Excel Wrestling began in the state of Colorado with a mission of improving wrestling at all levels as well as impacting the lives of wrestlers nationwide. Excel Wrestling is an official US Junior Olympic Program under the auspice of the United States Olympic Committee and USA Wrestling, the National Governing Body for Amateur Wrestling. Excel Wrestling's USAW Junior Olympic Training Programs run in Colorado and Iowa. Excel enters into year #15 with the Excel Summer Training Camps beginning in June of '09. The 2010 Excel Summer Training Camps will run in Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa and Hawaii again this summer.
Excel Wrestling's Executive Director and Head Coach is Steve Knight. Steve trained as an athlete with some of the best in the sport and now he works along side some of the same men as coaches of the US National Freestyle Team. He has worked with USA Wrestling on the Senior Olympic Level for many years. This year, Steve coached the US Team to France where they competed in the Henri Deglane International Challenge - a competition he competed in himself 15 years ago. "I enjoy my involvement on the Senior Olympic level. We do our best to bring this technique and skill training down to our high school and junior wrestlers attending our Junior Olympic Programs and training camps each summer. That's important to us!
Knight believes his wrestling style wasn't truly polished until he began working with the Iowa State coaches of the late '80's and early '90's. "Jim Gibbons, Ed Banach and Les Anderson all played a big part in skill development for me. They improved my shots and taught me how to wrestle on the mat, to leg ride, defend legs and get away underneath and probably even more about life", said Knight. I was fortunate to have such a great college experience. It prepared me well for going on to compete and train over the next four years."
He was an NCAA All American and Big 12 Champion for Iowa State before becoming an assistant coach at ISU and training for the 1992 Olympics. Knight wrestled in 14 competitions internationally including several international duals, compiling over 100 matches abroad. He won the Pan American Championships in 1992 defeating the Cuban Olympic Bronze medallist and travelled as an alternate/training partner to the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. In addition to defeating Cuban Olympic Bronze Medallist Lazaro Reinoso, he saw victories during the span of his career over such greats as US Olympic Champion Kendall Cross, US World Medallist Cary Kolat, Canadian World Silver Medallist Gary Bohay, Swiss Olympic Place finisher Martin Mueller, Puerto Rican Pan American Silver Medallist and Olympic Place finisher Anibal Nieves and many others.
"The tough part for me was coaching and competing while I was still going to school. It was a lot to juggle, but I really believe it was worth it. If I could do it again, I don't think I would change much." Knight completed both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Iowa State University. Since retiring from competition, Knight has spent much of his time in Colorado, not only developing the Excel Junior Olympic Programs and Summer Camp Programs, but also working with athletes at the US Olympic Training Center.
Knight's Olympic level Team Excel wrestlers have shown much prominence over the years. Such greats as Kevin Jackson, Mike VanArsdale, Terry Steiner, Troy Steiner, Rob Koll, Ramico Blackmon, Tony DeAnda and many others all competed for Team Excel.
Over the years, Team Excel high school wrestlers have won 70 state championships and many have gone on to compete on the college level. Steve Knight runs the Iowa Junior Olympic Program after spending 12 years in Colorado with the program there. Harvard NCAA Champion Jesse Jantzen now heads up the Colorado Junior Olympic Program for Excel Wrestling working along side former Colorado Standout Rory O'Farrell.
Steve commented, "Our goal to wrestle throughout the entire school year has paid off for those who have been involved in our USAW Junior Olympic Programs. I think it's the only way to get ahead of the game! We do our best to work with their high school coaches and help get them to college, too. That's important to us. We feel strongly about the college wrestling experience and completing a college education. It is a goal of our organization to see these guys continue training after college at the US Olympic Training Center or at one of the top regional training sites in the country. Regardless, with a college education, they're prepared for what the rest of life will bring". Currently, Team Excel wrestlers are competing in both the Big 12 and Big 10 as well as many other college conferences across the nation.
Knight also commented about his appreciation for all the high school coaches throughout the country who he and his staff come in contact with each summer. "I'm thankful that we have been able to build relationships with high school coaches and their wrestlers. Whether it's at a summer camp or our Junior Olympic Programs, we realize we're there to supplement training for these dedicated young men who are willing to put in the extra time and we're honored to be able to help and make a difference in their lives," Knight replied.
Steve Knight has been a member of the US National Team Coaching Staff for the past 13 years. He has served on the US Olympic Coaching Staff, coached in two World Championships, led the US to a Pan American Team Gold Medal and coached on the US staff for the World Cup Championships. He and his children Evan, Colby and Mackenzie now reside in Urbandale, IA.
For more information on Excel Wrestling, please call the Excel office at 303.931.3973.
