BILLINGS — Angelo Rivera had a sparkle in his eye while talking about Team Montana’s cultural-exchange visit to Germany this summer.
Rivera, now in his second year as the state’s AAU and USAW cultural-exchange wrestling director, will be the team leader as a group of Treasure State wrestlers visits Germany July 23 through Aug. 11.
On Friday morning, Rivera was at First Interstate Arena at MetraPark helping prepare for the 18th annual Montana Open Wrestling Tournament that was to begin later in the day.
While taking a break in between helping to setup mats on the Metra floor, Rivera described what awaits Team Montana. While there will obviously be wrestling duals against the Germans, the cultural-exchange part of the trip is the highlight.
The team will visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, castles, cathedrals, the Mercedes-Benz Museum, the Black Forest, and Europa-Park.
Rivera, who became involved with the cultural-exchange in 2015 while hosting the German wrestlers and coaches and traveling to Germany as one of the Montana team officials, said the trip is both fun and educational. He’ll always remember visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.
“The last time I went I took my son (Aramis) and it was great taking him over there and going to Dachau, the concentration camp,” said Rivera. “I had been there before. Coming out of that, I could see he had a new perspective about human life and humanity.”
This year Aramis will again be traveling to Germany. Rivera’s youngest son, Kaius, will also make the trip.
“You have no idea,” said Rivera when asked if traveling to Germany with his sons would be memorable. “To be able to experience this with my sons and hopefully the next generation of them wanting to go someday as a coach, referee or maybe one day as the team leader. They have friends over there they still communicate with.”
Rivera said visiting the historical and amusement sites and taking in the outdoors were definitely enjoyable. However, his favorite part of the trip is connecting with the German hosts.
“To be honest, the best times are the after-the-wrestling gathering,” he said. “When we get done, they break out the food and it turns into a huge party with singing and dancing.
“Our best times are barbecuing with the host family and socializing. Those are the best times of all.”
Currently, Rivera said he had 14 wrestlers (10 boys and four girls) signed up. He needs one more girl and three other boys wrestlers to complete the team.
Wrestlers from Billings, Helena, Kalispell, Manhattan, Miles City, Missoula and Red Lodge are all currently signed up to be a part of Team Montana.
The fee is $2,600, which includes airfare, a training camp in Billings prior to the trip, and team gear. Wrestlers will stay with host families, who also feed Team Montana, in Germany. Wrestlers will need spending money.
“I absolutely love it,” said Rivera of his experience with the cultural-exchange. “I did not realize how much I would enjoy it. The people we are with enjoy the sport of wrestling as much as I do. They are friendly. I’ve learned a lot going back and forth.”
Last year when the Germans visited Montana was the first time girls matches were contested in the cultural-exchange with the Germans. The Germans had two girls on their roster last season.
The head coach for Team Montana is Mike Etchemendy of Miles City. The assistant coach is Chet O’Shea of Helena and the girls coach is Jayda Fox of Miles City. Rivera is the team leader.
For information on becoming a member of Team Montana, call Rivera at 406-208-8946.
