Cunningham third at Schultz tourney
CMU National Champion and Asst. Wrestling Coach Casey Cunningham is continuing his dream of wrestling in the Olympics.
This past week, Cunningham took third in the Dan Schultz Memorial Tournament as part of his effort to qualify for the 2004 U.S. Olympic team.
“Ever since I’ve been wrestling, the Olympics have been a goal,” said Cunningham. “To reach that goal, I’ve realized I have to wrestle and train with the best.”
Before returning to the Chippewas as a coach, Cunningham spent time in Colorado Springs training with the U.S. Olympic team.
Cunningham hit a snag on the road to the Olympics. His weight class was cut from the international competitions.
“They took a new weight class away and it just happened to be mine. I was wrestling 152 (pounds) and now I’m at 163 (pounds),” said Cunningham.
“Now I have to continue to improve and get stronger; it’s all part of the process.”
Cunningham credits his experience in international wrestling with helping him in his duties at CMU.
“If I’m learning and getting better, then I can come back here and help our guys learn and get better,” said Cunningham.
At the Schultz, Cunningham placed third by taking the third- place match by injury default over Daniel Igali of Canada.
“It’s (the Schultz) a money tournament. The foreigners have to win to get the money, so after he lost earlier, he just defaulted the rest of his matches. Basically he handed me third place,” he said.
Cunningham then lost to Donny Pritzlaff in the semifinal, 5-2 in overtime. Pritzlaff is a two-time national champion from Wisconsin.
Next for Cunningham on his Olympic odyssey is the National Trials on April 25 in Las Vegas.
If Cunningham places in the top six at the Nationals he will be invited to wrestle in the World Trials.
