The College Sports Council and the Independent Women´s Forum today issued a national appeal on the 36th anniversary of the passage of Title IX calling on men and women to work together to effect "straightforward and common-sense" reform of Title IX regulations.

The CSC invites everyone in the Olympic Sports community to add their names to the petition.

To sign the petition, click here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?csc2008

The text of the petition, with lead signatories Jessica Gavora of the College Sports Council (www.collegesportscouncil.org) and Allison Kasic of the Independent Women´s Forum (www.iwf.org), is as follows:

WHEREAS … Today, June 23, 2008 marks the 36th anniversary of the passage of Title IX …

WHEREAS . Men´s collegiate athletic teams are being eliminated and rosters are being capped at an alarming rate in order to comply with the "proportionality" enforcement prong …

WHEREAS . Women collegiate athletes are being robbed of their training partners, teammates and biggest supporters when men´s teams are eliminated …

WHEREAS . Straightforward and common-sense fixes to the enforcement mechanism are already available – such as a simple survey that would allow any student, male or female, to express interest and be given opportunity …

WHEREAS … The law´s current method of enforcement is discriminating against male athletes and artificially limiting opportunities to participate …

WHEREAS … The current tenor of the debate over the future of Title IX sets up a zero sum contest pitting men against women that hurts the collective cause of all college athletes …

BE IT RESOLVED … That men and women across the country come together to discuss and implement a set of common sense reforms to Title IX enforcement that maximizes the opportunities of all college athletes regardless of gender.

WE THE UNDERSIGNED …

Jessica Gavora, Vice President for Policy, College Sports Council Allison Kasic, Director of the R. Gaull Silberman Center for Collegiate Studies at the Independent Women´s Forum

To sign the petition, click here:

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?csc2008

Nikko Triggas (Moraga, Calif./Ohio State University) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for June 17-23.

Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level.

Triggas won titles in Greco-Roman and freestyle at the Pan American Junior Championships this past weekend in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Triggas went 3-0 in Greco-Roman on June 20 to win the title at 55 kg/121 lbs. Two days later, he swept the competition in freestyle. He defeated Jose Figueroa of Venezuela in the championship match.

Triggas qualified for the 2008 NCAA Championships as a freshman at Ohio State. He was one of the top recruits in the country after winning a California state title and winning numerous USA Wrestling national age-group titles.

Note: To nominate a wrestler for TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week, send the athlete´s name, accomplishments for the week and career accomplishments to Craig Sesker at csesker@usawrestling.org

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The celebration of winning individual national titles continues for J Jaggers and Mike Pucillo, members of the Ohio State wrestling team. Jaggers and Pucillo will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, Friday when Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians host the Cincinnati Reds at 7:05 p.m.

Jaggers, an upcoming senior, and Pucillo, a soon-to-be junior, are from Northeast Ohio. An NCAA champion at 141 pounds, Jaggers hails from Northfield and attended St. Peter Chanel High School. Pucillo, the national title winner at 184 pounds, is a native of Strongsville and prepped at Walsh Jesuit High School.

Jaggers and Pucillo became the Buckeyes’ first national champions since 2004 and it was the first time since 1993 Ohio State had two individual national champions in the same year. The duo helped the Buckeyes cap a historical season in which they were the NCAA runner-up, the best standing in program history.

The United States had a strong team effort at the Pan American Junior Freestyle Championships in Cuenca, Ecuador, claiming five individual champions.

Winning a double title with gold medals in both the freestyle and Greco-Roman divisions were Nikko Triggas of Moraga, Calif. at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Brent Eidenschink of Detroit Lakes, Minn. at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

Triggas defeated Jose Figueroa of Venezuela in the championship match. Eidenschink defeated Luis Roman of Mexico in the gold-medal match.

The U.S. won the team standings with 74 points, followed by Venezuela with 64 points and Canada with 45 points.

Also claiming gold medals were Michael Mangrum of Auburn, Wash.at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Quinten Wright of Wingate, Pa. at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Kirk Smith of Boise, Idaho at 84 kg/185 lbs.

Mangrum defeated an opponent from world power Cuba in the finals, Lazaro Montez.

