Journal of a Champ

I intend to update this journal from time to time, so come back again soon! It will update you with the highlights of what's going on in my life. I welcome your comments at bono152@aol.com.

09/08/05 Week 263
Hello all.

We are in the last part of training here in Colorado Springs before we take off for Budapest.

The training has been awesome. I feel more prepared than ever. Body, mind, and heart are ready to go Budapest and take what is mine. I feel I have trained harder and smarter, having improved in all areas. It is now just a matter of time, and I can't wait.

We will stay here in Colorado until the 14th. Then we go home, kiss our wives and babies, then leave for Europe on the 18th. I weigh in on the 25th and compete on the 26th.

It is going to be great! Until next time, Chris.

08/14/05 Week 259
Hello all.

Well it was a crazy week for me--but a good week.

I had to have a tooth that has been breaking little by little for a while pulled out. I scheduled the dentist appointment on the afternoon before my "off" day, which worked out great so I didn't miss any workout time. This is the first time I can drink cold water without it hurting in a long time! My mouth is still a little sore, but no big deal.

I also had 8 stitches taken out of a cut on my eyebrow. Of course, one little bump and it opened again, but by week's end it had healed up fine.

Training went very well for me this week. I'm in great shape and continue working on my weak areas daily. My weight is back to normal training weight after being heavy in Fargo since we ate most meals out. Once I got back to my usual routine (me cooking on the grill) my weight went back to where I want it to be before a tournament.

I have two full days left to train here at home in Ames before I travel to our second Team USA camp in Colorado Springs. We will be there for 10 days. I can't wait!

As for the family, we went to the Iowa State Fair today and it was a great time. The kids had a blast.

Take care- Chris

08/01/05 Week 257
Well the first training camp is over. Two more to go.

We got together as Team USA for the first time in Fargo, North Dakota. It was a great week for me. We trained alongside the cadet/junior national tournament. I was happy that I trained before I went out there because the camp was tough. I feel that I gave and got more out of my body than ever before. I worked hard in all my areas of weakness and feel as though I improved by leaps and bounds.

Mentally, I am training as well. I have Coach Brands testing my mental toughness EVERY workout. I am fired up and ready to get on the mat. We did a little film study, with a lot more coming in the next 6 weeks.

I just arrived home today and it is great to see my wife and kids. I am home for about 16 days then we go back to camp. I will continue to train and train hard. I want nothing but gold.

Chris

07/16/05 Week 255
Hello all.

It has been quite sometime since my last journal, but I will try to write as often as possible as I set forth and try to become champion of the world on September 26th at the championships in Hungary.

We all talk about goals in athletics. I had 4 main goals this year. The first was to wrestle as many matches as I could under the new rules. The second was to win the US Open. The third was to win the World Team Trials, and the fourth is to become world champ. Well, I have accomplished 3 of the 4, with the fourth coming in just a few weeks time.

I never looked past any goal. I focused on the one at hand, and then moved to the next. It has been fun getting back to the top in the US in my weight class, but that is not my ultimate goal. I’m in it to go all the way and become world champ.

To all who think this path has been easy- it has not. It has been very hard, testing every fiber of my body. My will and desire got me through each and every day, along with the support from my family and friends over these many years as well.

Lastly, I have tee-shirts and posters for sale. All the money raised from these sales will help pay the expenses to have my wife Niki join me in Budapest as I accomplish my ultimate dream. Click here to see what I have and place your order.

Thanks. Training camp for me starts July 25th in Fargo, North Dakota. Then again, it’s not a start. I have been training hard for this my whole life.

Take care. Chris.

08/16/04 Week 207
Olympic Journal- Please see my Olympics page for a detailed summary of my visit to Athens as a trainer with the Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team.

08/08/04 Week 206
Hello!

Well, it has been a while again! As you know, I did not make the Olympic Team, and these have been hard times the last couple of months. Right after the trials I had surgery on my elbow. I'm now recuperated and back to 100 percent, with my arm never feeling better.

I am NOT going to retire- I simply can't. I feel too good and still have the burning desire to be the best in the world.

I've attended two training camps with the Olympians and have been running and lifting. I'm excited to be going to Athens to train with the Olympians, while it's difficult to leave my family for so long again. But I'm going and we will all make the best of it. Also, I'm going to try and keep a journal from Athens, so keep checking back here to my site regularly for updates.

Tomorrow we are having a press conference here in Ames with some exciting news. Check the Iowa State web page at http://cyclones.collegesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/080904aac.html and back on my site to find out what is going on!

Thanks to all who have and continue to supported me. The ride is not over! My next competition will be October 7-9 in Los Angeles. It will be an 8 man tourney for Real Pro Wrestling. It should be great. Let's all support Real Pro http://www.realprowrestling.com, as they are really helping us athletes.

If anyone has any questions about wrestling in the Olympic Games, email me and I will try to answer them. bono145@aol.com

04/27/04 Week 191
Well, it has been a long time, but I wanted to write when my mind was clear. I'm getting ready for what is clearly the biggest tourney in my life. I'll be doing it the hard way- by not winning Nationals I also don't get the bye to the Olympic Trials finals. I need to wrestle and win between 5 and 7 matches to earn my spot on the Olympic team.

I can't wait. I just got back from a week at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. My training there went great and feel I could wrestle tomorrow and be ready. I continue to make big strides and major improvements since Nationals.

This is it! I'm putting everything I have into this tournament. I'm excited. I don't really have too much more to say except that I'm doing everything in my power to win.

Thanks for all the support from everyone.

Take care- Chris

01/14/04 Week 176
Hello!

I'm currently getting ready to go to Bratislava, Slovakia to compete in an international Olympic qualifying tournament over there. This is a real important one to get my weight class qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games. The top 5 from this tournament (with only one wrestler per country) get an automatic slot in the Games.

It's a little complicated. Nations that have not yet qualified one wrestler at each specific weight class can enter these events, and that includes the US. The first qualifier tournament in Bratislava February 1-2 adds five nations to the field for each division. A second tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, February 14-15 qualifies 4 more wrestlers per division. When all is said and done, 140 men's freestyle wrestlers will make up the field for the 2004 Olympic Games, 20 in each weight division. I'm not just going to place in the top 5 in Slovakia, I plan to win it!

Everything I've been doing since September has been in preparation for this tournament. That includes wrestling in the Sunkist (when I wasn't as ready as I should have been), spending time at the Colorado Springs Olympic training facility, wrestling in the NYAC Christmas tournament, and wrestling in the Midlands- a predominately college tournament. I caught a lot of flack for wrestling in the Midlands tournament, but I had my reasons, as you now can see. Even though I didn't win that one, it was part of the plan I set in motion back in September.

I feel like a different man than I was four months ago. I'm in great shape, having improved in all my areas of concentration, and I can't wait to leave for this trip. I've put in the time, my mind is right and focused, and my preparation has been great.

Now is the time to get it done. Take care, and I'll have updates when I get back sometime after my return on February 4.

Until then- Chris

11/25/03 Week 169
Hello!

Not much to report this time. Training has been going great! I've been at it hard and am getting back into form. What a difference I feel since I last competed.

I thought I was ready for the Sunkist Open but in reality wasn't. Upcoming is the national qualifier in February and then Nationals in April. I'm planning ahead but time is really flying by. Just thinking about what's ahead is driving me crazy- but in a positive way as a motivator.

The Cylcones are off to a great start this year. The team is young, and our game plan is to keep steadily working towards the NCAA's in March.

Take care- Chris

10/28/03 Week 165
Well, as you probably know I competed in the Sunkist International this past weekend in Tempe, Arizona taking second place in the 66 kg weight class. It took me 5 matches to reach the finals, winning them all, only to lose 3-2 in the end. I did do some things well, but the finals was a huge let down.

While I'm personally disappointed in the outcome, I have to keep my ultimate goal in mind- The Olympics next year. Everything I do gets me closer to that goal.

This experience just lit the fire within me again. I need to keep that competition mindset moving me forward. This weekend I felt more like I was in a workout mode and don't really know why. Its been four months since my last competition, and I know the more I compete the better I get. To get me back on track, I'm increasing my meet schedule to include a competition every six weeks or so right up until Nationals six months from now.

I got back home on Sunday and took Monday off. I'm back on the mats today watching the tapes from the Sunkist tourney and working through my mistakes. I was in fine shape condition wise, but need to concentrate more on perfecting tactics and technique. I'll be ready when it really counts!

10/06/03 Week 158
Well, it has been a long time!!! I'm back. I don't know where to begin, so here goes.

I'm a proud father again with the birth of Ellie Dru, born 4 months ago. She is so sweet! Josie, my first-born, is almost 3 year old and doing great. She's active in gymnastics and will start a program called "Giggles and Wiggles" soon.

As for my wrestling, you know that I didn't make the World Team this year, but I did go the World Champioships and watched the competition. It hurt. It hurt real bad knowing I could have been out there. But I've put that all behind me now.

I'm writing this update from Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center where I've been for a while. I took some time off after the Team Trials and got back on the mat in late July. The time off helped me mentally prepare for the work ahead. Since then I've concentrated on learning new techniques and skills to make me better.

Yes, I'm back and I'm as excited as ever. This is the Olympic year after all. As far as competitions, my schedule is still up in the air. Don't be surprised to see me scapping soon and often in the near future. I'll post them here as soon as they're confirmed.

Thanks again for following me and my quest. And I promise to write journal entries more often!

Chris

04/14/03 Week 133
Well, I finally have a minute to update my journal.  As you can tell I have been very busy lately.

After our showing at the NCAA finals the coaching staff has been working at getting Iowa State back were we belong- at the top. 

This was the last big weekend before I buckle down and do nothing but train for the US Open scheduled for May 8-10 in Las Vegas.

As for my latest matches, I wrestled well at the World Cup, I was pleased with my performance there and the competition I faced, but I look at that as preparation for the US Open. I trained hard for that meet and felt great.

But I have special training techniques in mind to prepare me for the Open which will elevate my strength, conditioning and wrestling skills when it counts.  It’s the same routine my coaches and I developed last year last summer which had me in my prime at the World Team Trials and wrestle-off last July.

As for who I wrestle, I don't really care who is in the tournament because I'm getting myself ready no matter who shows up. I'll prepare for everyone and then some!

One of the things I do to prepare for meets is watch plenty of wrestling videos which I love to do. I'm in good health, feel great, and plan to stay that way.

The family is well. Our second daughter is due June 5th, and all three of us are excited. That includes Josie, who is now 28 months old and continues to be so much so much fun to be around.  My wife Niki is fine but ready for this new little to come.

I'm staying fosused and getting ready to scrap at the US Open.  Thanks for all the support. And special thanks to Dr. Mike- let's make this work!

