Post by Alumni on Mar 8, 2007 11:27:11 GMT -5
Group helping local wrestlers
By Dan Eckles
Tribune Staff
Thousands of youths across the Silver State have or are competing in the sport of wrestling. That’s no head-turning fact, but more doors may be opening to those that do and that is.
Just like in basketball, baseball, softball or soccer, many young athletes compete for clubs beyond their school seasons. Wrestling is no different.
However, a group called USA-Nevada Wrestling, or Team Nevada, is hoping to build continuity among the state’s youth wrestlers and help them compete on a regional and national level.
“When our kids travel to regional and national events they do so as individuals. We’d like to solidify and unify them as Team Nevada. We want to compete together as a team,” said Brett Edmunds, USA-Nevada Wrestling’s Regional and National co-Coordinator.
That’s not all. Edmunds’, whose son Trey is a junior at Damonte Ranch and a two-time 4A North Region wrestling champion, has taken his son to national competitions and knows Nevada kids are missing out. He’s says there are many local wrestlers who could compete well, beyond the local state events but don’t have the financial resources to do so.
In addition to building a team atmosphere for the state’s athletes, USA-Nevada Wrestling also aims to help talented youths, who haven’t been able to compete beyond local events. Edmunds said that in the next four months Team Nevada wrestlers will travel to events in Washington state, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Butte, Mont., Klamath falls, Ore., Pocatello, Idaho and Fargo North Dakota.
The travel budget won’t be cheap and the group’s leaders know that.
“There have been a lot of cases where kids didn’t have the means to travel. Our goal is to help these kids do that with support from Team Nevada,” Edmunds said.
Team Nevada, which is a non-profit organization, hopes to raise $20,000 annually. Those funds will be used for training, traveling and equipment.
Team Nevada leaders admit they wish wrestling was more popular and seen as a more mainstream sport. Edmunds believes if that were the case, sponsorships would be easier to come by and fewer kids would miss out on showcasing their talents.
He also pointed that Nevada’s geography, with two main population centers at opposite ends of the state, does not help the best athletes train together. He added that the South and North have always been very divided, limiting the opportunities for wrestlers to meet and train together.
“We want to get (North and South) kids together before events so they know each other and can train together,” Edmunds said. “Our ultimate goal is to put out a product on the national level that will represent Nevada in a very positive light.”
USA-Nevada Wrestling is targeting youths from the ages of 10-18 for its organization. Any card-carrying member of USA Wrestling can join Team Nevada. More than 100 wrestlers in the Truckee Meadows have joined the group with more in Eastern and Southern Nevada.
“The interest is there. We haven’t had a problem getting the kids,” Edmunds said.
Edmunds, who previously lived in Spanish Springs, before moving to South Reno three years ago, said Team Nevada is actively looking for wrestlers and sponsors. If you have questions or for further information, contact him at 775-745-4603.
By Dan Eckles
Tribune Staff
Thousands of youths across the Silver State have or are competing in the sport of wrestling. That’s no head-turning fact, but more doors may be opening to those that do and that is.
Just like in basketball, baseball, softball or soccer, many young athletes compete for clubs beyond their school seasons. Wrestling is no different.
However, a group called USA-Nevada Wrestling, or Team Nevada, is hoping to build continuity among the state’s youth wrestlers and help them compete on a regional and national level.
“When our kids travel to regional and national events they do so as individuals. We’d like to solidify and unify them as Team Nevada. We want to compete together as a team,” said Brett Edmunds, USA-Nevada Wrestling’s Regional and National co-Coordinator.
That’s not all. Edmunds’, whose son Trey is a junior at Damonte Ranch and a two-time 4A North Region wrestling champion, has taken his son to national competitions and knows Nevada kids are missing out. He’s says there are many local wrestlers who could compete well, beyond the local state events but don’t have the financial resources to do so.
In addition to building a team atmosphere for the state’s athletes, USA-Nevada Wrestling also aims to help talented youths, who haven’t been able to compete beyond local events. Edmunds said that in the next four months Team Nevada wrestlers will travel to events in Washington state, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Butte, Mont., Klamath falls, Ore., Pocatello, Idaho and Fargo North Dakota.
The travel budget won’t be cheap and the group’s leaders know that.
“There have been a lot of cases where kids didn’t have the means to travel. Our goal is to help these kids do that with support from Team Nevada,” Edmunds said.
Team Nevada, which is a non-profit organization, hopes to raise $20,000 annually. Those funds will be used for training, traveling and equipment.
Team Nevada leaders admit they wish wrestling was more popular and seen as a more mainstream sport. Edmunds believes if that were the case, sponsorships would be easier to come by and fewer kids would miss out on showcasing their talents.
He also pointed that Nevada’s geography, with two main population centers at opposite ends of the state, does not help the best athletes train together. He added that the South and North have always been very divided, limiting the opportunities for wrestlers to meet and train together.
“We want to get (North and South) kids together before events so they know each other and can train together,” Edmunds said. “Our ultimate goal is to put out a product on the national level that will represent Nevada in a very positive light.”
USA-Nevada Wrestling is targeting youths from the ages of 10-18 for its organization. Any card-carrying member of USA Wrestling can join Team Nevada. More than 100 wrestlers in the Truckee Meadows have joined the group with more in Eastern and Southern Nevada.
“The interest is there. We haven’t had a problem getting the kids,” Edmunds said.
Edmunds, who previously lived in Spanish Springs, before moving to South Reno three years ago, said Team Nevada is actively looking for wrestlers and sponsors. If you have questions or for further information, contact him at 775-745-4603.