September 18, 2014
Dear Parents,
Based on applications already submitted, as well as the interest that I have received via e-mail and phone calls, it appears very promising that we will be fielding an Ohio All-Star Wrestling Team in 2015.
Already, I have heard from several OAC state champions/place winners, as well as some very tough non Ohio youth state /national place winners. If this trend continues, next summer's team could be one of our most competitive teams ever. I am also receiving a deal of interest, (and several applications), for the 2016 and 2017 teams.
So, just a reminder, if you have any interest in applying for a spot on next summer's team, please contact me for an application and have it filled out and returned by the end of September, when I hope to make a final decision as to the status of the team.
I have had a couple of parents question the trip cost and/or length. I can promise you that all money raised goes towards the trip (we are a 501c3 team). For comparison, this past year Indiana USA offered a 13 day wrestling exchange tour to Japan (7 days in Japan). Lodging and meals were to be picked up by the host country. Cost was $2500. We offered a 45 day tour, plus a 6 day camp, for $5000. Lodging was in hotels and kids received $20, every other day, for meals. In addition, they received about $800 in sightseeing events (Disneyland, Las Vegas Shows, white water rafting, water parks, plays, etc...) and $800+ in team gear.
***What a lot of parents don't understand is that the money CAN be raised. We do provide materials to help in this process. Understandably some are better at it than others, but it can be done.***
As for the length, I realize some parents are a bit hesitant about sending their child away for six weeks. The best I can tell you is to contact me and I will give you some names/numbers of parents, of similar age to your son, whose child participated in the past couple of years. You can then talk to them about their experience and decide for yourself.
As for a tentative itinerary for 2015, I am looking at: Denver, Colorado Springs, Salina (UT), Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, Reno, Eugene, Hermiston (OR), Boise and Salt Lake City. Sightseeing would include: Disneyland, Beach, White Water Rafting, Blue Man Group, San Diego Zoo, Water Parks, Mormon Temple Grounds, Improv Comedy, Lake Tahoe, Recording Studio, Hollywood, Alpine Slide, Broadway Show, Pikes Peak, Baseball Game, Air Force Academy, Rodeo and Olympic Training Center.
If you have other specific questions about the tour, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours in Wrestling,
Bart Freidenberg
bdbop@aol.com
614-507-1653
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"My son Logan was the youngest kid on the team this yr and we had some reservation about sending him at first but as we talked with past team members we decided we wanted him to experience this before it was no longer an option.My son was able to raise all the money pretty easily this yr without asking for individual donations. We didn't spend a dime other than some spending money.Trip of a lifetime.
Great wrestling and they get to see stuff most people dream to see in a lifetime. Gives your child a chance to see what doors can open through wrestling, hard work ,dedication and sacrifice. They will grow more mentally in 6 weeks than most kids do in a yr. My kid went from having trouble staying at people's house for a night without getting homesick to me having to make him call home to check in during the trip! They stay so busy they don't have a chance to miss anything at home. They leave on the trip as teammates and come back brothers. Wrestled some great competition in , folk, freestyle and Greco as well as learning from different coaches and styles from each stop. From the Mountains of Yellowstone to the beaches of California, they get to see just what our beautiful country has to offer. We highly recommend this trip."
Jason Ours (son Logan was a 5th grader and a 5X Ohio State Champ)
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"Over the years, when the wrestlers and parents talk about, "trip of a lifetime," they rarely mention the wrestling. What a great accomplishment that is on its own. These boys all trained or competed at high levels daily and in the end....It is about experiences shared and lived off the mat. Parents will always have some trepidation about sending their child away for weeks and weeks on end. Their concerns are real and honest. The experiences these kids have are, in many cases, once in a lifetime.
I was able to wrestle with the OASWT in '84' and saw things and places that I haven't seen since. I was able to be a coach for OASWT some 20+ yrs later (2007). I was able to witness kids experiencing people and places and things that they may never get a chance to experience again.
NYC on Good Morning America, The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, The Black Hills and Badlands of S.D., Sturgis, The Grand Tetons, The Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, OK. Hanging out at Rulon Gardner's home. Living in a hostile in Jackson Hole, WY., Salt Lake City Mormon Temple, Old Faithful at Yellowstone, Bear Lake in Idaho, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and all the places in between and there are many.
