By Shannyn J. Gillespie

The United States Olympic Education Center will bring in 7 new recruits to start the 2009-2010 campaign lead by 2009 USA Wrestling Jr. National champion Analiese DeAragon (Sandpoint, ID). DeAragon won the 2009 Jr. Nationals title by a pin over her new USOEC team mate Karra Stratton (Frsico, TX) at 153 lbs.

In addition to DeAragon and Stratton, Carlene Sluberski (Fredonia, NY) 2nd at 95 lbs. also earned 2009 Jr. National All-America status (top 8 placements at Jr. Nationals).

The USOEC freestyle program will also add 2008 Jr. National silver medalists Candace Workman (Utah) 2nd 102 lbs. and Kelsea Suchocki (New York) 2nd at 153 lbs. to the 2009-2010 roster.

The remaining athletes who will join the USOEC freestyle team this year are Cassandra Schmidt (Montana) and Andrea Orozco (California).

DeAragon, Stratton will enter Marquette Senior High School this fall in Marquette, MI while Sluberski, Workman, Suchocki, Schmidt, and Orozco will attend Northern Michigan University.

In February, 1989, the U.S. Olympic Committee named Northern Michigan University (NMU) as the nation's only United States Olympic Education Center (USOEC). The USOEC's main focus is the resident athlete training program, where athletes actively train for the Olympic Games while also continuing their education.

Generally, athletes in this program must be nationally ranked and also approved by their national governing body (NGB), the USOEC, and NMU. The USOEC has resident athlete training programs in freestyle wrestling, boxing, short track speedskating, Greco-Roman wrestling, and weightlifting.