High school sophomore Jesse Thielke (Germantown, Wis./Ringers) won two straight matches to upset FILA Junior Nationals champion Ryan Mango (St. Louis, Mo./New York AC) to capture the 55 kg/121 lbs. title at the 2009 FILA Junior World Greco-Roman Team Trials, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, May 22.

FILA Junior athletes are from 17-20 years old. This includes many of the nation’s top college underclassmen, as well as the most talented high school athletes. Champions from the FILA Junior World Team Trials earn the right to represent the USA at the FILA Junior World Team Trials in Ankara, Turkey, August 4-9.

The championship finals was a best-of-three series between the FILA Junior Nationals champion and the winner of Friday morning’s Challenge Tournament. All eight of the championship finals were finished in two straight bouts.

Thielke, who is 16 years old and doesn’t turn 17 for another month, has never beaten Mango before, dropping close matches in previous age-group national competitions.

“The first match was the first time I have beaten Ryan. I have lost to him twice,” said Thielke. “I was looking to get a takedown and get on top of him. I stuck with my gut wrenches on top.”

Thielke scored the first points in both periods of the first match to win it in two periods, 4-3, 2-1. The second match went into the deciding third period, and Thielke hit a three-point throw on the edge to score the only points for the win, 0-1, 1-0, 3-0.

“It is a whole new world,” said Thielke of qualifying for the FILA Junior World Team. “I didn’t expect to do as well as I did here.”

Thielke had to win three matches in the ASICS Challenge Tournament to earn the right to face Mango for the championship.

“I was nervous from the first second, during every match. I tried to make as few mistakes as possible. Everything came together for me. It was my day,” said Thielke.

Two members of the 2008 FILA Junior World Greco-Roman Team won their weight classes in two straight periods: Ben Provisor (Stevens Point, Wis./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Peter Kowalczuk, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/ 264.5 lbs. Both entered the event as No. 1 seeds after winning the FILA Junior Nationals in April.

Provisor beat Aaron Briggs (Tucson, Ariz./Adidas USOEC), in two straight, winning 4-0, 1-0 in the first bout and 3-0, 1-0 in the second bout.

“I feel good. I did what I needed to do to make the team. You can’t be upset with that,” said Provisor. “I have a great chance this year. I got a little bigger for 74 kg. I’ve worked on my technique with my coaches. I’ll give it my all.”

Kowalczuk stopped Quintas McCorkle (Alexandria, Va./Clarion WC), scoring a pin in the first match in 1:10 and taking the second match, 1-0, 4-0.

“Last year, I went with high hopes, but it just wasn’t there. I have trained my butt off and I’m getting ready to try to take home the title,” said Kowalczuk. “This team is going to be good. We have a lot of young talent. We have a tough group of guys ready to go.”

At 96 kg/211.5 lbs., Tyrell Fortune (Portland, Ore./Peninsula WC) won both of his finals matches over Kazden Ikehara, Mililani, Hawaii (Falcon Training) by pin. In the first period, Fortune went into the second period before getting the pin, winning 6-0, 0:32. The second match ended quickly, with Fortune pinning Kazden in 12 seconds.

At 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Donald Vinson Jr. (Marathon, N.Y./Shamrock WC) won both of his finals bouts over Patrick Smith, Chaska, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) by technical fall. Vinson won the first bout, 6-0, 6-0 and the second bout, 6-0, 7-0.

Other individual champions earning spots on the U.S. Junior World Team were Max Nowry (Wheeling, Ill./USOEC) at 50 kg/110.25 lbs. and Travis Rutt (New Prague, Wis./Badger WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs.

The World Team member at 60 kg/132 lbs. has not yet been determined. In Greco-Roman, FILA Junior Nationals champions who also placed in the top seven at the U.S. Senior Nationals had the right to delay the best-of-three series to a later date, tentatively set for the middle of June. FILA Junior Nationals champion Jimmy Chase (Carol Stream, Ill./Pinnacle School of Wrestling) has chosen to delay his championship series.

He will face Justin LaValle (Burnsville, Minn./Minnesota Storm), who won his championship series on Friday in two straight matches. LaValle was third at the 2009 FILA Junior Nationals. The date and location of the Special Wrestle-off will be announced shortly.

FILA JUNIOR GRECO-ROMAN WORLD TEAM TRIALS
At Colorado Springs, Colo., May 30-31

Championship Series

50 kg/110.25 lbs - Max Nowry, Wheeling, Ill. (USOEC) dec. Carson Kuhn, Sandy, Utah (Vandit), 2 matches to 0
Nowry dec. Kuhn, 3-0, 7-0
Nowry dec. Kuhn, 2-0, 6-0

55 kg/121 lbs - Jesse Thielke, Germantown, Wis. (Ringers) dec. Ryan Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (New York AC), 2 matches to 0
Thielke dec. Mango, 4-3, 2-1
Thielke dec. Mango, 0-1, 1-0, 3-0

60 kg/132.25 lbs. – Justin LaValle, Burnsville, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Vincente Gallegos, Denver, Colo. (Denver All-Stars), 2 matches to 0
LaValle pin Gallegos, 1:39
LaValle dec. Gallegos, 0-6, 3-2, 2-2

(LaValle to face FILA Junior National champion Jimmy Chase, Carol Stream, Ill. - Pinnacle School of Wrestling in best-of-three series at a later date).

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Donald Vinson Jr., Marathon, N.Y. (Shamrock WC) dec. Patrick Smith, Chaska, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 2 matches to 0
Vinson tech. fall Smith, 6-0, 6-0
Vinson tech. fall Smith, 6-0, 7-0

74 kg/163 lbs. - Ben Provisor, Stevens Point, Wis. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Aaron Briggs, Tucson, Ariz. (USOEC), 2 matches to 0
Provisor dec. Briggs, 4-0, 1-0
Provisor dec. Briggs, 3-0, 1-0

84 kg/185 lbs. - Travis Rutt, New Prague, Wis. (Badger WC) dec. Robert Barbour, Dolton, Ill. (USOEC), 2 matches to 0
Rutt dec. Barbour, 0-2, 2-0, 1-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Tyrell Fortune, Portland, Ore. (Peninsula WC) dec. Kazden Ikehara, Mililani, Hawaii (Falcon Training), 2 matches to 0
Fortune pin Kazden, 6-0, 0:32
Fortune pin Kazden, 0:12

120 kg/ 264.5 lbs. - Peter Kowalczuk, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Quintas McCorkle, Alexandria, Va. (Clarion WC), 2 matches to 0
Kowalczuk pin McCorkle, 1:10
Kowalczuk dec. 1-0, 4-0

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 4:06 PM | Permalink

Byers, Betterman win gold medals at Haparanda Cup in Sweden
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
11/30/2008

HAPARANDA, Sweden – Two U.S. wrestlers captured gold medals in the Haparanda Cup of Greco-Roman wrestling, Nov. 29-30.

Individual champions were 2008 Olympian Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials champion Joe Betterman (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 60 kg/132 lbs.

Byers won three matches during the event, including two against opponents from Russia. In the gold-medal finals, Byers defeated 2007 World Military Games champion Aleksandr Anuchin of Russia.

Byers was a 2002 World champion, and a 2007 World bronze medalist. He placed seventh at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Betterman also won three matches during the competition, including a victory in the gold-medal finals over Maxim Mordovin of Russia, a 2005 European Junior champion.

Betterman won the 60 kg/132 lbs. division at the Olympic Trials, but the U.S. did not qualify to compete at the Olympics at that weight class. He was also a member of the 2007 U.S. World Team.

2008 U.S. Olympian Jake Deitchler (Colorado Springs, Colo./Minnesota Storm) won a bronze medal at 163 pounds, one of three U.S. bronze medalists in the event. Also capturing bronze medals were Chad Vandiver (Colorado Springs, Colo./unattached) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Chas Betts (St. Michael, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 84 kg/185 lbs.

Deitchler had a 3-1 record in the tournament, losing only in the semifinals to Robert Rosengren of Sweden. In the bronze-medal match, Deitchler defeated American Talan Knox (Salt Lake City, Utah/USOEC).

Deitchler is competing up one weight class from where he wrestled at the Olympic Games. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team at the age of 18, and is now a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete.

Vandiver had a 2-1 record in the tournament, defeating American Jeremiah Davis (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in the bronze-medal match. Betts finished with a 2-1 record in the tournament, including a win over 2008 U.S. Nationals champion Brad Ahearn (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in the bronze-medal match.

Four U.S. wrestlers placed fifth after losing bronze-medal matches: Knox, Ahearn, Glen Garrison (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., and Kerry Regner (Darlington, Pa./USOEC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

HAPARANDA CUP
At Haparanda, Sweden, Nov. 29-30

55 kg/121 lbs.
1. Camid Shavev (St. Petersburg/Russia)
2. Denys Zadachyn (Ukraine)
3. Emil Sundberg (Sweden)
3. Eduarnis Telles Zamora (IK Sparta)
5. Niko Ohukainen (Finland)
5. Marcus Puolakanaho (Väsby BK)

60 kg/132 lbs.
1. Joe Betterman (USA)
2. Maxim Mordovin (Russia)
3. Artem Kudyk (Ukraine)
3. Chad Vandiver (USA)
5. Paredes Salazar (Colombia)
5. Jeremiah Davis (USA Army)
7. Donovan Depatto (USA Marines)
8. Anar Zeinalov (Estonia)
9. Vincenzo Marci (Sweden)
10. Ville Kyllönen (KooVee Tampere)

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
1. Vahab Daneshvar (Sweden)
2. Youri Denisov (St. Petersburg/Russia)
3. Mattias Günter (IK Sparta Shoes)
3. Vasily Lukov (Russia)
5. Kerry Regner (USA)
5. Glenn Garrison (USA Army)
7. Mykola Oljynky (Ukraine)
8. CC. Fisher (USA)
9. Lepik Jangus (Estonia)
10. Victor Volfgang (Sweden)

74 kg/163 lbs.
1. Eldar Botashev (St. Petersburg/Russia)
2. Robert Rosengren (Sweden)
3. V-K Suominen (Finland)
3. Jacob Deitcher (USA)
5. Anton Nordström (Luleå BK)
5. Talan Knox (USA)
7. Oskar Rolfs (Karl Gustav Brottning)
8. Henri Välimäki (Finland)
9. Sergiy Proskyra (Ukraine)
10. Juuso Ukkola (Haukiputaan Heitto)

84 kg/185 lbs.
1. Evgeny Bogomolov (Russia)
2. Artyom Stebnev (St. Petersburg/Russia)
3. Fredrik Schön (Sweden)
3. Chas Betts (USA)
5. Igor Luzgin (Russia)
5. Brad Ahearn (USA Army)
7. Jonne Ukkola (Haukiputaan Heitto)
8. Christoffer Ljungbäck (Sweden)
9. Oleksandr Kovalchuck (Ukraine)
10. Aaron Sieracki (USA Army)

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
1. Jimmy Lidberg (Sweden)
2. Rustam Totrov (Russia)
3. Sergiy Rutenko (Ukraine)
4. Jakob Cedergren (Sweden)
5. Heiki Nabi (Estonia)

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
1. Dremiel Byers (USA Army)
2. Aleksandr Anuchin (Russia)
3. Sebastian Lönnborn (Sweden)
3. Alexander Ekimov (Russia)
5. Yevgen Kozlyatin (Ukraine)
6. David Arendt (USA Marines)
7. Madis Sihimets (Estonia)

U.S. performances

60 kg/132 lbs. – Joe Betterman, Chicago, Ill. (New York AC), 1st
WIN Salazar Peredes (Colombia), tech. fall
WIN Artem Kudyk (Ukraine)
WIN Maxim Mordovin (Russia)

60 kg/132 lbs. - Chad Vandiver, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached), 3rd
WIN Anar Zeinalov (Estonia)
LOSS Maxim Mordovin (Russia)
WIN Jeremiah Davis (USA)

60 kg/132 lbs. - Jeremiah Davis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 5th
WIN Vincenzo Marci (Sweden)
LOSS Maxim Mordovin (Russia)
WIN Donovan DePatto (USA)
LOSS Chad Vandiver (USA)

60 kg/132 lbs. – Donovan DePatto, Jacksonville, N.C. (U.S. Marines), 7th
LOSS Maxim Mordovin (Russia)
LOSS Jeremiah Davis (USA)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Glen Garrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 5th
LOSS Vahab Saneshvar (Sweden)
WIN Mykola Oljynky (Ukraine)
LOSS Vasily Lukov (Russia)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Kerry Regner, Darlington, Pa. (USOEC), 5th
WIN Jangus Lepik (Estonia)
LOSS Youri Denisov (St. Petersburg/Russia)
LOSS Gunter Mattias (Sweden)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - C.C. Fisher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached), 8th
WIN Victor Volfgang (Sweden)
LOSS Vasily Lukov (Russia)

74 kg/163 lbs. – Jake Deitchler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm), 3rd
WIN Sergiy Proskura (Ukraine)
WIN Henri Valimaki (Finland)
LOSS Robert Rosengren (Sweden)
WIN Talan Knox (USA)

74 kg/163 lbs. – Talan Knox, Salt Lake City, Utah (USOEC), 5th
LOSS Robert Rosengren (Sweden)
WIN Oskar Rolfs (Karl Gustav)
LOSS Jake Deitchler (USA)

84 kg/185 lbs. – Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 3rd
LOSS Evgeny Bogomolov (Russia)
WIN Jonne Ukkola (Haukiputaan Heitto)
WIN Brad Ahearn (USA)

84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Ahearn, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 5th
WIN Marko Kivimaki (Finland)
WIN Christoffer Ljungback (Sweden)
LOSS Evgeny Bogomolov (Russia)
LOSS Chas Betts (USA)

84 kg/185 lbs. - Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 10th
LOSS Igor Luzkin (Russia)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 1st
WIN Alexander Ekimov (Russia)
WIN Yevgen Kozlyatin (Ukraine)
WIN Aleksandr Anuchin (Russia)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - David Arendt, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines), 6th
LOSS Yevgen Kozlyatin (Ukraine)

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 2:59 PM | Permalink

Japan to replace Russia in Greco-Roman dual in West Orange, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 20
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
11/10/2008

A team from Japan will replace Russia in the Greco-Roman portion of the international dual meet featuring Team USA in West Orange, N.J. on Thursday, November 20.

The U.S men’s freestyle team will still compete against the Russian national freestyle team in this popular competition. This is the second straight year that the USA has competed against top international opponents in dual meet action in New Jersey.

The match will be held at West Orange High School in West Orange, N.J., starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door, $20 for adults and $15 for kids.

The Russian Greco-Roman team notified USA Wrestling this week that it will be unable to attend the dual meet and will also not be able to enter the American Airlines New York Athletic Club International Open the following weekend.

Team Japan has agreed to participate in the dual meet, and will bring five Japanese national champions to the mat to face off with Team USA. Included in this group of athletes are two wrestlers who have placed fifth in the Asian Greco-Roman Championships, Hiroyuki Shimizu at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Mistuhiro Ota at 84 kg/185 lbs.

Completing the seven-athlete lineup will be two athletes from Israel, both who are veteran international competitors, Bronislav Sharovtski at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Vladimir Guralski at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Both have represented Israel at the European Championships as well as the Junior World Championships. Sharovtski also wrestled for Israel in the 2007 Senior World Championships.

The format of the event will be the same as last year, with separate dual meets in freestyle and Greco-Roman. Freestyle and Greco-Roman matches will be alternated, and the final results of the dual meets will not be determined until the end of the evening.

Last year, the United States won the freestyle dual meet over Russia, 14-11, while the USA also won the Greco-Roman dual meet over Romania, 14-12.

The U.S. lineups in both styles are expected to be strong. There are five members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team scheduled for the dual meets: Greco-Roman wrestlers Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./Gator WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and freestyle wrestlers Doug Schwab (Iowa City, Iowa/Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Steve Mocco (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

There will be a local flavor in the dual meet, as well. Mocco, who grew up in North Bergen, N.J., will be joined by Kurt Backes (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids), a native of Neshanic Station, N.J. in the lineup at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Both won prep national titles for Blair Academy. Mocco was a NCAA champion for both the Univ. of Iowa and Oklahoma State, while Backes was a NCAA runner-up for Iowa State.

Another New Jersey legend, Matt Valenti (Newton, N.J./New York AC) may also get an exhibition match in the dual. Valenti won two NCAA titles for the Univ. of Pennsylvania. He was a two-time New Jersey state champion for Kittatiny High School.