The U.S. added bronze medals by Desmond Moore of Easton, Pa. at 60 kg/110 lbs., Brian Owen of Spokane, Wash. at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Ben Berhow of Hayward, Minn. at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

The team was coached by Jim Humphrey and Rob Prebish.

PAN AMERICAN JUNIOR FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS
at Cuenca, Ecuador, June 22

FS TEAM SCORES
1. USA 74
2. VEN 64
3. CAN 45

50kg DESMOND MOORE, Easton, Pa. BRONZE
1. CRISITAN NOVAS, DOM REP
2. YERI RIVERO, VEN
3. MOORE
3. SERGIO MONTAGUT, COL
5. ALEJANDRO GRIMALDI, MEX
5. MATIAS AGUIRRE, ARG

55kg NIKKO TRIGGAS, Moraga, Calif. CHAMPION
1. TRIGGAS
2. JOSE FIGUEROA, VEN, 5-1 / 0:49
3. CARLOS VASQUES, ECU
3. JOSE RAMOS, EL SAL
5. JHON SAN CLEMENTE, COL

60kg BRIAN OWEN, Spokane, Wash. BRONZE
1. ALEJANDRO VALDEZ, CUB
2. LUIS PORTILLA, EL SAL
3. OWEN
3. ELDIS FUENTE, VEN
5. FREDY PILCO, ECU
5. MARCOS AGUIRRE, ARG

66kg MICHAEL MANGRUM, Auburn, Wash. CHAMPION
1. MANGRUM
2. LAZARO MONTES, CUB
3. NELSON PEDRAZA, PER
3. PEDRO CEBALLO, VEN
5. JOSE VASQUEZ, DOM REP
5. MIGUEL BORJA, ECU

74kg QUENTIN WRIGHT, Wingate, Pa. CHAMPION
1. WRIGHT
2. POOL AMBROSIO, PER
3. JOSE MERCADO, ECU
3. CHRIS LAVERICH, CAN
5. EDUARDO GAPARDO, CHI
5. JOSEP GONZALEZ, VEN

84kg KIRK SMITH, Boise, Idaho CHAMPION
1. SMITH
2. ERIK FEUNEKES, CAN
3. JOSE DIAZ, VEN
3. JONATHAN RIO, COL
5. JUAN ESPINOZA, ECU
5. ESEQUIL CABAZOS, MEX

96kg BRENT EIDENSCHINK, Detroit Lakes, Minn. CHAMPION
1. EIDENSCHINK
2. LUIS ROMAN, MEX
3. WILLAIN SERRANO, EL SAL
3. BRAULIO VARGAS, VEN
5. BEN EAGLESTON, CAN
5. PIERO BURGOS, CHI

120kg BEN BERHOW, Hayward, Minn. BRONZE
1. ELIER ROMERO, CUB
2. GURDEEP BEESLA, CAN
3. BERHOW
3. ROBERTO MONASTERIO, VEN
5. DIEGO PONCE, ECU
5. ALBERT COTORREAL, DOM REP

The Minnesota Gold team did not lose a dual on the way to claiming the freestyle, as well as the Greco-Roman team title, at the Schoolboy/girl National Duals in Indianapolis, Ind.

The team used a 39-32 performance over Pennsylvania Blue in the freestyle championship dual after previously topping Pennsylvania Blue to take home the Greco-Roman crown.

Other teams placing in the top eight in freestyle competition included Michigan Red, which beat Team Missouri 39-37, New Jersey placing fifth over Team Washington, 44-23, and Illinois topping Oklahoma 1, 48-25, to win the seventh-place dual.

To see complete results from freestyle competition visit Track Wrestling.

Schoolboy Duals
Indianapolis, Ind.
June 22, 2008

Medal Round Bracket Results
1. Minnesota Gold
2. Pennsylvania Blue
3. Michigan Red
4. Team Missouri
5. New Jersey
6. Team Washington
7. Illinois
8. Oklahoma 1

1st Place Match
Minnesota Gold defeated Pennsylvania Blue 39-32.

3rd Place Match
Michigan Red defeated Team Missouri 39-37.

5th Place Match
New Jersey defeated Team Washington 44-23.

7th Place Match
Illinois defeated Oklahoma 1 48-25.