Take care- Chris

03/11/03 Week 128
Sorry it has taken me so long to get you an update, but here is what went on with my trip to Uzbekistan.

Well, the trip started out bad. I flew from Des Moines to Cincinnati, to Frankfurt, and on to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. I almost missed my international connecting flight to Frankfurt, having to run to the gate and being the last one on the plane. But I made it! As things turned out, that would be the only negative of the whole trip. .

The Cincinnati to Frankfurt flight was about 8 hours, where I met up with the rest of my teammates, and from there to Uzbekistan was another 6 and a half hours. Overall, I think it took some 32 hours to get there. The flight landed at 11 PM local time in Tashkent, and we were bussed to our hotel to try and sleep.

Day 1 in Uzbekistan: We worked out in the morning at a small facility with a nice sauna but a dirty little, cold, half a mat, then went back to the hotel. At 4:30 we returned to cut weight.

Day 2: Most guys went back to the gym at 10:00 to lose a couple of pounds. I took it easy in the morning and returned there to work out at 3:30 and lose the last 3 pounds. Meet weigh-ins were at 6 PM, and I drew #14-whatever that meant-for placement.

Day 3: First day of competition. I wrestled Alan Niyazmengliev (Turkmenistan) and won 10-0. That would be my only match of the day. I must mention the arena was ice cold, and we all wore parkas, hats, and gloves while not competing. Wrestling overseas in the wintertime somehow always means a cold building as well!

Day 4: Early at 9 AM, I wrestled Aslibek Ysupov (Kyrgystan), winning the match 11-0. We returned at 4 PM to wrestle the quarter finals. I beat Tulkun Buranov (Uzbekistan) with a score of 9-0. The semi-finals were only an hour later against Kuanish Suleimenov (Kazakhstan), and I won that match 12-1.

Day 5: I was only able to sleep from 11 to 3 AM, laying in bed the next 4 hours eating a snack or watching a movie on my portable DVD player. I still wasn’t acclimated fully to the 11 hour time adjustment. I headed to the arena at 9 AM to help a teammate Joe Williams warm up for his 3rd place match, which he won. The finals didn’t take place until 4 PM.. On returning to the hotel, I didn’t sleep between sessions, but just ate lunch and watched another movie. For some reason when we returned to the arena it was a lot warmer for the finals, maybe because it was completely filled with fans by then, and the outside temperature had risen to about 50 degrees outside. I won my finals match 8-3 against Shamil Umalatov (Russia) and was awarded the gold medal.

After the tournament we attended a banquet and then went to a disco before returning to the hotel. Our bus left for the airport at 2 AM for a 4 AM flight to Moscow. That four and a half hour flight was followed by a long layover in the airport. The nine and a half hour flight to New York City was as long as it sounds. I got home again by Cincinnati and Des Moines.

Team USA finished with1 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal. Not a bad showing for the six of us. We all appreciated having Internet access in our Tashkent hotel. Keeping in touch with our families so far away from home was comforting, and I sent my wife at least two messages a day.

This was a great tournament for me, especially in preparation for the World Cup April 5-6 in Boise. The current 66 kg world champ from the Ukraine will be there. Now it’s back to training and getting ready for those 5 tough matches in Boise.

Take care- Chris

02/19/03 Week 125
Hey there, I just returned from the Titan Games in San Jose. What an event! it was first class all the way. The only bad thing was that Team USA took 2nd place, with the Cubans taking 1st.

As for me, I wrestled well, defeating my Cuban opponent Garndris Garzon 5-2 in my first match and Irbek Faniev from Russia 3-1 in my second match. (See photos here.) I felt good because everything I've been working and training on came into play. So I was prepared for those situations during the live competition. My conditioning was in top shape!

Our trip to Ankara, Turkey, and the Yasar Dogu International February 28-March 2 has now been canceled. It has been replaced by the Independence Cup of Uzbekistan tournament in Tashkent. So we leave the US on February 26. Weigh-ins are on March 1 with wrestling the 2-4. It will a tough tournament, but I'm looking forward to it.

I will try to keep a journal during this long trip and post it when I return! Once again, thanks for all the support!

Chris

01/21/03 Week 121
Well, I'm back! I hope everyone had a happy holiday season! I've been real busy lately coaching. We've been on the road with the Cyclones, most recently to Pittsburgh, Lehigh and West Virginia. The team is young, and getting better with each match. They're willing to work hard and are improving. We'll be ready when it counts in March.

As for me, I competed in the NY Athletic Club Christmas Tournament and won the meet. I love going to New York City. I'll be heading out to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs again the end of January in preparation for the Titan Games, scheduled for February 12-14 in San Jose, California.

Later in the month I'll be travelling to Turkey with USA Wrestling for a tournament over there. It's the Yasar Dogu International in Ankara, Turkey February 28-March 2. As you can tell, this is a busy time for me right now. But the training has been great and I feel wonderful!

On the personal front, my wife is 5 months pregnant and we just found out we are expecting another little girl in June. Niki is doing great so far and everything looks good!

Hope all is well and thanks for reading my journal.

11/12/02 Week 111
Hello! I'm just back from the Kurt Angle Classic down in New Orleans this past weekend. It turned out to be a great event. I won my match against Serafin Barzakov of Bulgaria 4-2. He is a two-time world champion and silver medallist in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Check out the pictures and match summary here.

Most of the US contestants arrived there last Tuesday and trained for a few days at the brand new Southern Olympic Training Center. What a great facility! Training there must have really paid off, because those of us from the US won 5 of our 7 international matches at the Classic.

After the competition Saturday our hosts sponsored a party for all of us. There was enough time after that to head down to famous Bourbon Street and check it out. It was pretty crazy down there!

On Sunday most of my teammates went fishing. Kerry McCoy and Kevin Jackson were on my boat. My stomach still hurts from all of the laughing we did all day. I didn't catch anything until about 45 minutes before it was time to head back, and I took a lot of flack from the guys over it. I hope McCoy comes through with the pictures he's promised me from our excursion. -- He has- click here.

Needless to say, it was a great trip!

Take care- Chris

10/21/02 Week 108
Well, I'm back!!! I finally have some time to write a journal entry.

After we didn't get to go to the world championships, I took some time off the mats. It was a break I needed, but I'm back and ready to compete this weekend in LA at the Real Pro Wrestling pilot taping. I'm wrestling only one match but with a tough guy, Celso Deanda from Team Excel. We've wrestled a couple times before and they have been close matches. I've been training hard and feel I'm ready.

Two weeks later I compete in the Kurt Angle Classic on November 8 in New Orleans. I don't know who I'll wrestle there since Elbus Tedeeve, this year's 66 kg frestyle world champ from the Ukraine just backed out.

On to camp news. I'll be running the "Chris Bono Challenge" July 6-11 here at Iowa State. All individual wrestlers participating will be put on teams, or if a group comes we'll keep them together. This will allow us to have individual tournamemts, dual teams, and other competions to see who will be crowned the first winner of the "Chris Bono Challenge." Contact Betty at the Cyclone Camp office at 515-294-7079. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone this summer.

On the home front, my wife and I just found out we are going to be parents for the second time. Our baby is due sometime around the first week of June.

Take care- Chris

08/26/02 Week 100
Well, in case you haven’t heard, the US World Team will not be competing in this year’s world championship in Tehran, Iran. This is very sad for of us, but for the safety of the whole team we will not go. We were all very ready to compete and win.

I personally felt very positive about going out and winning a gold medal. I’m in the best shape of my life right now, and like my teammates have improved through the training we have received, as you’ve been reading about in articles on themat.com and elsewhere.

What’s next? As for me, I need to step back and let this sink in. I will continue to work out, but won’t commit to any competition just yet. Rest assured I will be back to compete soon with the new goal of winning a gold medal in next year’s World Freestyle Championship scheduled for New York City in September, 2003.

This has been a very challenging year for me. I’ve gone through a weight division change, the delay in making the US World Team, and now the withdrawal of that team from the World Championships.

But I’ve learned much about myself along the way. I’ve learned that I can overcome the unexpected. I’ve also learned that nothing in life is guaranteed!

Right now I’m happy to be alive and will take life a day at a time. As I prepare for the next chapter in my life, I’m content to finally be back with my beautiful wife Niki and our 20 month old daughter Josie.

Thanks to all for believing in my dream. It’s not over, just on hold- again. I will be ready when the next time comes.

Chris

08/02/02 Week 98

Well, it sure has been a long time since I've updated my journal. I am truly sorry, but as you can imagine things have been hectic these past 10 weeks.

As for my wrestling, I just made the World Team that will compete in Tehran, Iran September 4-7. Getting there has been a long, hard process. I have no one but myself to blame, since I didn't win the Nationals tournament in April. If I had I would have jumped right into the Team Trials finals.

The whole process has been documented on The Mat.com and on other Internet sites. Read about it at my collection of articles. That's all behind me now.

All I know is I will get my chance to win a world title, and that's what I've been training to do all along. I didn't do well at Worlds last year. It still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

I apologize to all the kids who didn't get see me at the wrestling summer camps I had to cancel while training for the wrestle-off. It was something i had to do and out of my control. Thanks, too, to all the coaches for understanding my situation. I promise i'll make it up next year, if you'll have me back.

Thanks to everyone who supported me through your notes of encouragement. I appreciate every one and believe me, they do help!

Please keep following my progress through this web site. Make sure you check out the recent photos and video clips of my latest matches! I promise to update my journal more frequently as I train for the World Championships!

Thanks! Chris

05/20/02 Week 88
Well, I finally had some time to write a new journal entry. You may have heard or seen on my site that I finished third at the US Open last month in Las Vegas. A very bad third, which has to be one of the lowest points in my career. I've still not gotten over it- which is good- because my fire is lit even more so now. My workouts since the Open have been awesome and much more intense then before. At first I tried a lot of training on my own, but now have coaches pushing me every second. That "push" is something that both my body and mind responds to well. My conditioning is up because of it, and I feel close to my prior peaks.

In order to win the World Team Trials I have to battle my way through the mini-tournament and then take two of three matches against Billy Zadick, the winner of the US Open. Knowing that drives me to up the intensity level of my workouts now. But this is the same situation I was in last year when I went all the way, so I know I can do it. The tournament is June 20-23 in Minnesota and I can't wait!

Just in case you didn't know, Cael Sanderson will be staying on as a Cyclone now that he has graduated. He has accepted a position with the Iowa State athletic department. He'll also be with me in St. Paul wrestling for a spot on the World Team. The champions from the competition get to represent the USA at the Worlds in Teheran, Iran in September.