Fans are looking forward to another USA vs. Russia freestyle showdown this year, as two of the world’s top powers will battle for bragging rights. The final Russian lineup has not yet been determined in freestyle, but there are expected to be competitors with international success in each weight class.

USA Wrestling’s National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser and National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones will be among the coaches working with Team USA wrestling gear.

The athletes in this dual meet are also expected to compete in the annual American Airlines New York Athletic Club International Championships, scheduled for November 22-23 in New York City. Outstanding international wrestling action in all three Olympic styles will be showcased at the World famous NYAC facility on Central Park South in mid-town Manhattan.

For additional information, contact Sonny Greenhalgh at 973-256-0670 or Stephan Zichella of West Orange High School at 973-476-8782.

TEAM USA VS. RUSSIA FREESTYLE WORLD DUAL MEET
At West Orange, N.J.., Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.

U.S. Freestyle athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. – Nick Simmons, Corvallis, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) and Matt Valenti, Newton, N.J. (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC) and Josh Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) and Bryce Hasseman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Kurt Backes, Neshanic Station, N.J. (Sunkist Kids)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Steve Mocco, N. Bergen, N.J. (New York AC)
Coach – National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Sean Bormet (Naperville, Ill.)

Russian Freestyle athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. – Makhmud Magomedov
60 kg/132 lbs. –Artur Akhmedov, Victor Lebedev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Darsam Dzhaparov, Rafik Alimov
74 kg/163 lbs. – Taymuraz Friev, Magomed Zubairov, Inal Kabolov, Rashid Kurbanov
84 kg/185 lbs. – Petr Tavgazov, Soslan Ktsoev
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Evgeny Kolomiets, Anzor Boltukaev
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Bakhtiar Akhmedov, Soslan Gagloev, Valeriy Bedoev, Alexey Shemarov

TEAM USA VS. JAPAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD DUAL MEET
At West Orange, N.J.., Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.

U.S. Greco-Roman athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. – Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (Gator WC)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Joe Betterman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) and Jake Plamann, Appleton, Wis. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – R.C. Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Pete Kowalczuk, Oak Park, Ill. (Sunkist Kids)
Coaches – National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Assistant National Greco-Roman Coach Momir Petkovic (Colorado Springs, Colo.), USOEC Assistant Greco-Roman Coach Jim Gruenwald (Marquette, Mich.)

Japan Greco-Roman athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. – Kiyoharu Hirao (Japan)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Kosuke Hori (Japan)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Hiroyuki Shimizu (Japan)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Kosuke Sumi (Japan)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Mitsuhiro Ota (Japan)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Bronislav Sharovtsky (Israel)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Vladimir Guralski (Israel)

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 3:06 AM | Permalink

Sam Hazewinkel looking to ascend to top of Greco-Roman ladder
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
11/07/2008

In the photo: Sam Hazewinkel lifts Spenser Mango in the finals of the 2008 Olympic Team Trials. Photo by Tech-Fall.com

Reaching the finals hasn’t been a problem for Sam Hazewinkel at big tournaments.

Capturing a gold medal has.

Hazewinkel has been No. 2 on the U.S. ladder in Greco-Roman wrestling for three of the last four years. He was second in the U.S. World Team Trials in 2005 and 2006 before placing second behind Spenser Mango at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

In between, Hazewinkel placed second as an Oklahoma senior at the 2007 NCAA Championships.

“I’m so tired of getting second at big tournaments,�? Hazewinkel said.

Hazewinkel’s fortunes at big tournaments changed in July when he won a gold medal at the World University Championships in Greece. He won the Greco-Roman title at 55 kg/121 lbs.

“I really wanted to make that Olympic Team – it’s been my dream since I was a real little guy,�? he said. “It was good to get back on the mat after the disappointment of the Trials. Winning the World University title was a real good boost for me. It’s good to go to a big tournament and be able to win. I know I’m right there with everybody else in the World.�?

Hazewinkel is back for another four-year Olympic cycle. He’s been wrestling Greco-Roman full-time for about a year and a half now after completing his college career.

“I’ve improved by leaps and bounds,�? Hazewinkel said. “I learned a lot when I was out in Colorado Springs.�?

Hazewinkel trained at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs earlier this year. He’s now training and coaching at the brand-new Prodigy Training Center in Springboro, Ohio, located between Dayton and Cincinnati. Ryan Root, who wrestled for Penn State, runs the club.

Hazewinkel said he is training primarily with college teammate and two-time NCAA champion Teyon Ware, who is planning to switch to Greco-Roman from freestyle this season. He’s being coached by past U.S. Olympian Kevin Bracken. He also is coaching young wrestlers in the club. Past NCAA champion Matt Lackey and past World Team member Mary Kelly also are working as coaches with the Prodigy club.

“Everything is going real well – I’m enjoying it out here,�? Hazewinkel said. “It’s a good environment for me. It was a great deal for me to make a little money and be able to train. It’s a chance for me to teach some young kids and give back to the sport.�?

Hazewinkel started the 2007-08 season with a win over Spenser Mango in the finals of the Sunkist Kids International Open. But Mango went on to make the Olympic Team

Mango beat Hazewinkel in the semifinals of April’s U.S. Nationals. Mango then followed by sweeping Hazewinkel in the best-of-3 finals series at June’s Olympic Trials.

Hazewinkel knocked off three-time World Team member Lindsey Durlacher in the semifinals of the Olympic Trials. Durlacher placed third in the World in 2006 and fifth in 2007.

The 24-year-old Hazewinkel and the 22-year-old Mango could meet a couple of times in the next few weeks. Both are expected to compete in the New York AC International and in the Henri Deglane International in France. Mango placed eighth in the 2008 Olympic Games.

“Spenser and I go back and forth all the time,�? Hazewinkel said. “He’s got me the last couple of matches. He’s a great competitor, and I always look forward to wrestling him. There is nobody in the World I don’t think I can beat, including Spenser.�?

U.S. National Coach Steve Fraser worked with Hazewinkel during his time in Colorado.

“Sam Hazewinkel is one of our up-and-coming Greco stars,�? Fraser said. “He is a very talented Greco-Roman wrestler, and with continued training and competition Sam will be a World contender on the Senior level, for sure. He has proved his skills by winning the World University Championships this past summer. The key for Sam will be to get in the right training atmosphere with great training partners and coaches that will push him on a daily basis. His chances to be one of the best in the country and the World are great!�?

Covering everything from wrestling to the 2009 Taxes.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 6:41 AM | Permalink

U.S. wins three Greco-Roman medals at CISM Military World Championships in Croatia
Van Stokes USA Wrestling
09/05/2008

Greco-Roman wrestling was completed at the 26th Military World Wrestling Championships in Split, Croatia Friday.

The Islamic Republic of Iran won three gold medals and a silver, while USA wrestlers garnered one silver and two bronze medals.

Organized by the Conseil Internationale du Sport Militare, known as CISM, over 20 sports are conducted annually with the motto of "Friendship Through Sports." The wrestling compeition featured the top military wrestlers from 24 countries.

In 66 Kg., SPC Faruk Sahin, of the Army's World World Class Athlete Program at Fort Carson, Colorado, took the silver medal after losing the championship bout to Afshin Biabanger, of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 0-5, 0-5. Both periods were scoreless after the first minute. Sahin was in the down position first in each period, and Biabanger took full advantage of Sahin with a lift and throw in each period for the margin of victory .

Sahin gained the championship bout by beating Mykola Savchenko, Ukraine, 1-1, 2-1 in the qualification round. Later, Sahin needed all three periods to defeat Hyouk Eom, Korea, 3-4, 5-2, 3-0.

At 55Kg., SPC Jermaine Hodge won the bronze medal by defeating Song Buer, China, 0-2, 4-2, 3-0. Hodge lost his opening bout to Gyu-Jin Choi, Korea, 1-3, 0-3. Choi, the gold medalist in the competition, pulled Hodge into the Repechage bout for the bronze against Buer, who lost to Choi in the semi-final bout.

Against Buer, the first minute of each period was scoreless. Hodge lost the draw in each of the three periods but seemed undaunted in the down position. Buer gained an exposure with a gut wrench and went on to win the first period. In the second period, Hodge lost two points when he was unable to execute the start, but quickly gained them back by turning Buer for two, and then hitting a high gut wrench for the margin.

The final period belonged to Hodge who was placed down first, and then kept Choi from scoring. Hodge picked up two more points when Buer was penalized for the start.

The other bronze medal was earned at 74 Kg. by SGT James Shillow, USMC, who beat Ju Bo of China, 7-0 in the first period. Bo was knocked out of the bout by a separated shoulde after Shillow stuck two gut wrenches and a tilt in the first period.

SPC Aaron Sieracki, Army, lost his bronze medal match at 84 Kg. to Jan Fischer, Germany, 1-1, 0-4, 1-2. Sieracki beat Antti Hakala, Finland, 1-1, 2-1, to gain the medal match

At 96 Kg., SSG Deon Hicks of the Army was eliminated from medal contention in his first match, when he lost to Yasin Deliktas, Turkey, 2-2, 1-3.

At 60 Kg. SGT Donovan Depatto, USMC, defeated Alijaksandr Ruchko, Belarus, 3-0, 0-3, 1-1, before losing his quarterfinal bout to Artem Kudyk of Ukraine, 0-4, 0-6. Depatto was tossed in each period, and finished the competition out of medal contention.

At 120 Kg., SGT David Arendt, USMC, lost his opening bout to Hay Devender of India, 6-0, 1-2, 2-3, who subsequently lost in the semi-finals to the eventual gold medalist, Oleksandr Chernetskyi of Ukraine.

SSG Shon Lewis, of the Army, and the Head Coach of the Armed Forces Team, had high praise for the quality of the competition.

"As I watched the guys warm up, I am looking at four or five European or World Medalists," said Lewis. "This is an international first class tournament. I can't stress enough how tough it is."

When looking at the USA wrestlers, Lewis noted, "This is big for them because this is at such a high level. They need these international matches. This is huge."

Freestyle competition will be conducted on Saturday and Sunday.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 3:28 PM | Permalink

The 2008 US Olympic Wrestling Team biographies are up along with wrestling videos for each athlete and their respective competion.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 3:18 PM | Permalink

U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman Team arrives in Beijing
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
08/02/2008

BEIJING, China - T.C. Dantzler has waited a long time for this moment.

Even though he was a little groggy from the marathon, 12-hour flight from San Francisco to Beijing, Dantzler was all smiles as he walked through Beijing Capital International Airport late Saturday afternoon.

The 37-year-old Dantzler has made the last five U.S. World Teams, but this is his first trip to the Olympic Games. He is scheduled to compete in the Olympics on Aug. 14 at the China Agriculture University Gymnasium.

Dantzler and the U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestlers and coaches were the first American wrestling team to arrive in Beijing. The men's and women's freestyle teams are due in next week.

"Man, it's very exciting to be here and everybody is excited about bringing home that gold medal," Dantzler said. "Now that I'm here in Beijing, I can't wait to get out there and compete. I'm ready to go."

Brad Vering has been here before, but his trip to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece ended in a first-round loss. The 30-year-old Vering has improved considerably since then.

Vering won a World silver medal last year at 84 kg/185 lbs. in leading the U.S. to its first-ever team title in Greco-Roman.

"It's rejuvenating to get here," Vering said. "It's been a long trip, but it's everything we've been expecting and more since we got here. It's just beautiful. Now is when you start really realizing you're an Olympian and this is it. You're here and you're ready to compete. Once we get a little bit of rest and get ready to roll, we're 10 days out from competing."

The U.S. Greco-Roman Team is scheduled to hold its first practice in Beijing on Sunday afternoon. The team will practice at Beijing Normal University, where a number of American Olympic squads are practicing.

The U.S. team is coached by a pair of Olympic champions in U.S. National Coach Steve Fraser and Assistant National Coach Momir Petkovic.

Fraser became the first U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman champion in 1984 in Los Angeles.

"We're feeling good, and we're excited to get acclimated and get going," Fraser said. "There is a special feeling you get from taking part in an Olympic Games. We're ready to do well and have a great performance."

Petkovic won an Olympic gold medal for the former Yugoslavia at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada.

"This obviously is a huge event - it only comes along every four years so there is a lot at stake," Petkovic said. "We have a little bit younger team, but our team is real solid. We just have to go out there and keep our focus, and good things will happen."

The Greco-Roman team traveled on the same flight with U.S. Olympians in women's volleyball and track and field.

The U.S. Greco-Roman squad will compete on Aug. 12-14. Spenser Mango will compete at 55 kg/121 lbs. on Aug. 12. Jake Deitchler (66 kg/145.5 lbs.) and Dantzler will wrestle on Aug. 13. Vering, Adam Wheeler (96 kg/211.5 lbs.) and Dremiel Byers (120 kg/264.5 lbs.) are scheduled to wrestle on Aug. 14.

"We have a real nice mix of veterans and young guys on this team," Fraser said. "These young guys bring a lot to this team. This team has real good chemistry and gets along real well with each other. We're working real hard and everybody has the same mission. So it's been great."

The U.S. hopes to carry the momentum of winning the 2007 World Team title into the competition in Beijing.

"We're the defending World champions and we feel good about that," Fraser said. "But we're not taking anything for granted. I believe that every guy on our team, all six guys, can win a medal. They're going to have to bring their 'A' game and wrestle like they've never wrestled before. I'm confident we have great potential to do very well here, we just have to go out and do it."

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 2:41 PM | Permalink

High School Wrestling is a family sport and it is common for younger brothers of successful wrestlers to carry on tradition on the mat. Growing up around wrestling often gives the little brother an edge in their own athletic career.

On the flip side, there is often additional pressure on young athletes who are trying to follow in their brother’s footsteps.

Competing in his first Cadet National Championships in Fargo this weekend is Mark Grey of New Jersey. If you remember the name, it is because his older brother Mike has been in the wrestling news for many years.

Mike Grey became the first wrestler to win four New Jersey state high school titles. He was a Junior National freestyle champion after his junior year. Last year as a freshman, Mike was an All-American for Cornell.

In his own right, Mark has won numerous USA Wrestling Kids national titles, and made a big step this spring by winning a title at the FILA Cadet Nationals in Akron. In spite of having come to Fargo to watch his brother, this is Mark’s first time competing in the FargoDome as a first-year Cadet. His debut came today in Greco-Roman.

John Grey, Jr., who is a brother older than both Mike and Mark, is one of New Jersey’s coaches and state leaders. He has helped Mark throughout his career, and will be in his corner as he seeks to make his name here in Fargo. Mark’s career began at the age of four as he followed his brother Mike to wrestling events.

“He has always enjoyed the sport, and is eager to learn new stuff,�? said John Grey, Jr. “He likes this kind of wrestling more, even at a young age. He likes doing freestyle and Greco-Roman.�?

Older brother John understands that it isn’t easy being the kid brother in a wrestling family, but is proud of how well Mark has done handling the pressures.

“He is different from Mike. He has different goals within wrestling. Mike wanted to be the first four-time state champion. Mark wants to win Fargo in both styles and wants to win the Olympics. His goals are more with the international styles,�? said John Grey.

Mark admitted to his parents today that he was a little nervous, even though he had been to Fargo to see Mike wrestle in the past. John said his brother had some butterflies as he went to his first day competing at Cadet Nationals.

Mark won his first two matches by technical fall, beating Bronson Ashijan of Nevada, 6-0, 7-0 and Zack Vesta of Kansas, 6-0, 8-0 then stopped Nathan Kraisser of Maryland, 7-0, 5-0.

“He doesn’t want to follow in Mike’s footsteps. He wants to make a name for himself. The way he sees it, he is doing his own thing. He wants to be himself,�? said John Grey, Jr.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 12:53 PM | Permalink

Olympian Spenser Mango overcomes obstacles to excel
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
07/14/2008

It was the biggest moment of Spenser Mango’s wrestling life, so far, and there was no question who he wanted to share it with.

Just moments after making the U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman wrestling on June 13 in Las Vegas, the 21-year-old Mango glanced up into the crowd and made eye contact with his mother, Deborah.

Not exactly sure if he was going to get into trouble for running up into the stands, Mango quickly glanced at U.S. Army coach Shon Lewis.

Lewis knew exactly what was going on and nodded toward Mango, who then darted straight up the stairs at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center. He landed directly in the arms of a lady wearing a brand-new gold dress.

