2007 Team Texas Men, Cadets and Juniors
What is Team Texas?
Team Texas Men, Cadets and Juniors is a group of wrestlers from High School programs throughout the state that dedicate most of their summer to wrestling freestyle and Greco-Roman competitions with like-minded opponents from other states. All of these competitions are sponsored by USA Wrestling, our sport’s national governing body, and culminate in the Asics Cadet and Junior National Championships at the end of July. Athletes improve their wrestling abilities by exposure to new techniques, coaching styles, and repetition of existing technique against outstanding competition. Not only do Team Texas athletes improve their wrestling skills tremendously, but at these national competitions, they gain valuable exposure to university coaches and wrestling publications from across the country. Ultimately, this results in better opportunities for them to continue their wrestling career in college.
Who is Team Texas?
Last season’s roster is too long to detail here (over 80 athletes), but some of the familiar names that have participated with Team Texas and are expected to compete this season include:
Ian Aguirre, Kyle Anderson, Ben and Luke Ashmore, Kyle Camburn, Jordan Couch, Shane Doughman, A.J. Forsythe, Chase Gallatin, George and Greg Gogonas, Dillon Horn, Ben Hortman, Spencer Jernigan, Austin Johlke, Johnny Keopp, Sean Kitchen, Jason Logan, Danny Luttrell, Colin McElroy, Zach Nichols, Cameron Padilla, Aaron Pelletier, Jimmy Peterson, Robert Prigmore, Fred Rowsey, Jeremy and Josh Sandoval, Luke Silver, Erik Spjut, and Taylor Torisk.
Former Team Texas members now competing in college include: James Aston, David Cedeno, Keith Clifton, Joe Comparin, Wade Danielson, Tervel Dlagnev, Pat Grogan, J.J. Holmes, Jake Jackson, Clay Kehrer, Jack Kitchen, James King, Devan Lewis, Brad Medchill, Keegan Mueller, Gordon Oehmig, Ivan Pinney, Joel Phillips, Will Rowe, Danny Ruiz, Brent Saratte, Dan Shofner, Chas Skelly, Zach Tramel, Travis West, Lamar White, and Justin Wren.
And, of course, we would be remiss if we failed to mention former Team Texas members Brandon Slay and Mo Lowal.
How do I join Team Texas?
Any Texas wrestler can participate with Team Texas at The Red River Duals, and at any of the National Regional tournaments. However, to participate at the National Duals, or at the Cadet and Junior National Championships, you must be a member of Team Texas. One cannot simply “join” Team Texas, you must qualify for Team Texas.
There are three ways for you to qualify for the Cadet and Junior National Championships. The first is to finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, at the Texas USA Wrestling State Championships in May. The second is to finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at a USA Wrestling National Regional tournament. Finally, if you participate at State but fail to qualify, you may petition at State for the opportunity to participate in a wrestle-off at the Team Texas training camp to fill any vacancies remaining at your respective weight class. All qualified wrestlers are required to sign a “Code of Conduct” agreement and are subject to the approval of the executive board of Texas USA Wrestling before they are allowed to join Team Texas.
Participation in the National Duals will be by invitation only. The Texas USA staff will select the Texas National Dual team and extend invitations two weeks following the Texas USA State Championships. Texas USA Wrestling will bear all costs associated with the National Duals except for meals. Participants compete free of charge. Texas USA State Champions will receive considerable attention, but ultimately, the coaching staff will determine the starting line-ups. Only qualified Team Texas members are eligible to receive invitations.
The representation policy for the National Duals remains unchanged from last season. Any athlete receiving an invitation to participate at the National Duals is free to accept or decline the invitation without jeopardizing his eligibility to participate at the Cadet and Junior National Championships. However, if the athlete accepts the invitation, and declares the weight and style(s) in which he will compete at the National Duals, he will be expected to honor his commitment to the team. In the event that he elects not to fulfill his obligation, his association with Team Texas may be revoked, including his ability to participate in the Cadet and Junior National Championships.
How much does it cost to participate with Team Texas?
$1,200. 00 total
A $300 non-refundable deposit is required at the Texas USA State Tournament. The $900 balance is due on or before the first day of training camp. All payments should be made by check or credit card. Credit card payments are accepted by accessing the Team Texas section on the front page of this website.
*All equipment, reservations (rooms and transportation), coaching staff, etc. are secured based on the anticipated number of participants. Our budget cannot bear the expense of a no-show. With that in mind, your deposit and final payment must be on time, or you will not participate with Team Texas.
