World Champion Kyle Snyder visits Sand Springs Wrestling Tournament

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Sand Springs has more than its fair share of great wrestlers right here in town. Saturday, however, we were blessed with the opportunity to host the youngest FILA junior world champion from America in more than 20 years.

Sand Springs' Team BIG hosted Kyle Snyder as their weekly technician and the champ put on a technique clinic before the Team Big tournament at Ed Dubie Field House Saturday morning. 

Snyder is only 20 years old, and last year he won his title in Las Vegas at only 19. In his first three years of high school he amassed a staggering 179-0 record to win 3 state championships in Maryland. His senior year he decided to forgo high school wrestling and compete internationally as a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

As an Ohio State Buckeye freshman Snyder became the NCAA runner-up. Now Snyder is taking an Olympic red shirt to prepare for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Pictured is Snyder signing autographs for the young people at Saturday's event. The novice portion of the tournament just began at 12:30 so it's not too late to go cheer on Sand Springs's Team Big and meet Snyder.