Ask Cael: Coach, I see you’re in Europe. Do you forsee a day when there’ll be colleciate wrestlers from outside the US?

Story Published Friday, September 25th, 2009

Question From Joe: Coach, I see you’re in Europe. Do you forsee a day when there’ll be colleciate wrestlers  from outside the US?

There have been some great NCAA champions from outside the U.S.  I would guess there are a few international wrestlers wrestling in the NCAA on any given year.  That would include all of the different divisions.  There might be more international wrestlers but I really don’t know for sure.  I’m not sure that we will see an increase of international wrestlers in the NCAA anytime soon.  The U.S. is the only country that wrestles folkstyle and the rule differences are significant.  On the same note, kids in different countries grow up watching different tournaments and set their goals accordingly.  So I don’t know how much of a motivator NCAA wrestling is for international wrestlers.  The other issue is that international students have to be able to pass the NCAA Clearinghouse to be eligible.  That means they have to take exams in English and pass them.  The majority of the toughest wrestling countries don’t speak English.   That is a challenge. If they don’t pass the exam and have the necessary high school level courses to be eligible, they have to go to a junior college

 So recruiting internationally as you can see can be a challenge and I don’t know if the numbers of international wrestlers participating in the NCAA will increase or not.  But history has shown that all the hardwork, planning and patience that it takes to recruit international wrestlers can payoff.   It is risky but worthwhile.

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