Ramstein Airman selected for Air Force wrestling team

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  • By 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  One Ramstein Airman was selected March 6 to represent the Air Force on the All Air Force Wrestling Team after three weeks of training at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

Staff Sgt. James Hodges, 86th Construction and Training Squadron explosive ordnance disposal contingency training instructor, along with 29 other selectees, attended the Air Force wrestling camp at Mountain Home in late February, battling for spots in the 55-, 60-, 66-, 74-, 84-, 96- and 120-kilogram weight classes.

Out of the 30 competitors, 11 Airmen, including the Shillington, Pa., native, were chosen for the wrestling team.

The competitors trained at Mountain Home at least six days a week with some days running from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The daily regimen included 2-mile runs, weightlifting, wrestling training, drills and workouts meant to build team cohesion.

Along with his 10 teammates, Sergeant Hodges, representing the 74-kilogram weight class, will now face off against the U.S. military's top wrestlers at the Armed Forces Wrestling Championship March 13-15 at Mountain Home. This is the first time the base will host the championship since 2003.

"We feel fortunate and proud to be representing all the men and women in the military, including those who are deployed," said Coach Richard Estrella, who coached the 2008 U.S. Olympic wrestling team. "We really appreciate all the units that allowed their people to participate in the Air Force-sponsored wrestling team."

The 10 other competitors on this year's All Air Force Wrestling Team, their weight class, current unit and hometown are as follows:
-- 2nd Lt. Brandon Wilson; 66 kilograms; Hickam AFB, Hawaii; Colorado Springs, Colo.
-- Staff Sgt. Walter Hoffman; 84 kilograms; Barksdale AFB, La.; Chesapeake Beach, Md.
-- Senior Airman Eddie Fore; 55 kilograms; Fairchild AFB, Wash.; Bonanza, Ore.
-- Senior Airman Tyler Moore; 55 kilograms; Aviano Air Base, Italy; Nampa, Idaho.
-- Senior Airman Nader Maghribi; 96 kilograms; Travis AFB, Calif.; Kennesaw, Ga.
-- Senior Airman Dean Maraj; 66 kilograms; RAF Croughton, United Kingdom; Yucca Valley, Calif.
-- Airman 1st Class Matthew Adams; 60 kilograms; Spangdahlem AB, Germany; Marietta, Ga.
-- Airman 1st Class Kevin Justin; 74 kilograms; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Baltimore.
-- Airman 1st Class Daniel Logsdon; 74 kilograms; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; Amherst, Ohio.
-- Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Zastro; 84 kilograms; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.; Whitewater, Wis.

The 435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs office contributed to this article.