USA Wrestling Coach Bill Zadick visits HWC

IOWA CITY - Former University of Iowa national champion and two-time All-American Bill Zadick returned to the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex this week.

He was here for business and not a stroll down memory lane.

Zadick arrived late Monday night and planned to leave early Thursday after working with Hawkeye Wrestling Club members as USA Wrestling's National Freestyle Developmental Coach and Assistant National Freestyle Coach.

He was appointed to the position in 2010 and has been focusing on development at the university and senior levels. Zadick said it is an extremely critical position in creating sustained international success in the future.

'It comes with a lot of challenges,” said Zadick, who will return to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. 'There's a lot of work to be done, but I'm excited to be able to help out.”

He travels to Regional Training Center (RTC) programs, working with World team members and aspiring international competitors. In 2014, Tony Ramos, Matt McDonough and Brent Metcalf were U.S. National Team members. McDonough was a bronze medalist at the World University Championships. Former Hawkeye Phil Keddy has earned international medals. Current Hawkeyes Thomas Gilman and Sammy Brooks have been members of the U.S. Junior and Cadet teams.

Zadick planned to reinforce the evaluations made after this year's World Championships.

'I'm just here to supplement some of those guys' individual training,” said Zadick, a 2006 145.5-pound World Champion. 'Freestyle specific stuff for the postgraduate guys. Just helping our country produce some medals on the awards podium.”

Hawkeyes represented the U.S. at the lightest weight in senior, university and junior divisions. Ramos and Metcalf both competed at the World Championships, comprising a quarter of the entire team.

'That is pretty significant out of one location,” Zadick said. 'I think there is potential for more from Iowa City and the Hawkeye Wrestling Club.

'They're definitely working hard and there's always ebbs and flows in our sport. Both of the Brandses are working hard to produce NCAA champions with their college team and World team members, World medalists and World champions from the Hawkeye Wrestling Club.”

The focus is to overtake Russia as the World's best. The 2015 World Championships will be held in Las Vegas, providing the opportunity to wrestle at home, so to speak.

'It's going to be a challenge,” Zadick said. 'It's going to be very difficult to do.

'We believe we can make some progress and we know some of the guys who are going to do it are right here in Iowa City.”

BRAND BROTHERS HITTING WATER

Competition between Terry and Tom Brands is the source of many stories. They are taking the rivalry to the pool Friday.

Terry and Tom Brands will race the 50 free when Iowa hosts Iowa State for the Cy-Hawk Series event at Campus Recreation and Wellness Center at 6 p.m.

'I don't know how maybe became yes so quick, but Marc Long is a marketing genius, so good for him,” Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands told media last week, 'That's what I told him, too. Good for you, man. Don't take maybe for a no. Take it for a yes.”

So, which Hawkeye national and world champion will come out on top?

'I would say it's with me always,” Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands told media last week. 'Neither one of us is training for it. It's going to be a cold turkey race.

'If you've ever seen us swim, it's going to be comedy. There's a lot of splashing, but no speed.”

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