Takedown Report

Where is Wrestling City, USA?

TDR Editor’s Note : As a wrestling fan what is your view? One could also ask “Where is Wrestling City, North Carolina?” Many cities with a strong college team could claim this title such as Boone, Chapel Hill or Raleigh. Greensboro with the HS State championships, Super 32 tournament, several strong HS teams and Greensboro College would be the clear choice if UNCG still had a program as they brought in events. What do you think? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Where is Wrestling City, USA?
The answer changes based on time and place. Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa, could lay claim to the title at various points but they have not maintained the wrestling traditions that made them world-class.  Today, there are several cities that have a legitimate argument. Here are eight contenders. 
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs will always be in contention as long as USA Wrestling and the Olympic Training Center are headquartered there.  At any given time, the highest density of elite wrestlers resides within its borders. Depending on the season, the best wrestlers in the United States from all three styles converge in one place for World team training camp. USA Wrestling also has the Elite Accelerator Program (EAP), the resident athlete program, and the Air Force Regional Training Center.  The Springs houses the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) for military personnel and several youth wrestling clubs coached by former USA Wrestling National Team members. High school wrestling is decent, and they have a Division I program with the Air Force Academy, but Colorado Springs is missing the rabid college wrestling fan base that other cities on this list have.
Columbus, Ohio
The new Ohio State wrestling facility proves that Columbus is serious about making a push as Wrestling City, USA. The Buckeyes won an NCAA championship in 2015 and they are arguably the second-best wrestling program over the past decade behind Penn State. The Ohio Regional Training Center was on the cutting edge when it was formed and high school wrestling within the state is excellent. 
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the dark horse on this list. Yes, they have a Division I program with North Dakota State, but it’s one tournament in July that places them in contention: Junior Nationals. High school wrestlers from around the country converge in one place to test their mettle and to trade singlets outside the Fargodome. The city is so deeply embedded in wrestling vernacular that Junior Nationals is simply known as “Fargo.” 
Iowa City, Iowa
You could mention that the University of Iowa has won 23 NCAA team championships or that Dan Gable built the Hawkeyes into a dynasty or that Carver-Hawkeye Arena averaged over 10,000 fans for dual meets this season or that the Hawkeye Wrestling Club advanced wrestling or that several major events — including the past two Olympic Trials and the 2018 World Cup … rest of the story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/PortalPost.jsp?postId=785461135&fbclid=IwAR1yRjkw_yvAJVblr5_Uf07J5_rwMpwhTUVTbtEp772dZ6mVgzMu7dCPKjo}

July 17, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized