InterMat Staff

The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has announced its annual Division I All-Academic Top 30 Team and the NWCA Individual All-Academic wrestling team for the 2008-09 season. For the second straight year, American University took home top team honors while five NCAA Division I Champions highlighted the individual team. Mark Cody’s American University Eagles led the Division I teams with GPA of 3.2839 after tying with Duke University in 2008. American was closely followed by Harvard University which had their highest team finish under head coach Jay Weiss. Rounding out the top five teams are Stanford University, Duke University, and Davidson College. All eleven conferences were represented in the top 30 teams with the EIWA leading the way with six teams. For teams to be eligible for consideration, the team GPA is comprised of 12 student athletes, including the 10 wrestlers that were the entries in the NCAA tournament conference qualifier. If teams had less than 10 entries for their respective qualifier, they may fill those spots with wrestlers that competed in at least one varsity dual during the season. “We are finding that year in and year out, coaches strive to have their team’s listed as an All-Academic Team. This is another measure of success for these programs,” said Executive Director Mike Moyer. “There is so much more to wrestling than what is done on the mat and we see just one part of that here with the All-Academic Team.” The 2008-09 All-Academic individual team is highlighted by a total of 51 NCAA Qualifiers, 17 NCAA All-Americans, 8 NCAA Finalist and 5 NCAA Champions. In total 73 individuals representing 45 schools are being honored this year on the All-Academic Team. The five NCAA Champions earning a spot on the individual team are: Jarrod King of Edinboro University (3.78) a Health and Physical Education –Human Performance major, Stephen Luke of the University of Michigan (3.35) a Biology major, Jake Herbert of Northwestern University (3.179) a Communication Major, Fraklin Gomez of Michigan State (3.098) majoring in Human Resources, and J. Jaggers of the Ohio State University (3.02) in Communications. Sitting at the top of the All-Academic Team is NCAA Qualifier Nicholas Amuchastegui of Stanford University who holds a 3.928 in Mechanical Engineering. Rounding out the top five individuals were Liberty’s Christian Smith (3.92), Tucker Lane (3.919) of Nebraska, Jeffrey Newby (3.82) of Utah Valley, and Jarrod King (3.78) of Edinboro University. Individually, wrestlers must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA, been an NCAA qualifier or won 60 percent of his total schedule – and must have competed in at least 60 percent of said schedule. The other way to qualify for the All-Academic team is have a 3.0 cumulative and been an NCAA All-American. “The student-athletes on this All-Academic Team exemplify what we are looking for in the sport of wrestling. You see teams and individuals from the largest institutions that sponsor wrestling to the smaller colleges listed. There is diversity here that you do not always get to see when it comes to compiling these type of teams,” said Jim Beichner NWCA President. Utah Valley State led all schools with four wrestlers earning All-Academic accolades followed by The United State Military Academy (ARMY), Old Dominion University, and Northwestern University with three individuals named to the All-Academic Team. “As a coaches association, we look forward to recognizing the accomplishments of our coaches and wrestlers each year. This is just another way to showcase our sport’s close alignment with educational values,” said Moyer.

Danny Felix

Sammie Henson

ITHACA, N.Y.­ -- Jeremy Spates will join the Cornell wrestling staff as an assistant coach, it was announced by Rob Koll, the David R. Dunlop ’59 Head Coach of Wrestling. Spates comes to East Hill after serving as an assistant coach at Oklahoma the past five seasons. Spates will assist the Big Red in all areas of coaching, including recruiting and on-the-mat instruction. A former 149-pounder, he will work with all Cornell wrestlers but will specialize with the middle to lower weight classes. “I have known Jeremy for a very long time, and I helped him with his technique when he was in junior high,” Koll said. “We tried to get Jeremy to join our staff a few years ago, but the timing was not right. We are very glad to have him back in New York. Jeremy will bring a unique perspective to our staff, having wrestled and coached in the Big 12.” Spates helped lead Oklahoma to a 16-4 dual record this season, its best in its past five campaigns. The Sooners crowned two Big 12 champions and qualified eight wrestlers for the NCAA tournament. In his five seasons, Spates has helped Oklahoma notch two top-three team finishes at the NCAAs. At the 2004 national tournament, Oklahoma crowned a 141 pound champion, Teyon Ware, and produced four All-Americans. The Sooners followed with five All-Americans in 2005 and its second-straight third-place team finishes. Spates served as an interim assistant coach for the 2004-05 season, and he was promoted to assistant coach prior to the 2005-06 campaign. A three-time NCAA qualifier, Spates finished his wrestling career at Missouri with a 106-38 record and was only the 10th Tiger in MU history to reach 100 wins. Spates rounded out his senior campaign by placing fifth at the NCAA tournament to earn All-America honors. The first Missouri three-time captain, he was invited to compete at the 2004 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic, where he defeated Cornell All-American Dustin Manotti. A 1999 Norman HS graduate, Spates was a high school All-American and a three-time junior All-American. He earned an Oklahoma state championship while wrestling for the Tigers. Spates is the son of Jack Spates, who coached the Big Red from 1988-93. Jack Spates had a 74-14-1 record as the fifth head coach of Cornell and tops all wrestling coaches with a .837 winning percentage. He led the Big Red to five Ivy titles and placed first at the EIWA tournament his last two seasons. The Big Red’s 10th-place mark at the NCAA tournament in 1993 was Cornell’s best in 32 years. Jack Spates is currently in his 16th season as the head coach at Oklahoma. He has led the Sooners to top-four placings nationally in six of the past 10 seasons.

1980 Olympian Chuck Yagla and 2008 World Champion Clarissa Chun will be radio show guests Wednesday night. Waterloo, Iowa native Chuck Yagla will be inducted this weekend into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Yagla was a state runner-up for Waterloo Columbus High School in 1972 at 145 pounds. He went on to the University of Iowa where he was a three-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion, winning the Outstanding Wrestler award as a senior in 1976 at 150 pounds. A member of two world teams, Yagla was a 1980 Olympian and unfortunately did not have the opportunity compete in Moscow, Russia due to then President Carter's boycott of the Summer Games. Yagla was one of top wrestling officials in the nation for several years, working the NCAA Division I tournament for 13 years before recently ending his officiating career. Clarissa Chun won the women's freestyle division at 105.5 pounds last weekend at the World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Chun placed fifth in the 2008 Olympics and won the 2008 world title. A native of Hawaii, Chun was a US Nationals champion in 2006 and a three-time University Nationals champion. She attended Missouri Valley College. "On the Mat" can be heard live on the Internet at www.kcnzam.com or locally in Northeast Iowa each Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Central time on AM 1650, The Fan. Feel free to e-mail radio@wrestlingmuseum.org with any questions or comments about the show.

