Excel Wrestling, official US Junior Olympic Program for USA Wrestling kicks off it’s year in Iowa, Colorado and Wyoming.  The Iowa Junior Olympic Program begins next month in the Greater Des Moines area.  The program runs from September thru May with practices held at Waukee High School on the west side of town and Grand View University on the east. 

Head Coach and Director Steve Knight enters his 16^th season with Excel Wrestling.  Knight spent 10 years in Colorado working both with Excel Wrestling and the USA National Teams staff prior to moving back home to Iowa.  His oldest son Evan, a 2 x Iowa State Champion is now a resident athlete in Colorado Springs at the US Olympic Training Center. 

Knight commented, “Yes, we’re going to miss Evan.  He has been a big help to me as an assistant for the Excel program the last couple years here in Iowa.  Hopefully we’ll get him back home every now and then.  I think spending the year at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs will really be a great opportunity and help him prepare for what he has ahead.  I know he’s already enjoying the experience.

Working with Coach Knight this season will be Iowa Prep standout Ty Knowler who now competes for Grand View University at 165lbs.

The program in Central Iowa had 19 high school Excel wrestlers qualify for the Iowa State Championships last year with 14 State place finishers.  Excel Wrestling will run two groups this fall, one lighter weight group and one heavier group. 

The Iowa Junior Olympic Program application deadline is September 1^st. 

For more information, contact the Excel Wrestling office at 515.331.4419 or on the web at www.excelwrestling.com