“My mom, she means so much to me, I can’t even put it into words,�? Mango said. “She sacrificed as much as I did for this to happen. She put just as much work in as I did. I can never thank her enough for all she’s done for me.�?

No words were exchanged between mother and son. None were needed. Their emotional embrace was the culmination of years of sacrifice and overcoming their share of adversity.

It was more than 15 years ago when 5-year-old kindergarten student Spenser Mango was getting dressed for school in a rough section of St. Louis where the family lived.

There was a knock at the front door and a policeman was standing on the other side of the door. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Spenser’s father, Thomas, 32, who worked as a pipe fitter, had been shot and killed. He was gunned down while walking to his car as he prepared to go to work that day.

They never found the person who did it.

“It was a rough time,�? Spenser said. “I remember my mom crying and going crazy. My uncle came and got me and took me and my sister to school that day. The whole day I remember the teachers looking at me weird. I didn’t know exactly what had happened to my dad until I got home from school.�?

Deborah said the incident is still puzzling to their family.

“I heard the gunshots,�? she said. “But we lived in a neighborhood where gunfire was nothing out of the ordinary. About 6:15 that morning, a police officer knocked on the door and asked if I knew Thomas Mango. He wasn’t robbed or anything. They left his wallet, his watch, his ring, everything. They didn’t take anything, except his life.�?

An enormous burden fell on Deborah with three young children to raise by herself. Spenser’s sister, Natasha, was 7 at the time. Spenser’s younger brother, Ryan, was just 13 months old.

One of the people who provided Deborah comfort was her young son, Spenser.

“We were at the funeral home and Spenser came up and put his arm around me and said, ‘Don’t worry Mom, everything is going to be all right,’�? she said. “I’ll never forget that. For someone his age to say that is pretty amazing. Spenser’s a pretty special kid. He’s always looked out for Ryan and been a great mentor to him.�?

Shortly after his father died, Spenser and his family moved in with his grandmother. They lived in the upstairs of the home.

Deborah Mango, a Registered Nurse, eventually moved her young family out of the city and into the St. Louis suburbs.

She worked nights, as she still does now, to be able to stay involved in her kids’ lives and activities during the day. She enrolled her children in private schools and encouraged them to become involved in athletics.

“It was the kids that helped me cope with everything,�? Deborah said. “I had to stand up and be strong for them.�?

Deborah has taken Spenser and Ryan, who has won a number of USA Wrestling national age-group titles, all over the country to wrestle in tournaments.

Spenser didn’t start wrestling until his freshman year of high school.

“When Spenser first started wrestling, he took some pretty good beatings from the guys he was going against,�? Deborah said. “He would come home with a black eye or a bloody lip or scars on his face. But he kept working and eventually he didn’t have any scars. Just by looking at his face, I could tell he was getting better.�?

Spenser won Missouri state titles at 103 and 112 pounds his final two years of high school, but was undersized and drew little recruiting attention from colleges.

He signed with NCAA Division II Truman State in Missouri, but never competed there. He instead joined the Greco-Roman program at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University.

The move to the USOEC has paid huge dividends for Mango. He won a World University title and a Junior World bronze medal in 2006. He placed second in the 2007 U.S. World Team Trials.

“We have great coaches and great workout partners at the USOEC,�? said Mango, who competes for the Gator Wrestling Club. “We have some tough young wrestlers in our room who want to be Olympic and World champions.�?

Mango knocked off three-time U.S. World Team member Lindsey Durlacher in April’s U.S. Nationals before winning June's Olympic Trials at 55 kg/121 lbs. Durlacher was a World bronze medalist in 2006 and placed fifth in the World in 2007.

“To know somebody you’ve had success against has placed high in the World,�? Mango said, “it’s definitely a confidence-booster.�?

Mango served as a training partner in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 2007 U.S. squad that won the Greco-Roman team title at the World Championships for the first time.

“I’ve sat back and watched the World Championships for a couple of years now,�? he said. “Now I finally get my shot. I plan on bringing back a gold medal from the Olympics.�?

The 5-foot-2 Mango is one of the most athletic American wrestlers in any style.

“Spenser has won two World-level medals in his age division and now has beaten World bronze medalist Lindsey Durlacher,�? U.S. National Coach Steve Fraser said. “I think this proves Spenser is for real. He is very talented, extremely powerful and very fast. Spenser needs to focus on refining his skills and managing his weight properly as he prepares for the Olympics. The key for Spenser to win an Olympic medal is to go out there with confidence and poise and give it his all. He has great potential to be an Olympic gold medalist.�?

Mango survived a huge scare in the Olympic Trials in the semifinals. Mango was caught and thrown in the first period by high-schooler Jimmy Chase. Mango recovered to win the final two periods to advance to the finals.

Chase went on to place a surprising fourth at the Trials.

“He definitely caught me sleeping on that reverse lift,�? Mango said. “That throw definitely woke me up. He just planted me straight down and I landed on the top of my head. I spit out my mouthpiece, went back to the corner and I had to turn it up when I got back out there.�?

Mango came back to sweep another top young Greco-Roman prospect, Sam Hazewinkel, in the best-of-3 finals series. Hazewinkel, who won a World University title this past weekend, beat Durlacher in the semifinals of the Olympic Trials. Durlacher came back to place third before peeling off his wrestling shoes and retiring.

“Lindsey and Sam are both great wrestlers,�? Mango said. “We knew whoever came out of our weight class at the Trials would be a medal contender.�?

Mango will spend much of July training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

“I need to get some more video of the opponents I will see in Beijing,�? Mango said. “I never watch video of my opponents, so this is something new for me. I don’t want to be surprised by anything when I get over to the Olympics.�?

Ryan Mango will be a senior in high school next season in St. Louis. He has already won two state titles and is a top recruit. Ryan could end up following his brother to Northern Michigan or he could end up wrestling at a top NCAA Division I school.

“Ryan’s so much better than I was at his age,�? Spenser said. “I try to help him out any way I can. By 2012, I hope he’s on the Olympic Team with me.�?

Being on the 2008 Olympic Team has not totally sunk in yet for Spenser.

“It still feels kind of like a dream to me,�? he said.

Deborah says she will be wearing the same gold dress she wore at the Trials when she watches her son in Beijing.

“When Spenser ran up and hugged me at the Trials, it was great,�? she said. “I can’t even use words to describe what it was like. His dream was to become an Olympian. He’s worked so hard to get there.�?

Spenser is hoping a scenario similar to the Olympic Trials unfolds after his final match at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

His mother will be there. So will his grandmother, his brother and his mother’s boyfriend, Orvelle Hughes.

Spenser said he doesn’t have anything planned if he strikes Olympic gold, but you can imagine his eyes will be fixed on his mother.

“After I won in Vegas, she told me she was proud of me and she knew I could do it,�? Mango said. “Then she said, ‘You have another tournament to go and you have another gold medal to win.’ It would be amazing to share that moment with her if I win the Olympics. It will mean a lot to have her in Beijing. I owe her so much for everything.�?

Spenser will carry his father’s name, Thomas, into the Olympic Games with him. Spenser’s middle name is Thomas.

“I know Thomas would be very, very proud of Spenser,�? Deborah said. “He would be so happy. I know he’s looking down on Spenser from Heaven and he’s proud of his son. Very proud.�?

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 3:00 PM | Permalink

U.S. fails to win a medal in Greco-Roman on final day of University World Championships
USA Wrestling
07/13/2008

THESSOLONIKI, Greece – The United States fell short of winning a medal in Greco-Roman wrestling on Sunday as the University World Championships concluded.

Americans Donovan DePatto, Cheney Haight and Robbie Smith each came up short of placing.

American Sam Hazewinkel won a gold medal on Saturday at the University World Championships and teammate Peter Kowalczuk won a bronze.

UNIVERSITY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Wrestled in Red/Blue Wrestling Singlets
THESSOLONIKI, GREECE

60 kg/132 lbs. - Donovan DePatto, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps)
LOSS Ede Komaromi (Hungary), 0-2 0-3

74 kg/163 lbs. - Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (USOEC/New York AC)
WIN Jonne Ukkola (Finland), 4-0 5-0
LOSS Sahin Ramazan (Turkey), 0-6 1-3

96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
WIN Slaven Dokmanac (Serbia), 3-0, 1-1, 1-1
LOSS (Turkey), 1-3, 2-1, 1-3

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 12:38 PM | Permalink

Stephany Lee wins gold medal, U.S. wins team title at University World Championships
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
07/11/2008

THESSOLONIKI, Greece – American Stephany Lee won a gold medal to lead the United States to the women's freestyle team title on Friday night at the University World Championships.

It was Lee’s second World University title in women's freestyle wrestling. She also won this event in 2004. Lee (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) competes at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

Also for the U.S., Sara Fulp-Allen (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) won a silver medal at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.

Americans Alaina Berube (River Falls, Wis./New York AC) and Othella Lucas (San Diego, Calif./New York AC) each won bronze medals. Berube competes at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Lucas wrestles at 59 kg/130 lbs.

Chelynne Pringle (Hugo, Minn./Minnesota Storm) placed fifth at 55 kg/121 lbs.

Americans Katherine Fulp-Allen and Elena Pirozhkov won individual World titles on Thursday night.

The Greco-Roman competition is scheduled to start Saturday. Americans Sam Hazewinkel (Norman, Okla./Gator WC), Jacob Curby (LaGrange, Ill./USOEC/Gator WC), Chas Betts (St. Michael, Minn./USOEC/Minnesota Storm) and Peter Kowalczuk (Oak Park, Ill./USOEC) are scheduled to compete.

Hazewinkel wrestles at 55 kg/121 lbs., Curby is at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Betts is at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Kowalczuk competes at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

More information on the women's competition will be posted when it becomes available.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 12:33 PM | Permalink

Roster for 2008 United States Olympic Team in men's freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's freestyle wrestling
USA Wrestling
07/15/2008

2008 U.S. Olympic Team

Men’s freestyle

55 kg/121 lbs. – Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

Olympic Coaches – Kevin Jackson (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Kerry McCoy (College Park, Md.), Lee Kemp (Alpharetta, Ga.)

Olympic Team Leader – Steve Silver (Forney, Texas)

Wrestling videos of the event will be available as the Olympics roll out. The new Olympic wrestling shoes are to be released August 1st, just in time for the Olympics

Greco-Roman

55 kg/121 lbs. – Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (Gator WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jake Deitchler, Ramsey, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
74 kg/163 lbs. – T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Adam Wheeler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

Olympic Coaches – Steve Fraser (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Rich Estrella (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Jay Antonelli (Chesapeake, Va.)

Team Leader – John Bardis (Alpharetta, Ga.)

Women’s freestyle

48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Randi Miller, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Gator WC)

Olympic Coaches – Terry Steiner (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Tadaaki Hatta (Elyria, Ohio)

Team Leader – Stan Zeamer (Manheim, Pa.)

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 1:53 PM | Permalink

The 2008 Olympic Wrestling Team has been announced, check out their profiles and related videos at TheWrestlingTalk.com

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 11:48 PM | Permalink

Shocker at Trials
The most surprising member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, 18-year-old Jake Deitchler makes his Olympic and major international senior tournament debut in Beijing. He pulled off the biggest upset of the 2008 U.S. Olympic wrestling trials by winning the 66kg/145.5 lbs division. Deitchler defeated 32-year-old Faruk Sahin in the final, but his most shocking victory came in the semifinals, when he dispatched 24-year-old rising star, Harry Lester, a two-time Worlds bronze medalist. In every match he competed at Trials, Deitchler lost the first period before needing back-to-back wins to advance. And against Sahin in the final, which was contested as a best-of-three series, Deitchler lost the opening period of the first two matches, but came back to win both and claim the series -- and secure the Olympic berth.
Fresh out of high school, Deitchler picked up Greco-Roman wrestling only two years ago.

Fresh out of high school, Deitchler picked up Greco-Roman wrestling only two years ago.

Shocker at Nationals
Deitchler will become only the third high school wrestler to compete on an Olympic team, according to USA Wrestling. Greco-Roman wrestler Mike Farina qualified in 1976 and freestyle wrestler Jimmy Carr qualified in 1972. That Deitchler won Trials, however, is not all that surprising considering he was the runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Nationals, his first senior U.S. championships. In fact, he pinned Sahin at Nationals before losing to Mark Rial in the final. Lester did not compete at the tournament.

High school phenom
Deitchler finished his senior year at Anoka (Minn.) High School in April, about a month early to allow more training time for Trials. It's that passion and desire that convinced former Olympic medalist Brandon Paulson to coach Deitchler. A fellow Minnesota native and Anoka High alum, Paulson was the 1996 Olympic silver medalist in Greco-Roman's 55kg/121 lbs. weight class. The two began working together in 2004, soon after Paulson was eliminated in the final of that year's Olympic Trials. And Deitchler is following a career path increasingly similar to Paulson's. Both are three-time state champions from Anoka High; Deitchler ended his prep career with a 111-match unbeaten streak. Paulson became the first high school wrestler ever to make the senior national team when he qualified for the 1992-93 season; Deitchler joined the senior team weeks after high school. And Paulson went on to the University of Minnesota, where Deitchler has committed for the fall.

Greco newbie
As the 2006 and 2007 World bronze medalist, Lester had been favored to win Trials, and was considered one of the U.S.'s best medal hopes. But now the U.S. will have Deitchler at 66kg. Because of the kid's young age, Paulson says he doesn't yet have his "man strength." So to compensate, Deitchler is a lot more active on the mat than most Greco-Roman wrestlers are used to. In high school "folkstyle" wrestling, holds below the waist are allowed and scrambling is commonplace. So while he can't execute leg moves in Beijing, he does plan to use his youth and exuberance to wear his opponents out. Because Greco-Roman wrestling is not competed in high school, Deitchler began practicing it only two years ago.

Beijing preview
Prior to his Olympic berth, Deitchler's more realistic goal was winning a junior world championship. Last fall, he competed at the junior Worlds in Beijing, and though he lost his first match of the tournament, he was given an early preview of the arena in which he'll compete in August. Upon returning home, Deitchler had tattooed under his right armpit two Chinese characters that stand for "God, warrior, wrestler.''

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 3:58 PM | Permalink

Top U.S. wrestlers set to take down competition at University Worlds July 9-13 in Greece
Elizabeth Wiley USA Wrestling
07/07/2008

The USA Wrestling University World Teams will travel to Thessoloniki, Greece for the University World Championships July 9-13.

Men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle wrestling teams will all compete against some of the best in the world at the competition.

Jake Herbert is the only returning competitor on the men’s freestyle team. A bronze medalist at last year’s competition, Herbert will provide leadership and experience for the team as he competes at 84 kg/185 lbs.

“Herbert is a returning bronze medalist,�? Freestyle Developmental Coach Dave Bennett said. “He knows what he needs to do. We’re expecting a good performance.�?

Joining Herbert on the freestyle team are Brad Pataky at 55 kg/121 lbs., Reece Humphrey at 60 kg/132 lbs., Josh Churella at 66 kg/145.5 lbs, Keith Gavin at 74 kg/163 lbs., Brendan Jones at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Tervel Dlagnev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. All six of these wrestlers are making their first trip to compete at University Worlds.

“My goal for this team is to come back with seven gold medals and I think it’s a goal for them, too,�? said Bennett. “That may not happen, but we have to go in believing all things are possible.�?

The men’s freestyle team will be coached by Lou Rosselli and Wes Hand. Dave Bennett is serving as team leader for the trip.

The Greco-Roman squad features two wrestlers who just missed out on berths to the 2008 Olympic Games, as well as a number of other talented athletes.

“(Sam) Hazewinkel competed at the Olympic Team Trials and was one match from making the Olympic Team,�? Greco-Roman Developmental Coach Ike Anderson said. “I’m excited about him.�?

Sam Hazewinkel lost to Spenser Mango in the Championship Series at 55 kg/121 lbs. while Cheney Haight finished behind T.C. Dantzler at 74 kg/163 lbs.

“I expect Cheney Haight to be able to medal,�? said Anderson. “Again he was one match from making the Olympic Team against T.C.�?

Another top contender for the Greco-Roman team is Chas Betts. Betts was a silver medalist at the 2006 University World Championships and hopes to medal again in 2008.

The rest of the team is Donovan Depatto at 60 kg/132 lbs., Jacob Curby at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., and Robbie Smith at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. The heavyweight contender has not yet been determined for the U.S.