At age 14, Alex Cisneros has already accomplished a lot on the wrestling mat. Alex CisnerosTake a look at just some of the titles he’s won in his just-completed freshman year at Selma High School in California: Reno Tournament of Champions. Five Counties Invitational. The Western Junior Freestyle Tournament in Las Vegas. The 2009 CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) 103-pound state title. In fact, Cisneros won every tournament he entered … and every match he wrestled, compiling a 46-0 record in his first year of high school competition. If that weren’t enough, Cisneros maintains a 4.1 grade point average in college prep classes, is active in his school’s ROTC program, and helps young kids at his church with their Bible studies. And he’s very modest about all of it. “He’s a kid who’s never opened his mouth and said 'I’m going to do this or I’m going to do that,’” Sam Lopez, his high school coach, told the Fresno Bee. “He just wrestles. I mean, he wants to win, there is no doubt about that. But he’s not a kid that’s going to put himself out there and brag about himself. It’s hard to believe a kid can be that humble, because if I was that good, I’d be telling everybody who would listen.” California’s youngest state champ When asked for this article to name the greatest accomplishment of his decade-long wrestling career, Alex Cisneros immediately replied without hesitation, “Winning the state title. It’s the biggest by far. It’s so much more meaningful because my brother Joe had won it.” At age 14, Alex Cisneros was the youngest wrestler ever to win a state title in California (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)In March, Alex Cisneros became only the seventh freshman to win a state championship in the 35-year history of the event in California. Making that achievement all the sweeter: At age 14, Cisneros was the youngest to win a state title in the Golden State … the first freshman champion to go undefeated all season … and the second member of his family to win a state title as a freshman, following in the footsteps of his older brother Joe who did it in 2004. At the 2009 CIF state championships in Bakersfield, Cisneros was the top seed in the 40-man bracket at 103 pounds. In his first match, he got a 15-0 technical fall over Norwalk’s Steven Joyce … while, in the second round, he pinned Michael Nolasco of El Modena at 1:42. Cisneros followed up with a 1:10 fall over Beyer’s Jake Congleton in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the Selma freshman shut out Vinny Moita of De La Salle, 4-0. Now it was time for the state title match. Before the tournament, there had been a lengthy profile of Alex Cisneros in the Fresno Bee … and a lot of speculation in the wrestling community throughout California -- and beyond. Much of that buzz centered on whether Cisneros was on his way to becoming only the second four-time state champ in California history … before he had even wrestled a single match at the state tournament. The only wrestler to win four CIF titles weighed in with his perspective. Before the state tournament, Darrel Vasquez, who, until recently, had been an assistant coach at Harvard, told the Fresno Bee, “He's done far more than I ever did [at his age]. I didn't win a schoolboy state title, I didn't win a cadet state title. I won tournaments and was always right there, but I never won the big tournaments going into my freshman year like he has." Alex Cisneros (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Would Cisneros be able to deal with the pressure, and make some history? Just before the championship match, Alex Cisneros was comforted by the sight of a familiar face: “As I was walking to the mat for the finals, it was great seeing Joe in the front row.” For the 103-pound title, Alex Cisneros faced off against Stevan Knoblauch of Clovis West, who brought a 26-5 record to the state tournament. The undefeated freshman from Selma kept his perfect record, getting a decisive 11-1 victory over his sophomore opponent, and earning the state championship in one of the few states where all wrestlers compete in a single class. What helped Cisneros win the title? Here’s Sam Lopez’s analysis: “At the state finals, both wrestlers were equal on their feet. However, on top is where (Alex) came through, using the Mendoza double tilt.” “Most kids work on their strengths, focusing on what they’re already good at. Alex works on his weaknesses, and it’s one way he continues to get better and better.” A gamble in Las Vegas pays off About a month after winning the California state title, Alex Cisneros entered the Western Regional Tournament in Las Vegas … with a bit of a gamble. “We bumped him up to 112 to give him more competition,” discloses Sam Lopez, who was named 2009 Wrestling Coach of the Year by the Fresno Bee. Turns out that gamble paid off big time for the newly crowned 103-pound CIF champ. Alex Cisneros won the 112-pound title at the Western Junior Freestyle tournament for high school wrestlers April 8-10 in Las Vegas … by beating a string of other prep state champs, including Christopher Ornelas of Arizona, Minnesota’s Mike Fuenffinger, Ryan Nakagawa of Hawaii, Utah’s Carson Kuhn, and Steven Romero of the state of Washington. In the finals, Cisneros pinned Iowa high school state champ Eric DeVos at 1:59 to win the event’s title. An early start toward success Alex Cisneros first started wrestling at age 3. “We lived in Ventura (California),” says the 14-year-old state champ. “I’d go to wrestling practice with my older brother Joe. I’d roll around on the mat. I thought it was fun.” Alex Cisnerous finished his freshman season undefeated at Selma High School (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)“My dad also wrestled in high school.” Alex Cisneros started participating in the wrestling program at the Boys and Girls Club in Ventura. He started competing in school as a fifth grader, which was about the time his parents, David and Jocelyn Cisneros, started taking him to tournaments, including major ones such as the Reno Tournament of Champions, and the Tulsa Nationals, where he went up against the top mat talents from across the nation. Wrestling has remained fun for Cisneros, even as he’s gone up against older, top-ranked talent from across the nation … and had to deal with all the attention leading up to the state tournament in March. “I’m never focused on the pressure, but on having fun,” says Cisneros. “Going undefeated, along with all the hype, put on some pressure. But I’m pretty much used to that.” “I had already been to some big tournaments before the state championships, which took some of the pressure off.” In fact, Alex Cisneros snagged the title at every tournament he entered this past season, including the Reno Tournament of Champions, Five Counties Invitational, MidCals Invitational, the Central Sequoia League Championships, the Sequoia-Sierra Divisionals, the Central Section Grand Masters, and the Clovis West Shootout. It’s a family affair The Cisneros family is very much in Alex’s corner … and then some. “His dad delivers fuel, working at night,” according to Sam Lopez. “He takes his son to early-morning workouts, and attends Alex’s matches.” Sam LopezAlex Cisneros weighs in: “Four or five days a week, dad takes me to the gym at 5:30 a.m. after he’s worked all night.” Coach Lopez adds, “Dad works with Alex on technique, striving to make him a better wrestler.” “Mom is also very supportive,” Lopez continues … a thought backed up by Alex. “When we lived in Bakersfield, dad would have to go to work even earlier, so mom took us to practice early,” says Cisneros. “They both want Alex to succeed in life,” according to Lopez. “They see wrestling as the way to do that. After all, you need to be a champion out in the real world.” Alex Cisneros serves as something of a champion in his role as a big brother. “I set the example for my three younger brothers -- Jacob, who will be seven in August, Josh, who’s ten, and Chris, who’s 12. I try to be the role model for them through wrestling.” One of a kind “I’ve been coaching for about 20 years, and I’ve never seen anyone quite like Alex,” says Sam Lopez, who just completed his first season as head wrestling coach at Selma High. “His work ethic is amazing. He’s very mature for his age; you’d think he was 20. He’s incredibly coachable.” Lopez, who once wrestled at Fresno State, elaborates. “Alex’s anticipation is incredible for his age. He does a great job wrestling angles. His positioning is outstanding.” “Like all the great ones, he makes things look easy, but he works incredibly hard.” "When he comes to practice, he is really focused," Lopez told the Fresno Bee. "The guy doesn't waste time. For being a freshman, he's drilling hard and working hard. It's just business. He's not screwing around.” “He’s one of those guys who leads by example,” Lopez said in an interview for this article. “After winning huge tournaments like Reno, Five Counties, it could be expected that he might want to take it easy, or brag on what he’s just done. But just comes in to work, then stays to help roll up the mats.” Alex Cisneros (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)“I think he’s willing to outwork other guys in his weight class.” For Cisneros, it means early-morning workouts with weights in the gym, then, after a full day of classes, at least a couple hours of wrestling practice. But, the 2009 103-pound state champ isn’t comfortable taking it easy. "I always think if I am laying down on the couch, there is someone else out there working just to beat me. I tell myself I have to push harder and harder every day to get to the next level," Cisneros told the Fresno Bee, in a quote that sounds very much like what Dan Gable said as an Iowa State wrestler and force in freestyle. “Alex has incredible time-management skills,” concludes coach Lopez. “He’s mature beyond his years.” Driven to compete Sam Lopez also cites another trait that makes Alex Cisneros a winner: An incredible competitive drive that’s on display on the wrestling mat … and off it, too. “He finds a way to win. He has a very aggressive style, always pushing the pace. He can apply pressure from the bottom, from all positions. He’s incredible at leg riding and grapevining.” “He loves to compete, even in practice. He hates to be taken down, whether it’s by a teammate, or one of us coaches.” In a separate interview, Alex Cisnero’s self-analysis lines up with his coach’s: “I see myself as an all-out, in-your-face wrestler. I’ll be setting the limit, wrestle my style.” Lopez, who is a special ed teacher, also sees that competitive fire in Alex Cisneros outside of wrestling. “Alex is a leader in our school’s ROTC program,” according to Lopez. “He’s very focused on being the best. I think he likes the structure, likes preparing for inspections.” Alex Cisneros (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)In fact, Alex Cisneros considers ROTC to be his favorite class. “I’m thinking about the U.S. Naval Academy or other military service academy,” says Cisneros. “I’m interested in a career in civil engineering. The academies would provide a great education in that field, with career opportunities after.” One could also imagine Cisnero’s competitive fire comes through in his favorite sport outside of wrestling: paintball. Yet Alex Cisneros has a quieter, more contemplative side as well. He is a young man of deep religious faith, active in his church, Valley Life Christian Church in Selma, who enjoys helping kids study the Bible. With all his mat talent, a powerful work ethic, an unquenchable competitive spirit, and a love of working with youngsters, it might make sense that Alex Cisneros might someday want to be a wrestling coach. When asked, he immediately responded, “Yes” but then followed up, “Right now, I’m living one year at a time, one match at a time.” For wrestling fans from Selma, California to Selma, Alabama, it’ll be fun to see what more great things Alex Cisneros accomplishes … one match at a time, one year at a time.