Take care, and thanks for your continuing support. Chris

04/18/02 Week 83
Well, it sure has been a long time since I updated my journal. Here's a summary of what's been going on in my life these past seven weeks.

First things first. My little girl is now 16 months old and all runs over the place. Josie is such a joy for both me and Niki, as she's almost speaking and loves playing outside. She has brought so much fun and laughter to our family.

As for the Cyclones, we finished up 2nd in the country at the Division I finals in Albany. We had the best three days of wrestling of the season when it counted at the meet. That's what it's all about- facing the challenge head-on and going for it! In case you did not know, Cael Sanderson finished his collegiate career undefeated, winning his fourth national title. Other ISU champs included Aaron Holker at 141 pounds and senior Joe Haskett at 165 pounds, his third time reaching the finals and first title. Congratulations to ISU's other All-Americans- Zach Roberson and Billy Maldonado, and the rest of the ISU squad who gave it their all!

As for me, I'm getting ready to compete in the US National Open in Las Vegas ten days from now. It's the first leg in making the US World Team which will compete in the Worlds in Tehran, Iran in September. I have dropped weight from my usual 152 lbs to 145 to make the new weight class. At first it was a hard adjustment, but its OK now. I've already wrestled in a couple of international events at that weight. I won the Dave Shultz tournament in February; took 4th in the tournament in Kiev, Ukraine; finished 3rd in the Pan Am Games in Venezuela; and I just competed in the World Cup in Spokane, Washington, winning two of my three matches.

Cael and I just came back from a series of three wrestling clinics this past weekend in the NY and NJ area. Take a look at some of the pictures from Kenilworth, NJ on my "Camps" photo page. Also check out some of the new articles posted about me on my "Articles" page.

I feel comfortable in this new weight class and am looking forward to next weekend's matches. Again, thanks to everyone for tour continued support. Without you guys I could never keep chasing my dreams. Hope to see all you kids at my two camps this summer in either Jacksonville, FL or in Glen Mills, PA.

Chris

02/25/02 Week 76

Well, I'm back from the Ukraine. The travelling was fine. No problems, just a real long time getting there and coming back as usual. I can tell you that the security at airports in the States is a lot tougher that in Ukraine!

Overall the trip went well. The place we stayed at was a new building on the Olympic training complex. It was very nice and warm, which is a change from other places in Russia and its former republics I've been to. The food, well, was as terrible as usual, and the bathrooms were the same old "squat in a hole" type thing.

The wrestling was great with a total of 165 wrestlers from 21 countries in attendance. I had about 35 guys in my 66 kg weight class, including some Ukranians in my pool. Two of them were my first opponents. I won my first match 4-2 against Evgan Rucacan and followed up with a victory against Anbriy Stabink with a 6-2 score. I got a minor injury during that second pool match. I'm sure glad the US team brought along Dr. Hines from Oklahoma who sewed me up. I wouldn't let the local doctors there sew up my ripped jeans!

Then I won my quarterfinal match 4-1 against another guy from Ukraine. In the semis I met Nikolai Paslar, the world champ from Bulgaria. A minute into the match, and with the score tied 0-0, he tripped my foot and I fell flat on my back for the pin. I was really mad that I didn't get to see how I truly compared to him, but things like that do happen. He went on to win the tournament.

So I went for 3rd place against a Russian. With our score tied 1-1 after regulation, I was called for "bending his fingers backward" in overtime and the refs gave him 2 points. That gave him the 3 points he needed to win the match.

So, as you can see, it was a good tournament for me. I had very limited mistakes and I believe in my heart I can beat them all. I compete next in the Pan Am Games in Caracas, Venezuela March 14-17.

Take care- Chris

02/02/02 Week 72
Hello! I'm away from home again. It's Saturday night and I find myself with the Cyclones in Norman, Oklahoma.

We're between meets tonight. Last night we competed against fifth ranked Oklahoma State. The Cyclones are ranked fourth. The guys fought hard, and it came down to the last match which we lost. We had wins from Aaron Holker (141), Billy Maldonado (149), Nick Passolano (174) and Cael Sanderson (197). The final score was 26-16. We actually beat them two weeks ago at the national duals. So it just shows you how our sport goes. Anyone can beat anyone on any given day.

This trip to rival Big 12 schools has been a rough go from the very start. We had over a foot of snow back in Ames before we headed to the Des Moines airport. The usually brief flight to St. Louis took over three hours as we circled the city through a storm. By bus it took another 45 minutes to get to Oklahoma City, making it through an ice storm. Tomorrow afternoon we meet seventh ranked Oklahoma at the Howard McCasland Field House. Afterwards we'll all watch the Super Bowl back at our hotel and head home early Monday morning.

I'm competing next weekend in Colorado Springs at the Dave Schultz International Tournament. I leave on Thursday, weighing in the next day. It will be my first time competing at the new lower weight class. I'm feeling fit for this tough tournament and have been getting great workouts on the road. Tomorrow I have a workout session set up with 167 pounder Byron Tucker from Oklahoma before our dual. Read about him here.

Hope all is well- Chris

01/24/02 Week 72
Hello!

Everything is going great here in Ames, Iowa. Even the weather is setting records with 50 degree temps.

I found out the portion of our trip to a tournament in Bratislava, Slovakia has been cancelled. We will now travel to another in Kiev, Ukraine from February 22-23. A week later is the meet in Turkey on March 1.

My training is going great. I'm getting ready for the Dave Schultz Memorial International tourney, February 9-10 in Colorado Springs. From what I understand there will be at least 9 countries sending representatives to the competition: the United States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Great Britain, Japan, Russia and Uzbekistan. Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's freestyle will compete.

I can't wait to make my new lower weight class. I've been training hard and should be a better wrestler then the last time I competed, concentrating on the weaknesses the coaching staff have pointed out. My conditioning is in top form as well. I'll be in Colorado a day early to get accustomed to the altitude. Having been there many times before, experience has taught me that if I don't, I just die due to the lack of air. That won't happen this time!

Hope all is well! Chris.

01/14/02 Week 71
Well, it has been a long time and the holidays are over, but I'm back.

The last couple of months I've been real busy with coaching, training and chasing around a 1 year old.

As for the Cyclones, we are on pace. we finished 2nd at the Midlands tournament and are heading to the national duals this weekend in Columbus, OH.

My training has been going great. If you didn't know, FILA (the international wrestling federation) dropped a weight class from World and Olympic competition. That weight class just happened to be mine. So my choices were to either go up to 162 pounds, or cut down to 145. I've decided to cut down to 145. This has been a lifestyle change for me, but I feel great so far.

I'm wrestling next in the Dave Shultz Memorial Tournament in Colorado Springs on February 8-10. Then I leave for a series of meets in Europe. First up is a tournament in Bratislava, Slovakia, then we travel to Kiev, Ukraine on February 22-23. I can't wait to compete again.

As for my little girl, she celebrated her first birthday on December 3. She is so much fun and is getting so big, and is very hard to keep up with!

Hope all is well- Chris.

11/29/01 Week 63
I’m back from the World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. Here’s a day to day account of my adventure.

Friday, November 16
I left Des Moines in the morning. Unlike other trips I’ve taken, this one was an easy one, taking about 20 hours in total and no snags along the way. Our flights went via Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany, then on to Sofia.

Saturday, November 17
It was colder than I thought it would be when we arrived in Bulgaria the next morning, but not too bad. I was excited, yet I felt pretty worn out after the long trip. We immediately went to the hotel and I fell right asleep for 2 hours. I felt worse when I awoke.

At 4:30 we went to our first team workout. The gym was only a block away, but for safety reasons we all had to get there by bus with its own guard on it. Safety was never really a concern. Even our hotel floor had three guards on duty twenty four hours a day.

The gym was much colder then we are used to, but I knew that would be the case. My legs were very weak, but I drilled hard for about 20 minutes before heading to the sauna. Weighing in afterwards I found out I was 8 pounds over my limit and I felt it.

I went to dinner around 7 PM. The only thing I recognized was a kiwi, which was great! I went back up and ate some tuna with hot sauce. We were told to stay up as late as we could to acclimate to the time change. Bulgaria is 8 hours ahead of Iowa time. I made it until 9:30 and just died. I did take a melatonin pill, the natural sleeping agent found in turkey. I slept liek a baby and woke about 7 AM.

Sunday, November 18
It is great to wake up feeling good again! I made myself an instant coffee and ate some crackling oat bran. Our workout was at 10 AM. It started with Kevin Jackson putting me through 6 minutes of drills I needed to work on. I drilled for an additional 6 minutes on my own, then wrestled a 6 minute match with Doug Schwab, my personal training partner. I finished off by running 10 sprints and taking a 20 minute sauna.

Back at the hotel I ate some canned lemon pepper chicken and some canned fruit for lunch. I wanted to take a nap so bad, but knew that would be a bad idea. So I borrowed a portable DVD player and watched “Carlito’s Way.”

After that it was back to the gym where I warmed up and drilled on my own at first, wrestled a 9 minute match and did a 3 minute stance and movement drill. I wrestled well and felt pretty good. By that time the practice room was starting to get crowded. The Japanese and Korean teams had just arrived, and we left.

There was not much to do around the hotel. Downtown was only about 10 minutes away, but everything was closed. The previous day (Saturday) happened to be Election Day, and everything was closed then, too. I couldn’t call home until I bought a calling card, so I was out of luck.

I watched “A Proof of Life” that evening with Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe, getting to bed at 10:30.

Monday November 19
I woke up around 7 AM again, and slept OK. They say the third night abroad is the hardest to sleep, so I was a little apprehensive how it would go. I drank an instant coffee as I typed up my journal notes. It is sunny and about 30 degrees outside.

Practice again was at 10 AM, followed by another in the afternoon. The PM workout went especially well. Again I was overweight by 8 pounds. Weigh-ins for me were only three days away, with the competition the day after that.

I gave our interpreter some money the night before asking him to buy me a phone card. At first, the hotel wasn’t able to get the call through to my wife. After several attempts I finally did get to speak to Niki and my baby Josie. Evening here was early afternoon back home.

Tuesday, November 20
This morning’s workout featured a live match, more drilling, and some sprints. Then it was time to pack up and leave. We were off to the tournament hotel, an incredible five star place downtown closer to the competition. This was the first time I have ever been overseas and stayed in a hotel like this. It felt more like home, with two English language TV stations, CNN and MTV Europe. The change boosted everyone’s spirits.

My dad arrived from Florida today. It was great to have a member of the family with me in Sofia.

I had one last mat workout before starting my rest and weight-loss pre-competition routine. It took place at the tournament’s workout hall. Wrestlers from more than 50 countries were there. Kevin Jackson drilled me hard and it felt great. Afterwards I cut weight for 30 minutes. I was ell-rested and ready!