Eric Wetzel and Gary Mayabb will coach the Greco-Roman team.

The women’s side features seven athletes that took part in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and should be incredibly competitive in Greece.

Three wrestlers on the team also competed at the 2006 World University Championships. Alaina Berube was a bronze medalist at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. two years ago. Joining her from that squad are Sara Fulp-Allen at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Othella Lucas at 59 kg/130 lbs.

Rounding out the women’s team are Katherine Fulp-Allen at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Chelynne Pringle at 55 kg/121 lbs., Elena Pirozhkov at 67 kg/147.5 lbs., and Stephany Lee at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

Serving as coaches for the women’s freestyle team are Shannyn Gillespie and Trevor Keifer.

University World Championships
Thessoloniki, Greece

Men’s Freestyle:
55 kg: Brad Pataky, Clearfield, Pa. (New York AC)
60 kg: Reece Humphrey, Indianapolis, Ind. (Ohio State)
66 kg: Josh Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
74 kg: Keith Gavin, Factoryville, Pa. (New York AC)
84 kg: Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC)
96 kg: Brent Jones, Burke, Va. (Cavalier WC)
120 kg: Tervel Dlagnev, Arlington, Texas (Loper WC)

Coach: Lou Rosselli
Coach: Wes Hand
Team Leader: Dave Bennett

Greco-Roman:
55 kg: Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC)
60 kg: Donovan Depatto, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corp)
66 kg: Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (USOEC/GatorWC)
74 kg: Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (USOEC/New York AC)
84 kg: Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (USOEC/Minnesota Storm)
96 kg: Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
120 kg: TBD

Coach: Eric Wetzel
Coach: Gary Mayabb

Women’s Freestyle:
48 kg: Sara Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
51 kg: Katherine Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
55 kg: Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
59 kg: Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
63 kg: Alaina Berube, River Falls, Wis. (New York AC)
67 kg: Elena Pirozhkov, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
72 kg: Stephany Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

Coach: Shannyn Gillespie
Coach: Trevor Keifer

Generally in exchanges like this the US Team brings along wrestling gear to give to other nations.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 6:01 PM | Permalink

Scanlan, Cone, Mason capture USA Wrestling Triple Crowns
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
07/04/2008

OREM, Utah – Iowa’s Joe Scanlan became USA Wrestling’s first 2008 Triple Crown winner on Friday.

Scanlan claimed the 175-pound Schoolboy championship in freestyle to clinch his coveted Triple Crown on Friday afternoon at Utah Valley University’s McKay Events Center. Scanlan swept Utah’s Andrew DuBose 6-0, 3-0 in the finals.

A short time later, Wisconsin’s Ryan Cone won a Triple Crown of his own. Cone completed his Triple Crown by winning the Schoolboy National title in freestyle at 152 pounds. Cone rallied past runner-up Matt Reed of Kansas 2-6, 1-0, 4-3. Eric Mason of Kansas also became a Triple Crown winner in the Schoolboy class at 210.

Triple Crowns are being won this weekend during the USA Wrestling Kids National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships. A number of wrestlers are still eligible to win Triple Crowns during the final day of the tournament on Saturday.

This is the final event in the quest for the 2008 USA Wrestling Kids Triple Crown. Each year, USA Wrestling honors athletes who are able to win national titles at their age-level in all three styles: folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle.

The nation’s best 9-14 year old wrestlers are battling for national titles and All-American honors in three age-divisions: Midget (9-10), Novice (11-12) and Schoolboy/girl (13-14).

Scanlan, Cone and Mason won Schoolboy National titles in Greco-Roman on Thursday. They each won Schoolboy National titles in folkstyle in April in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Competition is scheduled to resume on Saturday at 9 a.m. Mountain Time.

MIDGET FREESTYLE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
95 – Dylan Meeks of Florida
103 - Alexx Herrera of Idaho
112 - Garrett Whitehead of Idaho
120 - Sam Anderson of Minnesota
120 plus – Porter Thomas of Idaho

NOVICE FREESTYLE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
105 - Nicholas Villarreal of California
112 – Connor Doak of Illinois
120 - Robert Akil of Oregon
130 – Colby Meeks of Florida
140 - Jared Langley of Kansas
140 plus - Javin Harrison of California

SCHOOLBOY FREESTYLE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
152 - Ryan Cone of Wisconsin
175 - Joe Scanlan of Iowa
190 - Brooks Black of Pennsylvania
210 – Eric Mason of Kansas

The remainder of the freestyle champions will be crowned on Saturday.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 8:56 PM | Permalink

A contingent of 12 athletes and coaches will represent Team USA Wrestling at the
women’s freestyle Cadet Pan American Championships July 11-13, 2008 in
San Salvador, El Salvador.

U.S. States Olympic Education Center (USOEC) assistant coach Tony
DeAnda will assist in leading the FILA Cadet Champions (ages 15-17) of
the 2008 Body Bar/FILA Cadet Nationals who qualified for this event.

The 2008 Cadet Pan American Championships women’s freestyle
qualification, repechage, and final rounds will be competed Saturday
July 12, 2008 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

USA Cadet Pan Am Championships Freestyle Wrestling Team

38 kg / 83.75 lbs – Kaci Fullinwinder
40 kg / 88 lbs. – Emily Webster of Texas
43 kg / 94.75 lbs. – Erin Golston of Illinois
46 kg / 101.25 lbs – Briana Sparks of Michigan
49 kg / 108 lbs. – Samantha Lopez of California
52 kg / 114.5 lbs – Jenna Burkert of New York
56 kg / 123.25 lbs. – Kat Perez of California
60 kg / 132.25 lbs. – Ashley Mathews of California
65 kg / 143.25 lbs. – Jennifer Spitza of Michigan
70 kg / 154.25 lbs. – Anneliese DeAragon of Idaho
Coaches Tony DeAnda, TBA

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 2:08 PM | Permalink

Fort Hays State University announced on Thursday, June 26, 2008, the hiring of Chas Thompson as Head Wrestling Coach. Thompson becomes the 13th coach in the wrestling program's history.

Thompson comes to Fort Hays State from Pratt Community College, where he served as head coach for two years from 2006-2008. In his time at PCC, Thompson led the Beavers to 10th and 21st place finishes at the NJCAA National Tournament and coached two NJCAA All-Americans. He also coached 11 Academic All-Americans. His 2006-07 team was ranked as high as 6th in the nation and his dash 2007-08 team was ranked as high as 10th in the nation.

Thompson is no stranger to the Fort Hays State program, where he served as an assistant coach for three years prior to becoming the head coach at Pratt Community College. Thompson was a graduate assistant coach for two years at FHSU from 2003-2005. He was a student assistant coach during the 2002-03 season. Thompson had the privilege of helping coach five NCAA Division II All-Americans as an assistant at FHSU.

Outside his collegiate coaching experience, Thompson has also served in several other coaching roles. He was a coach for the Cadet National Team in Fargo, N.D., the past three years and a coach for the Southern Plains Wrestling Team the past four years. Thompson also served as a summer wrestling coach from 1999-2008 in the Freestyle, Folkstyle, and Greco Roman disciplines.

Thompson wrestled for Fort Hays State University from 1999-2002. He was a national qualifier during his junior season (1999-2000) after winning his weight class at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Championships/NCAA Division II West Regional.

Prior to competing at FHSU, Thompson wrestled for two seasons at Labette Community College under his father Jody Thompson. His father is a member of the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, NJCAA Coaches Hall of Fame, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, and National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Thompson earned NJCAA All-American honors as a sophomore and was a two-time national qualifi er for LCC.

A native of Parsons, Kan., Thompson compiled a record of 133-14 in his prep career at Parsons High School. He was named the Kansas Class 4A Wrestler of the Year after winning the state championship as a senior. He was a four-time state placer at PHS.

Thompson earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Fort Hays State in 2003, and is currently working towards completion of his master's degree in Sports Administration at FHSU.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 2:27 AM | Permalink

Cadet National Duals to begin Thursday in Kansas City, Mo.

The popular Cadet National Dual Meet Championships will be held June 26-29 at the KCI Expo Center in Kansas City, Mo.

State-level teams will compete in dual meet action in both Olympic styles of the sport, freestyle and Greco-Roman. Cadets are athletes who are 15 and 16 years old.

The Greco-Roman wrestling competition will be held on Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27.

In Greco-Roman, Illinois claimed the team title last year, after stopping Minnesota by a 46-27 finals score in the championship dual.

The freestyle competition will be held Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29

In freestyle, Pennsylvania is the defending champion, after defeating host Team Missouri, 53-22 in the championship dual.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 2:16 PM | Permalink

U.S. wins Pan American Junior Freestyle Championships with five champions
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
06/23/2008

The United States had a strong team effort at the Pan American Junior Freestyle Championships in Cuenca, Ecuador, claiming five individual champions.

Winning a double title with gold medals in both the freestyle and Greco-Roman divisions were Nikko Triggas of Moraga, Calif. at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Brent Eidenschink of Detroit Lakes, Minn. at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

Triggas defeated Jose Figueroa of Venezuela in the championship match. Eidenschink defeated Luis Roman of Mexico in the gold-medal match.

The U.S. won the team standings with 74 points, followed by Venezuela with 64 points and Canada with 45 points.

Also claiming gold medals were Michael Mangrum of Auburn, Wash.at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Quinten Wright of Wingate, Pa. at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Kirk Smith of Boise, Idaho at 84 kg/185 lbs.

Mangrum defeated an opponent from world power Cuba in the finals, Lazaro Montez.

The U.S. added bronze medals by Desmond Moore of Easton, Pa. at 60 kg/110 lbs., Brian Owen of Spokane, Wash. at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Ben Berhow of Hayward, Minn. at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

The team was coached by Jim Humphrey and Rob Prebish.

PAN AMERICAN JUNIOR FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS
at Cuenca, Ecuador, June 22

FS TEAM SCORES
1. USA 74
2. VEN 64
3. CAN 45

50kg DESMOND MOORE, Easton, Pa. BRONZE
1. CRISITAN NOVAS, DOM REP
2. YERI RIVERO, VEN
3. MOORE
3. SERGIO MONTAGUT, COL
5. ALEJANDRO GRIMALDI, MEX
5. MATIAS AGUIRRE, ARG

55kg NIKKO TRIGGAS, Moraga, Calif. CHAMPION
1. TRIGGAS
2. JOSE FIGUEROA, VEN, 5-1 / 0:49
3. CARLOS VASQUES, ECU
3. JOSE RAMOS, EL SAL
5. JHON SAN CLEMENTE, COL

60kg BRIAN OWEN, Spokane, Wash. BRONZE
1. ALEJANDRO VALDEZ, CUB
2. LUIS PORTILLA, EL SAL
3. OWEN
3. ELDIS FUENTE, VEN
5. FREDY PILCO, ECU
5. MARCOS AGUIRRE, ARG

66kg MICHAEL MANGRUM, Auburn, Wash. CHAMPION
1. MANGRUM
2. LAZARO MONTES, CUB
3. NELSON PEDRAZA, PER
3. PEDRO CEBALLO, VEN
5. JOSE VASQUEZ, DOM REP
5. MIGUEL BORJA, ECU

74kg QUENTIN WRIGHT, Wingate, Pa. CHAMPION
1. WRIGHT
2. POOL AMBROSIO, PER
3. JOSE MERCADO, ECU
3. CHRIS LAVERICH, CAN
5. EDUARDO GAPARDO, CHI
5. JOSEP GONZALEZ, VEN

84kg KIRK SMITH, Boise, Idaho CHAMPION
1. SMITH
2. ERIK FEUNEKES, CAN
3. JOSE DIAZ, VEN
3. JONATHAN RIO, COL
5. JUAN ESPINOZA, ECU
5. ESEQUIL CABAZOS, MEX

96kg BRENT EIDENSCHINK, Detroit Lakes, Minn. CHAMPION
1. EIDENSCHINK
2. LUIS ROMAN, MEX
3. WILLAIN SERRANO, EL SAL
3. BRAULIO VARGAS, VEN
5. BEN EAGLESTON, CAN
5. PIERO BURGOS, CHI

120kg BEN BERHOW, Hayward, Minn. BRONZE
1. ELIER ROMERO, CUB
2. GURDEEP BEESLA, CAN
3. BERHOW
3. ROBERTO MONASTERIO, VEN
5. DIEGO PONCE, ECU
5. ALBERT COTORREAL, DOM REP

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 4:44 PM | Permalink

After so many years of chasing Rulon Gardner, Dremiel Byers learned what it was like to have Rulon Gardner chasing him.

Byers, a world-level wrestler for 10 years who was twice blocked from the Olympics by former gold medalist Gardner, won his way to the games by beating U.S. Army teammate Tim Taylor in the best-of-three U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman 264½-pound trials Sunday night.

Finally, a wrestler long accustomed to being No. 2 was No. 1, and Byers did it in a big way by catching Taylor with an underhook and dropping him for a 5-point move that decided the third and final match of their best-of-three series.

And guess who chased him across the mat for an interview once he was done? None other than Gardner, Byers' longtime rival and NBC's newest wrestling analyst.

"To come out and finish the way he did was the best thing he could have done," Gardner said. "That's going to give him a lot of confidence going into Beijing."

Think the 33-year-old Byers hasn't waited for this day since he first took up Greco-Roman wrestling a dozen years ago? Since he first won a national championship nine years ago, a remarkably long time for someone to wait to become an Olympian after proving he was good enough to be the best in the country?

"It's kind of poetic," said Byers, a 2002 world champion who choked back tears of pride and accomplishment. "I'm a romantic guy like that. There's a closeness there."

Byers feels the same way now about Taylor, a former Clearfield (Pa.) High wrestler who trains in Colorado Springs daily with Byers. The two go on hunting trips and attend parties together, and beating Taylor was as hard for Byers as beating Byers once was for Gardner.

"Other guys here are in clubs that live all over the country and come together for one event," Byers said. "In the Army, we're an actual team. We're in our (wrestling) room pounding it out every day."

Now, Byers likely will take Taylor with him to Beijing to help him prepare for the Olympics. Just as Gardner took him to the games to help Gardner prepare for winning his upset-of-a-lifetime gold medal in 2000 and bronze medal in 2004. And if Byers wants another training partner ...

"If he wants me to help him, I'm there," Gardner said.

Fittingly on a night that Gardner won, several other longtime No. 2s also came through to make the Olympic team.

At freestyle 185 pounds, Andy Hrovat beat three-time national champion Mo Lawal. In a surprise at Greco-Roman 211½ pounds, Adam Wheeler outlasted Justin Ruiz, who had won the past five national titles, three times beating Wheeler. At freestyle 264½ pounds, Steve Mocco -- the national runner-up the past five years and a three-time world team runner-up -- defeated top-seeded Tommy Rowlands, who was fifth in the world last year.

When Mocco won, family members -- including sister Katie, who competed in this weekend's judo trials -- hugged, screamed and cried upon realizing he wasn't second any longer.

"It's been a struggle, it's been a struggle for my family," said Mocco, also a two-time NCAA runner-up. "I've always come up a little bit short. But in a real tough weight class, I found a way to win."

There was one repeat Olympian on Sunday night, Daniel Cormier at freestyle 211½ pounds,

There was no doubt who is No. 1 at freestyle 163 pounds -- Ben Askren, the oh-so-confident former Missouri wrestler who needed only one year to transition from two-time NCAA champion to Olympian.

Former college stars such as the 23-year-old Askren often need a much longer indoctrination before excelling in freestyle, and Askren has adapted his style. But he hasn't eliminated the raised No. 1 fingers, the pumping fists, the crowd gestures, all of which stamp him as a nonconformist in an old, traditional sport.

"I just knew I was going to win. There was no doubt in my mind," Askren said.

That confidence, he said, comes from a relentless training regimen and an eagerness to outwork his opponents.

"I work harder than a lot of people. A lot of senior level (wrestlers) don't want to work. They don't want to be the best," Askren said.

He doesn't doubt he will win in Beijing, despite his lack of top-level international experience.

"I'm going to win a gold medal," Askren said.

The other Greco-Roman and freestyle Olympians were determined Saturday night, including 18-year-old Jake Deitchler, the first high schooler to make the U.S. team in 32 years.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 3:59 AM | Permalink

Cormier makes second Olympic Team, Byers gets his first chance with wins at U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
06/15/2008

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) made his second straight Olympic team, defeating Damion Hahn (Ithaca, N.Y./New York AC) in two straight matches at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday.