Nick Purler

Randy Lewis

We are pleased to announce that the Iowa's legendary NBC Affiliate, WHO TV 13 will be adding TDR TV news to their Web site offerings starting immediately. WHO TV 13 has, along with Des Moines Sports Station 1460 KXNO has embraced the wrestling community and joins a growing list of Radio and TV affiliates who are now airing TDR TV. Most recently SuperTalk 1570 Flint- Saginaw, Michigan joined our family in airing the radio program Saturday evenings 7 to 9 PM eastern. About TDR TV: TDR TV is an off shoot of Takedown Wrestling Radio. TDR is a 13 year old weekly radio program that airs Saturdays through the year. TDR's primary goal is to continually tell the story of wrestling. TDR TV engages younger demo's with video, pictures, graphics and a hot set. More information can be found at TakedownRadio.com.

CEDAR BLUFFS, Iowa -- Former Wildcat Jake Herbert competed as the top seed in the 84-kg weight class in the 2009 World Team Trials Sunday in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and came away successful in his attempt to qualify for his first U.S. World Team. Herbert defeated former Bloomsburg wrestler Bryce Hasseman in the final 0-1, 1-0, 3-1, punching himself a ticket to Denmark to battle the globe’s best at the 2009 Wrestling World Championships Sept. 21-27. A year ago, Herbert became a member of the U.S. University World Team during his redshirt season from Northwestern in his bid to reach the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. On Sunday, the 2009 Hodge Trophy winner became one of the youngest members of this year’s senior squad. “This isn’t just the result of three months of training, it’s years and years and years of hard work,” Herbert said. “Everyone out on the mat knows that but it’s hard for people on the outside to see all that goes into winning an event like the World Team Trials. It’s just unbelievable.” Herbert’s victory at the U.S. Championships back on April 13 guaranteed him a spot in the finals this weekend in Council Bluffs while Hasseman, an NCAA qualifier while at Bloomsburg in 2004-05, advanced through the preliminary rounds for the right to face Herbert. In freestyle wrestling scoring, each period begins with a score of 0-0 and a wrestler must win two of three periods to advance. A native of Wexford, Pa., Herbert finished his college career as Northwestern's leader in winning percentage (.973) and second in career wins with a 149-4 career record. He won the 2007 and 2009 NCAA title at 184 pounds while also becoming Northwestern’s first three-time Big Ten champion.

Columbia, Mo. -- Two-time All-American Matt Pell will return to Missouri as an assistant wrestling coach as announced today by Tiger Head Coach Brian Smith. A 2007 graduate, Pell has spent the last two seasons at the University of Virginia as an assistant coach and replaces former Missouri assistant Shawn Charles. Charles was recently hired as the Head Coach at Arizona State. "I am very proud to have Matt Pell coming home to coach at Mizzou," Smith said. "He had a great career here as a student-athlete and over the past two years he has developed under Coach (Steve) Garland's tutelage as an outstanding recruiter and coach. Coach Pell will be on staff at all of the Tiger Style Camps this summer." During his four year career at Missouri, Pell earned top-eight finishes at the 2005 and 2007 NCAA Championships. Pell wrestled in three different weight classes throughout his time as a Tiger, earning his first All-America nod at 184 pounds and his second, a third place finish at 165 pounds, his senior year (2007). Pell was a key member of Missouri's 10-man lineup in 2007 and aided the team to its highest NCAA finish in program history, third. Additionally, Pell was the recipient of the Gorarrian Award for most falls at the 2007 NCAA Championships, four. In four years, Pell managed a 121-35 career record and was a four-time NCAA qualifier. "I'm excited to come home to Missouri," Pell said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and experience that Coach Garland provided me over the past two seasons. I learned a lot during my time at Virginia and hope to bring what I've learned back to Missouri." As an assistant at UVA, Pell coached the Cavaliers to one of their best seasons in program history (2008) crowning two ACC Champions and sending three individuals to the NCAA Championships. In 2009, Pell and the UVA wrestling staff coached 174-pounder Chris Henrich to All-America honors. Henrich became the 10th All-American in Virginia's wrestling history and first since 2004. "While at Missouri we never reached our goal of winning a national team title," Pell said. "I look at the team that is in place now at Missouri and I'm anxious to get back to Columbia and go to work. I think Missouri has a solid group of guys that have the capability to win a national title. I'm looking forward to working with, and helping develop, some of the wrestlers that are on the Missouri team."

