2026 State Leaders Summit & Board of Directors Meeting | August 5–8, 2026

*Tentative Schedule - Subject to Change

About the Presenters

USA Wrestling Officials Development

Stacey Davis, USA Wrestling's Officials Development Program Manager, will share strategies for strengthening and growing the sport's officiating community. He will discuss recruiting and retaining officials, expanding the Referee Coach Education Program (RCEP), and communication strategies that help states build successful officials programs. Drawing on his experience as an Olympic official, international referee, coach, and mentor, Stacey will provide practical ideas and proven approaches that state leaders can apply in their own programs.

Supporting Women in Leadership
Join Katie Kriebel and Joan Fulp as they explore successful state-level models and practical strategies for expanding opportunities for women in wrestling. Hear from a panel of accomplished leaders who will share their unique experiences and perspectives as coaches, officials, and administrators in our sport. This session will focus on fostering the growth and development of women while providing practical ideas that state associations can implement to build stronger leadership pathways. Joan Fulp, Vice President of USA Wrestling and NWHOF Lifetime Service Award winner, has served in grassroots leadership and in the growth of women’s and girls wrestling for decades.  Katie Kriebel earned 2 bronze world medals, coached at all age levels, and now supports athletes off-mat and works to expand opportunities for girls and women in wrestling.

Strengthening Wrestling Through Coach Education
Scott Honecker, USA Wrestling's Educational Programs and Development Manager, oversees the National Coaches Education Program (NCEP) and the development of coaching resources nationwide. Drawing on his experience coaching at the high school, club, collegiate, and international levels, Scott will share how coach education can improve the athlete experience, strengthen clubs, and support the long-term growth of wrestling. Attendees will learn about NCEP, available coaching resources, and practical partnership opportunities to develop coaches and strengthen wrestling throughout their state.

Corporate Communications, Media Operations and Social Media in Wrestling
Join USA Wrestling's Director of Communications, Richard Immel, and Social Media Coordinator, Ariah Anderson-Cheetany, for a practical session on strengthening your organization's communications and media presence. Learn about USA Wrestling's corporate communications strategies and the resources available to support state associations, along with best practices for managing media operations at wrestling events. The session will also explore effective social media strategies, including platform-specific content, audience engagement, measuring success, and real-world examples. Drawing on experience spanning the Olympic Games, national governing bodies, news media, and digital marketing, Richard and Ariah will share proven ideas that state leaders can immediately apply within their own organizations.

USA Bracketing: Where We're Going & Advanced System Training

Join Dave Mathews, Director of Application Development, for an update on the future of USA Bracketing, including the platform's vision, upcoming enhancements, and what's next for tournament management. Then hear from Kera Wenzel of Wyoming, who brings extensive experience managing youth, middle school, and high school wrestling events, as well as regional and national USA Wrestling tournaments using USA Bracketing. Learn how organizations of all sizes leverage the platform's flexibility to streamline registration, configure tournaments, and efficiently manage successful events. Kera will demonstrate advanced features, customization options, and proven best practices for getting the most out of USA Bracketing. You'll gain practical strategies you can apply to your own events and have the opportunity to ask questions during an interactive Q&A with both Dave Mathews and Kera Wenzel.

Governance Best Practices for State Associations
Drawing on more than 40 years of leadership experience with the Boys & Girls Clubs, USA Wrestling state associations, and USA Wrestling's Board of Directors, Bill Crum will share practical governance strategies for building strong, effective organizations. This session will cover board roles and responsibilities, organizational structure, policy development, and leadership best practices that promote accountability, continuity, and long-term success. Attendees will gain valuable insights to strengthen their association's governance and position it for future growth.

State Association Financial Expectations
Join USA Wrestling's Director of Finance & Administration, Greg Dana, and Senior Accountant, Cassidy Casper, for an overview of the financial responsibilities and reporting expectations for state associations. This session will cover financial policies, auditing requirements, best practices for recordkeeping, and key compliance standards to help associations maintain transparency and accountability. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of financial expectations and practical guidance for meeting USA Wrestling's requirements.

Coaching Today's Athlete: Building Resilience Through Wrestling
Veteran coach, author, and motivational speaker Danny Struck will explore the unique challenges facing today's young athletes and share practical strategies for helping young wrestlers navigate adversity, build resilience, and reach their full potential. Drawing on 3 decades of coaching experience, Danny will discuss how wrestling teaches life lessons that extend far beyond the mat—embracing challenges, valuing opportunities, and growing as individuals. A member of the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame, Gold Level USA Wrestling coach, and 22-time Coach of the Year, Danny has coached three World Teams and three Pan American Teams while serving in numerous leadership roles within USA Wrestling and the Indiana wrestling community.

Complimentary E-Bike Rentals & Guided Rides

We will have E-bikes available throughout the event. Please coordinate with Jody Budde to reserve a bike for a group or independent ride on the Santa Fe Trail. Email: jbudde@usawrestling.org.

*Group rides will meet in the northwest corner of the parking lot by the bike rack.

Group Bike Ride

Thursday

• 6:00-7:00 am
• 3:30-4:30 pm
• 4:30-5:30 pm
• 7:30-8:30 pm

Friday

• 6:00-7:00 am

Independent Bike Ride:

• Bikes are available from Wednesday at 4:00 pm to Saturday at 9:00 am, except for group ride times.