Cormier placed fourth in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. He won a World bronze medal in 2007. It was his sixth straight year claiming the U.S. team spot at his weight class.

“I’m just going to train hard. It’s my second Olympic Games. I don’t want to feel like I did coming back from Athens in 2004. Losing two overtime matches in the semis and then losing the bronze medal match. I don’t want to feel that way. I’m doing everything possible to make sure I’m prepared and ready to go when I get to China. If I do that I think I’ll be okay,�? said Cormier.

Cormier is the only member of the men’s freestyle Olympic Team who has competed in a previous Olympic Games. On Friday, Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) made his second Olympic team in Greco-Roman with a victory at 84 kg/185 lbs.

In bout number one, the first period, trailing 1-0, Cormier scored six points with a takedown and two tilts to win, 6-1. In the second period, Cormier again opened up his offense, turning Hahn to get a 6-0 technical fall.

In bout two, scored a point in each period, on a stepout in the first period and a spin behind in the second period, for a 1-1 victory and his second Olympic berth.

“I’m confident. I’m getting to the point where I am confident in my abilities and I figure if I go out and wrestle like I’m capable, I’m going to be okay. That’s pretty much what’s been happening. These guys are tough competitors. I’ve been lucky enough, blessed to stay healthy and believe in myself. It’s been leading to victories,�? said Cormier.

2002 World champion Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./US Army) made his first Olympic Team, but needed three matches to get by U.S. Army teammate Timothy Taylor at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Byers won the first match, 1-1, 4-0, but fell in the second bout, 2-5, 2-1, 1-1. In the deciding third match, Byers dominated the first period, 4-0. In the second period, Byers hit a five-point high amplitude throw to immediately finish the match.

Byers talked about the challenge of facing his friend and teammate in the Championship Series with an Olympic berth at stake.

“That’s my brother from another mother. We live that everyday with our unit. We really are family. If you look around at Nationals or you look into it, we’re the only actual team. The other guys are clubs that live all over the country and come together for one event. We’re in there pounding it out everyday with each other,�? said Byers.

Byers placed second at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials to archrival and friend Rulon Gardner, who won an Olympic gold in 2000 and Olympic bronze in 2004. Byers served as Gardner’s training partner at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Gardner was in attendance, serving as the color analyst for the MSNBC coverage of the Olympic Trials. Gardner hugged Byers on center mat, and conducted the television interview with him at the conclusion of the victory.

2008 U.S. Nationals champion Ben Askren (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids) defeated Tyrone Lewis (Stillwater, Okla., Gator WC) in two straight matches. It was a rematch of this year’s nationals finals, also won by Askren.

A popular two-time NCAA champion for Missouri, Askren made his first World-level team in his first full season concentrating only on freestyle.

In the first match, Askren scored a leg attack takedown in each period for a 1-1, 1-1 victory.

The second match started strong for Lewis, who was trailing by a point before throwing Askren for three points with a body lock for a 6-3 win. In the second period, Askren scored twice to win 2-0. The deciding third period went to Askren, who scored a takedown on the edge early in the period and held on for the victory.

“Number one, I work harder than a lot of people. A lot of the senior level athletes don’t want to work hard, they want to do that. Number two, I leave my mind open, I’m looking for everybody. I’m watching the Russians, I’m watching the World Champs, I’m watching them and I’m picking everything up.�?

Four of the series went the full three matches, adding great drama to the final night of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials event.

At 84 kg/185 lbs., 2006 U.S. World Team member Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC) defeated 2005 U.S. World Team member Mo Lawal, (Temecula, Calif./Sunkist Kids) in three bouts.

Lawal won the first match, 1-1, 1-0. In the first period, after Hrovat scored on a stepout, Lawal hit a takedown with just five seconds left to win the period by scoring the last point. In the second period, he scored the only takedown of the period.

In the second match, Lawal scored the only takedown of the first period to take it 1-0. In the second period, there were no takedowns and Lawal won the coin toss. Hrovat scored a two-point counter chestlock to win period two, 2-0. With time running out in the third period, Lawal shot a double on Hrovat on the edge, but Hrovat hit another three-point chestlock to take the period 3-0 and tie up the series.

In the deciding third match, Lawal won the first period with a takedown, 1-0. The second period was scoreless, and Hrovat won the toss, scoring a takedown from the clinch, 1-0. The third and deciding period, Lawal scored a takedown out of bounds with 43 seconds left. Hrovat scored two points with seven seconds left, getting an exposure on a scramble. Although Lawal scored a takedown with two seconds left to tie the match at 2-2, Hrovat earned the spot by scoring the highest point move of the period.

Lawal had defeated Hrovat in the finals of the U.S. Nationals in 2008. Hrovat defeated Lawal at the World Team Trials in 2006 on the way to his first World Championships appearance.

At 120 kg/264.5 lbs. in freestyle, Steve Mocco (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) by defeating 2007 World Team member Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) in three bouts.

Mocco won the first match in two straight periods, 1-0, 1-0. In the first period, Mocco scored a takedown from the clinch. In the second period, Rowlands stepped out of bounds, giving Mocco the only point of the period.

Rowlands won the second match in two periods. He scored a three-point takedown from the clinch in the first period for a 3-0 score, then got the only point in the second period on when Mocco went out of bounds on a scramble.

The deciding third match was all Mocco, who scored a pushout to win the first period, 1-0, then two takedowns in the second period to score the victory and a spot on the U.S. World Team.

In Greco-Roman, there was an upset at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. when Adam Wheeler (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) defeated 2005 World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) in three matches.

Ruiz had advanced directly to the Championship Series finals after winning U.S. Nationals and having placed in the top five of the World during the last three years. Ruiz has competed on four U.S. World Teams, while Wheeler made his first U.S. team.

Wheeler won the first period, 2-2, turning Ruiz for exposure in the final par terre segment. In the second period, Ruiz won 1-1 by scoring the last point by defending from par terre. The last period went to Wheeler by a 1-1 score, as he received the final point defending from par terre.

In the second match, Ruiz got his offense going, hitting a gutwrench in the first period, and scoring on a two-point penalty and a reversal in the second period to win the match, 3-0, 4-0.

In the third and final match went without a point scored on the feet. Ruiz won the first period, 1-1, by scoring the last point from the defensive position in par terre. Wheeler won the second period, 1-1, scoring the last point on defense. In the third and final period, Ruiz lost the flip and defended first, but Wheeler was able to score a point when Ruiz stepped out of bounds. In the last 30-second par terre position, Ruiz was unable to turn Wheeler, almost getting a lift but running out of time, giving the period to Wheeler.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 4:26 PM | Permalink

John Smith

Aleks Emelianenko

James Thompson

Dustin Schlatter

Cael Sanderson

Dan Gable

Tom Brands

Jayson Ness

Charlie Falck

David Taylor

Zack Esposito

Buvaisar Saitiev

Saitiev

murtazaliev

Adam Saitiev

Ketoev

Gatsalov

Muradov

flowrestling

Mike Zadick

Brent Metcalf

Bubba Jenkins

Eric Tannenbaum

Saytiev

Mike Houck

Dennis Hall

Steve Fraser

Joe Warren

Kudukhov

Farniev

Kimbo Slice

Brett Rogers

Frank Shamrock

College Football

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 4:05 AM | Permalink

U.S. Olympic Team Trials preview in Greco-Roman at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
06/06/2008

Justin Ruiz has been a fixture for the U.S. in this division. Ruiz has made the last four U.S. World Teams, winning a bronze medal in 2005. He has won the last five U.S. Nationals titles. Ruiz earned a spot in the best-of-3 finals at the Olympic Trials by virtue of winning U.S. Nationals, and earning a World medal during the last three years.

Ruiz’s top challengers likely will be R.C. Johnson and Adam Wheeler. Johnson lost to Ruiz in the finals of U.S. Nationals. Johnson has placed third the past two years at the World Team Trials. Wheeler placed second to Ruiz at the 2005 and 2007 World Team Trials. He was third at U.S. Nationals, and has been second at the U.S. Nationals three times.

Robbie Smith, a top young prospect in Greco-Roman, took fourth at U.S. Nationals. Smith competed on the last three Junior World Teams and qualified in late May to compete at the 2008 University World Championships. Justin Millard took fifth at U.S. Nationals this year, and was a U.S. Nationals runner-up in 2007. Millard has also competed on a number of U.S. age-group World Teams.

John Lorenz placed sixth at the U.S. Nationals and Peter Gounaridis finished seventh. Lorenz won the Northeast Regional Trials, and Gounaridis was the 2008 University Nationals champion. Another top qualifier is 2008 Armed Forces champion Deon Hicks.

2008 U.S. Nationals results

1st – Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. R.C. Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 4-1, 1-1

3rd – Adam Wheeler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3-0, 4-0

5th – Justin Millard, Chesapeake Beach, Md. (U.S. Air Force) pin John Lorenz, LaCrosse, Wis. (Unattached), 1-1, 1:35

7th – Peter Gounaridis, Leominster, Mass. (NMU/USOEC) dec. Frank Workman, Vermilion, Ohio (U.S. Marine Corps), 7-0, 3-3

2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Pre-Seeds

Qualified for best-of-three finals: Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

Challenge Tournament seeds
1. R.C. Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Adam Wheeler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
3. Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
4. Justin Millard, Chesapeake Beach, Md. (U.S. Air Force)
5. John Lorenz, LaCrosse, Wis. (Unattached)
6. Peter Gounaridis, Leominster, Mass. (NMU/USOEC)
7. Deon Hicks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
8. Daren Burns, Catawba, N.C. (Y.E.S Greensboro)
9. Moises Hernandez, Top Sail, N.C. (U.S. Marines)

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 6:06 PM | Permalink

U.S. Olympic Team Trials preview in men's freestyle at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
06/06/2008

Daniel Cormier is looking to build on a strong 2007 when he won his first World-level medal by taking a. bronze medal at the 2007 Worlds. Cormier is heavily favored to make his second straight Olympic Team in 2008.

Cormier has clinched a spot in the best-of-3 finals for the Olympic Trials. He was fourth in the 2000 Olympic Games, and has won six straight U.S. Nationals titles

Among the wrestlers looking to knock off Cormier are Nik Fekete, Willie Parks, Kurt Backes, Damion Hahn, Max Askren and Nick Preston. Cormier swept Fekete 7-0, 2-0 in the finals of the 2008 U.S. Nationals. Parks, a past NAIA champion for Dana College, has made a quick transition to freestyle and placed third at U.S. Nationals. The burly, physical Parks beat Backes, a past NCAA runner-up for Iowa State, in the third-place match at U.S. Nationals.

Hahn, a two-time NCAA champion for Minnesota, placed fifth at U.S. Nationals. Hahn took third at the 2007 World Team Trials.

Max Askren, Ben’s younger brother, wrestled well in placing sixth at U.S. Nationals. Askren, a 197-pound All-American for Missouri, is a bit undersized in this division but is an excellent young prospect in freestyle. He is a past Junior World Team member.

Sean Stender and Kyle Cerminara are two other wrestlers to keep an eye on in this class. Both have had considerable success on the Senior level, but did not place at the U.S. Nationals. College wrestlers Brent Jones of Virginia and Konrad Dudziak of Duke round out the qualifiers at this division.

2008 U.S. Nationals results

1st – Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator Wrestling Club) dec. Nik Fekete, Iowa City Iowa (New York AC), 7-0, 2-0

3rd – Willie Parks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Kurt Backes, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-0, 1-0

5th – Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York Athletic Club) dec. Max Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Sunkist Kids), 7-0, 3-0

7th – Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) dec. Konrad Dudziak, Bayonne, N.J. (New York AC), 1-0, 3-0

2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Pre-Seeds

Qualified for Best-of-3 finals: Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)

Challenge Tournament Seeds
1. Nik Fekete, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC)
2. Willie Parks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
3. Kurt Backes, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
4. Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)
5. Max Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Sunkist Kids)
6. Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
7. Konrad Dudziak, Bayonne, N.J. (New York AC)
8. Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
9. Kyle Cerminara, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
10. Brent Jones, Burke, Va. (Cavalier WC)

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 6:05 PM | Permalink

New York City public schools will become first city or state to sponsor freestyle and Greco-Roman spring season
Beat the Streets, Inc.
06/04/2008

Mike Novogratz, Chairman of the Board, announced at the Annual Beat the Streets Celebration in May that the PSAL would next year begin the organization of both a freestyle and Greco-Roman season for high school wrestling in addition to the existing winter folkstyle season.

PSAL Wrestling Commissioner Larry Cantor and Sports Coordinator Lance Hermus stated they would support that effort, which would make New York the first city in the nation, at the high school or collegiate level, to offer competitive seasons of both freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines.

Mike Novogratz, who is also the President and Director of Fortress Investment Group LLC, was instrumental in raising more than $2 million, which went toward the purchase of wrestling equipment and the establishment of more than 40 new programs in the PSAL and 62 Middle School Programs.

"We can throw a lot of money at the thing," Novogratz said, "but our real genius will be finding, helping to place and then inspiring coaches. We really are a support group for coaches."

Al Bevilacqua, President stated "The year round program will help New York City “catch up�? to its neighbors in New Jersey and Long Island. The "sleeping giant" is awakening through the efforts and leadership of USA Wrestling in the training and development of coaches in its Bronze and Silver Level Certification Programs. We have already registered over 90 USA Wrestling Clubs and all 1500 Middle School wrestlers are USA Wrestling League members."

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 4:59 PM | Permalink

Two-time World bronze medalist Harry Lester focused on earning trip to Beijing Olympics
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
05/30/2008

Harry Lester’s biggest battle in recent years hasn’t been his opponents on the wrestling mat.

It’s been with the scale.

“Cutting weight is by far the hardest part of wrestling for me – going out there and wrestling is the fun part,�? he said. “I've grown and filled out the last few years. I’ve gone from cutting four kilos three years ago to cutting about 13 kilos now.�?

That’s a lot of weight when you consider one kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.

Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist, helped lead the U.S. to the Greco-Roman team title at the 2007 World Championships. He said he has started to bring his weight back down as he prepares for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on June 13-15 in Las Vegas.

Lester, 24, from Akron, Ohio, will compete at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. in the Olympic Trials. He will enter the Trials as the No. 3 seed after skipping April’s U.S. Nationals. The top two finishers at U.S. Nationals – Mark Rial and Jake Deitchler – clinched the top two seeds at the Olympic Trials by placing 1-2 at Nationals.

Lester has not lost to an American wrestler since suffering a setback to Glenn Garrison at the 2005 U.S. World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa. Lester lost to Garrison in the first match of the best-of-3 finals before recovering to win the next two bouts to make his first World Team.

Lester has not wrestled at U.S. Nationals the past three seasons. In 2006 and 2007, he ended up finishing third in the World after bypassing Nationals.

He said he skipped last month’s U.S. Nationals after becoming ill shortly before the event.

“I’m not worried about missing Nationals,�? said Lester, who is scheduled to wrestle at the Olympic Trials on June 14. “I have to wrestle everybody anyway. Plus I like getting some matches in before the finals. I don’t like sitting around all day.�?

The 5-foot-7 Lester, like many wrestlers, is caught in between weight classes. With only seven international weight classes now, gaps between divisions are much more noticeable.

The next weight up from Lester’s weight class is 74 kg/163 lbs. Wrestlers in that class are nearly 20 pounds heavier than the division he wrestles in.

Before the classes were changed, wrestlers competed at 152 pounds.

“152 would have been perfect for me,�? Lester said.

Lester, who competes for the Gator Wrestling Club, continues to train at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich.

One of his closest friends, Spenser Mango, enters the Olympic Trials seeded No. 1 at 55 kg/121 lbs. Mango also trains at the USOEC.

“It would be great to see Spenser make the Olympic Team,�? Lester said. “He’s a lot further along than I was at his age. He’s wrestling really well right now. He has a really good shot to make it to the Olympics.�?

The Olympic Games for wrestling are scheduled for Aug. 12-21 in Beijing, China. Lester would compete on Aug. 13.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to compete in the Olympics,�? Lester said. “This is it – this is what I’ve been training my whole career for. I just have to focus on making this team and getting over to China.�?

Lester said his training is progressing well. His main workout partner at the USOEC is Jake Fisher, an Olympic hopeful at 74 kilos. Fisher placed third at U.S. Nationals.

“Jake’s been my training partner the last three years,�? Lester said. “He’s helped me a lot. We really push each other.�?