Wednesday, November 21
I woke early and met my dad for breakfast. Our American delegation ate in a separate room for safety reasons. There was a bomb sniffing dog in the room before we were allowed in to eat.

Afterward I went to the sauna for a little workout. I rested most of the day, watching the movie “Swordfish” and part of “Gladiator.” Around 5 PM I went to the fitness room for an hour long weight loss session, losing 5.5 pounds. That put me less than a pound over my competition weight a day out.

The weigh-ins were split in two groups. The first wave was today for those wrestling tomorrow. I’m in the second wave, weighing-in tomorrow and wrestling Friday.

I’ve been eating most meals downstairs with the delegation. The food has been very good here at this hotel!

Thursday, November 22
Today I slept until 8 AM. I was only 2.5 pounds over, so I ate some fruit and drank some coffee. After eating I wound up 3.5 pounds over weight. It is almost time to get it on! At noon I went to the sauna, jumped rope for 30 minutes and got down to my ideal weight- 69 kilos (152.2 pounds). I officially weighed in at the appointed time, 3 PM, and drew positions to determine which pool I’d be in. I wound up in a good pool with #17. My competitors would be Ahmet Gulhan from Turkey (#16) and Carlos Dominguez from Spain (#18). It was a good draw. I lost to the Turk at the World Cup in Baltimore this past May in overtime. That is who I would wrestle first. It’s Thanksgiving back home.

Friday, November 23
I woke at 6:45 AM, made some coffee in the room and went down to eat breakfast. The bus was leaving at 7:45 for the competition hall, with the session started at 9 AM. I was the 6th match up on mat B. I had a great warm up and felt very prepared. Well, I lost the match 7-6 in overtime. It was one of the worst losses I have ever had. I did not wrestle my best. I should have won, still believing I could win a world title. I would have to wrestle against the Spaniard tomorrow. I had a bye in the afternoon, but Gulhan soundly beat Dominguez 8-3 in that round. The Turk won the pool and moved up the winner’s bracket.

Saturday, November 24
Well, it was a rough night to sleep. I must have wrestled that match 600 times in my mind. All the mistakes I made- everything. I still had a match to wrestle. It didn’t mean anything, as I’m out of the tournament, but I still wanted to get my hand raised in victory at the world championships. I won my match versus Dominguez 11-0 with a technical fall at 4:13 of the match. Even though I won, I still went back to the locker room and just lost it. It was over, officially. I was done and out of the competition. All of the memories of the work I put into this championship keep rushing back. It is still very hard to think about, because I was ready to win.

Sunday, November 25
It was difficult for me to sit through the finals and watch as the Bulgarian Nickolai Paslar won the world title in my weight class against Amir Haghighi Tavakolian of Iran. Taking third was Jang Jae-Sung of Korea, who beat out Laszlo Szabolcs of Romania. The fire in my belly is burning even more now to be victorious. I will be back for more next year

Monday, November 26
The team woke at 4:30 AM ready to go the airport. The return trip had me going from Sofia to Munich, Germany, then directly to Chicago, and on to Des Moines. It was another long trip.

I had planned to take some time off and relax, but I can’t. I need to work and get better. I need to compete and gain more experience. I’m planning on wrestling at a tournament in New York on December 14 and 15.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me! I am doubling my efforts as I embark on winning the national title, team trials, and world championship in 2002!

10/24/01 Week 58
Its been a little over a week since my last entry. Things have been very busy with training, my job, and a little girl who's nearing her first birthday (and almost walking) all happening at the same time.

As I write this I'm getting ready to wrestle in the Sunkist International in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend. You might think I'm crazy with the Worlds only 4 weeks away, but let me explain. I'm doing this for a couple of reasons. First, it will break up my training routine. I was peaking and ready to wrestle two month ago. Second, participating will let me know my conditioning level before I begin the last round of preparation for the Worlds. Lastly, it will force me to make weight.

After this tournament I'm home for week, then off to Colorado Springs for ten days, home for another three, then on to Bulgaria. I'm excited to have the chance to wrestle in Arizona, but I'm eyeing the bigger prize in Bulgaria. I will be ready to win this weekend, happy to finally get back on the competitive mat. I've spent a long time in training!

Hope all is well- Chris

10/15/01 Week 57
Well, I'm back!

Sorry about not writing in a long time. The freestyle Worlds have now been scheduled for Sofia, Bulgaria November 22-25. I'm glad we have the date and place now all set. This has been real hard to deal with. Sometimes I'd think they'd be canceled. The next minute I'd dream about winning a gold medal. My emotions have been all screwed up this month!

The entire team spent last week at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs where we heard the news about the rescheduling. Knowing that it was finally rescheduled helped us all, as the practices returned to their normally intensity. As for me, I never stopped training. I'm still in great shape and ready. It's proving time.

For now, I'm back at Ames training hard. There's another training camp scheduled to take place in Phoenix, Arizona during the Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open October 26-28. Then we go back to Colorado around the 1st of November until the 13th. We leave for Bulgaria on the 16th. I hope the US State Department lets us go.

Safety is certainly a concern, but we will be fine. We have to put that out of our minds and get focused. I know some guys on the team were upset about the location. As for me, I don't care. I just want to get it on!

I've spent a long time dreaming of an opportunity like this. It's finally my chance to represent my country, and the timing couldn't be better!

Until next time- Chris

09/21/01 Week 53 (entry 2)
Hello again!

It's Friday night here in Colorado Springs. I leave tomorrow to go home. This week I've felt the best I've ever felt in my life. My training has gone perfectly. I know I'd have been ready if the Worlds were next week. As for that, we have no idea when or where they're going to take place. It could be held anywhere between October 26th and December. We just don't know. If they do place outside of the US, I just hope it's somewhere we can travel to without any problems.

Our spirits are high as a team. We were ready to compete, but with the delay, will be even more ready. We all met with a sports psychiatrist and discussed our feelings and emotions, and how this was going to effect us. That meeting went well.

We have no idea when we'll all be together again, but I'm sure arrangements will be worked out. If the Worlds do take place overseas, we'll get there at least two weeks in advance to allow us to acclimate to it. As for my training, I'm staying on course until I know a date. Once announced, I'll adjust and be ready. It's all mental now, and I can handle that.

Most of the team left today, but my flight doesn't leave until tomorrow (Saturday), so I'll get one more workout in the morning, then head home. It will be nice to get home to the family and back to my own team- the Cyclones!

Until next time- Chris

09/17/01 Week 53 (entry 1)
Hello,

I'm starting this journal entry at Chicago's O'Hare airport Monday morning, waiting on a flight back to Colorado Springs for another cycle of training.

As you probably know, the World Championships are postponed due to the tragedy in NYC. Under the circumstances, and knowing what we do now, I think it was the right decision. There is no way our country could be ready for such an event staged so soon in New York City. The team and I have been assured World's will be scheduled by the end of October or early November- somewhere.

I would personally like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of those who were killed, injured, or are still missing, and thank those people who are helping in the rescue efforts.

As for me, I spent the end of last week training up in nearby Ames, Iowa. I was supposed to be in Colorado Springs on Wednesday the12th, but couldn't get out there until now. I'm staying at the training center until Saturday the 22nd, then going home. When we hear when the Worlds will happen, we'll come up with a plan. Mentally, I was ready to compete, and physically, ready to wrestle.

Now having arrived in Colorado Springs...

We've all been talking about our situation here at camp- expecting the worst- and discussing how to deal with it. Well, this is the worst thing that could have happened to us, and I think we are all still trying to cope with the reality of it.

I did get to spend the whole week with my family, which was great. We went to our favorite restaurant on Saturday (not Sunday, as we usually do) because I was originally booked on an early flight out on Sunday. Well, surprise, that flight was canceled.

My little girl is now pushing her little walker and roaming all over the house. I think she may be ready to walk soon. She is so much fun, very pleasant and easy going. I'm glad she takes after her mother in that way! It was just hard to leave them yet again.

I hope we find out when the tournament will be soon so I can put my personal training plan together. For now, our group training continues. I guess I'll be in much better shape and that much more ready to wrestle when the time comes.

I will do my part for this country at the World Championships, keeping in mind all those effected by this tragedy. They will motivate me further.

Until next time- Chris

09/10/01 Week 52
Well, I arrived home on Friday in between bad storms that were going on all weekend. It was so nice to see my wife and little one at the airport waiting for me. We drove home, got something to eat, and just hung out the rest of the evening.

Saturday morning I woke up early. I got in a good long run and bike workout and also lifted a little. Later in the afternoon at 4:30 the Cyclone Wrestling Club had a tailgate barbeque to raise money before the Iowa State versus Northern Iowa home football game. It went very well. Thanks to all who helped out! My wife and kid made it through the whole game, which we won by the way 45-0. We got home at 10 PM and went to bed.

We all got up early on Sunday (the baby gets up at 7) and went to breakfast at a local country restaurant. That's a regular tradition for us Bono's, but since I've been away so often it seems like forever since we'd been there. I spent most of the day at home watching football. It was nice to do absolutely nothing for a change, and was probably the last day of relaxation before the big push over the next two weeks.

Today's training started with a run and a weight circuit. The run was an easy one (which means my conditioning level is where I want it to be) and I breezed through the circuit. I have a wrestling workout planned for 4 PM today.

I can't wait. Just two more weeks... I'll have another update when I get back to Colorado.

Chris

09/06/01 Week 51
Hey-

Tomorrow I go home from training camp! Today we just had a track workout.

This camp has been a tough one. We've wrestled a bunch and all have just been training harder than you can imagine. Its been great, as I love to train hard. I don't want to leave any stone unturned. We're paying our dues now so the rest of the world will pay theirs later!

We come back to camp on September 12th, giving us about 5 days at home. It's just enough time to do the laundry!

This whole experience has been fantastic, and the competition is near. But I'm not in it for the experience. I'm going to New York City to win this thing. I don't care who shows up. I'm taking care of myself and will be ready to go when the first whistle blows. I'm healthy and in good shape, and when I have that winning combination going for me I do well.

While I've been here in Colorado this latest session my little girl Josie has cut two more teeth and been sick. While she's better now, I can't stop thinking about my wife Niki and how she's holding up through it all. I just keep telling myself that this time apart will all be worth it in the end. It's the price I must pay to become a world champ. This tournament is dedicated to them.

I can't wait. That time is almost here... Chris

08/30/01 Week 50 (entry 2)
Hello! Here's another update from training camp.

Yesterday we had another great day. After the track workout I took a sauna and got a rubdown from the legend, Melvin Douglas the third. Then we had a great practice in the afternoon. John Smith, two-time Olympic champ, ran the technique section. Later I went the first go with Teddy Dufrese from Leigh, followed up by practice with Bill Zaddick. It was a good workout!

