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#1
08-01-2008
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Illinois USA Wrestling Season Summary
 In response to a request from Illinois Matmen, the ILUSAW FS/GR leadership has decided to post our 2008 season summary.Results We had another unprecedented year of FIRSTS. Last year we were the first team to win the National Championship at the Junior Duals in both GR and FS. This year, Team Illinois achieved the double-double again, winning back-to-back National Championships in both GR and FS. We also became the first team to win 3 consecutive titles since it became a national event, and both teams were in the finals for the last 3 years. Another FIRST may have been our most impressive – the Junior FS team became the first team EVER to win the national title and win the team national sportsmanship award in the same year. Usually this award is given to a team in the consolation bracket. This award comes in light of the fact that everyone is sick of us winning national titles. This indicates the quality of the people representing our state and the conduct of the athletes and coaches. We have won this award 3 times over the last 8 years – no other state has won more than one – and our state organization is as proud of these awards as any of our national championships. Despite fielding extremely young Cadet teams, both teams placed at the Cadet National Duals. We had another tremendous performance in Fargo. Team Illinois won more medals than any other state. The Cadet GR team had 9 AA’s and 2 champs and the FS team had 7 AA’s and 1 champ. The Junior GR achieved what the FS did last year – winning the team title and taking home the Wells-Fargo Cup. The Junior GR team dominated the competition, winning the team title by 18 points over Minnesota. Our GR team had 12 AA’s and 2 champs. The Junior FS team finished with the fourth highest number of AA’s – 9, and had one champion. This performance is even more impressive considering that many of our top seniors decided to take a break before they start college practice and did not go to Fargo. All results will be posted on the website ILUSAW.com Participation Participation in state and national events remain at all time highs. We had 475+ at our GR state tournament and 650+ for FS state. We had the second most participants in Fargo and are second in the nation behind California in total USAW membership. Coaching It is widely acknowledged by the national organization, the other states, and the officials that we have the finest coaching staff in the nation. Our staff credentials include: 7 former Team USA or World Team members 4 NCAA Division I champions, 6 NCAA all-americans 7 current or former college coaches Big 10 assistant coach of the year NCAA coach of the year National High School coach of the year 3 USA Wrestling developmental coaches of the year 4 coaches in the current USA wrestling national coaches pool Eric Wetzel just returned from Greece as a coach at the University World Championships. Sean Bormet leaves for Colorado Springs the day after Fargo to help prepare the US Olympic Team and will be traveling to Beijing to assist. We have a formal coaches selection process that will be posted on our website. To be considered for our pool, you must be approved by the FS or GR director depending on the style, the V.P. of GR/FS, and the State Chairman. Once approved for consideration, there is a 1 year review process where the candidates are observed and assessed. This process includes attending state, regional and national events for observation. It also includes an interview with the director for that style and attendance at our national team training camp. Upon completion and approval, the coaches will be placed in the coaches pool and assigned to various events by the director of that style. Dual Team Selection We have set criteria for selecting our dual teams. The first criteria is previous performance in Fargo. This is how they seed the tournament and is the best indication of performance at the national level. This typically accounts for 60-80% of the team. We do not use state tournament results as the primary criteria because we encourage our best wrestlers to qualify through regionals, so that we open spots for other wrestlers. The next criteria is previous dual team performance. The final few spots are coaches picks but must be approved by the director, V.P. of GR/FS and State Chairman. Several factors are involved such as weight class, willingness to share matches, team attitude, and performance during the spring and summer. Our coaches travel to state, regional, and national events to assess wrestlers for these spots. Several wrestlers opt not to go when asked and there are always last minute injuries and cancellations that force immediate action to get the best team. This criteria will be posted on our website. State Organization After assessing the dramatic rules changes and the skill sets in our state, we decided four years ago to make major changes to our organization and operations. Rather than organize by age group (kids, cadet, and junior directors) our state reorganized by style. We have a GR Director (Eric Wetzel), a FS Director (Griff Powell), and an Operations Director (Chauncey Carrick). The GR and FS directors handle coaching staff assignment and development, training camps, and assist with dual teams. The Operations Director is responsible for compliance with USAW rules and regulations, state event scheduling, qualification and petitioning processes, and any operational issues. We have separate coaching staffs for each style focused on the latest rule changes, techniques, and training methods. Other states are now trying to copy our model but no other state has been able to fully implement the concept. Our V.P. of Marketing, Gene Lee, created a profile book this year to distribute to college coaches in Fargo. The book blew away what the other states put together and rivals major college press guides. We have been swamped with requests from college coaches the last few years for contact info for our athletes. Conclusion We have the finest organization, coaching staff, athletes, parents, and fans in the nation. If you don’t believe this, ask the other states directors or head coaches or contact USA Wrestling. We are the envy of every other state and our organization is the poster child for USA Wrestling state organizations. We want to thank the IKWF Board and everyone in the state for their loyalty and support.
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#2
08-01-2008
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I certainly hope this post will put a lot of the issues we've seen here lately to rest.
__________________
Get the sleep you need with NyQuil—the nighttime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, fever, best-sleep-you-ever-got-with-a-cold medicine.
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#3
08-01-2008
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Excellent summary of the recent accomplishments and insight into the workings of State organization. This is exactly the kind of communication needed to dispel some of the recent concerns. The accomplishments are something to be extremely proud of, and the obvious thought and organization at the state level is reassuring, and it is obviously responsible, in large part, for the success we have enjoyed. We have set the bar high for ourselves and every State in the country.
__________________
"Boys freestyle. Real men Greco."
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#4
08-01-2008
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Now, how about a second dual team next year?....lol
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#5
08-02-2008
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What else can you say? Illinois HS wrestling is #1, period. It's a shame that our two major newspapers here in the Chicago area are absolutley CLUELESS about it.....
__________________
 "On the bloody morning after, one tin soldier rides away..."
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#6
08-02-2008
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#7
08-03-2008
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Doesn't that seem like an awesome idea?
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#9
08-04-2008
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unless it interferes with the IHSA Bass Fishing tournament.. 
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