Mountain Home AFB hosts All Air Force Wrestling Team tryouts

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Beginning Feb. 13, potential candidates for the All Air Force Wrestling Team began arriving at Mountain Home Air Force Base to participate in tryouts for the 2008 team.

After more than 120 Airmen initially responded to Coach Richard Estrella's invitation to join the team, only 23 received the good news that they were selected to travel here for the All Air Force Wrestling Camp.

"We use to have a much larger team," said the 21-year veteran coach of Air Force wrestling. Coach Estrella usually selects three dozen wrestlers, but invited less than two dozen this year due to the Air Force's high-operations tempo.

The Airmen will continue to train until the "wrestle-off" March 1 through 2 when they will find out which 14 will make the final cut and continue training throughout April.

In preparation, wrestlers will undergo almost a month of intense training at least six days a week. During weekdays, the athletes will train over 12 hours from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Saturdays, sessions run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a few competitions on weekends. Exercises include a two-mile run followed by weightlifting, wrestling training, drills and other workouts meant to bring them together as a team.

"In order for the individual to have success, they first need to be part of a team," the coach said. "You have to have a support system no matter how good you are."

During the selection process, Coach Estrella sent out invites to Airmen asking for biographies including their experience, accomplishments and weight classes. He then contacted each athlete personally to let them know if they were accepted or not.

Athletes from the Air Force World Class Athletes Program also joined the fray. According to www.usafsports.com, "WCAP is a two-year program that provides active duty, National Guard and Reserve Air Force personnel the opportunity to train and compete at national and international sports competitions with the ultimate goal of selection to the United States Olympic team."

The two WCAP members participating in the camp are Justin Millard and Jacob Hey, who train at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, during their special duty assignment.

"I'm paid to train full time," said Miller, originally a firefighter at Peterson AFB, Colo. "It's a dream come true."

According to the rules agreement each athlete signed, attending the camp "is a privilege" giving athletes the "opportunity to learn and excel at wresting" and "everyone must earn the privilege of continuing to represent the U.S. Air Force."

Male athletes are competing for a spot in one of seven weight classes including 55, 60, 66, 74, 84, 96 and 120 kilograms. This year's eligible female weight classes include 48 and 63 kilograms.

After eliminations on March 1 and 2, the 14-athlete group will travel 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.

"We feel fortunate and proud to be representing all the men and women in the military, including those who are deployed," said Coach Estrella, "and we really appreciate all the units that allowed their people to participate in the Air Force sponsored wrestling team. I also want to thank Mountain Home AFB, especially the 366th Services Squadron, for hosting us for the sixth year."

In fitness center director Richard Holmes' opinion, it's worth the extra time spent preparing the fitness center for the wrestling team's use.

"It takes extra work, but it's well worth it because it benefits the whole Gunfighter population," he said. "It's something unique and different than your typical intramural program."

The following Airmen were selected to attend the camp:
Anthony Brooker, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
Kevin Craig, Buckley AFB, Colo.
Jason Derosa, Kadena AB, Japan
Aaron Drain, Minot Air Force Base, N.D.
Joseph Frick, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Nathaniel Goodman, Tinker AFB, Okla.
Jacob Hey, Peterson AFB, Colo.
Peter Hicks, Peterson AFB, Colo.
Walt Hoffman, Barksdale AFB, La.
Tim Hisey, McConnell AFB, Kan.
John Krieger, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
Thomas Little, Minot AFB, N.D.
Nader Maghribe, Travis AFB, Calif.
Dean Maraj, RAF Croughton, United Kingdom
Justin Millard, Peterson AFB, Colo.
Tyler Moore, Aviano AB, Italy
Peter Nazerechuk, Eglin AFB, Fla.
Joseph Nichols, Kunsan AB, Korea
Jacob Odom, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Arnee Pryor, Eglin AFB, Fla.
Thamir Rembert, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Charles Salerno, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Conrad Spangler, Schriever AFB, Colo.