There are plenty of reasons to be excited about the Bill Farrell Memorial Invitational this year. After a year out on Long Island it is back in Manhattan at the New York Athletic Club. The venue speaks for itself with its rich history. Anytime wrestling is showcased in New York City it is a big deal. The importance of the tournament is significantly increased domestically with the Olympic Team Trials coming in April. The highest placing American, that is not already qualified, will earn a spot in the Olympic Team Trials. This is true for all three styles.

The international freestyle field has the potential to be one of the most stout of the season. The timeline is pushed forward this year as the Olympic Games contest wrestling August 14-21, instead of the traditional mid-September finale of the World Championships. It makes sense to get mat time in early November to fine tune skills for the trials and qualification procedures. The preliminary roster that Russia sent is an indication that they feel the timing is right to begin preparations for their A-list athletes. Visas and travel schedules are still being confirmed, but if half the roster that they originally sent in competes, it will be one of the strongest international fields to ever compete at a USAW event.

There are interesting entrants all around and rumors of many more that have yet to register. Look for a full preview next week as the complete roster becomes more clear. Here are my choices for most interesting story in each style that has entered as of October 30, 2015.



Women’s Freestyle:
53kg is a weight class that many 55kg women are going to migrate to in the Olympic year. Amy Fearnside, Carlene Sluberski, Michaela Hutchinson, and Sarah Hildebrandt are all entered at the Bill Farrell. This will be an ultra competitive weight in the United States all year long. What a great way to start run toward Rio.

Greco-Roman:
“The Baddest Man on the Planet” is entered. That’s right 2006 world champion Joe Warren is entered at 66kg. Warren is currently the #1 contender in Bellators Bantamweight division where he has held the championship belt. Could this be the beginning of a run at the Olympic team? Will Warren eye the 59kg spot that Spenser Mango has held down for so long?



Freestyle:
Ice cream is served at parlors all around Manhattan. I would recommend Kyven Gadson to stop by Serendipity 3 on E 60th st. for a unique ice cream experience. After taking care of business, of course. The Baskin Robbins didn’t work out for some of the Cubans at the world championship in Las Vegas, but that is a story for another time. Gadson announced his return this past July and we will finally get to see him compete in NYC. Gadson is headed right for the deep end as the field at 97kg already has J.D. Bergman and Wynn Michalak entered. Those two have been a staple of the weight class for the last two Olympic cycles. Gadson’s debut will tell us a lot about his chances of realizing his dream of Olympic gold.