Chairman’s Newsletter: September 5, 2013
September 5, 2013
School has started statewide and the USA Wrestling season is also underway. The Wisconsin Wrestling Federation had a banner year in many senses and we look forward to bigger and better things this coming year.
We fielded two teams at the Schoolboy National Duals, with one team placing in both styles. Many of the Schoolboy National Duals team members will be Cadets in 2014, so we anticipate their experience this summer will help them in preparation next year for Cadet Nationals.
Our Cadet teams finished in the top 8 in both styles at Fargo, and Beau Breske was a double champion and was picked as the Outstanding Wrestler in Freestyle. In the two styles, Beau wrestled 22 matches and only gave up one match point. With such a performance, the OW award was well deserved.
In the Junior Nationals Freestyle Tournament, Hunter Marko of Amery won his fifth USA Wrestling National Championship. Last year Hunter won the Triple Crown as a Cadet, and this year he as a Junior won the national championship at 106 pounds in dominating fashion.
As a state, Wisconsin had thirty All-Americans between both Cadets and Juniors. It should be noted that this is the largest number of All-Americans we have ever had as a state and we finished high in both age levels. The athletes and coaches were well prepared and represented Wisconsin wrestling with class. Congratulations to all those that were part of that week in Fargo.
USA Wrestling selects individuals who have contributed their talents and time to the sport and have excelled at their duties and positions. This year, Wisconsin had two individuals that were honored for their accomplishments. Lorraine Smith from Chippewa Falls was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work as a pairing official. Lorraine began pairing in 1993 and was rapidly upgraded to a P2 in 1995. In 2006, she earned distinction as a P1-E, the highest rank any pairing official can hold. She has officiated over 100 national tournaments in the past 20 years and has been assigned to the Olympic Trials and the World Championships. Lorraine is passionate about the sport and was fortunate to have four sons that competed at a high level, a husband who has coached for many years, and an extended family that has followed her to many events and have also become licensed pairers and are contributing along with her. Congratulations Lorraine for many years of outstanding service to wrestling and Wisconsin.
Casey Brennan-Goessl from Osceola received the Official of the Year Award for his excellence as a mat official. Casey was first licensed in 1996 and was recognized as a FILA Official in 2004. He has officiated every World Team Trial and Olympic Trials since 2007 and is recognized as an M1 national official and a FILA Olympic-category Official. These are the highest categories domestically and internationally in the sport of wrestling. He has been a USWOA board member since 2011 and serves that position, with pride and knowledge. He has been part of tours to Sweden, Nicaragua, Columbia, Iran, Russia and Chile. Casey is a doctor of chiropractic and has an office in Somerset. Casey’s father, Glenn Goessl, has officiated every style of wrestling in Wisconsin and nationally for many years, and his brother, Cody, is an up-and-coming official also. Congratulations to Casey and special thanks to you and your family for many years of contributions.
The District meetings for the WWF will be held on Wednesday, September 11th in each district. Please check www.wiwrestlingfederation.com for the specific time and location of your regional meeting. The annual meeting for the WWF will be in Wisconsin Dells on Oct 27th at noon. This is your place to offer your thoughts, ideas and ask any questions that you may have. Hope to see you there.
Yours in wrestling,
Dave Black, Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Chairman