Griffith grad Angel Escobedo makes U.S. Olympic Team Trials, eyes Olympic bid

School's out, but you won't catch Angel Escobedo at the nearest beach, sleeping until noon or laid up in front of the TV.

It's training, training and more training for the former Griffith standout wrestler.

"I definitely don't have much of a social life," Escobedo said. "It's hard to with the schedule I have. I figure if I concentrate on one thing and really focus on it, later in life it will pay off."

In other words, life hasn't changed much for the recent national champion wrestler from Indiana University on or off the mat. Escobedo is still one of the hardest workers you'll find and the same down-to-earth kid he was in high school. Sure, his resume has changed drastically, but the success hasn't gone to his head.

Escobedo recently won the Northern Plains Trials at 121 pounds (55 kg) in Waterloo, Iowa, which automatically qualified him for the 2008 Olympic Team Trials in freestyle.

Next up is a June 14 date in Las Vegas for the Olympic Trials and a shot at the U.S. Olympic Team, which will compete in Beijing in August.

Even with the schedule Escobedo keeps, he's still finding time to visit his old high school next week to put on a camp for his former coach Travis Walls.

"I'd feel guilty if I didn't," said Escobedo, who still isn't 100 percent from a shoulder injury he suffered during the NCAA tournament. "From all the support the town has shown me I have to give back. I'm going to need that support during the Olympic Trials and I know they'll be behind me.

"I can still train (at home), but the level of success I've had I'm hoping I can help some other Region wrestlers. I think if kids know I can do it, they can, too. What has happened to me has changed my whole life. Hopefully I can make a difference."

Walls remembers in late March when Escobedo won the NCAA championship and he called to leave him a message. An hour later, Escobedo returned the call.

"He didn't have to call me back, but that's the type of kid he is," Walls said. "Everything I've asked him to do for the Griffith wrestling program he's done -- without hesitation."

Escobedo's stay won't be long since he has so much on his plate, but he said if he can claim the title in Vegas, he's one step away from the Olympic Team. The winner in Vegas gets a shot at top-ranked Matt Azevedo in a best two-out-of-three competition.

"It's right there," Escobedo said. "Once you qualify and get into this tournament, anything can happen. These guys are all top-level competitors, but I'm pumped and excited for his opportunity. I think I have a great shot at it. I've had a lot of things go my way this year.

"I'm this much closer to representing the United States at the Olympics and it's been my dream since I was a little boy. To be this close is just awesome."