Lester said he may continue to compete after 2008.

“I doubt it will be at 66 kilos,�? Lester said with a laugh. “I may see if I can get stronger and maybe move up a class. But I’m not too worried about any of that right now.�?

Lester, an explosive wrestler who features an assortment of big moves in his arsenal, is just thinking about his first match at the Trials.

“I know what I need to do,�? he said. “I just need to go out there full steam and do what I’m capable of doing. Then everything else will take care of itself.�?

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 2:03 AM | Permalink

Burroughs wins FILA Junior World Team Trials
5/25/2008
University of Nebraska Sports Information

Lincoln -- Nebraska All-America wrestler Jordan Burroughs translated his success for the Huskers to the international level on Saturday as he won the 66 kilogram (145.5 pound) division of the FILA Junior World Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Burroughs, wrestling in the freestyle division, defeated Michigan's Kellen Russell in two consecutive sets (5-0, 4-0 in the first and 6-0, 4-0 in the second) to win the best-of-three series and claim a spot on the U.S. world team.

"This is a good step towards making the 2012 Olympic team," Head Coach Mark Manning said. "[FILA World Championships] is a good opportunity to wrestle some of the best kids in the world at his age level."

Burroughs will now travel with the U.S. delegation to the FILA World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, from July 29 to Aug. 3. Manning will also travel with him as a coach for the U.S. team.

The Sicklerville, N.J. native qualified for the FILA Junior World Team Trials by winning the FILA Junior National Championships in Las Vegas last month. The national championship automatically qualified him for the finals at the world team trials.

Burroughs, a sophomore, claimed his first All-America honors in March with a third-place finish at 149 pounds.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 11:14 PM | Permalink

Sanders, Provisor need three matches to win FILA Junior World Team Trials on Sunday
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
05/25/2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – There was great drama in key matchups in both freestyle and Greco-Roman at the FILA Junior World Team Trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Freestyle champion Zach Sanders of the Minnesota Storm and Greco-Roman champion Ben Provisor of the Dennis Hall World Gold WC needed three bouts in their Championship Series to earn their spots on the FILA Junior World Team.

Champions in each weight class qualified for the 2008 U.S. Junior World Team. The Junior World Championships will be held in Istanbul, Turkey from July 29 to August 3.

Sanders, a freshman at the Univ. of Minnesota, won the 55 kg/121 lbs. division in an intense battle with Ohio high school junior David Taylor, a member of the 2007 Junior World Team.

Sanders won the first match, 4-1, 2-1, with a key three-point takedown in the last seconds of the first period. Taylor bounced back with a second period pin in the second match, 2-3, 1:07. The deciding third match went into the third period, where Sanders scored three takedowns to emerge with a dramatic 4-2, 1-1, 3-0 victory.

“I had to keep attacking and wrestle my style,�? said Sanders. “He is kind of funky. I had to stay clear of that stuff. I had to wrestle basic.�?

Sanders will be competing on his first U.S. World Team.

“It feels really good. I set this as my goal. I set the goal a year ago. To win a big tournament this spring is great. It will be cool to go overseas. This is my first one. I have won national tournaments, but nothing that lets you go overseas,�? said Sanders.

Provisor, a 2008 University Nationals champion, had an intense three-match battle with Talon Knox of the USOEC in the finals at 74 kg/163 lbs.Knox won the first match, 1-1, 0-4, 1-0, but Provisor rebounded with a 4-0, 0-2, 1-1 in the second match. With the team spot on the line, Provisor shut out Knox, 2-0, 2-0.

Coaching Provisor in the finals was his regular club coach Dennis Hall, a 1995 World champion and 1996 Olympic silver medalist, along with past U.S. World Team member Keith Sieracki. Provisor is a native of Wisconsin, and both Hall and Sieracki also came from Wisconsin.

“I have got to attack more on my feet. I wrestled all right, I guess. I need to get in even better shape,�? said Provisor. “I stepped up my defense in the second and third matches. I became more confident. I can’t wait. It will be fun to be here (Colorado Springs) for a month, get in the best shape of my life, and go compete for a World medal.�?

Provisor gives credit to Hall for helping him to improve as a wrestler.

“Dennis is like my dad. I talk to him every day. I train with him every week. We are best of friends. It is great having that kind of person around for you,�? said Provisor.

Earning a spot on the Junior World freestyle team for the second straight year was Colorado high school star Tyler Graff of the New York AC, who defeated 2008 FILA Junior Nationals champion Dylan Alton of the New York AC in two straight matches at 60 kg/132 lbs.

Graff came back in the first match after losing the first period. He tired out Alton and opened up his offense, scoring a third period technical fall with multiple gutwrench turns for a 0-1 ,3-3, 9-3 victory. In the second match, Graff scored all of the points in a 2-0, 6-0 victory.

Graff competed at the 2007 Junior World Championships at 55 kg/121 lbs. Graff has signed to compete at the Univ. of Wisconsin.

“I am happy with the win but not with the performance,�? said Graff. “I felt I could have done better. I thank God for the victory and am grateful for the outcome. This is a great opportunity for me. This has been a goal of mine since last year, when I sat and watched my weight class and saw them give the gold to the Russian. It inspired me to want to return and be a World champion.�?

Claiming a freestyle title was Jordan Burroughs of the Sunkist Kids, a NCAA All-American from the Univ. of Nebraska. Burroughs, a 2008 University Nationals champion, won the 66 kg/145.5 lbs. division with two straight victories over Univ. of Michigan star Kellen Russell of the Cliff Keen WC.

“I only had to wrestle twice. I was happy to wrestle well,�? said Burroughs.�?He’s a tough kid. He had a good season this year. It was a tough match for me. I am really excited, because for the first time I will get to wrestle outside the United States. My goal is to win there. That is always my No. 1 goal.�?

The other individual champion was Pennsylvania prep star Mark Rappo of the Sunkist Kids at 110 pounds, a recruit for the Univ. of Pennsylvania. Rappo defeated 2008 University Nationals champion Desmond Moore of Penn State, 3-0, 6-0 in bout one and 4-1, 8-1 in bout two.

The U.S. Olympic Education Center program from Northern Michigan Univ. won the other three Greco-Roman titles, as Zach Nielson of the Minnesota Storm at 84 kg/185 lbs., Michael Rossetti of the USOEC at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Peter Kowalczuk of the Sunkist Kids/USOEC at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. All three won their Championship Series in two straight matches, and all three will be competing on their first University World Team.

“I am really excited. I am psyched. I am jumping at the chance to wrestle against foreign kids. I have been training all year for this, and am excited I get to go,�? said Nielsen. “I have grown a lot at the USOEC. When I arrived this year, I was getting thrown around. I received positive encouragement from my partners and coaches. I am glad I am there. I am excited for the future.�?

FILA JUNIOR WORLD TEAM TRIALS
At Colorado Springs, Colo., May 24

Freestyle Championship Series

50 kg/110 lbs.
Mark Rappo (Sunkist Kids) dec. Desmond Moore (Penn State), 3-0, 6-0
Mark Rappo (Sunkist Kids) dec. Desmond Moore (Penn State), 4-1, 8-1
Rappo won series, 2 matches to 0

55 kg/121 lb.s
Zach Sanders (Minnesota Storm) dec. David Taylor (Mat Rats), 4-1, 2-1
David Taylor (Mat Rats) pin Zach Sanders (Minnesota Storm), 2-3, 1:07
Zach Sanders (Minnesota Storm) dec. David Taylor (Mat Rats), 4-2, 1-1, 3-0
Sanders won series, 2 matches to 1

60 kg/132 lbs.
Tyler Graff (New York AC) dec. Dylan Alton (New York AC), 0-1 ,3-3, 9-3
Tyler Graff (NYAC) dec. Dylan Alton (New York AC), 2-0, 6-0
Graff won series, 2 matches to 0

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Jordan Burroughs (Sunkist Kids) dec. Kellen Russell (Cliff Keen), 6-0, 4-1
Jordan Burroughs (Sunkist Kids) dec. Kellen Russell (Cliff Keen), 4-0, 4-0
Burroughs won series, 2 matches to 0

Greco-Roman Championship Series

74 kg/163 lbs.
Talon Knox (USOEC) dec. Ben Provisor (DennisHall/WorldGoldWrestling), 1-1, 0-4, 0-0
Ben Provisor (DennisHall/WorldGoldWrestling) dec. Talon Knox (USOEC), 4-0, 0-2, 1-1
Ben Provisor (DennisHall/WorldGoldWrestling) dec. Talon Knox (USOEC), 2-0, 2-0
Provisor won series, 2 matches to 1

84 kg/185 lbs.
Zac Nielsen (Minnesota Storm) tech. fall Chris Bullins (McMichael), 6-0, 5-0
Zac Nielsen (Minnesota Storm) dec. Chris Bullins (McMichael), 4-1, 6-0
Nielsen won series, 2 matches to 0

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Michael Rossetti (USOEC) dec. Brent Eidenshink (Minnesota Storm), 5-1, 3-1
Michael Rossetti (USOEC) dec. Brent Eidenshink (Minnesota Storm) , 3-1, 6-0
Rossetti won series, 2 matches to 0

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Peter Kowalczuk (Sunkist Kids/ USOEC) dec. Nathan Schwartz (Cleveland WC), 3-1, 6-0
Peter Kowalczuk (Sunkist Kids/ USOEC) dec. Nathan Schwartz (Cleveland WC), 3-1, 7-0
Kowalczuk won series, 2 matches to 0

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 6:51 PM | Permalink

Hazewinkel, Mango, Gavin, Herbert among winners at University World Team Trials on Saturday
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
05/25/2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – A number of top stars on the Senior level were able to capture titles on the final day of the University World Team Trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center on Saturday.

In the Greco-Roman division, past U.S. Nationals champions Sam Hazewinkel of the Gator WC and Spencer Mango of the Gator WC were among the winners of Saturday night’s Championship Series.

In freestyle, 2008 NCAA champion Keith Gavin of the New York AC and 2007 NCAA champion Jake Herbert of the New York AC were also winners of their Championships Series.

Champions earned a spot on the 2008 U.S. University World Team. The World University Championships are set to take place in Thessaloniki, Greece, July 9-13.

Hazewinkel, Mango, Gavin and Herbert will also compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15. In addition to wrestling for a spot on the University World Team, these athletes, along with many others, were using this as a tuneup for the Olympic Trials.

Hazewinkel, a 2007 U.S. Nationals champion, won the 55 kg/121 lbs. division with two dominant wins over 2008 University Nationals champion Nikko Triggas of Ohio State. Hazewinkel won the first match, 5-1, 5-1 and scored a 7-0, 6-0 technical fall in the second match.

“I was debating whether or not it was smart to wrestle here,�? said Hazewinkel. “You never go wrong wrestling matches. It was good to make the weight again and keep from getting too big. It was all around good for me. In the past, I didn’t do the University Worlds because I focused on making the Senior team. I was looking at it wrong, I should have gotten that experience. You learn as you go along.�?

Mango, a 2008 U.S. Nationals champion at 55 kg/121 lbs., moved up to 60 kg/132 lbs. and needed three matches to defeat Donovan Depatto of the U.S. Marines, Mango won the first bout, 5-1, 3-1, but Depatto claimed the second bout with a surprise 1-1, 3-2 win. In the deciding third match, Mango laced up his wrestling shoes and opened up his offense to score a technical fall victory, 7-0, 6-0.

Mango had also defeated Depatto in the finals of the 2007 and 2008 University Nationals. Mango was a 2006 World University champion, and will have another chance at winning a medal this summer.

“I was only planning on wrestling twice,�? said Mango. “I had a bad second match. I put it together the third match and wrestled my match. It is nice making this team. It is a chance to get a little more competition this summer before the Olympics. I am looking forward to that.�?

Gavin, who won his 2008 NCAA title for the Univ. of Pittsburgh, defeated Eric Luedke of Iowa in two straight matches at 74 kg/163 lbs. Gavin lost the first period of bout one, but battled back to win 4-4, 6-2, 3-0. In the second match, Gavin was in control for a 7-0, 5-2 victory. Gavin was a 2008 University Nationals champion.

“I felt good. The first match, I was a little sluggish. I got better as it went along. I am really excited. It should be a great experience to get an international experience,�? said Gavin. “Right now, I need as many freestyle matches as possible to help me make the adjustment quicker. I think I keep improving. I’ll be excited to get to the Olympic Trials to see how I do.�?

At 84 kg/185 lbs., Herbert was in control in a two-match victory over Phillip Keddy of Iowa. Herbert won the first bout, 5-3, 5-1, then captured the second match, 2-1, 4-0. Herbert was a 2007 NCAA champion for Northwestern, and has taken an Olympic redshirt year this season to pursue a spot on the Olympic team. It will be Herbert’s second University World team.

“I was there in 2006 and got bronze. I look to go in 2008 and get gold,�? said Herbert. “I have been there once and know what it is about. This is also my early warmup for the Olympic Trials and the Olympic Games. It is progressing great. I am ready to go. Now I need to get mentally ready, getting my body and mind feeling good.�?

The other University Nationals champions on Saturday in freestyle were Konrad Dudziak of the New York AC at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Tervel Dlagnev of the Sunkist Kids at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Dudziak, who is taking an Olympic redshirt year from Duke, defeated 2008 University Nationals champion Brent Jones of the Cavalier WC in two straight, 4-4, 3-0 in bout one and 3-0, 3-0 in bout two.

Dlagnev, a two-time NCAA Div. II champion from Nebraska-Kearney, swept Aaron Anspach of Penn State in two matches. Dlagnev won the first match 2-0, 1-0 and the second match, 5-3, 6-0.

“I am super excited,�? said Dlagnev. “It is an honor. I have not been overseas on a tour yet. This is a step in the right direction, and there is a lot more to come.�?

The final Greco-Roman champion was top seeded Jacob Curby of the Gator WC at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. , who dominated Chad Vandiver in the finals. Curby scored a 6-0, 7-0 technical fall in bout one, and pinned Vandiver in 55 seconds in bout two.

“It feels good,�? said Curby. “I wanted to get a good tuneup before the Olympic Trials. “This is my second University World Team. This time I go with higher expectations. I hope to win a medal.�?

UNIVERSITY WORLD TEAM TRIALS
At Colorado Springs, Colo., May 24

Freestyle Championship Series

74 kg/163 lbs.
Keith Gavin (New York AC) dec. Eric Luedke (Iowa), 4-4, 6-2, 3-0
Keith Gavin (New York AC) dec. Eric Luedke (Iowa), 7-0, 5-2
Gavin won series, 2 matches to 0

84 kg/185 lbs.
Jake Herbert (New York AC) dec. Phillip Keddy (Iowa), 5-3, 5-1
Jake Herbert (New York AC) dec. Phillip Keddy (Iowa), 2-1, 4-0
Herbert won series, 2 matches to 0

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Konrad Dudziak (New York AC) dec. Brent Jones (Cavalier WC), 4-4, 3-0
Konrad Dudziak (New York AC) dec. Brent Jones (Cavalier WC), 3-0, 3-0
Dudziak won series, 2 matches to 0

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Tervel Dlagnev (Sunkist Kids) dec. Aaron Anspach (Penn State), 2-0, 1-0
Tervel Dlagnev (Sunkist Kids) dec. Aaron Anspach (Penn State), 5-3, 6-0
Dlagnev won series, 2 matches to 0

Greco-Roman Championship Series

55 kg/121 lbs.
Sam Hazewinkel (Gator WC) dec. Nikko Triggas (Ohio State), 5-1, 5-1
Sam Hazewinkel (Gator WC) tech. fall Nikko Triggas (Ohio State), 7-0, 6-0
Hazewinkel won series, 2 matches to 0

60 kg/132 lbs.
Spenser Mango (Gator WC) dec. Donovan Depatto (U.S. Marines), 5-1, 3-1
Donovan Depatto (U.S. Marines) dec. Spenser Mango (Gator WC), 1-1, 3-2
Spenser Mango (Gator WC) tech fall. Donovan Depatto (U.S. Marines), 7-0, 6-0
Mango won series, 2 matches to 1

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Jacob Curby (Gator WC) tech. fall Chad Vandiver (unattached), 6-0, 7-0
Jacob Curby (Gator WC) pin Chad Vandiver (unattached), 0:55
Curby won series, 2 matches to 0

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 4:48 PM | Permalink

Tough competition at Body Bar sees only two repeat champions
Elizabeth Wiley USA Wrestling
05/17/2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Julia Long of Wyoming and Lily DeAragon of Idaho were the only wrestlers to repeat as champions at the 2008 Body Bar Women’s Nationals, May 17.

