Jan. 14, 2000

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

Corey Hamrick says he is ready to reach his goal of being named an All-American on the Cowboy wrestling team.

Hamrick burst onto the collegiate wrestling scene for the Pokes as a true freshman, winning 20 matches. A fixture in the Cowboy starting lineup for three years, he compiled an overall record of 61 wins and 46 losses. Last year, Hamrick chose to redshirt and give himself a year off to refine his wrestling technique and to concentrate on academics.

"I wanted another year to mature," Hamrick says. "That way I would have a better chance of becoming an All-American my senior year. Also a factor was my student teaching, I didn't want to compete while I was teaching because I didn't think I'd be able to put my full attention into either one."

The good news for Hamrick during that redshirt year was graduating last spring with a B.S. degree in physical education. He is now working towards a graduate degree in physical education and sports administration. Unfortunately, Hamrick's decision to concentrate more on training didn't go exactly as planned as he struggled to overcome a knee injury and a bout with mononucleosis.

Despite the injury and illness, the Wheatland native has set his sights on an outstanding final year of wrestling in the 133-pound weight class. Hamrick got off to a good start, winning 16 of his first 24 matches to open the 1999-2000 season.