By Joe Mehling
USA Wrestling
2015 World Team member Erin Clodgo has been a mainstay in the U.S. Women’s Wrestling Program for many years. She has many national accolades, including being a two-time U.S. Open champion and the Dave Schultz Memorial champion. Clodgo feels she is ready to launch herself onto the global stage in 2016.

The Richmond, Vermont native has made her international presence felt already this year as she qualified Team USA for the 2016 Olympic Games after winning gold at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier in Frisco, Texas. Clodgo defeated Katerina Vidiaux Lopez of Cuba in the semifinals to secure the U.S. a spot at 63 kg in Rio De Janeiro.

“My semifinals match against Cuba was against a girl that had beaten me twice,” Clodgo said. “Getting past her was a big step for me because not only did I beat her but I qualified the weight as well. It was a good day considering I had beaten someone I never had beaten before.”

U.S. Women’s National Coach Terry Steiner was impressed with Clodgo on the mat against Vidiaux but even more so by the fact that she stayed zoned-in the entire match.

“She wrestled a great tournament,” Steiner said. “She came out in the right frame of mind and weathered the storm. We focused on defensive position right away and Erin shut her down. She was really strong and didn’t have any lapses. Last year, we had some hesitations and lapses but this year, she came out with an expectation to win and that was all of the difference.”

Read Full Story