For the spectators who filled the Wells Fargo Center twice, Thursday opening day of the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championship, with its 330 athletes and hours of simultaneous matches on eight adjacent mats must have seemed as colorful and chaotic as a Mummers Parade.

But out of their view, in the drab corridor that surrounds the event floor, an equally intriguing activity was taking place. Down there, as wrestlers warmed up and cooled down, weaving in and out of busy black shirted arena workers, the human traffic was hectic and intense.

One defeated wrestler, his singlet top yanked down, slumped against a cinder block wall and verbally lashed himself. Nearby, the winner in an 8 1 match grappled with his coach, trying to correct a weakness.

Warming up, one athlete performed a series of jumping jacks from a squatting position all the while jabbing at an imaginary foe like some sawed off Rocky. Christian Louboutin Replica Others, hands on hips, walked in circles, talking to themselves or inhaling deeply. One 125 pounder got a massage.

Earlier in the day, several wrestlers, their backpacks and nourishment spread out in a remote corner like camping litter, slept. Christian Louboutin Outlet All around them were singlets, sweatshirts, shoes, headgear, half consumed cases of power drinks and water, boxes of energy bars, and a half eaten loaf of white bread.

Traversing the narrow halls wasn't without its risks. A forklift, backing up as it carted an aromatic load of Liscio's rolls, nearly pancaked a wrestler running in the opposite direction. And an unaware athlete collided with a photographer who, Red Bottom Shoes for some reason, was kneeling in the center of the corridor.

Mean faced munchkinsWith weight limits as low as 125 pounds, wrestling is one sport in which you don't have to be large to succeed. That's why the arena teemed with muscular, little men whose faces were as gnarled as Rocky Replica Christian Louboutin Graziano's.

In fact, I hadn't seen that many scowling small people since Pete Rose and Larry Bowa played here, nor that many noses bent out of shape since Billy Packer dissed St. Joseph's top ranked basketball team.

No dress alikesA wrestling crowd is unlike those in baseball in many ways, not the least of which is you don't see any fans wearing singlets with their favorite wrestler's name on the back.

Speaking of the fans, there must not be many Irish wrestlers because there was a distinct lack of green in the stands on St. Patrick's Day.

Arch arroganceSt. Louis, which will host next year's NCAA Wrestling Championship, has set up a booth in the Wells Fargo Center's main concourse. Prominently displayed is a large sign that proclaims the Missouri metropolis: "Championship City."

Is that really justified?

I know the Rams won a Super Bowl in 2000, but they've been more disaster than dynasty ever since. The Cardinals did capture a World Series in 2006, but they continue to be managed by Tony La Russa, which more than negates anything positive. The Blues haven't won a Stanley Cup since Moose Dupont was a calf. And the city hasn't had an NBA team for nearly 50 years.

Wrestling supportersThe event's official program isn't very thick, which isn't at all surprising. Wrestling is a niche sport in the crowded American sports landscape with a cult following.

So what kind of products are advertised in its championship's program?

Here are a few:

Kennedy Industries Inc.: The Leaders in Disinfecting Products for Athletes"

Planters: The Official Nut of the NCAA (Funny, I always thought that was Dick Vitale.)

Princeton Brain and Spine Care: You Only Have One Brain. (Why waste it on wrestling?)

Unilever Deodorant and Body Wash

Dove Deodorant and Body Wash

If you're sensing a trend, you're correct. The sport has a hygiene problem.

Trust me, six or seven minutes of intense tugging, yanking, flipping, grunting, pulling, and pushing sounds like a Brett Myers at bat, no? produces plenty of perspiration and odor. In fact, the only thing that rivals the smell of a wrestling room is a postgame NHL dressing room.