Adam Wheeler World Team Member

Wheeler eyeing Olympic team

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Friday, May 14, 2004.

By RYAN MARTINEZ
Valley Press Staff Writer

If he was in need of a confidence boost heading into the May 22 Olympic Team Trials for wrestling, Lancaster native Adam Wheeler got it at the May 5 University National Championships in Evanston, Ill.

Wheeler, who normally wrestles at 211 pounds in Greco Roman style, wrestled up to 265 pounds and finished second to make the University World team.

The United States Olympic Education Center coach Ivan Ivanof moved Wheeler up in weight for the team competition to help the USOEC team defend its three-time National title.

"He wanted a full team," Wheeler said. "We won the tournament and it felt great."

Wheeler made it to the finals of the University National Championships and lost by decision, 3-2, to Tim Taylor, who represented the United States Marines.

Despite only being an alternate for the June 1-7 World Championships in Poland, Wheeler will be making the start for the USA University World team.

"They found out that Taylor was ineligible, so I'm going to be going," Wheeler said. "I am really excited about it. I've never been overseas and I think it will be a great experience."

Teammate R.C. Johnson won the 211-pound Division and will be headed to Poland. Wheeler beat Johnson in April at the US Nationals in Las Vegas.

Wheeler will have a tough time at the World Championships because of his weight.

"I will be at 211, because I will have just wrestled at the (Olympic) Trials," Wheeler said. "I can't gain that much weight to be even with the heavyweights, so it will be tough."

Wheeler will be outweighed by at least 40 pounds against the top wrestlers in the world. The heavyweight division is 265 pounds.

There are three levels on the USA World team, which are Juniors (17 and 18 years old), University (18-24 years old) and Seniors (18 and older).

"The International level are wrestlers 28 and older," Wheeler said. "Those are the guys I will be facing and those are also the guys that will most likely be in the Olympics."

Wheeler will be going to Indianapolis before the World Championships to compete in the Trials. He will compete at his normal 211 pounds. The top wrestler from each weight class will make the US Olympic team and be headed to Athens, while the second-place and third-place will be alternates.