Long repeated at 71-73 lbs up from 62-68 lbs. a year ago. Long performances included a pin and a technical fall as she cruised to the top spot.

In the 77-86 lbs. weight class DeAragon had to technical falls and a pin to dominate the competition. Last year, DeAragon was the gold medalist at 75-77 lbs.

In the 7th-8th grade division Jennifer Orr outplaced fellow Wyoming-native and two-time runner-up Emily Smith at 150-169 lbs., to claim the title.

Katie Agey of Iowa improved on her second place finish in 2007 to take home the gold medal at 74-76 lbs. at the 3rd-6th grade level.

Competition in the Body Bar Girls Nationals featured two age groups, 3rd-6th grade and 7th-8th grade, with a total of 19 weight classes contested between the two divisions.

Also taking place as part of the competition was FILA Cadet and FILA Junior tournaments.

2008 Body Bar National Championships
Colorado Springs, Colo., Olympic Training Center

3rd-6th Grade
46-50 lbs.
1st Place - Tommi Olson of Wyoming
2nd Place - Abby Eaton of Texas

55-60 lbs.
1st Place - Regina Doi of California
2nd Place - Marina Doi of California
3rd Place - Faith Trujillo of Wyoming
4th Place - Murrissia Hampton of Michigan
5th Place - Mariah Lomas of Texas

63-69 lbs.
1st Place - Gabrielle Garcia of California
2nd Place - Madison Gines of Wyoming
3rd Place - Grace Wiggins of Alaska
4th Place - Stormy Wisenbaker of Wyoming
5th Place - Adessa Gagner of Montana

71-73 lbs.
1st Place - Julia Long of Wyoming
2nd Place - Reni Gallan of Arizona
3rd Place - Jenna Elmlinger of Wyoming
4th Place - Ashlynn Ortega of Colorado

74-76 lbs.
1st Place - Katie Agey of Iowa
2nd Place - Breanna Coronado of California
3rd Place - Talleigh Guinard of Wyoming
4th Place - Alyssa Schrull of Montana
5th Place - Breanna Newton of Colorado

77-86 lbs.
1st Place - Lily DeAragon of Idaho
2nd Place - Alyssa Lafrancis of California
3rd Place - Kayla Marano of Colorado
4th Place - Samantha Richards of Montana
5th Place - Patience Black of Wyoming

90-96 lbs.
1st Place - Steffanie Hampton of Michigan
2nd Place - Kim Hussey of Maine
3rd Place - Maya Nelson of Colorado
4th Place - Mackenzie Knight of Iowa
5th Place - Mckenna Gagner of Montana

103-111 lbs.
1st Place - Kiera Gabaldon of Oregon
2nd Place - Aleah Lafrancis of California
3rd Place - Virginia Burkett of Wyoming
4th Place - Cassandra Wickett of Wyoming
5th Place - Darian Gonzalez of Kansas

150-168 lbs.
1st Place - Shyan Mclauglin of Wyoming

7th-8th Grade
71-79 lbs.
1st Place - Natalie Long of Colorado
2nd Place - Breanna O`connor of Arizona
3rd Place - Hannah Hutchison of Alaska
4th Place - Ana Diaz of Puerto Rico
5th Place - Cassidy Ferrell of Pennsylvania

82-89 lbs.
1st Place - Anissa Rodriguez of California
2nd Place - Caroline Cotton of Arizona
3rd Place - Riela Vasquez of Puerto Rico

92-102 lbs.
1st Place - Emily Merioles of Alaska
2nd Place - Brittany Palato of Wyoming
3rd Place - Alex Hollabaugh of Montana
4th Place - Jessica Bowman of Kansas
5th Place - Michelle Lomas of Texas
6th Place - Natasha Jamison of Colorado

103-109 lbs.
1st Place - Samantha D Ortiz of California
2nd Place - Megan Garcia of Colorado
3rd Place - Kassandra Berrios of Puerto Rico
4th Place - Rachael Blair of Wyoming
5th Place - Chantelle Lemus of Wyoming
6th Place - Haley Love of Wyoming

110-118 lbs.
1st Place - Vanessa Vega of Arizona
2nd Place - Jenae Shannon of Alaska
3rd Place - Katlynn Cormier of Florida
4th Place - Vicmarie Requena of Puerto Rico
5th Place - Veronica Ouldhouse of Montana
6th Place - Michala Shaklee of Wyoming

115-127 lbs.
1st Place - Sarah Lambert of Virginia
2nd Place - Nichole Reyes of Puerto Rico
3rd Place - Shawnalea Chief Goes Out of Montana
4th Place - Kayla Gore of Kansas
5th Place - Victoria Kinsey of Oklahoma

135-150 lbs.
1st Place - Krista Revelle of Kansas
2nd Place - Jessica Orr of Wyoming
3rd Place - Shay Walker of Wyoming

150-169 lbs.
1st Place - Jennifer Orr of Wyoming
2nd Place - Emily Smith of Wyoming

191-198 lbs.
1st Place - Heidi Schmillen of Wyoming

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 2:37 PM | Permalink

2008 Beijing Olympic Games

If the Olympic Games are a history of mankind, wrestling is the prologue. When the ancient Games of the Olympiad were born, wrestling already was an ancient game. Widely recognised as the world's oldest competitive sport, wrestling appeared in a series of Egyptian wall paintings as many as 5000 years ago. When the Games began in 776 BC, more than two millenniums later, it included wrestling, and, in the years that followed, wrestling featured as the main event.

The sport would return in a similar role when the Olympic Games returned after a 1500-year absence in 1896. Organisers, seeking direct links to ancient times, found a natural in the sport that had enjoyed popularity across much of the ancient world, from Greece, Assyria and Babylon to India, China and Japan. They resurrected Greco-Roman wrestling, a style they believed to be an exact carryover from the Greek and Roman wrestlers of old.

In Greco-Roman wrestling, the wrestlers used only their arms and upper bodies to attack. They could hold only those same parts of their opponents. It worked nicely from a historical perspective, but another breezier style was sweeping across Great Britain and the United States by then. Known as "catch as catch can", it had become standard fare - and popular professional entertainment - at fairs and festivals in both countries.

In 1904, the Olympic Games added the second wrestling event and called it "freestyle". Now, wrestlers could use their legs for pushing, lifting and tripping, and they could hold opponents above or below the waist.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 11:55 PM | Permalink

TheWrestlingTalk released major update to its community about 2 weeks ago. I waited to detail the update until most of the finishing touches were completed. Check out how TWT is revolutionizing how wrestlers communicate:

Personal Profiles: (Here's Mine) This isn't just a wrestler's Facebook/MySpace. Complete your recruiting profile and get noticed by college coaches, add your highlight video from TWT Videos. If you put yourself on YouTube, you can add those videos to your profile as well.

Social Groups / Free Team Sites: Create your own team site with a forum, ability to add photos, videos, and more. Use the social groups feature to promote a cause (Save X's Wrestling Team, Donate to X's recovery fund) or connect with people who have a niche interest you share.

Free Wrestling Blog: Keep track of your daily workout regimen or keep your fan base up to date on your latest wrestling tournament.

Photo Albums: Wrestling is not your only interest, show off what else you enjoy. An excellent way to get to know your forum mates!

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 7:59 PM | Permalink

Four new national champions crowned in wild U.S. Freestyle Nationals finals; Azevedo pins Cejudo at 55 kg
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
04/26/2008

LAS VEGAS, NEV. - It was a night for newcomers, as four of the seven winners won a Senior national title for the first time at the 2008 Las Vegas/ASICS U.S. National Freestyle Championships at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Saturday night.

The first four weight classes were captured by first-time winners: Matt Azevedo (Pismo Beach, Calif./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Shawn Bunch (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Doug Schwab (Iowa City, Iowa/Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Ben Askren (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs.

Azevedo shocked two-time U.S. Nationals champion and top-seed Henry Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) with a second period pin, 1-0, 0:18. Azevedo won the first period, scoring a takedown from the clinch. Early in the second period, Azevedo blocked a front headlock attempt by Cejudo and caught him on his back, securing the pin. Azevedo was named Outstanding Wrestler based upon his performance.

“I expected to win. I knew I could win a National title and obviously this is just a stepping stone to get to the Olympic team. This is a big goal. This is a big deal for me to be a National champion,�? said Azevedo.

Azevedo took advantage of a move by Cejudo which he felt may have been forced.

“I think when you lose the first period it definitely changes your mind frame,�? said Azevedo. “You feel like you have to go out and get the guy. A lot of times I feel like that too. I think he maybe tried to force something that wasn’t there.�?

Bunch defeated Oklahoma State NCAA champion Coleman Scott (Waynesburg, Pa./Gator WC) in two straight periods, 4-0, 1-0. Bunch scored a three-point front headlock in the first period along with another takedown, and scored the only takedown in the second period.

“I’ve been beating guys all the time. I felt like I didn’t get respect for what I’ve been doing. I can beat all those guys. I think I’m the best in the world and I can win the Olympic gold if I make the team,�? said Bunch.

Schwab, who was fifth in the 2007 World Championships, scored a two-period victory over 2006 World Champion Bill Zadick (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 1-0, 3-0. Schwab won both periods by scoring takedowns from the clinch. In the first period, Zadick received one point for the takedown, and in the second period, he received three points for the exposure.

“Everybody knows each other so well. I’ve wrestled him. Everybody has wrestled everybody in our weight so many times. It just comes down to the fact that you do it so well it doesn’t even matter,�? said Schwab.

Askren won in two straight periods, defeating 2006 World Team Trials runner-up Tyrone Lewis (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC), 3-0, 3-2. Askren won the first period with a three-point double leg takedown. In the second period, trailing 2-0, Askren scored a two-point exposure and a takedown for the victory.

“You know I had a lot of things I wanted to do this year. I said this year I wanted to be tough. This year is for the Olympics. That’s all I do everyday, my life’s boring, but it paid off,�? said Askren.

Previous champions won the next three matches, with Mo Lawal (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) capturing his third U.S. Nationals title at 84 kg/185 lbs. and 2004 Olympian Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Sunkist Kids) winning his sixth career nationals title with a win at 96 kg/211.5 pounds and Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) winning his second straight national gold at 120 kg/264.5 pounds.

Lawal defeated 2006 World Team member Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC), 1-1, 1-0. In the first period, Hrovat scored the first takedown, with Lawal taking the second takedown, winning the period on the tiebreaker of last point scored. In the second period, Lawal had the only takedown.

Cormier was dominant in his 7-0, 2-0 victory over Nik Fekete (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC). In the first period technical fall, Cormier scored two takedowns for one point, a two-point gutwrench and a three-point front headlock. In the second period, Cormier added two more takedowns.

Lawal and Cormier met in the finals of the 2007 U.S. Nationals, with Cormier winning by 1-0, 1-0. Cormier also beat Lawal in the finals of the World Team Trials. This year, Lawal dropped back to 84 kg/185 lbs. and both were national champions. Both wrestlers attended Oklahoma State and are friends.

In a hotly contested heavyweight finals, Rowlands defeated Steve Mocco (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) , 3-0, 0-2, 1-0. The action was so intense that the wrestlers traded blows at the end of the second period.

Rowlands won the first period with a takedown with exposure from the clinch. Mocco had a takedown and a stepout for points in the second period. The only point in the final round was when Rowlands forced Mocco to step out on a hip toss during a scramble.

By winning the U.S. Nationals, three wrestlers qualified to advance directly to the best-of-three series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. There are four criteria that a 2008 National champion must meet in order to skip straight into the final series. They are:
• Top 10 finish at the 2005, 2006 or 2007 Senior World Championships
• 2005 University World Games medalist
• 2005, 2006 or 2007 Junior World medalist
• Multiple-time U.S. World Team member

Based upon these criteria, advancing into the finals series are Schwab, Lawal and Rowlands. The other four champions will enter the Challenge Tournament portion of the tournament.

The top seven placewinners at each weight class qualified to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15.

U.S. NATIONAL FREESTYLE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Las Vegas, Nev., April 26

55 kg/121 lbs.
1st – Matt Azevedo, Pismo Beach, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) pin Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 0:18
3rd - Danny Felix, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Nick Simmons, Williamstown, Mich. (Sunkist Kids), 2-1, 0-2, 3-0
5th - Vic Moreno, Palo Alto, Calif (Gator WC) dec. Grant Nakamura, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 5-0,6-2
7th - Adam Smith, State College, Pa. (New York AC) dec. Javier Maldonado, Kissimmee, Fla. (Sunkist Kids), 6-0, 1-0

60 kg/132 lbs.
1st – Shawn Bunch, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Coleman Scott, Waynesburg, Pa. (Gator WC), 4-0, 1-0
3rd - Teyon Ware, Oklahoma City, Okla. (New York AC) dec. Dylan Long, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 5-1, 1-0
5th - Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) inj. dft. over Zach Roberson, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids),
7th - Drew Headlee, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Pittsburgh) dec. Franklin Gomez, Brandon, Fla. (Michigan WC), 3-2, 6-0

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
1st – Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC) dec. Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 1-0, 3-0
3rd - Jared Frayer, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Chris Bono, Ringold, Ga. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0,5-1
5th - Brent Metcalf, Davison, Mich. (Gator WC) inj. dft. Zack Esposito, Stillwater, OK (Gator Wrestling Club),
7th - Trent Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Eric Larkin, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 1-1, 2-1

74 kg/163 lbs.
1st – Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 3-0, 3-2
3rd - Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) dec. Matt Lackey, Champaign, Ill. (New York AC), 5-2, 1-2, 3-0
5th - Ramico Blackmon, Colorado Springs Colo. (New York AC) dec. Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 2-0
7th - Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC) dec. Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids), 0-6,1-0,3-0

84 kg/185 lbs.
1st – Mo Lawal, Temecula, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor Mich. (New York AC), 1-1, 1-0
3rd - Bryce Hasseman, Bloomsburg, Pa, (New York AC) inj. dft. Clint Wattenberg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York Athletic Club),
5th - B J Padden, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) inj. dft. Matt Pell, Charlottesville, Va. (Cavalier WC),
7th - Jake Varner, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Tyrel Todd, , (New York AC), 2-0,7-1

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
1st – Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator Wrestling Club) dec. Nik Fekete, Iowa City Iowa (New York AC), 7-0,2-0
3rd - Willie Parks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Kurt Backes, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-0, 1-0
5th - Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York Athletic Club) dec. Max Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Sunkist Kids), 7-0, 3-0
7th - Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) dec. Konrad Dudziak, Bayonne, N.J. (New York AC), 1-0, 3-0

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
1st - Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) dec. Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3-0, 0-2, 1-0
3rd - Tervel Dlagnev, Kearney, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Tolly Thompson, Waterloo, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 0-1, 3-0
5th - Les Sigman, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Patrick Cummins, State College Pa. (New York AC), 2-0,2-0
7th - Scott Steele, Baltimore, Md. (Navy Mat Club) dec. Dom Bradley, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 1-0, 1-1

Div. I Team champion – Sunkist Kids, 109 pts.
Div. I Team runner-up – New York AC, pts.

Div. II Team champions – Gator WC, 62 pts.

USAW, LSV, and FloWrestling all provided wrestling videos for the event.

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 5:53 PM | Permalink

Fortune claims third straight title at Asics Western Junior Greco-Roman Regional
Elizabeth Wiley USA Wrestling
04/23/2008

Tyrell Fortune of Oregon took home his third straight Greco-Roman title at the 2008 Western Junior Regional Greco-Roman Championships April 23 in Las Vegas and was named Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament.

Fortune, who was a double champion at the 2007 Western Junior Regional, scored a technical fall over Dustin Meloche of Florida in the finals at 215, 8-0, 5-0.

Eric Starks of Washington and Ryland Geiger of Oregon were the only other repeat champions from 2007. Starks earned at technical fall at 171 over Cole Shafer of Utah, 7-0, 7-0. Geiger beat Clete Hanson of Washington, 1-1, 2-1, 7-0.

In the 112 pound finals, Ryan Mango of Missouri defeated Efrain Aguilar III of Washington 5-0, 7-0 to earn his second medal of the day. Mango lost to 2007 Junior World Team member Tyler Cox of Wyoming in the FILA Junior Nationals at 50 kg/110 lbs. Mango was a 2008 FILA Cadet National champion.

