Middletown High School is sending two athletes to participate in a prestigious wrestling tournament this week.
Erich Schneider and Carter McClung will represent Delaware from July 18-26 at the Asics/Vaughan Junior and Cadet National Wrestling Championships in North Dakota.
Middletown wrestling Coach Clif Bakhsh said this is the largest and most prestigious wrestling event for high school age wrestlers in the USA. “It offers Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling, the premiere events for high school wrestlers, and it’s kind of like the Division One championships for college, only this is the championships for high school athletes.”
Bakhsh said the best way to get looked at by colleges is to participate in these types of national events in the different wrestling styles. “So the idea is to learn and train in these new styles and go out and compete against the best in the country,” he said.
The two local athletes have been training in the two styles, Freestyle and Greco-Roman since April.
“I thought it was something special to be selected for this tournament, said Schneider. “I’ve watched the Greo-Roman wrestling growing up, but I never thought I would compete at the next level in this type of event. So when wer heard about this, Carter and I jumped on board right away.”
Schneider said he feels he experience will be invaluable in his development as a wrestler. “This will also help our confidence and boost morale on our high school team next season,” he said.
Schneider said he intends to wrestle on the collegiate level after he graduates from Middletown.
Bakhsh said he and the two wrestlers are very excited to compete in this competition against the best in the country.
According to the US Wrestling website, “The purpose of USA Wrestling Events is to provide opportunities for wrestlers of all styles to compete against the best competition, at the regional, national, and international levels. USA Wrestling Events serves parents, coaches and athletes in the most time efficient and cost effective manner, while providing the best experience possible for all involved. USA Wrestling Events aims to exceed the expectations of coaches, parents, officials, volunteers, and the wrestlers themselves at each and every tournament. USA Wrestling offers events in Women's and Men's Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Folkstyle, Grappling, and Beach”.