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- A trio of former Oklahoma State wrestlers were tripped up at the World Team Trials Sunday in Council Bluffs, with Obenson Blanc taking third at 55 kilograms, Chris Pendleton getting knocked out in the consolation bracket of the challenge tournament at 84 kilograms and Steve Mocco losing his championship series at 120 kilograms. A 2008 Olympian, Mocco was favored to win over Tervel Dlagnev, who had to fight his way through the challenge tournament just to face the former Cowboy NCAA champion. Dlagnev won the first match of the series by a 0-1, 1-0, 2-0 score, but Mocco came back to win the second match, 0-3, 3-0, 2-2. The deciding bout went to Dlagnev, 3-1, 1-1. Blanc was a third-place finisher in the challenge tournament after suffering a 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 upset defeat at the hands of former Arizona State Sun Devil and current West Virginia assistant coach Danny Felix in his first bout. Once in the consolation bracket, Blanc regrouped to beat Minnesota’s Zach Sanders by a 1-0, 1-0 score before crushing Utah Valley’s Ben Kjar in the third-place bout by a convincing 3-0, 4-0 score. Blanc wrestled high school standout and Ohio State signee Logan Stieber for true third and handed the youngster a 1-0, 2-0 defeat in that bout. Blanc’s third-place finish was a surprise to many, as he was the highest-seeded wrestler in the 55 kilogram challenge tournament. As for Pendleton, the former Cowboy NCAA champion had a productive showing for someone who has been largely out of competitive wrestling this year. He started his run with a 7-0, 7-0 technical fall win over former Edinboro wrestler and current Oregon State staffer Alex Clemsen in the first round, then came back to beat former Iowa State Cyclone David Bertolino by a comfortable 6-3, 1-0 margin. Eventual champion Bryce Hasseman knocked Pendleton from the championship bracket in the semifinals with a 0-4, 1-1, 2-0 defeat. Pendleton’s day came to a close with a 1-0, 4-1 loss to Eric Luedke.

USA Wrestling proudly announces the Living the Dream Medal Fund. We have created the Fund with the purpose of allowing the entire wrestling community to participate in celebrating and honoring the hard work of our champions. While we understand that no wrestling champion wrestles ‘for the money”, this Fund will send a strong message to our elite athletes that their glory is our collective glory and their hard work and dedication is appreciated. U.S. World and Olympic team members are our ambassadors to the global wrestling community. The long journey from pee wee wrestler to an Olympic medalist requires a level of determination, of sweat, of pain, of time on the road, and in the gym, and on the mats…of dieting, deprivation, almost madness. The few that survive that journey and win deserve our support. The Fund is being established to award stipends for gold medal, silver medal, and bronze medal finishes at this years World Championships in Copenhagen, the 2010 and 2011 Worlds, and the 2012 Olympic Games. For the World Championships, the plan is to offer $50,000 for a gold medal,$25,000 for a silver, and $15,000 for a bronze For the London 2012 games, the plan is to offer $250,000 for a gold medal, $50,000 for a silver, and $25,000 for a bronze. It is important to note that contributions to this Fund will only go directly to pay the awards referred to above to each athlete that achieves their spot on a World or Olympic podium. The Fund will incorporate and utilize the existing stipends from USA wrestling and stipends as made available by the USOC. The Fund will be maintained as a restricted and segregated fund by USA Wrestling.* It will be overseen by a board that includes representatives of USA wrestling as well as a group of stewards who have helped establish the Fund and will assist in financially underwriting it. We are now looking for donations from $5 to $5,000 from our brothers and sisters in the wrestling community. It is this extended family of wrestlers, of cauliflowered crusaders, where we will find support and strength to back our athletes. “This is huge, history-making news for the U.S. wrestling program,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. “This can change the face of wrestling history. This is a great opportunity for our athletes and coaches. They are excited and thankful.” We appreciate your help. We need it. Our champions need it. To donate, click HERE. Art Martori Dave Barry Richard Tavoso Mike Novogratz Stan Dziedzic USA Wrestling USOC *This announcement summarizes the purpose of and provides general information regarding the living the dream medal fund. Additional information pertaining to the fund may be obtained from USA Wrestling, including information regarding return of contributions to donors in the event the full amount of the fund is not awarded after conclusion of the 2012 Olympic Games based on the performance of the USA Wrestling 2009, 2010 and 2011 World Teams and 2012 USA Olympic Wrestling Teams.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- It was a weekend filled with first-time winners in the freestyle competition at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Seven weight classes, seven first-time winners. Six of those winners were 26 years old or younger, and in the eyes of many, considered young, rising stars. The other winner, a seasoned veteran who many people believed was past his prime. His name: Danny Felix. On Sunday, the 35-year-old Felix battled his way through a weight class -- 55 kg -- that was filled with youth. In the Challenge Tournament, he defeated two college-age wrestlers and a high school wrestler half his age. On Sunday night, Felix defeated U.S. Nationals champion Nick Simmons to make his first U.S. World team. "It's indescribable, really," said an emotional Felix after his finals victory. "I've just been working so hard and for so long. I've moved from state to state, just trying to pursue my dreams." In Felix's corner coaching him was World champion Sammie Henson, a man who has been through thick and thin with Felix. "Me and Sammie are best friends," said Felix, who made the decision to move down from 60 kg to 55 kg after Henson retired from competition. "Me and Sammie know each other probably better than our wives. I shouldn't say that, but … He's so special to me. He's in my heart. I've always been there for him through his tournaments and stuff. He's there for me now. It's perfect. I don't think it could have worked out any better." Felix now sets his sights on competing at the 2009 World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark, Sept. 21-27. "I can't wait to get back in the room and work some things and scout my opponents and people who are in my weight in the world," said Felix. "I feel I'm the best guy out there. If I wrestle to my ability, I'm the best guy." The other three U.S. World Team Trials champions crowned on Saturday night in the freestyle competition were Trent Paulson (66 kg), Jake Herbert (84 kg), and Tervel Dlagnev (120 kg). Paulson, a Council Bluffs native, electrified his home crowd, with two straight victories over Challenge Tournament champion Jared Frayer. For Paulson the last two days have been an emotional rollercoaster. Last night, his twin brother, Travis, lost in the best-of-3 finals at 74 kg to Dustin Schlatter. "Last night kind of broke my heart," said Paulson, who won an NCAA title in 2007 for Iowa State. "It was pretty hard for me to get going today. I did the best thing I could do to lift Travis' spirits, which was make that World team, and bring him as my training partner." Herbert, who recently capped off his collegiate wrestling career at Northwestern with his second NCAA title, needed three matches to defeat Bryce Hasseman. Herbert had high praise for his finals opponent. "Bryce is very tough," said Herbert. "He's been wrestling fantastic. Each year, he gets better and better. He's so big and he's so strong. And he's so solid in position. It's really hard for me to get moving and get through him. He's probably the biggest 84-kg guy in the world." He likes the makeup up the new-look U.S. World team. "I'm excited," said Herbert. "We have a great World team. We're pretty young. Great group of guys. It's going to be fun. The rest of the world better watch out because USA is coming." "We're all really close, which is great," continued Herbert. "That's just going to help that team unity." Dlagnev, who won the Challenge Tournament, defeated 2008 Olympian Steve Mocco in an intense, controversial three-match series. "It feels amazing, especially in front of so many of my friends and family," said Dlagnev, who won two NCAA titles at Nebraska Kearney, a college located less than 200 miles from Council Bluffs. "My coaches have been so great. I can't take any of the credit." All three U.S. World Team Trials champions crowned in the Greco-Roman competition on Sunday night were first-time champions. Those wrestlers included Jeremiah Davis (60 kg), Faruk Sahin (66 kg), and R.C. Johnson (96 kg). Davis, who started his Greco-Roman career at Northern Michigan before joining the U.S. Army wrestling team, defeated teammate Glenn Garrison in two straight matches. Five U.S. Army wrestlers reached the Greco-Roman finals, three won titles, and several placed. So what's the competition like in the wrestling Army room? "It's ridiculous," said Davis. "It's Nationals every day. That's how I could describe it." Sahin, who was born and raised in Turkey but naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2004, defeated Mark Rial in two straight matches, posting shutouts in all four periods. "I knew all of my opponents," said Sahin, who admitted that he was battling injuries and wasn't ready for the competition. "It was all tactical and it worked. They are all great wrestlers. I love wrestling with them. I wish I were their age so I could go push them a little harder." Johnson, a Minnesota native who spent time at Northern Michigan before moving to Colorado Springs to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. He placed third at the Trials in 2006, 2007, and 2008. "I feel good," said Johnson. "It's about time. Long overdue." In the women's freestyle competition on Sunday night, Clarissa Chun (48 kg), Tatiana Padilla (55 kg), Elena Pirozhkova (63) won titles. BEST-OF-3 FINALS RESULTS FREESTYLE 55 kg/121 lbs. Danny Felix defeated Nick Simmons, 2 matches to 1 Felix dec. Simmons 0-1, 2-0, 1-0 Simmons dec. Felix, 1-1, 2-0 Felix dec. Simmons, 2-1, 1-0 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Trent Paulson defeated Jared Frayer, 2 matches to 0 Paulson dec. Frayer, 1-0, 0-3, 2-2 Paulson dec. Frayer, 2-0, 1-0 84 kg/185 lbs. Jake Herbert defeated Bryce Hasseman, 2 matches to 1 Herbert dec. Hasseman 0-1, 3-2, 1-0 Hasseman dec. Herbert, 0-1,1-0, 3-1 Herbert dec. Hasseman, 1-0, 1-1 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Tervel Dlagnev defeated Steve Mocco, 2 matches to 1 Dlagnev dec. Mocco, 0-1, 1-0, 1-0 Mocco dec. Dlagnev, 0-3, 3-0, 2-2 Dlagnev dec. Mocco, 3-0, 1-1 GRECO-ROMAN 60 kg/132 lbs. Jeremiah Davis defeated Glenn Garrison, 2 matches to 0 Davis dec. Garrison, 2-0, 0-1, 2-0 Davis dec. Garrison, 4-0, 5-0 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Faruk Sahin defeated Mark Rial, 2 matches to 0 Sahin dec. Rial, 2-0, 1-0 Sahin dec. Rial, 1-0, 5-0 96 kg/211.5 lbs. R.C. Johnson defeated Peter Gounaridis, 2 matches to 0 Johnson dec. Gounaridis, 1-0, 1-0 Johnson dec. Gounaridis, 4-3, 1-0 WOMEN'S FREESTYLE 48 kg/105.5 lbs. Clarissa Chun defeated Alyssa Lampe, 2 matches to 0 Chun dec. Lampe, 4-0, 1-1 Chun pins Lampe, 0:17 55 kg/121 lbs. Tatiana Padilla defeated Leigh Jaynes, 2 matches to 1 Jaynes dec. Padilla, 3-0, 1-0 Padilla pinned Jaynes, 0-3, 1:27 Padilla dec. Jaynes, 2-0, 2-0 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Elena Pirozhkova defeated Vanessa Oswalt, 2 matches to 0 Pirozhkova dec. Oswalt, 2-0, 4-0 Pirozhkova dec. Oswalt, 2-0, 4-1

