The American Wrestling League has created a professional league for America’s college and international wrestlers to continue their wrestling careers after graduation.
The league is an important initiative to get wrestling into the marketplace and grow the sport.
The league launches in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at the U.S. Cellular Center on Friday, November 30.
Teams are coached by World Champions Kyle Dake and David Taylor and the lineups feature World medalists, NCAA champions and Iowa fan favorites.
Four-time NCAA champion and recent World gold medalist, Kyle Dake, conveyed his excitement. “Finally, wrestlers have a career path to develop their skills and marketing presence beyond college. Everyone in wrestling is going to benefit from this.”
David Taylor, who recently won a World Championship said, “We have an electrifying lineup for our first event. These guys have been competing and representing USA around the world at the senior level and are primed to go head to head in a dual meet in front of a hometown crowd. We’re really looking forward to seeing our fans there.”
Among those on Team Taylor include Cory Clark, Zain Retherford, Brandon Sorenson, Sammy Brooks, Kyven Gadson and Adam Coon. Team Dake includes Richie Lewis, Isaiah Martinez and Dom Bradley.
Doors open up at 6pm at the U.S. Cellular Center, where there will be activities for the kids, an opportunity to meet the athletes, and a pre-event social and after-party.
The event will also help meet community needs through Chuck Yagla’s Light the Night and Mike Duroe’s fight to Pin Cancer. These efforts inspire the wrestler in all of us to take on our toughest challenges and find a cure.
