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Spotlight: 2002 Junior and Cadet National Championships in Fargo Mark New Milestones for Amateur Wrestling
 by Danielle Hobeika, 8/24/02

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Dustin Schlatter of OH (right) was the Outstanding Wrestler of the Cadet Freestyle division. Schlatter defeated Jeff Becker of PA (left) in the 125 lb. finals.

The 2002 Asics Cadet and Junior National Championships, held in Fargo, North Dakota from July 20-27, made history in more ways than one.

The number of entries in the competition totaled 4,387- enough to set the record as the largest wrestling event in world history. The previous record holder had been the 1997 Junior and Cadet National Championships, in which 3,641 competitors were registered. The athlete participation level was also monumental to the history of the Greco-Roman style of wrestling: the number of wrestlers in the Cadet and Junior Men's Greco-Roman divisions combined totaled 1,925, setting the record as the largest Greco-Roman event ever held in the United States.

While the increase in entries in the overall event can mostly be attributed to the increased popularity of the sport for Cadet and Junior Men, the addition of a Junior Women's division this year also brought over 100 female athletes to Fargo to compete for National Championship titles in nine weight divisions. The largest women's contingent was team California, which brought twenty-three girls, four of whom were finalists.

Senior-level competition was also showcased at Fargo for the first time in two special World Team wrestle-offs. The first wrestle-off, between former Senior Women's World Champion Kristie Marano and former FILA Junior World Silver Medalist Katie Downing, was held to determine the 147-pound/67 kg US representative at the Women's World Championships in November. This two-out-of-three series marked the first time that a women's wrestle-off was held in accordance with new rules implemented after the announcement of the addition of women's wrestling to the 2004 Olympics. USA Wrestling and the Women’s Sports Committee decided that women who placed second or third at the World Team Trials at the four Olympic weights (48 kg, 55 kg, 63 kg and 72 kg) are allowed to challenge the winners of the three non-Olympic weights (51 kg, 59 kg and 67 kg) for their spot on the U.S. Women's World team. Kristie Marano won the series two matches to none, with a 5-4 decision and a 12-2 tech fall.

Former World Champion Kristie Marano (left) takes on Katie Downing (right) in a special wrestle-off for the Women's World Team 147-lb. spot.

The second wrestle-off was held between 2001 World Team members Bill Zadick and Chris Bono for the 2002 Senior Men's World Team berth at 145 pounds. Due to an injury before the World Team Trials, US National Champion Bill Zadick opted to postpone the challenge series for the World Team spot until he recovered. Chris Bono defeated Jamil Kelly at the World Team Trials, allowing him to challenge Zadick to a best-of-three series held in Fargo. Zadick captured the first match of the series over Bono with a 3-2 decision. In the second match, Bono battled back and defeated Zadick 3-1, pushing the series to the third decisive bout. Regulation time in the third match ended with a 2-2 tie, forcing an overtime period starting in the clinch position. Zadick released the clinch lock and a point was awarded to Bono, which earned Chris the 145-pound World Team spot.

Legends of Wrestling: Dan Gable (above, far left) watches the Bill Zadick-Chris Bono wrestle-off from Zadick's corner with 2002 NCAA All-American Mike Zadick and Iowa Assistant Coach Tom Brands. Cael Sanderson (below) signs autographs on posters and Wheaties boxes

Watching the Men's Wrestle-off from Bill Zadick's corner was wrestling legend Dan Gable, who coached Zadick when he attended college at the University of Iowa. Gable is known for his gold medal performance at the 1972 Olympic Games, where he did not give up a single point to any of his opponents, his 202-1 collegiate record, and his outstanding coaching career at the University of Iowa. As the coach at Iowa from 1977-1997, Gable compiled a career record of 355-21-5, and led the Hawkeyes to 15 NCAA team titles and 21 Big Ten titles. Gable was named to the U.S.A. Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1980, and to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1985. 

Also in attendance at the Fargodome was amateur wrestling's newest hero, Cael Sanderson. Sanderson, who is honored on the cover of many Wheaties boxes for his remarkable 159-0 college career record, spent a great deal of time signing autographs for young athletes who aspire to him. Sanderson won the Senior Men's World Team Trials, securing him a spot on the 2002 Men's World Team, and is considered one of the United States' greatest hopefuls for an Olympic medal in 2004.

The 2002 Asics Cadet and Junior National Championships created a new standard for amateur wrestling events. With its record-setting level of participation, the introduction of a women's division, and the appearances of elite senior athletes and wrestling legends, we will all wait in anticipation for next year's tournament to see what new milestones it will achieve.

Facts provided by theMat.com. Visit their Fargo Nationals special events page for results, brackets, and other press releases.

FARGO PHOTO GALLERIES:

Junior and Cadet Men's Freestyle:

Junior Women's Freestyle
Senior Women's World Team Wrestle-off: 147 lbs, Kristie Marano v. Katie Downing
Senior Men's World Team Wrestle-off: 145 lbs, Chris Bono v. Bill Zadick

Inside the Fargodome: the venue, staff, and special appearances

and more

 

 

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