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Just over three years ago, Dustin Schlatter won an NCAA title as a true freshman at the University of Minnesota, accomplishing something many did not expect coming into that year. On Saturday night at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Schlatter once again accomplished something that no one thought would happen coming into this year. The 23-year-old Schlatter, who is wrestling his first season of freestyle since high school, defeated U.S. Nationals champion and hometown favorite Travis Paulson in two consecutive matches to make the U.S. World Team. “I took a year off to redshirt this year,” said Schlatter, a three-time All-American for the Gophers. “You always need goals. My goal from the start was to make the World team. We had planned on going to a couple international tournament and what not. This was the goal the whole year. This is what I was training for.” All four periods that Schlatter won were 0-0 at the end of regulation and ended up in the clinch. Thankfully for Schlatter, luck was on his side. He won the ball draw all four periods, which allowed him to start the tiebreaker period with Paulson’s leg, which allowed him to score the winning takedown in each of those periods. “I never like going to the clinch, obviously, if I can avoid that,” said Schlatter. “It’s something we have been working on a lot. It’s something you have to work on when you wrestle freestyle, especially in this high level of competition. It’s going to go there from time to time. So I felt like I was well prepared for it.” It might not have been the way Schlatter wanted to win, but he’ll take it. “Obviously, I wanted to take him down and score,” said Schlatter. “But he’s real strong. He has good positioning, kind of similar to me in that respect. So I knew that if someone did get a takedown that would probably be the period because that’s a strength for both of us, I believe. It just so happened that no one got the takedown during the period.” Schlatter felt that if he redshirted, he had to make the most of it. “Last year at NCAAs, I fell well short of what I wanted,” said Schlatter, who placed seventh at that event. “I think I needed a break. I was just battling some injuries that year and the year before. I just need to take a step back and focus on me and what I needed to work on. I talked it over with the coaches and we decided to redshirt. We talked about how I need to make some goals. If I was going to take the redshirt year, it needs to be advantageous and I need to get something out of it. The goal was to make the World Team.” Schlatter was one of three first time U.S. World Team Trials champions crowned in the freestyle competition on Saturday night. The other two were Shawn Bunch (60 kg) and Jake Varner (96 kg). Bunch had to battle through the Challenge Tournament on Saturday just to get the chance to face U.S. Nationals champion Mike Zadick, who earned an automatic berth in best-of-3 finals. Bunch, who trains at the Ohio Regional Training Center in Columbus, Ohio, used his quickness and explosiveness to defeat Zadick in two straight matches. Both matches, though, went all three periods, and involved several controversial calls. “I feel great knowing that all the hard work I put in, all the sacrifices I’ve made in my life could lead to this, getting that opportunity to win that gold medal, which I’ve always wanted to do since I was younger, when I first started wrestling,” said Bunch. “I want to be a World champ, Olympic champ. That’s my goals. And I want to achieve them.” Varner defeated 2008 Olympian Andy Hrovat in two consecutive matches. It has been a breakthough year for Varner, who won his first NCAA title this past March, after losing in the NCAA finals two years in a row, then won his first U.S. Nationals title in April, and just won his first U.S. World Team Trials title. “You have bad years,” said Varner, who was coached by a pair of Olympic champs, Cael Sanderson and Kevin Jackson. “You go out there and wrestle. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way. This year I guess everything fell in my place. I worked hard for it. It worked out where I came out on top, so that’s always fun.” In the Greco-Roman competition, the USOEC program in Northern Michigan made a statement by crowning three champions: Spenser Mango (55 kg), Harry Lester (74 kg), and Chas Betts (84 kg). “You can see we’re coming up,” said Betts, who defeated five-time U.S. World Team member T.C. Dantzler. We’ve been saying it for years. And now it’s finally coming in. And tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are guys who either came through our program or are in still in our program make two or three more spots out of it. So it’s a good sign.” Mango, a 2008 Olympian, had no trouble with World bronze medalist Lindsey Durlacher, winning in consecuitive matches. “I made the Olympic team last year, but wanted to build on that,” said Mango. “I had to get this World team spot first and then go to the Worlds and get a gold.” Lester, who retired after the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and the decided to come back and move up a weight class, won two straight matches over Jess Hargrave to make his third U.S. World team. He feels good about his decision to move up a weight class. “I’m healthier,” said Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist. “I’m having a lot more fun. It makes for a lot better wrestling, a lot more enjoyment of the sport.” The other Greco-Roman champion crowned on Saturday night was World champion Dremiel Byers, who defeated Brandon Rupp in consecutive matches. The women’s freestyle champions crowned on Saturday night were Jessica Medina (51 kg), Deanna Rix (59 kg), Adeline Gray (67 kg), and Ali Bernard (72 kg). Sunday's competition at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials gets underway at 9 a.m. CT at the Mid-America Center. BEST-OF-3 FINALS RESULTS FREESTYLE 60 kg/132 lbs. Shawn Bunch defeated Mike Zadick, 2 matches to 0 Bunch dec. Zadick, 3-0, 1-3, 2-1 Bunch dec. Zadick, 3-0, 0-2, 1-0 74 kg/163 lbs. Dustin Schlatter defeated Travis Paulson, 2 matches to 0 Schlatter dec. Paulson, 1-0, 1-0 Schlatter dec. Pauslon, 1-0, 1-0 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Jake Varner defeated Andy Hrovat, 2 matches to 0 Varner dec. Hrovat, 0-1, 3-0, 1-0 Varner dec. Hrovat, 0-1, 2-0, 1-0 GRECO-ROMAN 55 kg/121 lbs. Spenser Mango defeated Lindsey Durlacher, 2 matches to 0 Mango dec. Durlacher, 3-0, 5-0 Mango dec. Durlacher, 2-0, 3-0 74 kg/163 lbs. Harry Lester defeated Jess Hargrave, 2 matches to 0 Lester dec. Hargrave, 4-4, 1-0, 1-0 Lester pinned Hargrave, 3-0, 0:29 84 kg/185 lbs. Chas Betts defeated T.C. Dantzler, 2 matches to 1 Betts dec. Dantzler, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 Dantzler dec. Betts, 2-0, 2-1 Betts dec. Dantzler, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Dremiel Byers defeated Brandon Rupp, 2 matches to 0 Byers dec. Rupp, 2-0, 1-0 Byers dec. Rupp, 1-0, 2-0 WOMEN’S FREESTYLE 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Jessica Medina defeated Patricia Miranda, 2 matches to 1 Miranda dec. Medina, 3-0, 1-4, 3-1 Medina dec. Miranda, 1-0, 0-4, 4-3 Medina dec. Miranda, 0-1,1-1,1-0 59 kg/130 lbs. Deanna Rix defeated Kelsey Campbell , 2 matches to 1 Campbell dec. Rix, 2-0, 1-0 Rix dec. Campbell, 3-0, 1-0 Rix dec. Campbell, 1-0, 1-0 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Adeline Gray defeated Christen Paysse, 2 matches to 0 Gray dec. Paysse, 4-0, 3-0 Gray pinned Paysse, 1:59 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Ali Bernard defeated Jenna Pavlik, 2 matches to 0 Bernard dec. Pavlik, 4-2, 7-2 Bernard dec. Pavlik, 7-0, 4-0