Click here to donate to Fuel the Dream

´Tranquility´ is usually not a word associated with members of the U.S. Olympic wrestling team. After all, the lives of these world-class athletes are a mix of discipline, training and putting their minds and skills to the test against other highly-trained wrestlers.

So when Ben Askren, Clarissa Chun, Marcie Van Dusen, Randi Miller and Ali Bernard, all of whom will represent the U.S. in Beijing in August, had a chance to spend the afternoon being pampered by the pros at Tranquility Salon and Day Spa in Bedminster, N.J., they were understandably excited.

"Between training and preparing for matches and tournaments there isn´t much time for facials and massages,”said Chun, a native of Hawaii who qualified at 48 KG. "It´s fun to feel a little pampered and get to show that we´re women as well as athletes."

For Miller, the U.S. women´s representative at 63 KG, the day was a chance to relieve the stresses that competing has brought over the past few weeks getting ready for Team Trials. "We´re happy to have this little breather in between Trials and Olympics, and we´re aware of how intense the training will be," she explained. "But washing away that stress, even for a couple of hours, is a great way to re-energize for what´s ahead."

The athletes have spent the past few days in the New York Metro area doing clinics, meet-and-greets and media appearances in support of "Fuel the Dream," a program instituted by USA Wrestling to assist the families of these athletes with travel expenses to Beijing. The time at "Tranquility" has also helped take the edge off their busy schedules while in the area.

"We are happy and honored to be able to support these tremendous athletes in this way," said Jody Maurais, owner of Tranquility, which has been in business for 18 years, including the past five at its present location, a charming two-story converted residence. "It´s a sheer pleasure for us to be involved in this way, and to help make them feel relaxed and look great."

The session was the brainchild of Steven John Jastrabek, Tranquility´s manager and artistic director and a longtime supporter of USA Wrestling. The makeovers preceded the team’s appearance at a special welcome dinner at the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, which also served as a fundraiser for “Fuel the Dream.”

Even men´s 74 KG freestyler Askren and his signature curly locks got in on the fun. "I think a couple of the guys were a little jealous,” he joked, “though they may not want to admit it."

"’Tranquility’ is all about making people feel good," added Maurais. "There´s a therapeutic quality to what our professionals do for people, and the wrestlers got that same treatment today.”

Click here to donate to Fuel the Dream

BERNARDSVILLE, N.J – Members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team were the center of attention on Saturday night at the Fuel the Dream Olympic Team Sendoff Reception at the historic Bernards Inn.

Supporters came to meet the wrestling Olympians and participate in the Fuel the Dream fundraising program, which has been developed to support the Olympians financially and assist them in bringing their families to Beijing to see them compete and provide support.

The banquet room was packed with wrestling fans and supporters of the Olympic movement, who were able to talk with the Olympians, get autographs and photographs with the team and enjoy tremendous food and hospitality.

USA Wrestling Jim Ravannack introduced each of the Olympians in attendance, giving a personal account of their wrestling careers and their unique personalities to the applause of all who were there.

Two-time Olympians Brad Vering and Daniel Cormier addressed the crowd, along with 18-year-old sensation Jake Deitchler. All thanked those who were there for their encouragement and support.

Vering talked sbout how he and his teammates would be “very businesslike” in going to Beijing to bring back medals for the United States. Cormier talked about how much their support meant to the athletes, and that their generosity was “what Americans do.” Deitchler joked that New Jersey “was his new favorite state” and thanked them for all that they were doing for the wrestlers’ families.

USA Wrestling Director of Development Larry Nugent read a message from Olympian Doug Schwab, who was unable to attend the Fuel the Dream weekend due to the flooding in his native Iowa.

“I just want all those involved with Fuel the Dream to know that myself and my family greatly appreciate what they have done and are doing not only for my family but all the other athletes’ families also. It means the world to us to have those who have been with us on this journey to see through to the finish,” wrote Schwab. (see complete message at end of the article.

As part of the formal ceremony, the Chairman of Fuel the Dream, David Welch, handed out $1,500 checks to each of the Olympians as a first installment from the Fuel the Dream program.

The Olympians spent a tremendous amount of time visiting with all of the guests, including a number of youth and high school wrestlers who attended with their parents. A photo was taken with all of the Olympians and the youth wrestlers.