Today my morning drilling session was with Tom Brands and Mark Manning. They put me through an intense workout and was just what I needed. I felt a bit muscle tired by early afternoon, but I worked through it. It was tough, but I just pictured myself winning a gold medal and that got me through practice. I will do whatever it takes to win!

Tomorrow we only have a track workout and a massage. We're off in the afternoon. I think we are playing in a USA Wrestling golf outing- that should be fun. Oh, by the way, Dan Gable came in today and gave us a talk. It really inspired the team. We are all working hard.

Until next time- Chris.

08/28/01 Week 50 (entry 1)

It has been a little while since I wrote my last update! Here's one of my official World Team photos.

The first leg of training camp in Colorado Springs is over and it went well. Afterwards I was able to go home for a week, getting in 5 hard days on the mat with Bobby Douglas running practices for me. It was even more difficult because our wrestling room was extremely hot and humid due to the conditions outside. I lost 8-10 lbs just wearing a T-shirt and shorts during workouts, which had its effects on me.

Right now I'm back in Colorado Springs, having started group workouts yesterday. I admit I'm feeling better now than when I left. Two mat workouts Monday were followed by a morning at the track today. The change was good and my conditioning is improving. Our next workout is later this afternoon at 4:30 back on the mats focusing on technique and a lot of scrapping. We are about one month from showtime!

On the home front, my wife Niki and baby Josie will make the trip to New York City along with about 20 others from back home in Florida. My little girl is almost 9 months now and growing quickly. She is crawling all over the place and almost walking. I do miss them both while I'm gone. It will all be worth it- I can feel it!

I promise to do a better job at getting you more updates while in training. Hope all is well- Chris.

08/12/01 Week 48
Well, the first week of camp is over. Sunday is an off day.

Camp has been great so far. We are training and preparing to win nothing less than 8 gold medals. The coaching staff is doing a great job of giving us what we need. We've been tested in every way imaginable and we are still training harder than ever.

This past Thursday we actually climbed a mountain called the Cog Trail. There was a great article about it on The Mat.com. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done and wasn't a simple climb. The trail is actually made up of 1.5 miles of railroad ties and very steep. We had to run, walk, and even bear crawl at one point to make it up. It was intense! Oh, by the way, it was raining and about 55 degrees, unlike the rest of the county which was in a heat wave.

The best thing about camp and training is that I'm recovering well from dehydration after each workout. Every practice I seem to be at my best. That tells me I'm getting into top form. Mineral supplements from Advocare have also helped in optimizing recovery.

I'm really excited! I know this training is having a positive impact on me. It's the hardest I've ever trained for any tournament. We have about 7 weeks until the Worlds. I can't wait to get on the mat and put in on the line. I'll be prepared and ready to go.

Take care- Chris

08/07/01 Week 47
Hello again!

I write this journal entry from Colorado Springs, Colorado, site of the first cycle of the world championship training camp.

Today was our first day and we began with two sessions. The morning workout was spent with a lot of drilling followed by personal time to run and lift. The afternoon workout again started with drilling and then some live combat.

I feel really good. My preparation was excellent before camp. I'm ready to get better in all aspects of my game.

On the family front, my little girl Josie is 8 months old and crawling all over the place. She can say "MUM MUM" and "DA DA DA." It's a great feeling when I come home and she greets me saying "DA DA." Being away for two weeks straight is hard on me, but it's even rougher on my wife Niki, who's a single parent during that time. I continue to thank her, because she's giving me the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream.

I will try to update this journal more often during camp, since all I do is eat, wrestle, and sit in my dorm room!

Take care- Chris

07/17/01 Week 44
Hello! Sorry not updating my journal as often as I'd like. I will try to do a better job at making weekly entries.

Right now I'm at Boston University working a wrestling camp. Last week I was in Philadelphia at another camp and also recruiting some kids. I'm heading to San Francisco on Thursday to attend the wedding of Charles Burton. He was our Olympian at 85 kg last year. As you can tell, this past month has been hectic.

I officially start training when I get back home to Iowa. I want to arrive at training camp in Colorado Springs in shape and ready for action. I've been keeping active these past few weeks since the trials, working out once a day, and its kept me in decent condition.

Worlds are just about two months away. I've watched countless hours of video of my international opponents, something I really enjoy, but there is still more to be seen.

Training continues for me back at Iowa State from July 23 through August 4. After that I head off to the Olympic Training Center from August 5 until who knows when. It will be good to be out there where I can focus better without distractions. All I'll do is train, and I love to do that. I will be ready!

Chris

06/27/01 Week 41
Hello!

First, I'd like to start by saying a big "thank you" to all the people who have been along side and supported me. We have finally earned a chance to be the best in the world!

The World Team Trials in Cincinnati were great. All the training, hard work and preparation paid off. I had to win two tough matches in the mini tournament before gaining a berth in the finals. Both Yoshi Nakamura (Dave Schultz Wrestling Club) and Chris Ayers (New York Athletic Club) were tough competitors, but I beat them 4-1 on Friday and 6-2 on Saturday respectively. I was very pleased in the way I wrestled both matches.

By the time Sunday's matches rolled around I was feeling great, both in body and spirit. I've survived mini-tournaments many times, but this was the first time I came out of them healthy! My opponent in the best two out of three finals was Ramico Blackmon (Team Excel), who I lost to 6-3 in the US Nationals finals in April. He's a great wrestler, an even better person, and also comes from Florida! The finals went well for me, as I took both matches by scores of 3-0 and 4-3.

Those victories lead me to my next tournament in September, the World Championships at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where I'll be representing the Unites States in my 69 kg freestyle weight class. I'm humbled to be with the best wrestlers in the world, and I will prove that I deserve to be among them.

I'm writing this from back home in Florida where I'm hosting one of my yearly wrestling camps. I guess what I've accomplished never struck me until my Wif Niki and I were walking on the beach yesterday. We talked about what this opportunity really means: To be the best in the world. That's an awsome concept, and one I have worked for all my life. This is my chance of a lifetime. It may never come again, and I will run with it. It should be fun!

Follow my journal as I update it during training for the World Championships. Thanks again to all, and see ya next time! Chris.

06/11/01 Week 39
I was out in Colorado Springs all last week and got some real good training in. It was great working out with different partners and work on some different positions. I feel I'm ready and improved. I'm in shape and mentally believe I can win!

There are only 10 days away from weigh ins. Ahead are about 7 or 8 days of hard work before I begin to taper off. Rest is very important before big meets. I'm very excited to compete and to test myself. I've done my homework- the film studies, the weights, the wrestling, the conditioning and the mental preparation. It's now time to do it.

Thanks to all of you who follow and support me. See ya next time- Chris

05/28/01 Week 37
Sorry it has been so long since I last updated my journal. I have been real busy, having just spent 5 days out in West Virginia training. It was good to get a change of scenery. We worked hard on all aspects of training with me concentrating on my weak areas.

I have workout partners coming to Ames this week. That's good, so I can train at home. Next week I return to to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for 5 days. Then it's back home for 10 days, then off to the World Team Trials in Cincinnati.

With help, I've clearly defined my weakest areas and continue to wrestle hard and smart. As for my training, I feel I've improved greatly since April and the US Open. I can tell because of the way I wrestled my World Cup matches. I scored in positions where I never used to, while defending usually weak positions.

Now is the time. I want to win a world title, and I want to do it this year in the USA! The tournament draws near!

Little Josie is almost 6 months old and about to crawl. She is so much fun to be around, always making me laugh. Taking care of her is a lot of work, but she is the best. Then again, so is my wife Niki!

Hope all is well- Chris

05/09/01 Week 34
I'm back from the World Cup. Team USA won the title, and I placed second in my weight class. We needed a pin at heavyweight to win the dual against Iran. It was real exciting and the atmosphere was great.

As for me, I wrestled OK. I did some things from the training camp that I had been working on, so that is a positive. I beat both the Russian and the wrestler from Uzbekistan, and lost to the Iranian and Turk. With the results from the other matches, I was able to take second, but that wasn't my goal.

Next up will be the World Team Trials in June. The tournament winner will represent the USA at the World Championships and get a chance to compete against the best in the world! My training schedule these next few weeks will take me to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs as well as other parts of the country. It will give me a chance to work with other athletes and coaches to better myself. All my work these many months lead me to these two big tournaments, and I'll be ready.

On a side note, I'll be putting an official Iranian warm-up jacket up for sale or auction, and a USA paper flag with all of team USA coaches and wrestlers' signatures from the 2001 World Cup! I'll put pictures of both up on my web site soon. If you'd like to get a sneak peek beforehand, email me of your interest and I'll get back to you!

Thanks- Chris

05/02/01 Week 33
I've been in Annapolis, Maryland at the Naval Academy these past few days training for the World Cup matches Saturday and Sunday. All of Team USA has been here as well, along with a few college aged kids as workout partners. Training has been great, we're all working hard and I continue to learn more and more each day.

Our practices have been short and intense, as we workout trice daily at 10 AM and 4:30 PM. Tomorrow (Thursday) we start to taper down with omly one practice in the morning. Then we leave for Baltimore (site of the competition) where we'll be on our own. Most of us will go to the nearby health club to drop a few pounds.

We all make weight on Friday at 6 PM. Wrestling starts on Saturday at 12 noon. First up is Uzbekistan, followed by Iran. On Sunday we wrestle Turkey and Russia, again in dual meets.

The Naval Academy is beautiful campus, with wonderful wrestling facilities- 6 full masts! The weather been just great. We're staying at hotels that have kitchens in them and grills outside, so,we've been cooking our own food every night. My roommate, Charles Burton, has been doing the cooking, and we've been eating well.

Anyway, I'm ready to wrestle. Can't wait until Saturday! Take care.

04/28/01 Week 32
Sorry it has taken me so long to update my journal. As you probably know, I finished second in Las Vegas against Ramico Blackmon of Team Excel. I'm really disappointed in myself.

By coming in second, I'll have to wrestle in the World Team Trial's mini-tournament in June in Cincinnati. If I win that, I go against Blackmon in a best two out of three to see who represents the US at the World Championship.

I leave for Baltimore, Maryland, tomorrow (Sunday) to compete in the World Cup. (See details in my last entry.) The duals format tournment actually takes place on Saturday and Sunday. In the mean time, my teammates and I will be attending a week long training session at the Naval Academy in Annapolis getting ready.

I've been training hard since my return from Vegas. No let up. Every tournament teaches me something about my opponent, and more importantly, something about myself. My body is ready- I just need to wrestle smarter!

