FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Additional Information: Bart Freidenberg bdbop@aol.com 614-507-1653
October 12, 2014
Nearly half the spots have already been filled on next summer’s 33rd Anniversary Ohio All-Star Wrestling Team tour.
---Open to all current 6th thru 9th graders, with an estimated summer weight of 65-155 pounds . Wrestlers must also carry a minimum of a B-/C+ grade point average.
---Initial Deadline for Applications Approaches (October 18). To request an application, see contact information above.
***NON OHIO WRESTLERS MAY APPLY.***
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Nine of the anticipated 21 spots, on next summer’s Ohio All-Star Wrestling Team tour have now been filled, according to Team Chairman Bart Freidenberg. “So far, we have what looks to be one of our more competitive teams we have ever fielded.”
These nine include 4 Ohio youth state champs, a New England champ, a NY State High School Qualifier, a Canada East Champion and a two time Ohio Tournament of Champions Champ. A current list of those named to the team, as well as a short compilation video of team photos from the 2014 tour, can be found on the Team’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2015OASWT/?ref=br_tfFreidenberg added that several other applications received are currently being checked for references. Among those include wrestlers that have won Tulsa, the Trinity Award, the American Crown and various youth state champions.
He added that while applications for all weights are still being accepted, and considered, they are focusing most attention on 65-75, 88-98, 104-110 and 130 (estimated summer weights).
“We are not limited as to what weights we travel with,” Freidenberg said. “Whatever we have, we let the other teams know and they match up, as best they can. However, those are the weights we definitely hope to add some quality kids to the roster.”
Started in 1983, the Ohio All-Stars are the only team of its kind in the country. “There might be other teams that travel and wrestle, “ said Freidenberg, “but we are definitely unique with all the extra things we do, as well as the length of time we travel.”
He added that this year’s tour will start with a five to seven day team training camp and then the team will tour/wrestle five to six weeks in length. “A lot of folks think the kids don’t get a lot of mat time on the tour, due to all the extra things we do, but they really do. This past summer, the kids averaged about 20 matches and we also had an additional 15 practices as well, not counting camp.”
According to Freidenberg, the 2015 trip should see the team competing in Utah, Colorado, Nevada, California, Oregon and Idaho.
“What is really unique about our team is that we start with a group of young men, all with a common goal being the best wrestler they can be. They start out as individuals, slowly transform into a team and then, somewhere around half way thru the trip, they become a family,” he said.
“Along the way they learn how to take responsibility for their own actions, take care of each other, do their own laundry, budget their money and interact with adults who ask them about the team.
“Some parents think their child will get homesick on the tour, but we keep them so busy, that they don’t have time to think about that” he said. “We also do so many things that no other team would even consider, such as Broadway shows, dinner theatre, Improv lessons and the past two years the kids have even had the opportunity to record songs at a private recording studio, in Reno.
“We have also had a number of great speakers over the years, ranging from Former President Ronald Reagan, to UCLA Basketball Legend John Wooden, to 1936 Olympian/War Hero Louis Zamperini, to Cartoon Magnates William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, to various sports’s Hall of Famers and Olympians, including Rulon Gardner.
“Also,” he added, “while we do give the kids some freedom, we do have a number of team rules, which need to be followed. How our team presents itself to the public is of extreme importance to us, which is why we check up on each individual that applies for the team. The need to have a good moral character, or else they will not be selected, regardless what their mat accomplishments might be.”
He said wrestlers are expected to always present a positive image and among the team rules are that shirts must be tucked in and that no hats are allowed to be worn in restaurants.
“The nicest thing is when a stranger comes up and tells us what fine young men we have.”
But, there is also the other side. “This past year, we had one kid tell the official he made a bad call. Our wrestler decided he would be bit stubborn and wouldn’t apologize, so the team ended up with an extra 45 minute workout at the end of the match, even after our wrestler finally apologized to the official. “
Applications for this year’s Ohio All-Stars are due by October 18. You can request one by contacting Freidenberg at bdbop@aol.com or at 614-507-1653.