Video highlights of each of the Olympians were shown during the evening, including the final celebration segment of each of their championship matches. For many of the Olympians, this was the first time they had seen any video of their Olympic Trials victory, which was fun to witness.

As a group, each of the Olympians had a great time and showed their appreciation for those who came out to support Fuel the Dream.

“I think it was fantastic. It is a great event and people showed up in great numbers. There is a really strong wrestling community here,” said Cormier.

“This is a great event. They did a great job putting this all together. I want to thank everybody for supporting us and getting our families to Beijing. It means so much to me,” said Clarissa Chun.

“It is great to see this much support for us,” said Spenser Mango. “They have never met us before but they are here showing so much support for all of us.”

Those who organized the Olympian Sendoff felt that it was a great success, and are encouraging more people to get involved.

“We are doing this through August,” said Lin Miller, one of the Fuel the Dream leaders. “Let’s pass it on.”

MESSAGE FROM DOUG SCHWAB

I feel badly that I am not able to attend this event. I just want all those involved with Fuel the Dream to know that myself and my family greatly appreciate what they have done and are doing not, only for my family but all the other athletes’ families also. It means the world to us to have those who have been with us on this journey to see through to the finish. Fuel the Dream is helping that happen, so thank you. The floods are extensive and devastating. I am one of the lucky ones; my home and family’s homes are safe but so many weren´t so lucky. Iowa is a tough and resilient state and we will recover and come back stronger. Would you expect anything less from the Hawkeye State? Thanks again for all the support. Doug Schwab

41 wrestlers were named to the Greco-Roman All-Tournament Team at the 2008 Schoolboy National Duals in Indianapolis, Ind.

The highlight of the All-Tournament Team was Matt Reed, a 144 lb. wrestler from team Kansas Gold. Reed went undefeated throughout the Greco-Roman tournament by pinning each of his opponents. He pinned all nine opponents within one minute and two seconds.

2008 Schoolboy National Duals Greco-Roman All-Tournament Team

70 lbs.
Tristan Manderfeld – Minnesota Maroon – Record 7-0
Jared Oftdahl – Minnesota Gold – Record 6-0

77 lbs.
Sam Brancale – Minnesota Gold – Record 9-0
Dylan Lucas – Florida – Record 8-0
Tommy Thorn – Minnesota Maroon – Record 5-0

84 lbs.
Jake Velarde – Washington – Record 7-0
Chandler Carroll – Indiana Gold – Record 7-0
Austin Hood – Kansas Gold – Record 5-0

91 lbs.
Connor Schram – Pennsylvania Blue – Record 9-0
Skylar Woods – Missouri – Record 8-0
Marcus Hamer – Minnesota Gold – Record 5-0

98 lbs.
Ben Whitford – Michigan Red – Record 9-0
Mitch Bengston – Minnesota Gold – Record 9-0

105 lbs.
Jake Short – Minnesota Gold – Record 9-0

112 lbs.
Tyler Askey – Georgia – Record 9-0
Angelo Silvestro – Illinois Gold – Record 7-0
Laike Gardner – Pennsylvania Red – Record 7-0
Dallas Winston – New Jersey – Record 6-0

120 lbs.
Lelund Weathrspoon – Michigan Blue – Record 8-0
Zane Richards – Illinois – Record 7-0
Zach Epperly – Virginia – Record 6-0
Burke Paddock – New York – Record 6-0

128 lbs.
Ryan Gartner – Wisconsin – Record 9-0
Brandon Kingsley – Minnesota Gold 8-0

136 lbs.
Nick Wanzek – Minnesota Gold – Record 9-0
Brooks Climmons – Georgia – Record 9-0

144 lbs.
Matt Reed – Kansas Gold – Record 9-0
Jordan Rogers – Washington – Record 8-0

152 lbs.
Tyler Willis – Indiana Gold – Record 7-0
Kip Jangula – North Dakota – Record 7-0

160 lbs.
Mitch Sliga – Indiana Gold – Record 7-0
Hashem Omari – Missouri – Record 6-0
Harry Mauk – Delaware – Record 6-0
Ben Burke – North Dakota – Record 5-0