I look to proving myself again during these World Cup matches, looking forward to to June's competition, which I want to win very badly! It should be fun, and thanks for all the support! Chris

04/18/01 Week 31
Well, I got home from Vegas in one piece but didn't accomplish what I wanted to do. I placed 2nd at the Nationals, winning 5 out of 6 matches, losing 6-3 in the finals against Ramico Blackmon of Team Excel.

This now this puts me in the mini tournament of the World Team Trials in June which I must win to get me into the finals. When I get there I'll need to wrestle Blackmon in a best two out of three matchup. It will be a long road, but I'll be ready and just wish the tournament was tomorrow!

Right now I'm getting ready to wrestle in the World Cup tournament in Baltimore, Maryland. Team USA wrestles May 5-6 against four countries,Uzbekistan, Iran, Russia, and Turkey in a series of duals as a "tune up" for the upcoming World Championships in September in New York City. My teammates are: Sammie Henson (119 lbs.), Kerry Boumans (127.75 lbs.), Cary Kolat (138.75 lbs.), me (152 lbs.), Joe Williams (167.5 lbs.), Charles Burton (187.25 lbs.), Dominic Black (213.75 lbs.), and Kerry McCoy (286 lbs.).

Over the next two months I'll be concentrating on specific situations that caused me trouble in Vegas. I do feel I improved, but there are still ways I can get better.

Thanks to everyone who came to support me in Las Vegas. Chris

04/08/00 Week 30
Sorry for no journal last week!

I did get in some good training sessions last week. I'm starting to get very anxious, and am ready to compete. Physically and mentally I'm set- which is half the battle.

This week my focus will be on a few tactical moves and getting my weight down. I feel everything has been done. My training these past eight months have been in preparation for this US Nationals title. I deserve to win this tournament. Check out the link to tournament results on my main home page.

For those of you who don't know, the winner of the Nationals becomes the #1 seed at the World Team Trials at Cincinnati in July. That seed automatically gets into the finals, and doesn't have to wrestle through a grueling mini- tournament to see who competes against him in a best 2 of 3 finale.

Baby Josie rolled over on her own this week, and now can go from belly to back and back to belly! It is getting fun. She sleeps much better and is getting a heck of a personality. She weighed 17.5 pounds and was 25 3/4 inches long at her 4 month appointment last Friday. We baptize her on April 22nd. My wife will be taking her to the tournamnet in Las Vegas on Thursday. I hope she travels well.

I'll give tournament results and my comments when I get home.

Hope all is well- Chris

04/02/01 Week 29
No report.

03/28/01 Week 28
Another week has gone by. We are about 2 weeks until the National Open. In the past I've travelled elsewhere to train against different partners. This year I'm staying right here at home, in my own environment, working out harder than ever to get ready.

Last week I got six hard days of training in. On Sunday I just sat in the sauna. Five of those mornings consisted of drilling, running and lifting. I've lifted way more this year than in the past, and as a result I feel a lot stronger. I'm in the condition I wanted and needed to be in by now.

I'm satisfied that if the tournament was tomorrow, I'd be ready, as I continue to improve in my weak areas. We'll see the results in two weeks.

As for my baby, she's now almost four months old and getting bigger. Josie sleeps more, which is good news for me and her mom. She smiles all the time. We both just enjoy her so much! She will travel to Las Vegas to watch her daddy wrestle there for the first time. It should be fun!

Take care- Chris

03/20/01 Week 27
Well, the NCAA’s are over and the Cyclones did not do as well as we wanted. We took 6th place, having two All-Americans and one national champ on the team. Minnesota took the title with a very balanced team, and didn't have a single wrestler in the finals!

I can't wait until next year. Our 2001-2002 roster is shaping up well, and should be balanced across all weights. We will lose two notable seniors, but return both All-Americans and add two transfers to round out the squad.

As for me, I'm looking forward to the big show (US Nationals) in Las Vegas. I got some great workouts in during the NCAAs with the Team USA coaches. I even worked out with the one and only Cary Kolat! Hey, Kolat, if you're reading this, I really did win the Classic in 1992! (Ha, ha, a joke between us!)

Anyway, we're about 3 1/2 weeks away from Nationals. I'll keep training at a feverish pace for the next two weeks before backing off a bit.

My baby girl Josie got to see her first NCAA tournament last week. Of course, my wife Niki came along for the ride, too! How time flies. Josie is now four months old and keeps growing bigger and bigger...

...til next time- Chris

03/12/01 Week 26
No report.

03/04/01 Week 25
I arrived home from Iran on Saturday night. It was long and I was pretty tired, but I was happy to see my wife and baby, who looked as if she had grown so much while I was away. I didn't do a thing on Sunday. Oh yes, my luggage bags never make home until later that day!

I woke up early on Monday morning ( still being messed up with the time zone change} and went for a run and a lift. It was actually a good workout. Later in the afternoon I wrestled hard with the team. Tuesday proved a little harder waking up, but I got another good run in again. By the afternoon I felt extremely tired and didn't work out at all. Wednesday morning I drilled on situations I had some problems with in Iran, and then wrestled hard in the afternoon.

I had another early run on Thursday and the Cyclones and I left for Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the Big 12 tournament. I managed to wrestle hard with the team when we got there. On Friday I wrestled with a graduate student from Oklahoma State and took a steam that night. I didn't hit the mat myself all weekend after that. I just needed a break on Saturday and Sunday. The rest was just what I needed, as I finally felt my old self and ready to go at it again.

If you haven't heard by now, the Cyclones took third place, qualifying nine wrestlers to nationals. Oklahoma State took first, Oklahoma took second, and Nebraska took fourth. We were only a half point out of third. Winning their weight class were Joe Jaskett and Cael Sanderson. Cole Sanderson and Perry Parks took second place, while Matt Azevedo, Zach Roberson, Billy Maldanodo, Zach Thompson and Mark Knauer took thirds. We’ll see what we can do!

Take care- Chris

02/26/01 Weeks 23 & 24
Well, I made it back home. That's the best part. Here are some notes from my trip to Iran!

Day 1 (Thursday, 2/15 )
What a start! At least I would be travelling with with someone I know, Iowa State wrestler Cody Sanderson. Our flight from Des Moines to Minneapolis was cancelled, making us miss all the connections as planned. So I couldn't meet the team there as planned. With no more flights out that night, we went back home!

Day 2 & 3 (Friday/Saturday, 2/16-17)
Cody and I wrestled in the morning before returning back to the airport. The first plane ride took us to Minneapolis (a 1 hour flight), then on to Amsterdam (7 hours, 40 minutes}. After a 10 hour layover (and a cop telling us we could not sleep in the airport), it was off to Istanbul, Turkey, but not before receiving a warning from a customs official to be careful with our US passports in our travels. Amsterdam to Istanbul took 4 hours, followed by a four hour trip to Tehran, Iran.

Day 4 (Sunday, 2/18)
We landed in Iran at 2 AM on the 18th. (Remember that we left Des Moines 11 AM on the 16th!) Someone was there waiting to pick up up along with the Turkish Team who took the same flight. We travelled by bus to a hotel where the US team was staying, getting there around 4 AM and finally fell asleep by 6 AM.

By 9 AM we awoke to see writings on a nearby wall saying "Death to Americans" and "USA, the Great Evil" along with many more like that. As it turns out, that wall encircled the former US embassy, the one that was taken over by zealots in the 1970's. We managed to get our picture beside it as our bodyguard kept watch.

Cody and I finally met Team USA in the hotel lobby by 9:30 and we all went shopping. The natives all stared at us- it was very uncomfortable. Returning at 2 PM, we left our hotel taking our luggage and went to workout at "The House of Wrestling." This place had a 2000 seat arena, five mats, weights, and a museum detailing the history of Iranian wrestling. It was amazing. Afterwards we left for the Tehran airport to fly to Mashad, site of the tournament, an hour flight away.

The travelling was already taking its wear on me, and I already missed my wife and baby girl. This is the first time I had been away from them for more than a day.

Day 5 (Monday, 2/19)
The team worked out at noon. It was time to start preparing to wrestle. We drilled hard, going over a variety of special techniques, and then cut some weight. The worked out took place at a beautiful spa, with a couple of saunas, a steam room, hot and cold whirlpools, and more. It was great.

We left at 4 and I caught a nap until 6. I was getting used to the 10 hour time difference from Iowa, but still needed to catch up on my sleep. We headed back to the spa at 6 to enjoy a sauna. The people treated us great, but a bodyguard was with us at all times- even in that sauna!

Day 6 (Tuesday, 2/20)
I had an awful night trying to sleep, tossing and turning. By 3:30 AM, I was up for good. I enjoyed a nice cup of Folgers instant coffee I brought along with me. At noon the team left the hotel to go and cut weight, which I made easily, being only 1.5 kilos over, about three pounds.

We went back to the hotel and I ate some lamb and rice in the hotel cafe along with some food I brought from home. Cody, Steven Neal and I went for a walk (without the body guard), but I turned back still feeling very uncomfortable with all the stares and people coming up to us wanting to talk. The other two did make it back safe! I did get a chance to call home. It cost me 36,000 runnells, about $7, to talk for 3 minutes. It was great to hear my wife's voice an dthat she and the baby were fine.

Now I could turn my mind to wrestling!

Day 7 (Wednesday, 2/21)
Well, the tournament was here. I woke at 6 30 AM for breakfast (bread and goat cheese, then again that was breakfast every morning). We went to the arena afterwards and I got a good warm-up in. There were only 2 mats used during the tournament; one for Greco-Roman and one for freestyle.

I won my first bout against an Iranian, Mardoni, on a 2-2 referee's decision. I should have beat the guy worse, but I was dead tired from the long trip. I eventually got better with each match. I was finished with the session and went back to the hotel.

The next session started at 3:30. I knew I wouldn't wrestle until about 7, so I went the arena around 6. I never set foot on the mat until midnight, and guess what? There were still fans there! I wrestled Mirzaiev from Azerbaijan, beating him 4-0. I felt great!

Day 8 (Thursday, 2/22)
I never got to bed until well past 2 AM, waking up after 4 1/2 hours of sleep at 6:30. It was bread and cheese for breakfast (again) and off to the morning wrestling session.

I fought against another Iranian, Babaee, winning 4-2. This guy would eventually get into the tournament finals, lose and take second place. I was surprised to learn that my weight class had a bye in the afternoon/evening session, and took it easy

Day 9 (Friday, 2/23)
It was starting to get routine- bread and cheese at 6 30, then travel to the arena. I had two tough matches early in the day. First up was Mohammadi of Iran with a 5-1 overtime win. Next up was Amez, another Irani, and I took him 4-2. I won my pool with those two wins, bringing me into the semi-finals in the PM session.