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Session II of the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials concluded on Saturday afternoon at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The best-of-3 finals matches in the weight classes contested today, will take place in tonight’s Session III, which gets underway at 6:30 p.m. CT. Below is a recap of the action that took place in Session II. Freestyle: Saturday’s Session II did not bring many surprises in freestyle. Two of the three No. 1 seeds, Shawn Bunch (60 kg) and Dustin Schlatter (74 kg), advanced to tonight’s best-of-3 finals. And the other Challenge Tournament champion was 2008 Olympian Andy Hrovat, who moved to 96 kg after competing at 84 kg for the U.S. Nationals. In the Challenge Tournament finals, Bunch defeated Coleman Scott in straight periods, 3-0, 1-0, in a rematch of the 2008 U.S. Nationals finals at 60 kg. Bunch will now face Mike Zadick tonight, which is a rematch of the finals at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and 2009 U.S. Nationals -- both won by Zadick. Schlatter, who took a redshirt year at the University of Minnesota, blanked Ryan Churella in straight periods, 2-0, 1-0, in the Challenge Tournament finals at 74 kg. Tonight Schlatter will face hometown favorite Travis Paulson, who competed at nearby Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs. Hrovat needed three periods to defeat J.D. Bergman, 3-0, 0-3, 1-0, to advance to the best-of-3 finals tonight against Jake Varner. Greco-Roman: Coming into the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials, the 55 kg weight class in the Greco-Roman competition was one of the most anticipated weight classes in the event. The weight class includes four U.S. Nationals champions, including World bronze medalist Lindsey Durlacher and Olympian Spenser Mango. Both were lower seeds in the semifinals in the semifinals … and both came out victorious. Durlacher, who retired after the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials before deciding to compete again this season, topped 2009 U.S. Nationals champion Jermaine Hodge in the semifinals, 1-0, 3-0, to advance to tonight’s best-of-3 finals. Mango, who competed at 60 kg at the U.S. Nationals, defeated rival Sam Hazewinkel in a thrilling match. Mango won the first period 2-1 and was leading 5-0 in the second period before Hazewinkel locked up a bear hug and put Mango to his back, nearly picking up the pin. But Mango was able to fight off his back and eventually held on to win the period, 5-4, and take the match in two straight periods. In the other three Greco-Roman weight classes being contested today, 74 kg, 84 kg, and 120 kg, the U.S. Nationals champions earned automatic berths in tonight’s best-of-3 finals by virtue of placing in the top five in the World Championships. Those wrestlers include Harry Lester (74 kg), T.C. Dantzler (84 kg), and Dremiel Byers (120 kg). At 74 kg, Jess Hargrave defeated Jake Fisher in the Challenge Tournament finals, 1-0, 0-1, 2-0, to advance to tonight’s best-of-3 finals against Lester. At 84 kg, Chas Betts topped Aaron Sieracki in the Challenge Tournament finals, 1-0, 1-0, and will now face Dantzler. The Challenge Tournament champion at 120 kg in Greco-Roman was Brandon Rupp, who will battle World champion Dremiel Byers tonight. Women’s Freestyle: The four women who came out victorious in the Challenge Tournament finals were Jessica Medina (51 kg), Deanna Rix (59 kg), Christen Paysse (67 kg), and Ali Bernard (120 kg). Saturday’s Finals Matchups: Freestyle: 60 kg: Mike Zadick vs. Shawn Bunch 74 kg: Travis Paulson vs. Dustin Schlatter 96 kg: Jake Varner vs. Andy Hrovat Greco-Roman: 55 kg: Lindsey Durlacher vs. Spenser Mango 74 kg Harry Lester vs. Jess Hargrave 84 kg T.C. Dantzler vs. Chas Betts 120 kg: Dremiel Byers vs. Brandon Rupp Women’s Freestyle: 51 kg: Patricia Miranda vs. Jessica Medina 59 kg: Kelsey Campbell vs. Deanna Rix 67 kg: Adeline Gray vs. Christen Paysse 72 kg: Jenna Pavlik vs. Ali Bernard

