Drew Pariano was chosen to lead a team of America's top freestyle wrestlers ages 15-17 at the Pan Am Cadet Championships.Drew Pariano was chosen to lead a team of America's top freestyle wrestlers ages 15-17 at the Pan Am Cadet Championships.

Pariano Directs U.S. Freestyle Team at Pan Am Cadet Championships

Aug. 5, 2011

USAWrestling Pan Am Cadet Championships Release

CAMPECHE, Mexico -- Northwestern head coach Drew Pariano, the 2010-11 Rookie Head Coach of the Year as chosen by Amateur Wrestling News, is in the midst of leading the United States freestyle team at the FILA Pan Am Cadet Championships. The competition, which brings together top many of the world's top wrestlers ages 15-17, is being held Aug. 5-7 in Campeche, Mexico.

Pariano's freestyle team will compete on Sunday, Aug. 7, preceded on Friday and Saturday by the Greco-Roman and women's freestyle tournaments, respectively.

Before departing for Campeche, Pariano led his team -- composed of individuals considered to be among the top high school wrestling talent in the country -- through a week-long training camp in Chicago. Team members hail from six states: Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey and Wisconsin.

In his first year as head coach of Northwestern, Pariano led his alma mater to one of the dual best seasons in program history, going 18-2 with a 6-2 mark in the Big Ten and wins over ranked opponents from Illinois, Wisconsin, Purdue and Pittsburgh. The Wildcats maintained that momentum in the NCAA Championships as Pariano coached three of his five NCAA qualifiers to All-American status as NU placed in a tie for 13th nationally.

Visit the home page of USA Wrestling (TheMat.com) for complete results following men's freestyle competition at the Cadet Pan Am Championships on Sunday.

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