US Olympic wrestling trials headed back to Iowa City

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials in returning to Iowa City, Iowa, in 2016.

USA Wrestling spokesman Gary Abbott told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the meet to set the American team headed to the 2016 Rio Games will be held at the University of Iowa next April.

The U.S. staged the trials in Iowa City in 2012 to sellout crowds. That wasn't surprising considering that the Iowa wrestling team, which uses Carver-Hawkeye Arena as its home gym, typically leads the nation in attendance.

''Obviously, we felt the Olympic Trials in 2012 was one of best events we've been involved in,'' Abbott said. ''This is kind of a continuation of a working relationship between USA Wrestling and the people in that community.''

The Americans won a pair of gold medals in London later that year, including a dominant showing by star Jordan Burroughs.

Burroughs is expected to headline the latest crop of wrestlers competing for a spot on the Rio team. London gold medalist Jake Varner should also make the trip to Iowa City, along with past Olympians like Coleman Scott and heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev.

The 2016 Trials also will be the first shot at Olympic spots for a number of up-and-coming stars.

Four-time NCAA champions Kyle Dake and Logan Steiber will likely push for Olympic spots, as will recent collegiate stars Ed Ruth and David Taylor.

A pair of former Hawkeyes, Tony Ramos and Brent Metcalf, will also compete for a trip to Rio. Both topped their weight classes in rankings released in January.