U.S. Nationals champions in men’s freestyle have advanced to the best-of-3 final-round series on Saturday night. They will meet the Challenge Tournament winner in the final-round series. WORLD TEAM TRIALS FREESTYLE SEEDS 60 kg/132 pounds U.S. Nationals champion – Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC) 2. Matt Valenti, New York, N.Y. (Lehigh Valley Athletic Club) 3. Andy Simmons, Lansing, Mich. (Sunkist Kids) 4. Nick Gallick, Tucson, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) 5. Drew Headlee, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids) 6. Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) 7. Reece Humphrey, Indianapolis, Ind. (Ohio State) 8. Daniel Dennis, Ingleside, Ill. (Hawkeye WC) 74 kg/163 pounds U.S. Nationals champion – Travis Paulson, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Dustin Schlatter, Massillon, Ohio (Minnesota Storm) 2. Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) 3. Jon Reader, Davison, Mich. (Cyclone WC) 4. Andrew Howe, Cedar Lake, Ind. (New York AC) 5. Lloyd Rogers, Chattanooga, Tenn. (unattached) 6. Mack Lewnes, Annapolis, Md. (New York AC) 7. Moza Fay, Anamosa, Iowa (Panther WC) 96 kg/211.5 pounds U.S. Nationals champion – Jake Varner, Bakersfield, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Kyle Cerminara, Lewiston, Pa. (New York AC) 2. Wynn Michalak, Mount Pleasant, Mich. (Gator WC) 3. Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) 4. Brandon Halsey, Vista, Calif. (No Mercy) 5. J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC) 6. Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) 7. Mike Tamillow, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 8. Clayton Foster, Kamiah, Idaho (Gator WC) 9. Brent Jones, Burke, Va. (Cavalier WC) 10. Eddie Phillips, Woodland, Mich. (Cliff Keen WC) WORLD TEAM TRIALS GRECO-ROMAN SEEDS U.S. Nationals champions in Greco-Roman who have also placed in the top five at the World Championships have advanced to the best-of-3 final-round series on Saturday night. They will meet the Challenge Tournament winner in the final-round series. In the other weight classes, all qualifiers must compete in the Challenge Tournament. 55 kg/121 pounds Challenge Tournament Seeds 1. Jermaine Hodge, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 2. Sam Hazewinkel, Centerville, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) 3. Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (New York AC) 4. Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo (New York AC) 5. Nate Engel, St. Helena, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) 6. Max Nowry, Wheeling, Ill. (USOEC) 7. Ryan Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (New York AC) 8. Anthony Hayes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC) 9. Jonathan Pattison, Windsor, Colo. (U.S. Marine Corps) 74 kg/163 pounds U.S. Nationals Champion - Harry Lester, Marquette, Mich. (New York AC) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Jake Fisher, Platte City, Mo. (New York AC) 2. Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC) 3. Jess Hargrave, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 4. Andrew Bisek, Chaska, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) 5. Jacob Deitchler, Ramsey, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) 6. Ben Provisor, Stevens Point, Wis. (Sunkist Kids) 7. Steve Forrest, Hubert, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps) 8. Aaron Briggs, Tucson, Ariz. (USOEC) 9. Anton Gottfredson, Laguna Hills, Calif. (USOTC) 10. Tim Bleau, Ishpeming, Mich. (USOEC) 84 kg/185 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (unattached) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 2. Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) 3. Walter Hoffman, Bossier City, La. (U.S. Air Force) 4. Gabe Dretsch, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) 5. Jacob Ison, Athens, Ohio, (Bobcat WC) 6. Peter Hicks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 7. Chad Hemerson, Monterey, Calif. (USOEC) 8. Talan Knox, Salt Lake City, Utah (USOEC) 9. Joshua McAllister, Camp Lejeune, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps) 10. Jim Gibson, Clarion, Pa. (Clarion WC) 120 kg/264.5 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Brandon Rupp, Pocatello, ID (New York AC) 2. Erik Nye, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) 3. David Arendt Jr, Port Washington, Wis. (U.S. Marine Corps) 4. Mark Simmonds, Minneapolis, Minn. (U.S. Air Force) 5. Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 6. Pete Kowalczuk, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOEC) 7. Akil Patterson, Frederick, Md. (New York AC) WORLD TEAM TRIALS WOMEN’S FREESTYLE SEEDS U.S. Nationals champions in women’s freestyle have advanced to the best-of-3 final-round series on Saturday night. They will meet the Challenge Tournament winner in the final-round series. 51 kg/112.25 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - Patricia Miranda, Colo. Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Katherine Fulp-Allen, Half Moon Bay, Calif. (New York AC) 2. Jessica Medina, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 3. Stephanie Murata, Minden, Nev. (Sunkist Kids) 4. Gabrielle Henry, Columbus, Ohio (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 5. Emily Harper, DeForest, Wis. (Victory School of Wrestling) 59 kg/130 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - Kelsey Campbell, Milwaukie, Ore. (Sunkist Kids) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Deanna Rix, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 2. Schuyler Brown, Montpelier, Va. (USOEC) 3. Natasha Umemoto, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) 4. Nena Garcia, Clyde, Ohio (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 5. Shannon Reeves, Cuyuhoga Falls, Ohio (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 67 kg/147.5 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - Adeline Gray, Denver, Colo. (New York AC) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Sheila McCabe, San Diego, Calif. (OCU Stars) 2. Amber Miracle, Berlin, Wis. (USOEC) 3. Lauren Knight, Vallejo, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 4. Christen Paysse, Fullerton, Calif. (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 5. Stefenie Shaw, Waterford, Conn. (OCU Stars) 72 kg/158.5 pounds U.S. Nationals champion - Jenna Pavlik, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC) Challenge Tournament seeds 1. Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Gator WC) 2. Kendra Lewis, Houston, Texas (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 3. Lacey Novinska, Fennimore, Wis. (OCU Stars) 4. Erin Clodgo, Richmond, Vermont (USOEC) 5. Melissa Simmons, Ridgefield, Wash. (OCU Stars)