175 lbs.
Matthew Bilodeau – Pennsylvania Blue – Record 9-0
Matt Shaw – Delaware – Record 6-0

190 lbs.
Brooks Black – Pennsylvania Blue – Record 9-0
Kyle Friend – Pennsylvania Red – Record 7-0

210 lbs.
Kyle Spear – Michigan Red – Record 9-0
Isaac Eichmann – Minnesota Gold – Record 9-0

235 lbs.
Anthony Szymczak – Pennsylvania Blue – Record 9-0

Led by two individual champions and seven individual medalists, the United States won the team title at the Pan American Junior Greco-Roman Championships in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Claiming a gold medal for the second straight year at the Pan American Junior Greco-Roman Championships was Nikko Triggas of Moraga, Calif. at 55 kg/121 lbs. Triggas competes for Ohio State Univ.

Also winning a gold medal was Brent Eidschink of Detroit Lakes, Minn. at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

The United States won the team title with 67 points, followed by Ecuador with 65 points and Venezuela with 56 points.

Triggas won three matches on the way to his gold medal, inclujding a 7-0, 8-4 win over Andres Montano of Ecuador in the finals.

Eidenschik won all four of his matches in a five-athlete roundrobin, including a victory over runner-up Mario Gonzalez of Ecuador.

Coaching the U.S. men’s wrestlers are Jim Humphrey and Rob Prebish.

Women’s wrestling will be contested on Saturday.

PAN AMERICAN JUNIOR GRECO-ROMAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Cuenca, Ecuador, June 20

Team standings
1ST USA 67
2ND ECUADOR 65
3RD VENEZUELA 56

Individual results

50kg/110 lbs. – Desmond Moore, Easton, Pa. SILVER
defeated Alejandro Grimaldi, Mexico
defeated Luis Cavallero, Colombia
Lost to Jefferson Mayea, Ecuador 0-4 / 0-7
1st Mayea
2nd Moore
3rd Grimaldi
3rd Cristian Nova, Dominican Republic
5th Cavallero
5th Matias Aguirre, Argentina

55kg/121 lbs. – Nikko Triggas, Moraga, Calif. CHAMPION
defeated Jose Suarez, Venezuela
defeated Mario Molina, Peru
defeated Andres Montano, Ecuador 7-0 / 8-4
1 Triggas
2 Montano
3 Molina
3 Marcello Flores, Argentina
5 Suarez

60kg/132 lbs. – Brian Owen, Spokane, Wash. SILVER
defeated German Guzman, Ecuador
defeated Richard Angeles, Peru
lost to Maikel Anache, Cuba 0-6 / 0-7
1 Anache
2 Owen
3 Guzman
3 Dilwan Colmenares, Venezuela
5 Jhon (yes, it´s spelled that way) San Clemente, Colombia
5 Angeles

66kg/145.5 lbs. – Michael Mangrum, Auburn, Wash. BRONZE
lost to Francisco Barrios, Argentina
defeated Gonzalo Gana, Chile
1 Reinier Lezcai, Cuba
2 Barrios
3 Mangrun
3 Nelson Pedraza, Peru
5 Wilexis Rivas, Venezuela
5 Gana

74kg/163 lbs. – Quentin Wright, Wingate, Pa., SILVER
defeated Giovanni Guzman, Ecuador
lost to Alexis Varela, Venezuela 0-2 / 0-6
1 Varela
2 Wright
3 Pool Ambrosio, Peru
3 Guzman
5 Brian Saa, Colombia

84kg/185 lbs.- Kirk Smith, Boise, Idaho 5th
defeated Jhonathan Rios, Colombia
lost by injury to George Coba, Venezuela
1 Coba
2 Marcos Giron, Ecuador
3 Rios
4 Felipe Juarez, Mexico
5 Smith
This was a Round Robin Bracket

96kg/211.5 lbs. Brent Eidenschink, Detroit Lakes, Minn. CHAMPION
defeated Braulio Vargaz, Venezuela
defeated William Serrano, El Salvador
defeated Mario Gonzalez, Ecuador
defeated Cristian Duarte, Mexico
1 Eidenschink
2 Gonzalez
3 Serrano
4 Vargaz
5 Duarte

