Michael Gulli, a wrestling athlete and a senior at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School, will be joining a national team of Sports Tours USA athletes competing in Hawaii in July.

Gulli has been wrestling for the last six years, and has been on the varsity team the last four years, two as captain.

Sports Tours USA is the nation's leading provider of international athletic experiences to athletes and their parents. Selected athletes must pass two separate screening criteria before being considered for the team roster. Gulli will dedicate the months prior to travel conditioning for the competition and providing services and volunteering locally in Plainview to help earn the program cost for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Gulli will be competing while learning about the local culture and meeting individuals from around the world. He will also visit historical sights and local attractions providing a well-rounded experience in Hawaii. The Sports Tours USA mission has always been to give American Athletes the opportunity to enrich their lives, attain a sense of global citizenship and enhance their character development.

"This once-in-a-lifetime experience will give me the opportunity to compete in a sport of my passion and interact with students my age while exploring the attractions of Hawaii," said Gulli.

Other accomplishments for Gulli include being a three-time all-conference wrestler, NHSCA National Qualifier, three-time freestyle Qualifier, three time all county freestyle and more than 100 career wins. He also helps coach the POB Middle School and the PAL wresting teams when he is not competing.

Founded in 1984 by a group of coaches dedicated to helping the nation's youth exceed their potential in sports and in life, Sports Tours USA offers 11 different sports to ten different destinations.

Although Gulli is doing as much as he can on his own, funding is difficult. To donate money, or for sponsorship opportunities, please call 822-8219 or mail donations to Gulli at 53 Wallace Drive, Plainview, NY 11803 and checks can be made out to Sports Tours USA with Michael Gulli #81545 written in the memo area.