Pictured (L-R) Bodee Bright, Aaron Schmitz, and Tyson Syth will proudly be flying down to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in a few days to represent the U.S. in wrestling at the 2nd World Sport Games. (Photo submitted)
Three wrestlers from Sidney have been chosen to go to the 2023 World School Sport Games as part of Team USA. They will be joining many other school sports athletes from across the country to participate in an international event in Brazil with 22 different sports.
According to a bulletin handed out to high schools across the country, The World School Sports Games was organized for the first time in ISF history in 2021 in Belgrade, Serbia. It brought together 1,849 school athletes from 36 countries aged 13-15 in a multisport event, creating a unique context for high-level sports competitions, educational programs, and cultural exchanges. The best student-athletes in the world will participate in the World School Sports Games as an individual and as part of teams. In addition to the name of the respective member, individuals, and individuals as part of the teams will represent their school. Sidney High School was not able to send any students but that has changed.
Aaron Schmitz, Tyson Syth, and Bodee Bright are the Sidney High School athletes that will be going for wrestling. Shane Gorder nominated them for the program and, after a rigorous process of training and tournaments, Rob Pilcher a coach from Nebraska picked them.
On Aug. 16, the three wrestlers and Coach Shane Gorder will be heading out to Miami, FL, for a wrestling camp from Aug. 17-18. After the camp, they will fly to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the games. The competition will be from Aug. 19-27. While there they will be staying in a hotel along Barra de Tijuca, Rio's longest beach. The competitions will be held at the Barra Olympic Park. The park was originally built for the 2007 Pan American Games and served as the Olympic Park during the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Whether they win or lose the three wrestlers are in for the experience of a lifetime. Besides interacting with other school athletes from all around the world and participating in educational and cultural programs, they will be able to experience the local culture of Rio de Janeiro. This trip would not have been possible without those in the community that paid the wrestlers for doing yard work, landscaping, and moving furniture, and the help of the Sidney Wrestling Club.
Reader Comments(0)