That semi-final matched me up against the number one ranked Iranian, Tavakoliam, his country's representative in the Sydney Olympics. It ended up 2-2 on ref's decision in overtime. I felt I outwrestled him, but don't forget, I was in Iran, and you must expect some wierd calls against the hometown favorites. That left me in third place.

My fourth match that day had me up against another Irani wrestler, Baraati. This would determine third and fourth place. I lost again, this time 3-2. Afterwards I ate a PopTart and was ready to hit the showers when the US coach came looking for me. He explained that the head ref thought I was cheated in that match and we had to re-wrestle over again. Only in Iran!

So I got dressed and went to the mat one last time. The thousands of fans went crazy when they saw me coming out again. I think that they felt I deserved better than I got. They got what they wanted- another look at this feisty American scrap again. This time even I felt it was fair and square despite a 3-1 loss, giving me fourth place for the second time that night.

All in all, I had eight great matches in the tournament's three days. I got really beat up. If you don't believe me, look at my mug. But I still look at the experience as the best in my wrestling career.

02/14/01 Week 22- Valentine's Day
Hello! Sorry for the late entry this week.

I'm getting ready to leave for Iran, as I take off tomorrow. The Takhi Cup tournament in Tehran will be a tough one, but I've been looking forward to it. I've trained well and feel I've made definite improvements since the Canadian tournament a few weeks ago.

The trip to Iran will be long, and I'm prepared for all kinds of things that might go wrong while there. I'm guessing the food will be bad, and there may not be enough water to drink and keep me hydrated. But if you can win under these less than ideal conditions, you can win anywhere. I'll be keeping a daily journal and will give you all a report when I get back, unless I can get Internet access!

The Cyclone team is still ranked 4th in the country. We dual Nebraska on Friday and UNI (University of Northern Iowa) on Sunday. The Cyclone Wrestling Club is planning a bus trip to the Big 12 conference tourney. If you're interested in going, contact Jon Mustaine by email at jdmust2be@aol.com as soon as possible. It should be fun!

My baby girl is getting real big. She weighed 14.7 pounds at her 2 week check up. She's starting to smile and laugh now. It's so wonderful- she is wonderful. I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm away in Iran. It will be hard on me and my family.

Hope all is well, and I'll write again when I get back in a couple of weeks. Chris

02/04/01 Week 21
Well, I'm back from "Winterpeg" (alias Winnipeg) and the Manitoba Open. It was so cold and gloomy up there I thought I was in Moscow.

As for the wrestling, I finished 3rd. I won 4 matches and lost in the semi-finals to Bill Zadick. The score was 2-2, but he won on passivity calls. I didn't wrestle my style against him, but I really had a valuable experience. I am glad I got 5 matches in, especially since I used moves I had practiced on during practice. My third place finish came from a 10-1 decision over Celso De Arda of Mexico.

I was in good shape, but need to pick up my training pace. I go to Iran in 10 days and I'm looking forward to a great tournament. My main goals ahead are the US Nationals in April, the World Team Trials in June, and then the World Championships in New York City in September.

I'll be training intensely this next week and a half on the my weak points from Winnipeg. Then it will take me two days of travelling to get to Iran where I'll be ready to scrap. April is getting closer day by day...

Hope all is well- Chris

01/28/01 Week 20
Sorry I did not post a journal entry last week. I was out at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for a few days. I learned a whole bunch and it was nice to work out with different people. One practice we worked together with the Greco team on gut wrenches, gut wrench D and also on the clich position.

I'm gettin ready to compete this week in Manitoba, Canada. It should be a tough tourney with many different countries expected to attend. I will be ready, my body feels good and I'm in great shape. This tourney will help me as I get ready to go to Tehran, Iran, on the 15th of February.

On Friday night (1/26) the Cyclones lost to the #2 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. We wrestled well but still lost. We'll get them back at the conference and national tourney. This coming Friday will feature a meet between us and the University of Oklahoma. It should be a good dual.

Take care. I will post results when I return from Canada.

Chris

01/22/01 Week 19
Sorry- no entry this week.

01/15/01 Week 18
I had a very tough week of training this week. It was what I like and needed, improving on strength, conditioning, technique, and tactics.

Here was my training schedule:

Monday

AM- ran 1 mile hard, four 330 meter sprints, weightlifting circuit

PM- wrestled hard and intense for one hour, then 10 sprints finishing off the day

Tuesday

AM- drilled 20 minutes on my feet and 40 more on the mat

PM- 4 matches (8 and 30 seconds with a sudden death overtime) with no rest in between

Wednesday

AM- more drillling on my weaknesses on my feet and on the mat

PM- 40 minutes of hard wrestling (1 minute goes, 2 minute goes, all kinds of goes!)

Thursday

AM- same as Monday morning's routine

PM- 3 matches

Friday

AM- 40 minutes in the sauna

PM- 2 matches and drilled a long time

Saturday- a welcome day off

Sunday

AM- drilled for 25 minutes and did 3 matches

Josie got to see her first wrestled match this past week. Well, not really, as she slept through the whole thing!

Cael Sanderson tied Dan Gable's and Iowa State's 100 match winning streak without a tie at a match against Hofstra. Dan Gable was there, and spoke to the crowd in his old ISU letter jacket. Cael was even on ESPN's Sportscenter Sunday night.

To top it all off, the Cyclones won that dual meet against Hofstra as well. It was an eventful week.

Take care- Chris

01/08/01 Week 17
Well, this past weekend was a great one.

I got to watch a 30 year old record be broken. It was great to see a kid like Cael Sanderson set the all time collegiate wrestling consecutive win streak. He now has 99 straight wins- 1 more than Dan Gable. Cael was so humble in accepting all his awards, it is unbelievable. His career has been absolutely incredible so far,and it couldn't have happened to a better person. If he continues to work and improve as he has been doing, he'll keep setting records. Congrats Cael!

My training has been going great. The intensity in during our practices has picked up, and everyone is wrestling harder, which I love. A lot of scrapping, headbutting, slapping and all out brawling. My conditioning level has gone up and I'm putting more and more time in as my international trips get close.

I just added a trip to Winnepeg, Canada on February 2nd, then on to Iran February 17th. Beforehand I'll be at the Olympic Training Center at Colorado Springs on January 23rd.

I keep trying to get better every day. That's the goal!

Take care- Chris

01/01/01 Week 16
Happy New Year!

I wrestled in the Midlands tournament at Northwestern University on December 29-30. Check out the photos. My weight class (157 pounds) had a big bracket, and I got 6 matches in. I was happy to get an extra match! The only downfall of wrestling in this tournament having wrestle my own Iowa State student, Cole Sanderson.

People have asked me why I competed in this tournament. There are several reasons:

When I train, I need short term goals. This is the only tournament between the Sunkist Open (last November) and my upcoming trip to Iran (in late February) which fits into my schedule. Going four months without a competion can hurt you.

The only way to truly test yourself is through competition, both physically (including making weight) and mentally.

I learn from my mistakes, and every match is learning experience.

Matches with up and coming college wrestlers prepares me for when I have to face them in future competitions. No surprises!

Lastly, it's a way of rewarding myself! I love to compete.

Overall, I felt great in the tourney, but I should have pushed the tempo of the matches and opened up more. I'm right on track with my Iran preparations. I need to continue working on my mistakes and keep training hard. As always, I'll be ready!

12/25/00 Week 15
Merry Christmas! I'm enjoying the holidays with my family. See our photos.

12/19/00 Week 14
Another week has gone by. This was the best week of training I've had since I started back up again. We had a very tough week and I feel my conditioning has hit a new level.

I'll be wrestling next in the Midland tournament on Dec 29-30. Meets like this help me evaluate myself in real combat situations as I prepare for my big goals this year- tournaments in April, June and September. I'd like to get as many matches in as I can until then!

Training hard theses upcoming two weeks during the holidays can give me an edge over my competition, as I turn everything up a notch. Maybe they'll slack off, but I won't. I'll be ready for the Midlands and in top form.

As you can see by the pictures, our baby is doing very well. She is actually sleeping a little bit now! We had our 2 week doctor's visit today and she has already gained 1.5 lbs. Mom is doing a whole lot better as well. Josie is just a wonderful blessing and the best Christmas present Niki and I could have ever received.

Happy Holidays- Chris

12/11/00 Week 13
Hello!

Sorry I did not write last week, but I had a busy time with the birth of my daughter, Josie. It was the most incredible thing I have ever been a part of. It was better than anything I have ever been a part of! The good Lord gave us a healthy, beautiful child, and that is all I could ask for.

She is doing great, and mom is coming along, too! She's about ready to get out and finish Christmas shopping- oh no!

As for my workouts, I didn't get back into the room until Wednesday, when I was able to get in two good ones. Thursday I ran and wrestled in the afternoon.

Friday we went to Iowa City to wrestle the Hawks. I was able to get a good workout in the morning up there with one of our freshman, Nicky Possalono. We all took Saturday morning off in preparation for the 9 PM match. I guess you could say that we had another great practice that evening as well! It was a great effort by the entire team.

I took Sunday off. I'm in great shape, despite having been killing myself knowing I'd take a couple days off to be with my wife and child. I will really push myself these next four weeks knowing that my competition will be taking some time off for the holidays. I'll do anything to get an edge!

I'm off to shovel the foot of snow we got!

Chris

12/04/00 Week 12
No report- see why in week 13!

11/29/00 Week 11
This journal entry will be a late and short one this time around, sorry!

Well, last week was an OK one for me. I got some good training in, and feel I'm getting better every day. The Cyclones won 3 duals this week. We wrestle at the Simpson Duals this coming Saturday followed by Central Michigan Sunday at home. Next Friday we travel to Iowa City to wrestle the Hawkeyes. A great matchup to be sure!

That compares to this week so far, a big letdown! Our baby was due on Saturday, but I guess she's just not ready to come out yet. We're still waiting and hoping she will get here soon.

Next week I'll give a more detailed writeup about my training!

Take care and thanks for reading my journal.

Chris

11/20/00 Week 10
Well, the week started off great on Monday, as I worked out with team at 6:30 AM doing a group run and circuit followed by a very tough practice. Some of the guys on the team need to get stronger, and weightlifting is the answer, so we then hit the weight room afterwards.

I've been almost injury-free my whole career and clearly attribute that to weight training. But I've slacked a bit in past two years and need to push myself harder. Getting stronger will help in my efforts this coming April, then in June for the nationals and world team trials.

Tuesday I sat in the sauna in the morning, preparing for another tough practice and a great weight room session in the afternoon. By Wednesday I was tired, but still had a great run, practice and lift. My Thursday routine was another morning run and drill, and an afternoon practice. On Friday I ran, did a circuit, and drilled hard in the PM. I lifted afterwards.