-Don't let the money scare you away. Any community will be proud of their student/wrestler getting this opportunity and they will step up.
-There will be an awesome schedule. The competition is top notch in each state. Trust me. They do not want us coming into their home and beating them. They will have the best kids on board. We rolled into Utah and beat their Greco team that hadn't lost for years. They were not happy.
-Your kids will learn so much. The trip is a 6-7 week, "life skills" class. Laundry, managing money, getting along, adapting, overcoming, flexibility, helping others, being a team player, encouraging others, being a leader, empathy...
-The memories.
-The experiences.
If the OASWT decides to continue for one year or three....If you have the opportunity, apply, you will not be disappointed.
Michael Phillips (OASWT 1984; OASWT Coach 2007)
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Past team members have included:
OHIO WRESTLERS
Ryan Bertin (6th grader) - 2X NCAA Champion
Alan Fried (6th and 7th grade) - NCAA Champion; 2X NCAA Runner Up
Rex Holman (7th grader) - NCAA Champion
Corey Kline (7th grader) - NCAA DII Champion
Willie Wineberg (7th grader) - 4X State Champ
John McGhee (5th grader) - 4X State Champ
Lance Palmer (6th grader) - 4X State Champ
Cam Tessari (6th grader) - 4X State Champ
Shawn Nelson (8th grader) - 3X State Champ
Eddie Jayne (8th grader) - 3X State Champ
Drew Pariano (6th grader) - 3X State Champ
Scott Burnett (6th grader) - 3X State Champ
Mark Jayne (7th grader) - 3X State Champ
Mason Lenhard (7th grader) - 3X State Champ
Mike Miller (8th grader) - 3X State Champ
Kevin Hardy (7th grader) - 3X State Champ
Colt Sponseller (7th grader) - 3X State Champ
Brandon Thompson (6th grader) - 3X State Champ
Scott Zapadka (7th and 9th grade) - 2X State Champ
Jimmy Johnson (6th grader) - 2X State Champ
Mike Kulczycki (6th grader) - 2X State Champ
Keith Cupp (6th grader) - 2X State Champ
Marcus Gordon (7th grader) - 2X State Champ
Matt McIntire (6th grader) - 2X State Champ
Braxdon Scaletta (8th grader) - 2X State Champ
Kevin Lipp (6th and 8th grader) - 2X State Champ
Pat McLemore (7th grader) - 2X State Champ
Gus Sako (6th grader) - 2X State Champ
Joey Ward (5th grader) - 2X State Champ
Kaleb Romero (7th grader) - 2014 State Champ as Freshman
NON OHIO WRESTLERS
Sheldon Thomas (7th grader) - NCAA Champion, from DE
Kenny Anderson (9th grader) - 3X NCAA DIII Champion, from MA
Nathan Galloway (6th and 7th grader) - 3X PA State Champ
Mike Rowe (6th and 8th grader) - 4X MD State Champ; 2X National Prep Champion
Ricky Frondorf (9th grader) - 3X NJ State Champ
Evan Silver (8th grader) - 4X National Prep Champion, from MD
Robbie Preston - 3X National Prep Champion, from NJ
Bobby Ingraham (9th grader) - 3X VA State Champ
Ryan Needle (5th and 7th grader) - 3X NY State Champ
Walker Faison (7th grader) - 3X VA State Champion
Trevor Chinn - (6th grader) - 4X NY State Finalist
Hudson Taylor (7th grader) - 3X NCAA Placer, from NJ; 2X National Prep Champion
Austin O'Connor (7th grader) - 2014 IL State Champ as Freshman
Todd Preston (7th grader) - 2X National Prep Champion, from NJ
Jack Clark (6th grade) - National Prep Champion; NJ State Champion
Zach Thone (7th grade)-3X New Hampshire State Champion
Connor McDonald (6th grade)-3X Delaware State Champion
Codey Combs (7th grade)-3X Delaware State Champion
Jason Taylor (9th grade) - 3X WV State Champion
Past Participants By State
Ohio-350 wrestlers (15 who went 2X)
Non Ohio -181 wrestlers (8 who went 2X)
Total: 531 different wrestlers (23 who went 2X)
State that have been represented (24): CA, CO, CT, DE, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WV, WI, WY
