Nate Gallick prepares for new challenge at RPW Regional

Kent Sesker Real Pro Wrestling
10/11/2006

Last March, Nate Gallick of Iowa State prepared to battle Teyon Ware of Oklahoma for the right to be NCAA champion at 141 pounds. Gallick had beaten Ware seven out of eight previous matches, the lone loss occurring in the 2005 NCAA title match. Gallick won in 2006 with a first-period takedown that held up for a 3-2 victory.

Gallick is now competing for the Cyclone Wrestling Club in Ames, Iowa, and will wrestle as long as his body holds up. Only 23 years old, the future looks bright for this Arizona native.

Gallick headlines a talented field of post-collegiate wrestlers who will compete at Real Pro Wrestling´s North Regional qualifying tournament on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Gallick will wrestle at 132 pounds.

"I´m pretty excited about it. I think what they´re doing is pretty important, getting wrestling out there and put in the mainstream, getting it on television." Gallick said.

"I´m training right now and getting myself prepared. The main goal now is to make that 2008 Olympic (freestyle) team."

Gallick looks to conquer other challenges in the meantime. He will compete Oct. 12-14 at the Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open in Tempe, Ariz. Gallick hasn´t changed his training routine and feels his freestyle and previous Greco-Roman experiences will bode well for him in RPW matches.

"I think Real Pro Wrestling has some potential to be pretty big." Gallick said.

Michigan All-Americans Ryan Churella (163) and Greg Wagner (264) will also challenge for RPW regional titles. Luke Eustice was an NCAA runner-up for Iowa in 2002 and will compete at 121. Former UNI star Dylan Long will be in the mix at 145.

Successful wrestlers from all collegiate divisions, including Junior College, NAIA as well as NCAA Division II and III, will be looking to make their mark in Season 2 of Real Pro Wrestling.

Also expected to compete are:

121 - Desmond Radunz (Moorehead State University)- 2x DII qualifier, 2x Greco FILA AA, 2x FS AA.

211 - Israel Silva (University Tenn. Chattanooga/Jr College)-2x NJCAA AA, University Nationals Champ

132 - James Rollins (Dana College) - 2002 NJCAA National Champ, 2006 NAIA National Champ

Real Pro Wrestling has the same seven weight classes as international wrestling - 121, 132, 145, 163, 185, 211 and 264.

Athletes can still apply to compete at the North Regional in Mount Vernon by going to www.realprowrestling.com