state's Cadet Nationals team above the state limit (and must adhere to all state policies).
FILA Cadet and University qualifiers will receive information regarding an international tour opportunity from USA Wrestling's National Developmental coaches upon completion of the event.
"The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is thrilled at being awarded the 2007 University and FILA Cadet National Championships and looks forward to continuing Northeast Ohio's strong partnership with USA Wrestling," said David Gilbert, President, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.
Ohio is considered one of the nation's hotbeds for wrestling. There are numerous college wrestling programs in Ohio and the surrounding states. High school wrestling in Ohio is nationally respected, and the state has more high school wrestlers each year than any state except for California.
"The University of Akron is pleased to be working with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and excited to host the 2007 USA Wrestling University Nationals / FILA Cadet Nationals event in the Athletics Field House. We look forward to providing a positive experience for all contestants and their families while visiting our beautiful campus," said Paul Hammond, the Assistant Athletics Director for Facilities and Operations for The University of Akron.
The Athletics Field House at the University of Akron opened in August, 2004, and has 120,000 square feet of activity space. It has hosted numerous major competitions, including the Big East Conference Men and Women Track and Field Championships, the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Indoor State Championship Meet and the Akron Road Runner Marathon Registration and Expo.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now