Washington had the most winners for any state, with three wrestlers claiming titles. In addition to Starks, Patrick Mucha beat Paul Garze of Arizona at 119 and Brian Owen pinned Ian Paddock of New York 49 seconds into the second period at 130.

Three states had two gold medalists, Missouri, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Missouri took back to back weight classes with Mango at 112 and Justin Forrest defeating Kyle Komata at 125. For Wisconsin, Cole Schmitt earned at technical fall over John Thompson of Washington at 140 and Kalvin York beat Derek St. John at 152. Geiger combined with Fortune for Oregon’s two titles.

At 98 pounds Carson Kuhn of Utah earned at technical fall against Chris Bostic of Arizona, 6-0, 6-0. One weight up, Ryak Finch of Arizona placed first with a technical fall over Steven Romero of Washington at 105, 7-0, 8-0.

Matt McDonough pinned fellow Iowan Marshall Koethe at 135, in the only final that featured two wrestlers from one state.

Joseph Cozart of Florida topped Eric Jones of Washington at 145, Tyler Koehn of Kansas beat Clarence Neely of Missouri at 160, and Toby Erickson of Montana earned a technical fall over Harrison Ford of Illinois to round out the champions.

Of the other returning champion, three placed. Eric Jones of Washington was second at 145, Reid Chivers of Washington came in third at 189, and Kade Moss of Utah placed sixth at 125.

WESTERN JUNIOR GRECO-ROMAN REGIONALS
At Las Vegas, Nev., April 23

98 lbs.
1st - Carson Kuhn (Utah) tech. fall Chris Bostic (Arizona) 6-0, 6-0
3rd - Nicholas Clobes (Minnesota) dec. Jacoby Bergeron (Minnesota) 7-0, 0-3, 1-1
5th - Max Mejia (Arizona) dec. Anthony Castano (New York) 7-1, 6-1

105 lbs.
1st - Ryak Finch (Arizona) tech. fall Steven Romero (Washington) 7-0, 8-0
3rd - Drew Van Anrooy (Oregon) dec. Courtland Hacker (Colorado) Dec 3-0, 3-1
5th - Jacob Falk (Utah) dec. Bo Bettinson (Nevada) Dec 2-1, 6-0

112 lbs.
1st - Ryan Mango (Missouri) dec. Efrain Aguilar Iii (Washington) 5-0, 7-0
3rd - Tyler Cox (Wyoming) dec. Steven Keith (New York) 0-6, 7-3, 10-2
5th - Tony Pena (Colorado) dec. Zach Holland (Washington) 6-0, 3-3

119 lbs.
1st - Patrick Mucha (Washington) dec. Paul Garza (Arizona) 9-0, 3-3, 5-1
3rd - Cody Lensing (Minnesota) dec. Scott Filbert (Arizona) 9-2, 3-1
5th - Kenny Sanders (Washington) inj. dft. Isaac Romero (Washington)

125 lbs.
1st - Justin Forrest (Missouri) dec. Kyle Komata (Washington) 5-2, 7-5
3rd - Justin Lavalle (Minnesota) tech. fall Thomas Kelliher (Minnesota) 6-0, 7-0
5th - Luke Goettl (Arizona) tech. fall Kade Moss (Utah) 7-0, 6-0

130 lbs.
1st - Brian Owen (Washington) pin Ian Paddock (New York) 4-1, 0:49
3rd - Jacob Kaufman (Oregon) dec. Devon Bonds (Minnesota) 4-2, 8-0
5th - Nicholas Harris (Nevada) dec. Tanner Beaman (Montana) 2-1, 2-1

135 lbs.
1st - Matt McDoonough (Iowa) pin Marshall Koethe (Iowa) Pin 6-0, 1:01
3rd - Josh Kindig (Pennsylvania) dec. Kyle Bradley (Missouri) 4-3, 6-3
5th - Luke Vaith (Minnesota) inj. dft. Eric Luna (Oregon)

140 lbs.
1st - Cole Schmitt (Wisconsin) tech. fall John Thompson (Washington) 6-0, 8-0
3rd - Shane Strumwasser (New York) dec. Patrick Smith (Minnesota) 5-0, 5-0
5th - Sam Mecham (Oregon) dec. Robert Pickrell (Colorado) 3-0, 3-0

145 lbs.
1st - Joseph Cozart (Florida) dec. Eric Jones (Washington) 4-1, 9-2
3rd - Derek Garcia (Washington) dec. Jared Hatley (Wyoming) 0-7, 5-2, 7-3
5th - Terrance Williams (Oregon) inj. dft. Tyler Sheridan (California)

152 lbs.
1st - Kalvin York (Wisconsin) dec. Derek St John (Iowa) 4-2, 3-1
3rd - Brad Sweet (Washington) pin Abner Cook (Idaho) 1:01
5th - Joey Chandler (Oregon) inj. dft. Matt Cartusciello (New York)

160 lbs.
1st - Tyler Koehn (Kansas) dec. Clarence Neely (Missouri) 3-0, 4-0
3rd - Justin Martin (Oregon) dec. Randy Larson (Oregon) 0-7, 6-5, 5-2
5th - Steve Harvey (Washington) pin Chris Sweet (Washington) 3-2, 0:56

171 lbs.
1st - Eric Starks (Washington) tech. fall Cole Shafer (Utah) 7-0, 7-0
3rd - Ethen Lofthouse (Utah) dec. Jake Swartz (Washington) 1-1, 1-1, 6-0
5th - Ben Bennett (Michigan) dec. Raymond Pina (Arizona) 3-0, 3-0

189 lbs.
1st - Ryland Geiger (Oregon) dec. Clete Hanson (Washington) 1-1, 2-1, 7-0
3rd - Reid Chivers (Washington) tech. fall Morgan Mcintosh (California) 6-0, 7-4
5th - Robert Prigmore (Texas) dec. Zach Folden (Washington) 4-0, 1-1

215 lbs.
1st - Tyrell Fortune (Oregon) tech. fall Dustin Meloche (Florida) 8-0, 5-0
3rd - Jake Kahnke (Minnesota) dec. William Knowles (California) 2-2, 3-0
5th - Adam Fager (Utah) dec. Trevor Rupp (Idaho) 4-1, 1-1, 2-1

285 lbs.
1st - Toby Erickson (Montana) tech. fall Harrison Ford (Illinois) 7-0, 6-0
3rd - Jacob Mitchell (Oregon) pin Jacob Kettler (Minnesota) 1-3, 0:39
5th - Parker Betts (Minnesota) Dec. Trevor Harvey (California) 1-5, 1-1, 1-1

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 6:16 PM | Permalink

Mango named Outstanding Wrestler as five repeat at University Greco-Roman Nationals in Akron, Ohio
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
04/11/2008

AKRON, OHIO - Spenser Mango (Mo./Gator WC/USOEC) won the 60 kg/132 pound division and was named Outstanding Wrestler at the University Greco-Roman National Championships, held at the Univ. of Akron on Friday. Mango defended his University Nationals title from last year, one of five repeat champions who claimed titles during the finals round.

Mango was competing up one weight class from his normal 55 kg/121 lbs. He defeated Donovan DePatto (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marines) in the gold-medal finals, 5-1, 4-0. It was the second straight year that Mango defeated DePatto in the final round at the University Nationals.

“I am up a weight class,�? said Mango. “The coaches felt it was best for me to go at 60 kg and go down to 55 kg for the U.S. Nationals. At Northern Michigan, I wrestle guys at 60 kg all the time. This is nothing new. We do this in training.�?

For the second straight year, Mango won a USA Wrestling national title alongside his younger brother, who defended his crown at the FILA Cadet Nationals held side-by-side during the day. Mango finds it harder helping coach his brother than competing.

“It is hard. For my matches, I am calm and confident. With him, I’m always nervous. I am pacing around during his matches. I want him to do well,�? said Mango.

The other four returning champions who won for the second straight year are teammates with Mango at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan Univ. Repeating as champions were Kerry Regner (USOEC) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs., Andrew Bisek (Minn. Storm/USOEC) at 74 kg/163 lbs., Jacob Fisher (NYAC/USOEC) at 79 kg/174 lbs and Chas Betts (Minn. Storm/USOEC) at 84 kg/185 lbs.

Kerry Regner defeated unattached Chad Vandiver in the finals, 3-0, 6-0. Bisek defeated Kyle Bounds of Oregon, 7-0, 5-0 in the finals. Fisher stopped USOEC teammate Chad Hemerson in the finals, 5-0, 6-0. Betts beat Zak Nielsen of the Minnesota Storm, 3-0, 2-2.

Champions in the seven Olympic weight classes qualified for a spot in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15. At the University Nationals, there are 10 weight classes, so the three non-Olympic weight classes do not advance to the Olympic Trials. Mango, Bisek and Betts won Olympic weight classes and earned a trip to Las Vegas.

“This is a good event to win coming into the hard part of our season,�? said Bisek. “I don’t think I have ever wrestled my finals opponent before. One of my teammates wrestled him and did pretty well, even though he lost. I felt pretty confident going in.�?

“It is nice to have this event now,�? said Betts. “We have been training hard. It is a good time to have this before the U.S. Nationals. You get to try your technique that you have been working on.�?

Also winning Olympic weight divisions to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials were Nikko Triggas (Moraga, Calif./Ohio State) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Bo Beckman (Orem, Utah/USOEC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Peter Gounaridis (Leominster, Mass./USOEC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Erik Nye (Red Bluff, Calif./Northern Xtreme) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Triggas, a two-time Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion who competes for Ohio State, scored a technical fall over Paul Tellgreen of the Minnesota Storm, 6-0, 6-0.

Beckman stopped Calvin Miller of the Road RunnerWC, 4-0, 6-0 in the finals.

Gounaridis, who was second at the University Nationals last year, beat his USOEC teammate Michael Rossetti, 3-0, 3-0.

Nye, who has placed fifth at the FILA Junior World Championships the last two years, pinned 2008 Armed Forces champion David Arendt Jr of the US Marines in 1:59 in the finals.

The University Nationals also serves as a qualifying event for the 2008 University World Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 23-24. The University World Championships will be held in Greece in July.

Nye, who competes for Sierra College in California, is excited about the chance to try out for the University World Team for another chance to compete against top foreign opponents.

“It would be very exciting to make the University World Team. Maybe the Russian will be there this time, so I can have a chance to beat him.�?

The other individual champion at 70 kg/154.25 lbs was Jon Drendel of USOEC, giving the USOEC program eight individual champions.

Two returning champions were defeated and did not qualify for the championship finals, Robby Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Kenny Lester (Oviedo, Fla./Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Smith finished third and Lester placed fifth.

UNIVERSITY GRECO-ROMAN NATIONALS
At Akron, Ohio, April 11

55 kg/121 lbs
1st - Nikko Triggas (Ohio State) tech fall over Paul Tellgreen (Minnesota Storm), 6-0, 6-0
3rd - Miguel Pena (US Marines) dec. Mark McKnight (The New Age Gladiators), 3-0,4-0
5th - Tyler Moore (US Air Force) pin Dustin McKinney (All-Navy), 8-1,0:34
7th - Ryan Hall (USOEC) dec. Fred Santaite (Graybird Wrestling Club), 2-3, 4-2, 3-1

60 kg/132.25 lbs
1st - Spenser Mango (USOEC) dec. Donny DePatto (US Marines), 5-1, 4-0
3rd - David Armstrong (Cleveland State) tech. fall Andrew Perez (US Air Force), 6-0, 6-0
5th - Aaron Navarrete (Titan Wrestling Club) won by pin over Dean Maraj (US Air Force), 6-0,1:47
7th - Andrew Smith (Clarion WC) won by injury default over Norman Richmond (Penninsula)

63 KG/138.75 lbs
1st - Kerry Regner (USOEC) dec. Chad Vandiver (Unattached), 3-0, 6-0
3rd - Reece Humphrey (Ohio State) dec. Gabriel Mooney (MinnKota), 3-2, 5-0
5th - Anthony Jerome (Bearcats) dec. Eric Luke (Y.E.S Greensboro), 4-0, 8-0
7th - Joe Murphy (Minnesota Storm) pin Frank Sade (Your Moms Wrestling Academy), 1-1, 7-3, 1:53)

66 kg/145.5 lbs
1st - Bo Beckman (USOEC) dec. Calvin Miller (RoadRunnerWC), 4-0, 6-0
3rd - Ben Sanchez (USOEC) dec. Sal Lascari (Clarion WC), 5-0, 6-0
5th - Lance Gallegos (Northern Colorado) pin Brian Graham (Valley Wrestling), 0-6, 7-4, 0:41
7th - Nic Remer (All Navy) pin Dustin Leutz (Rock Head Wrestling Club), 0:27

70 kg/154.25 lbs
1st - Jon Drendel (USOEC) dec. Aaron Briggs (USOEC), 2-3, 4-1, 2-1
3rd - Aaron Drain (US Air Force) dec. Joe Grygelko (Minnesota Storm), 2-1, 2-1
5th - Carlo Ferrandino (Graybird Wrestling Club) dec. Mike Cubillos (Graybird Wrestling Club), 6-0, 2-0
7th - Tyler Davis (Cowboy Wrestling Club) dec. Greg Lewis (Clarion WC), 8-2, 3-1

74 kg/163 lbs
1st - Andrew Bisek (Minnesota Storm) dec. Kyle Bounds (Oregon), 7-0, 5-0
3rd - Jacob Curby (USOEC) dec. Chris Bullins (Y.E.S Greensboro), 3-2, 7-0
5th - Peter Hicks (US Air Force) dec. Auton Gottfredson (USOEC), 1-1, 2-1
7th - Bulla Tuzon (River City Wrestling) tech fall Tony Bradberry (Firebird Freestyle), 6-0, 6-0

79 kg / 174 lbs.
1st - Jake Fisher (USOEC) dec. Chad Hemerson (USOEC), 5-0, 6-0
3rd - Talan Knox (USOEC) pin Rob Schoner (Aww Schmidt WC), 7-0, 0:29
5th - Kaleb Young (Minnesota Storm) tech. fall John Sinchok (Campbellsville Univ), 8-0, 6-0
7th - Todd Noel (Titan Wrestling Club) pin Dan Kennedy (Graybird Wrestling Club), 6-0, 0:57

84 kg/185 lbs
1st - Chas Betts (Minnesota Storm) dec. Zak Nielsen (Minnesota Storm), 3-0, 2-2
3rd - Cheney Haight (USOEC) dec. Alex Piasecki (SWAT), 3-1, 6-0
5th - Brent Eidenschenk (Minnesota Storm) inj. dft. Jacob Ison (Bobcat Wrestling Club)
7th - Ian Murphy (Titan Wrestling Club) dec. Walter Hoffman (US Air Force), 4-0, 1-5, 2-1

96 kg/211.5 lbs
1st - Peter Gounaridis (USOEC) dec. Michael Rossetti (USOEC), 3-0, 3-0
3rd - Robby Smith (NYAC) pin Jon Schmidt (Aww Schmidt WC), 1:12
5th - Andrew Moore (La Crosse Wrestling) dec. Levi Wofford (Sunkist Kids), 4-3, 5-0
7th - Moises Hernandez (US Marines) dec. Nader Maghribi (US Air Force), 4-1, 6-0

120 kg/264.5 lbs
1st - Erik Nye (Northern Xtreme) pin David Arendt Jr (US Marines), 1:59
3rd - Peter Kowalczuk (USOEC) dec. Charlie Alexander (Oregon), 6-0, 4-0
5th - Kenny Lester (Sunkist Kids) won by forfeit over Jarod Trice (Chippewa Wrestling Club)
7th - Brendan Herlihy (Penn State) dec. Ivan Muller (Citadel Old Timers), 1-1, 3-0

True Second Place Matches
(for placement at University World Team Trials)

55 kg/121 lbs.
Paul Telllgeen (Minnesota Storm) dec. Miguel Pena (U.S. Marines), 3-1, 5-0

60 kg/132 lbs.
Donny DePatto (U.S. Marines) dec. David Armstrong (Cleveland State), 5-0, 1-1

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Ben Sanchez (USOEC) dec. Calvin Miller (Road Runner WC), 4-0, 3-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Mike Rossetti (USOEC) dec. Robby Smith (New York AC), 1-1, 1-1

Posted by Wrestling Fan at 9:46 AM | Permalink