That’s a lot! What does that include?
Transportation, room, entry fees, team photograph, an intensive training camp and all associated camp costs including meals, a daily meal allowance at the National Championships, and an equipment package that includes two singlets, tees, shorts, and a team warm-up top. In addition, individuals selected to compete at the National Duals participate free of charge.
Not included are incidentals, and meals at the National Duals.
I can’t come up with that much money! Can Texas USA Wrestling help me?
Texas USA Wrestling provides all prospective Team Texas athletes with a fundraiser to help them defray the cost of the trip. Some athletes pay all of their own expenses, and some raise every single penny with the fundraiser. If you really are willing to put in the effort, the fundraiser is tried and true!
Who are the coaches of Team Texas?
The Team Texas Coaching Staff is selected by the Texas USA Coaching Director, and subject to approval by the Texas USA State Director, Deputy State Director, and freestyle-Greco Roman Director. The staff for this summer has not been selected yet, but some recent Team Texas coaches include Kenny Monday, Kendall Cross, Mo Lowal, Tim Marzuola, Albert Luhan, Henry Harmony, Ryan Menard, Romey Pelletier, Steve Davis, Alan Rodger, Shawn Wilson, Dennis McGrane, Brent Pohorsky, and Charlie Zascavage.
What if my coach wants to go?
Any coach is welcome to attend the National events as a spectator. However, to get on the floor, a coach must travel as an official member of the Team Texas Staff. He must be willing to work the training camp, travel with the team, and perform any other duties that the team leader or Head Coach assign. In addition, he must be willing to sign a coaches “Code of Conduct” that requires him to be exemplary as a recognized leader and role model to the athletes in his charge, possess at least Bronze certification, and pass a criminal background check.
If a coach wishes to work as a staff member of Team Texas, he needs to inform the State Chairman and/or the Team Texas Head Coach that he wants to make himself eligible to join the Texas USA Wrestling Coaching Pool. At that time, he will receive a USA Wrestling Coaches Certification Book. He will record in the book all of the wrestling events that he works in any capacity.
Texas USA Wrestling aspires to staff all Team Texas events with the most knowledgeable, active, responsible, coaches available. In order to better achieve this objective, a point system will be utilized to identify a pool of coaches from which to select the Team Texas Staff. In order to become eligible for inclusion in the Coaching Pool, a coach must earn a minimum of 100 points during the current freestyle/Greco season. Each Texas Coach is responsible for the documentation of each completed event by obtaining the signature of the appropriate event official in his Certification book. Upon earning the minimum of 100 points, the eligible coach shall notify the Texas USA Head Coach that he has met the requirement and should now be added to the Texas Coaching Pool. The Head Coach shall then select staff for the Cadet Duals, the Junior Duals, and the Cadet and Junior Nationals from among the eligible members of the Texas Coaching Pool. Assigned staff shall receive a team equipment package, and attend the assigned event all expenses paid. All staff assignments are subject to approval by the executive board of Texas USA Wrestling.
How does my coach earn these points?
5 points for:
10 points for:
20 points for:
I noticed that the Team Texas Training Camp runs from July 16th – July 20th
Do I have to attend the camp?
Training camp is required. The Cadet and Junior National Championships is the largest wrestling tournament in the world. Besides the fact that you need to be in fantastic shape, you, the coaching staff, and your teammates need to work together to build a relationship that will see you through the rigors of a National tournament.
*Exception: A senior who has graduated and has signed a letter of intent to compete in college may elect to train at his
chosen university with his college team provided that his new coach is providing such training.
I noticed that the team will be traveling by charter bus. I want to fly up with my parents and stay in their hotel, is that possible?
No, it is not possible. The team will be on a strict schedule until the conclusion of the tournament that includes workouts, meals, and adequate rest. We train as a team, travel as a team, and compete as a team. When the tournament concludes, then you may be excused to go home with your parents.
*Exception: A senior who has graduated and has signed a letter of intent to compete in college and has elected to train at his chosen university will be responsible for his own travel arrangements to the event. Once he has joined the team. However, he will follow the same guidelines as the rest of Team Texas until his competition has concluded.
I have a lot of questions that are not answered here. What do I do now?
Post your question on the Texas USA freestyle/Greco forum. If you want to know, there are probably a lot of others with the same question. Your question will be answered as soon as possible.