Rush chosen for Olympic training program

Kalispell’s Hunter Rush has been chosen as one of 100 wrestlers in the U.S. to take part in the 2020 Junior Olympic Training Program at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio.

The incoming Flathead High School freshman qualified for the event in April with a third place finish at the National Folkstyle duals in Des Moines, Iowa, amassing six wins and an all-American ranking at the tournament.

Along with the chance to train and compete with the best wrestlers in the nation, he will be learning from the USA Wrestling staff, including former world champion wrestler — and fellow Montanan — Bill Zadick, now the national freestyle development coach for USA Wrestling.

“It’s pretty cool,” Rush said. “I’ve never got to train with them. It’ll be pretty fun.”

The program runs from June 30-July 7 at the new U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training site at the Spire Institute outside of Cleveland. Local businesses Smith Industrial and Stebbins Orthodontics have helped sponsor Rush to cover the cost of the trip.