Rob Koll

Jeremy Spates

The U.S. Greco-Roman team is coming off a disappointing Olympic Games as only one wrestler, Adam Wheeler (96 kg), came home with a medal (bronze). In 2007, the U.S. Greco-Roman team won the World title, which had never been accomplished. Was the performance in 2007 merely an aberration? Time will tell. Wheeler has retired from the sport to become a police offer. Past World medalists Brad Vering and Justin Ruiz have also retired. World champion Joe Warren has been out of the sport for two years. But there are still several talented and experienced Greco-Roman wrestlers competing, including World bronze medalists Lindsey Durlacher (55 kg) and Harry Lester (74 kg), as well as World champion Dremiel Byers (120 kg). Will we see some new blood break through in Greco-Roman and compete at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark? Or will it be the same names we have grown accustomed to see winning this event? Below is a weight-by-weight preview of the Greco-Roman competition at the 2009 U.S. World Team Trials. 55 kg: Spencer Mango had a breakthrough season in 2008, winning both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Olympic Team Trials. He placed eighth at 2008 Olympic Games. Mango, though, decided to compete up at 60 kg for April’s U.S. Nationals, where he was runner-up. He will be making the move back down to 55 kg this weekend. In Mango’s absence, Armed Forces champion Jermaine Hodge won his first U.S. Nationals title, defeating Sam Hazewinkel in the finals. Hazewinkel is a two-time U.S. Nationals champions, but he has yet to make a World or Olympic team. Lindsey Durlacher, a 2006 World bronze medalist, lost to Hazewinkel in the Challenge Tournament at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and left his shoes on the mat, signifying that he’s retiring from the sport. But he changed his mind and has opted to compete again this season. He recently placed third at the U.S. Nationals. USOEC wrestlers Nate Engel and Max Nowry placed fourth and fifth respectively in this weight class at the U.S. Nationals. Prediction: Spenser Mango over Sam Hazewinkel 60 kg: Joe Betterman defeated Spenser Mango to win the 2009 U.S. Nationals title at 60 kg (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)This was the lone weight class the U.S. failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games. Ironically, the U.S. has arguably the best 60 kg wrestler in the world in Joe Warren, who was suspended in 2007 after failing his second drug test. Warren is now competing in MMA. In Warren’s absence, Joe Betterman has stepped up and become the No. 1 man. Betterman defeated Mango to win the U.S. Nationals. Nathan Piasecki placed third at the U.S. Nationals, with his only loss coming to Betterman in the semifinals. Glenn Garrison and Jeremiah Davis have won U.S. Nationals titles in the past … and should challenge for the title. Garrison has a win over Betterman this season at an international event in Slovenia. Marco Lara placed sixth at the U.S. Nationals, but wrestled a close match with Betterman in that event. Jimmy Chase placed fourth at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials down a weight class at 55 kg. Prediction: Joe Betterman over Glenn Garrison 66 kg: This weight class lost some firepower when Harry Lester and Jake Deitchler opted to move up to 74 kg. But there are still several talented and experienced competitors, including U.S. Nationals champions Faruk Sahin and Mark Rial, as well as past Olympian Oscar Wood. Sahin, a Military World champion, won his second U.S. Nationals title in April, defeating Rial in the finals. It was Rial’s first event since the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Wood placed third at the U.S. Nationals, losing only to Rial. Jacob Curby has shown that he has the tools to challenge for the title. He has been runner-up at the U.S. World Team Trials … and won the Dave Schultz Memorial this season. C.C. Fisher placed fifth at the U.S. Nationals, but nearly defeated Sahin the semifinals, losing a close match in three periods. Teyon Ware, a two-time NCAA champion from Oklahoma, made the switch from freestyle and has a victory over Wood this season. Prediction: Faruk Sahin over Mark Rial 74 kg: Harry Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist, completely dominated the competition at 74 kg at the 2009 U.S. Nationals (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Harry Lester, like Durlacher, left his shoes on the mat at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials last summer signifying his retirement from the sport, only to change his mind and come out of retirement. I think it’s safe to say that most the U.S. coaches and wrestling fans are thrilled about Lester’s return. Lester, who moved up from 66 kg, completely dominated his competition at the U.S. Nationals. The fat and happy (his words) Lester plowed through the competition, which included a dominating win over Jake Deitchler, the wrestler who upset him at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Lester gets an automatic berth in the best-of-3 finals by virtue of winning the U.S. Nationals and being a past World medalist. Lester’s friend and training partner, Jake Fisher, finished runner-up to Lester at the U.S. Nationals. Fisher is a two-time New York AC International champion. Cheney Haight, who was runner-up at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, lost in the second round at the U.S. Nationals to Jess Hargrave, but came to avenge that loss in the third-place match. Deitchler, who placed sixth at the U.S. Nationals, shocked the wrestling world when he made the U.S. Olympic team at the age of 18 last summer. He has spent this last year at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, but recently made the decision to return to return to Minnesota and wrestle collegiately for the Gophers. Another talented Minnesota wrestler, Andy Bisek, has the tools to challenge for the title. Bisek was runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Nationals … and defeated Deitchler for fifth place at this past U.S. Nationals. Prediction: Harry Lester over Jake Deitchler 84 kg: Brad Vering owned this weight class from 2002 to 2008. During that time span, Vering made four U.S. World teams, two U.S. Olympic teams, and earned a silver medal at the 2007 World Championships. After the 2008 U.S. Olympic Games, Vering retired from competition. It appears that the lone wrestler to unseat Vering from a U.S. World team, Jake Clark, has moved up to 96 kg. Enter T.C. Dantzler, who has moved up from 74 kg. The charismatic Dantzler, who has competed in five World Championships and the Olympics, topped Aaron Sieracki to win his fourth U.S. Nationals title in April. Dantzler gets an automatic berth in the best-of-3 finals … since he won the U.S. Nationals and has placed in the top five at the World Championships. Sieracki is a veteran who has proven that he can compete with the top wrestlers in the weight class, but he has yet to make a U.S. World or Olympic team. Chas Betts is a young and talented wrestler who has steadily climbed the U.S. ladder in this weight class. He placed third at the U.S. Nationals, losing only to Dantzler. Walter Hoffman was a surprise fourth-place finisher. Other wrestlers in the mix in this weight class include Gabe Dretsch, Jacob Ison, and Peter Hicks. Prediction: T.C. Dantzler over Chas Betts 96 kg: Brad Ahearn, who moved up this season from 84 kg, defeated R.C. Johnson to win his second straight U.S. Nationals title at 96 kg (Photo/Tech-Fall.com)Brad Ahearn has made the move up to 96 kg for the second time in his career. Ahearn, who has primarily wrestled at 84 kg throughout his career, moved up to 96 kg in 2007, before moving back down to 84 kg last season. He broke through and won his first U.S. Nationals title in 2008. Prior to that, Ahearn had never reached the finals of any senior-level event. He lost in the semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, competing with an injured hand. He has since moved back up to 96 kg and won his second straight U.S. Nationals title. Jake Clark, who competed in the 2006 World Championships, moved up to 96 kg and won the Northern Plains Regional in Waterloo. Clark is an extremely talented wrestler who has won national titles in each of the age-group levels. R.C. Johnson has been a serious contender in this weight class in recent years, but has not yet been able to make a U.S. World or Olympic team. He was runner-up to Ahearn at the U.S. Nationals. Justin Millard was third at the U.S. Nationals, losing in the second round to Zac Nielson, but came back to finish a strong third. Nielson was a member of the 2008 Junior World team … and has proven that he can compete with the top wrestlers in this weight class. Others to watch include Deon Hicks, Pete Gounaridis, and John Wechter. Prediction: Jake Clark over Brad Ahearn 120 kg: Dremiel Byers, a 2002 World champion and 2007 World medalist is the prohibitive favorite in this weight class. He won his eighth U.S. Nationals title in April … and has taken control of this weight class since Rulon Gardner hung up the shoes. He gets to sit out the Challenge Tournament … since he won the U.S. Nationals and is a past World champion and World medalist. Brandon Rupp, who is trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, was runner-up at the U.S. Nationals. Erik Nye had a solid U.S. Nationals, finishing third. Tim Taylor has been solid in this weight class for many years and beaten many tough wrestlers throughout his career, including Byers. David Arendt and Mark Simmonds are also challengers in this weight class. Prediction: Dremiel Byers over Tim Taylor

Hello again wrestling fans. It's a special week in wrestling and it has all come down to this weekend as we are on the edge of the 2009 World Team Trials. Saturday, May 30 The Brute Adidas studios of TDR will be LIVE from the Mid America Center VIP lounge. From 9 to 11 AM we'll do our best to present to you what is expected from the athletes and what you the fans can expect from the event. These athletes are looking to earn the honor of representing the USA at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark in September. Our scheduled Guests include: Mitch Hull Mark Schultz Zeke Jones Kevin Jackson + More For those unable to attend the World Team Trials, sponsor LiveSportsVideo.com will stream live coverage of the action from the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 30-31. Let all fans know to watch this FREE (to you) web cast at: http://www.livesportsvideo.com There will be live streams from two mats throughout the entire competition. Included in each day's coverage will be all of the matches of the Championship Series in each weight class, as well as Challenge Tournament finals matches. Many of the preliminary matches will also be broadcast each day. Thanks for listening to America's Wrestling Radio Talk Show. Takedown Wrestling Radio.

Donny Pritzlaff

Bart Chelesvig