Air Force Wrestling team selects athletes for 2008 season

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  After almost two dozen athletes from around the Air Force traveled here to participate in the All Air Force Wrestling Camp, which started Feb. 13, the final wrestling competition held March 1 determined who would become part of the 2008 All Air Force Wrestling Team.

More than 120 Airmen initially responded to Coach Richard Estrella's invitation to try out for the team, but only 23 received news they were selected to attend the camp, which was hosted by the 366th Services Squadron.

Coach Estrella used the first two-and-a-half weeks to teach the athletes the latest techniques in training and also used the time to evaluate their progress. The athletes then had a chance to showcase their abilities during the final competition.

"The wrestle-off competition on March 1 was well attended, and the crowd was quite enthusiastic about the level of competition," Coach Estrella said.

Dean Maraj, a network administrator from the 422nd Communication Squadron at Royal Air Force Croughton, United Kingdom, was among the final 13 selected for the 2008 team. It will be his first year representing the Air Force.

"Wrestling is one of those sports that challenges you mentally and physically," said Maraj, who began wrestling as a freshman in high school. "It's hard to stay away from because it's not something anyone can just 'pick up.' You've got to train and work hard to be good at it, which is why it's so appealing to me."

After hearing the news that he would be joining the team, Maraj's first thought was to let everyone else know.

"I was pretty excited when I found out," he said. "I immediately told everyone in my chain of command. They've supported me the entire time."

The team will now train for another week and a half here before traveling to New Orleans to participate in the Armed Forces Championship hosted by the Navy and other national wrestling events with the Olympics set as the ultimate goal.

"I have some guys I've been working with for a number of years, and I have great confidence in them along with the team as a whole," Coach Estrella said.

The following will be wrestling in the Greco-Roman category:
55 Kilograms: Anthony Brooker, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
60 Kilograms: Andrew Perez, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
66 Kilograms: Jacob Hey, Peterson AFB, Colo.
74 Kilograms: Peter Hicks, Peterson AFB, Colo.
84 Kilograms: Brett Spangler, Schriever AFB, Colo.
120 Kilograms: Nader Maghribe, Travis AFB, Calif.

The following will be wrestling in the freestyle category:
55 Kilograms: Jason De Rosa, Kadena AB, Japan
60 Kilograms: Dean Maraj, RAF Croughton, United Kingdom
66 Kilograms: Thamir Rimbert, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
74 Kilograms: Aaron Drain, Minot AFB, N.D.
84 Kilograms: Walter Hoffman, Barksdale AFB, La.

Justin Millard, Peterson AFB, Colo., will wrestle in the 96 kilogram weight class in both the Greco-Roman and freestyle categories.

Tyler Moore, Aviano AB, Italy, will join the team as the assistant coach and an alternate for the 60 kilogram weight class in either category.