120kg/264.5 lbs. – Ben Berhow, Hayward, Minn. 6th
lost to Albert Cortorreal, Dominican Republic
1 Yasmani Acosta, Cuba
2 Ramon Valladares, Venezuela
3 Cortorreal
3 Leonardo Alomar, Ecuador
5 Ramon Ramirez, Mexico
6 Berhow
7 Juan Battoso, Argentina

WOMEN’S DRAWS FOR SATURDAY

44KG
1 MEXICO
2 EL SALVADOR
3 NICOLE WOODY, USA
4 ECUADOR
5 CANADA
6 PERU
7 VENEZUELA

48KG
1 COLOMBIA
2 CC WEBER, USA
3 EL SALVADOR
4 PERU
5 VENEZUELA
6 ECUADOR
7 CANADA
8 ARGENTINA

51KG
1 ECUADOR
2 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
3 CANADA
4 COLOMBIA
5 ECUADOR
6 VENEZUELA
7 WHITNEY CONDOR, USA

55KG
1 CANADA
2 BETH JOHNSON, USA
3 ECUADOR
4 PERU
5 MEXICO
6 EL SALVADOR
7 VENEZUELA

59KG
1 COLOMBIA
2 VENEZUELA
3 BRAZIL
4 ECUADOR
5 CANADA
6 NICOLE DARROW, USA
7 PERU

63KG
1 BRAZIL
2 ECUADOR
3 MARINA PICCOLOTTI, USA
4 COLOMBIA
5 CANADA
6 VENEZUELA

67KG
1 ECUADOR
2 LAUREN KNIGHT, USA
3 CANADA
4 VENEZUELA

72KG
1 ECUADOR
2 CANADA
3 LINDSEY BROOKS, USA
4 VENEZUELA

Click here for NYSE Closing Bell video and photo featuring U.S. wrestlers

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Three wrestlers and a coach from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for wrestling were among the dignitaries who rang The Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, June 20.

Participating in the Closing Bell Ceremony were two-time Olympians Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) and Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) and 2008 Olympian Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), along with 2008 U.S. Olympic Team freestyle coach Lee Kemp (Alpharetta, Ga.). Joining the wrestling delegation were also athletes from USA Rowing.

The U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team is in the New York area for two days of media interviews, and to participate in the Fuel the Dream function in Bernardsville, N.J. on Saturday night. Fuel the Dream is a fundraising program created by USA Wrestling directly raise funds for members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, and allow them to bring family to the Beijing Games.

Click here to donate to Fuel the Dream

Joining the wrestlers on the platform at the New York Stock Exchange were a number of the leaders of the Fuel the Dream program Steven John Jastrabek, Jeff Hanson and David Welch. They have also been active with the New Jersey Night of Champions events which have successfully raised funds for USA Wrestling and the U.S. Olympic Committee in past years.

Van Dusen was given the honor of ringing the bell, standing in the center of the podium and bringing the work day to a close.

“That was fun. It was an adrenaline rush. I had a great time. I had to push a button and hold it for 15 seconds,” said Van Dusen.

Prior to going up on the platform, Vering and Cormier conducted national television interviews with CNBC and the Fox Network. Just before the actual closing of the day, on national television, Vering wrestled with CNN announcer Dylan Ratigan.

“I went down in the back and wrestled Dylan from CNN,” said Vering. “I did an arm throw on him. I think I ripped his suit.”

The experience was special for all of the wrestling people who were part of the tradition.

“This was amazing,” said Cormier. “It is something you never expect to do. The support we got from the people on the floor was amazing. They clapped for us when we did our interviews. You can feel their love for American athletes down there.”

“I never had that opportunity. It was awesome,” said Kemp, who worked for a number of major corporations during his business career. “How many opportunities to you have to do that in any walk of life. Even in business, you don’t get to do that. It gave me great pride.”

Lisa Dollamurt, who served as the host for the Olympians on behalf of the New York Stock Exchange, explained that 26 media outlets around the world purchase the video clip of the Closing Bell and 126 million people around the world witness it.

Having the Olympic wrestlers there was exciting to those who work there.

“This is special. It is not just a CEO up there. It is great to have the Olympians,” said Ann Marie Gioia,, Senior Media Relations Specialist with the NYSE.