By early Friday evening I packed up the car for a drive to the Omaha Open tournament. Coming along representing the Cyclones were six non-starters and five independent red-shirts. All did well and got plenty of matches in- the real goal of our participation.

Cyclone starters attended the Missouri Open on Saturday with Coach Douglas. Five guys came back as champs- Azavedo, Cole and Cael Sanderson, Heskett, and Parks). Add to that two second place finishes by Zack Thompson and Mark Kanuer.

This coming Wednesday we wrestle two dual meets at Iowa Central Community College. We hope some of our Iowan rivals can make it.

Still no baby!!! Saturday is the due date, so stay tuned!

Take care- Chris

11/16/00 Week 9
Well, last week I kind of took it easy. I had some little aches and pains and some minor cuts that needed healing before starting to really get to it again.

Monday was a rest day. Tuesday was spent drilling and wrestling a hard go, some of it hand fighting with new Cyclone freshman Matt Sanchez. All freshman have a lot to learn about hand fighting and positioning. I ran and went through a full workout in the wrestling room on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday was spent drilling in the morning with Cole Sanderson and we all had light workout before the guys competed the next day.

Saturday was a visit to the Harold Nicholas Open to watch my guys compete. We took five returning champs to the Cyclone Open. Cael and Zach Thompson didn't wrestle. As expected at the beginning of any season, some looked good and others weren't so. The tournament gave me a chance to evaluate our team and I hope to work on improvements this week. They continue to improve daily. Our next competition will be on Saturday, November 18 at the Omaha Open. The Cyclone's first home dual meet is Sunday, December 3 against Central Michigan.

Yesterday (Sunday) was a rest day, but this morning I was up running and lifting with the team early at 6:30 getting right back to it.

Still no baby for us yet. Niki is at 12 days and counting, but we hope the baby is early. We'll know more after a doctor's appointment on Wednesday.

Take care- Chris

11/06/00 Week 8
Well, I finally got back home from the Sunkist tourney in Phoenix after a long day on Sunday. Our original flight home was cancelled, so we had to switch airlines, making it home at 2:30 AM and some 5 hours late.

As for the tournament, we Iowa State guys did well. We had 3 champs out of 8 weight classes. Cody Sanderson, Joe Heskett, and I all won titles. Cael Sanderson won the University World Championships in Tokyo, Japan as well this weekend. So it was a great time for Cyclones around the world.

As for me, although I won, it was the worst I wrestled in 3 years. I felt fine and was in good shape, but seemed rather rusty. I started off with a 3-1 overtime win againt Steve Rose from Canada. Next up was Shaime Jaime and I won 12-1 by technical fall.

In the quarter finals I wrestled Ramico Blackmon, ranked #3 in my weight class (with Lincoln McIlravy #1). We went one-on-one with each other and he started off with a 4-0 lead, but I came back and won by disqualification. In the semis I was up against Nathan Vasques from Fresno State, winning 4-3 in overtime. The finals paired me against Kirk White of Boise State. I again won in overtime, 3-1.

As you can tell, it wasn't my best wrestling, but it taught me the things I need to continue to work on. That's why I wrestled this weekend- to see where I am against the competition and learn what I need to do to get to the next level. I'm taking today off and will pick up tomorrow working on the areas I need improvement on.

Here are the finals matchup from the Sunkist Tournament

Mena def Cassidy
Sanderson def Hunter
Dununzio def Angle
Bono over White
Heskett over Trigg
Simpson def Japan
Davis over Tobin
Neal def Blunt

My baby has still not come into the world, but is getting close. This weekend we travel to nearby Fort Dodge and the Cyclone Open. My wife Niki is coming along with the team, as her folks only live some 10 minutes away. There's no chance of me missing out on the baby!

Take Care- Chris

10/16/00 Week 7
Happy Halloween!

I had a good week of practice last week. Right now I'm getting ready to compete. Weigh-ins are this Friday (it's Tuesday now) with wrestling on Saturday and Sunday. I'm passing the time by watching videos of some of the guys I think will be there. I'm even watching some of the guys who won't be there, as you can never be too prepared!

My workout Monday morning started with a long run, followed by a good intensive wrestling practice in the afternoon. Today I had a good drill session in the morning and wrestled hard this afternoon. I'll back off until Thursday, two days before the meet. My training is going to pay off, as I feel I'm going to win this tournament. It's going to be a lot of fun!

My wife and I went to the doctor today. The good news was that the baby has finally turned head down and is ready to go! We've been nervous as last week she was the other way around. Mom is getting more and more uncomfortable every day, but is doing a wonderful job of carrying the baby. Let's just hope nothing happens to mom or baby until I get home on Sunday!

I'll have a full report for you next week about the tournament... and the baby!

Take care- Chris

10/23/00 Week 6
Another week has gone by, and that means it is getting closer to competition! I had a good week of training, getting in 2 workouts every day then took Sunday off.

My body is starting to recover a lot better then before. That means I'm getting into the kind of shape that I like to be in. This week will be a tough one as I will continue to train at a high volume until next week, then back it off and get ready. If I were competing every week, I would train through this tournament, but since I won't wrestle for a month or so after this I can afford to rest a little and feel my best. I want to win this tournament and have trained to do so!

My brother-in-law and his wife had a baby boy this week, their first, so it has really made my wife and myself excited for ours to arrive. Just one month until the due date. I hope she comes early, but not until after I get home from the Sunkist tournament! My wife is starting to feel uncomfortable now, but we are getting close.

The cyclones are working hard and getting ready. We have a good group of guys this year and the team has high goals. it should be an exciting season.

Take care- Chris

10/16/00 Week 5
This week was a great week! I reached all my goals interms of how much I wanted to run, drill, and wrestle. I felt like my conditioning went to another level this week and I actually wrestled pretty good in the room.

On Friday I wrestled hard in the morning and afternoon, which was good because my body was pretty tired by that point of the week. I'm feeling better and better every day, getting back to where I was in June. I have 2 full work weeks where I will go hard and turn it up each day. Then I'll have two or three good days before I start to get my weight down and get ready to compete!

My wife went to the doctor last week and everything is going well with baby and mom. We have a little over a month til our lives will be flipped around, but we cant wait.

The team is doing well and training hard. We compete in the Harold Nicholas open in Fort Dodge on Friday, Nov 10. I think they're ready to wrestle against other guys. After scrapping with the same teammates for about a month, this is about the time everyone gets edgy, so we'll have them ready!

I almost had a chance to go Russia next week to compete, but the trip fell through. I was ready to go, but the timing wasn't right and we're not sending a team after all. It would have been fun. It always is in Russia... ha!

I almost forgot. My camp in Florida is almost finalized. It looks like it will run from June 26-29 in Jacksonville. I should have the Sanderson brothers down there with me, and will post more info later!

Hope all is well- Chris

10/08/00 Week 4
This was an up and down week for me.

I started off great and increased my workouts. On Wednesday, I backed off a little because I was really run down, having only wrestled two matches in practice. Thursday and Friday were great workouts, getting in two good morning and 2 good afternoon sessions. Saturday I drilled for about an hour on important situations, the clinch etc. finishing up with some conditioning.

Today I'll go for a long run in the afternoon and get ready for another week of hard practices. I'm getting in good shape, as 8, 9 and 10 minute goes are getting easier!

The Cyclone team is doing great. We completed our first full week of regular season practices. All the freshman are amazed at the Bobby Douglas drill system. The Hodge Trophy was presented to Cael Sanderson at half-time of yesterday's football game between the Cyclones and the Huskers. It was great!

My wife Niki is doing well and getting ready for our first child. It's getting crazy around here, and I can't wait for her to arrive.

There's only about 4 weeks until competition.

Hope all is well- Chris

10/02/00 Week 3
Check out my olympic predictions page here and see my comments about all our Olympians.

Last week was another good week of training for me. Every day I feel like I am getting better in all aspects. I'm not quite in shape as I want to be, but I'm doing very well with just a month left before competition.

There are still some wrestling positions that I need to improve on. The only way I can get better is to start from those difficult positions and wrestle from there. It's frustrating at times, but I'm improving. There is still a lot of work to do.

My body feels great. All my nagging little injuries from June's Olympic trials are gone and my body is recovering from my workouts. I'll really turn up my training now and be ready November 3!

This weekend the Cyclones (4-0) play #2 Nebraska in football here in Ames. It could be a turning point in Iowa State football. Good luck to them! I'll be there rooting them on.

Take care- Chris

09/23/00 Week 2
This week has been a good one for me. Training wise, I'm getting better and better everyday. Right now I'm working on getting in shape, running and doing cardio most mornings, and wrestling long goes in the afternoons. Other mornings I'm drilling, mostly in par terre. I feel if I can get better in the top and bottom positions, I'll be able to compete better at the international level.

As for my team, we start official practice Wednesday afternoon, September 27. The Cyclones have been working hard in their pre-season workouts, but now it's getting close to REAL workouts. Last year left a bitter taste in their mouths, being so close to a title, yet so far away. This year should be a fun one!

I'm 8 weeks away from being a dad and counting, with 1 more Lamaze class to go. My wife is doing well. She's a little sick as I write this, but hopefully will recover soon.

By the way, congrats to Matt Lindland, 76kg Greco-Roman wrestler, who went through all the court stuff to make the team. He can do no worse than 2nd place for a silver medal. His gold medal match takes place at 1 AM Tuesday Central time (5 PM in Sydney). Good luck!

I talked to Charles Burton who is in Australia getting ready to wrestle. He seems in good spirits and said all the guys are ready to go.

Hope all is well- Chris

09/18/00 First entry!
I'll be writing about everything in my journals, including the Iowa State team, my own training, my family, wife Niki (who is due with our first child on November 25), and anything else you might want!

This morning I went to the Ames Middle School to help celebrate the Olympics. I spoke about trying to make the Olympic team and my goals for the next four years. Ed Banach was there with his gold medal from the 84 Olympics. It was fun to see the kids wearing Ed's medal.

My own training is starting to pick up, running more and more (as I get in shape) and wrestling longer and harder. My first competition since the Olympic Trials will be the Sunkist Tournament in Tempe, Arizona, November 3-5. I will be ready!

Shortly afterwards my wife is expected to give birth to our first child. I have planned to take some time off to help my wife and enjoy my baby girl (we cheated).

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at bono152@aol.com. I've set up my first camp for next summer. It will be at the Garnet Valley Middle School (same place as last year) in Pennsylvania, scheduled for July 9-13. Lasting 5 days, it will be bigger and better than last year!

Hope all is well- Chris