A big congrats to Jesse Thielke on making his first Olympic Team! He knocked off two returning Olympians! After an amazing performance in his semifinal match against 2 time Olympic and 4 time World team member, Spencer Mango, he handled Uzbekistan's 2008 Olympic Qualifier, Ildar Hafizov, in the best of 3 finals matches to make his first Olympic Team!

Jesse Thielke has been on the Southern Plains staff since 2014. Last summer, he was also on the Junior Duals staff, as well as the Fargo staff. Jesse has had a huge impact on our youth athletes that compete in the summer time.

On behalf of USAWKS, I would like to congratulate him on his amazing feat!

Stay tuned to the Olympic trials and watch Alex Dieringer, another former Southern Plains coach, attempt to make his first Olympic team!