May 30, 2006
Release courtesy of Nick Huber, Buena Vista University sports information director

STORM LAKE, IOWA . . . Buena Vista University wrestling coach Mark Schwab has been selected as an assistant coach for the 2006 Pan American Championships. Schwab will serve as an assistant for the United States freestyle squad which will be competing on June 1-4 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

The Pan American Championships, which feature competing countries from North, Central, and South America, will showcase many of the top wrestlers in the world. The United States’ squad will feature many of the nation’s top Olympic hopefuls for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Zeke Jones, a former world champion and Olympic silver medalist, will be the team’s head coach. Jones is currently the head coach at the University of Pennsylvania. Mike Duroe, the head coach at Cornell College, will join Schwab as an assistant.

“I am really excited to be a part of this senior level wrestling event,” said Schwab. “Cuba is always the team to beat, so the United States will be heavily tested as the Cubans are a top-five team in the world.”

This will be Schwab’s second Pan American coaching experience. He was the co-head coach of the United States’ junior team two years ago in Bogata, Columbia.

In addition to the freestyle team, the United States will also be taking a Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle team to the Championships. Athletes will be competing in seven weight classes in all three divisions.

The Pan American Championships, a wrestling-only event, are held each year. The Pan American Games, a multi-sport event, are held every four years. The next Pan American Games will be held next year in the same city as this year’s Pan American Championships.

-30-