Two Arlington women's wrestling teams had the opportunity to compete next to the nation's top wrestlers last Friday at the Arlington Convention Center.

The City hosted the U.S. Open for men's Greco-Roman and women's freestyle, which is a national qualifying tournament for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials that will be held in Iowa in April of next year.

The high school tournament dubbed the Mrs. Claus Duals, featured three different dual meets where each school wrestled against three other teams. The Mrs. Claus Duals took place on the wrestling mats next to U.S. Open championship matches, allowing fans, parents, and students to watch local high school athletes compete next to the nation's best.

"I think this is fantastic,"Arlington Lamar coach Gordon Stevens said. "It's neat that these girls get to see other women compete at a higher level, especially here [in Arlington]. I think that it can inspire them to go on."

The wrestlers conveyed similar feelings of excitement about competing next to the best of the best.

"It feels awesome," according to Arlington High Schol senior Maryury Garcia. "I feel privileged." Several of her teammates nodded their heads in agreement with the statement.

On top of the U.S. Open competitors being high-caliber wrestlers, the Olympic-qualifying aspect of the tournament made it even more special.

Arlington sophomore Paloma Flores seemed to get goosebumps thinking about it. "It would be a dream to represent your country," she said.

Parents echoed the sentiment of the coaches and high schoolers, too. "I think that's pretty darn cool," said Paula Szmuc, mom of Arlington wrestler Sydney Szmuc.

Arlington, Lamar, and Sam Houston high schools represented the City, while other schools in the Mrs. Claus Duals were Centennial, Coppell, Fossil Ridge, Paschal, Skyline and Azle.