Colorado Springs, Colo. - USA Wrestling will host the inaugural University World Team Trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center complex, May 26-28. The 2005 University World Team Trials will determine who will represent the U.S. at the World University Games in Izmir, Turkey, August 1-7. The University World Team Trials will be competed in a format similar to the U.S. World Team Trials. Athletes will weigh-in on Thursday, May 26. A challenge tournament on Friday, May 27, will determine who will compete in a best-of-three Championship Series against the 2005 University Nationals champion on Saturday, May 28. The winner of that best-of-three series will be the U.S. representative at the World University Games. Some of the top U.S. wrestlers in the country are expected to compete in this event in both men's freestyle and Greco-Roman action. Leading the men's freestyle division will be 2005 U.S. Nationals runner-up Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Other top competitors expected to wrestle include 2005 NCAA champions Zack Esposito (Three Bridges, N.J./Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Chris Pendleton (San Jose, Calif./Gator WC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Steve Mocco (N. Bergen, N.J./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Also committed to competing in men's freestyle are NCAA runners-up Shawn Bunch (Leavenworth, Kan./New York AC) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Mark Perry (Stillwater, Okla./Hawkeye Training Club) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis./Sunkist Kids) at 84 kg/185 lbs. In Greco-Roman competition, 2005 U.S. Nationals champions Harry Lester (Akron, Ohio/USOEC/Gator WC) and Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) are expected to wrestle. Lester will compete at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Ruiz will compete at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Also expected to compete in the Greco-Roman competition are U.S. Nationals runners-up Jacob Volkmann (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 74 kg/163 lbs., Adam Wheeler (San Diego, Calif./USOEC/Gator WC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Russ Davie (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Criteria for qualifying for the University World Team Trials are as follows:
- Any 2005 All-American from the University Nationals who meets the age group criteria.
- Any 2005 All-American from the NCAA DI Nationals who meets the age group criteria.
- Any 2005 All-American from the Senior Nationals who meets the age group criteria.
- The 2005 finalists from the NCAA DII Nationals who meets the age group criteria.
- The 2005 finalists from the NCAA DIII Nationals who meets the age group criteria.
- The 2005 finalists from the NAIA Nationals who meets the age group criteria.
- The 2005 finalists from the Junior College Nationals who meets the age group criteria.
- Two wild cards, per weight class, may be selected by the USA Wrestling Developmental Coach for the specific style.
Overall, nearly 100 wrestlers are expected to compete in both styles. TheMat.com will provide complete coverage of the 2005 University World Team Trials. Following is a list of athletes who have committed to competing in the 2005 University World Team Trials in both men's freestyle and Greco-Roman:
FREESTYLE50 kg/110 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Daniel Jackson, Janesville, Wis. (Minnesota Storm) 55 kg/121 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Nick Simmons, Williamston, Mich. (Michigan WC) Obe Blanc, Naples, Fla. (PA Lock Haven) Luke Eustice, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye Training Club) Tim Kephart, O'Fallon, Mo. (Tiger WC) Joey Martin, Weatogue, Conn. (Team Smith) Jason Powell, Lincoln, Neb. (Gator WC) Jeff Sato, Pismo Beach, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) Adam Smith, Newport, Pa. (Penn State) 60 kg/132 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Drew Headlee, Waynesburg, Pa. (Pitt WC) Shawn Bunch, Leavenworth, Kan. (New York AC) Zack Esposito, Three Bridges, N.J. (Gator WC) Eric Hoffman, Davenport, Iowa (Mat Mastery) Brandon Kinney, Lowell, Mich. (Lions WC) Jeremy Mendoza, Temecula, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) Jake Strayer, South Fork, Pa. (Penn State) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Jason Mester, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Central Michigan) Josh Churella, Northville, Mich. (Cliff Keen WC) Joe Johnston, Prairie Village, Kan. (Hawkeye Training Club) Chris McCormick, Leawood, Kan. (Tiger WC) Cliff Moore, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye Training Club) Josh Moore, Kent, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) Zach Roberson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) Andy Simmons, Williamston, Mich. (Michigan WC) Ron Tarquinio, McDonald, Pa. (Pitt WC) Jermaine Thompson, Akron, Ohio (Eastern Elite) Jarrad Turner, Hudson, Ohio (Penn State) 74 kg/163 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Matt Pell, Luxemburg, Wis. (Tiger WC) Bryce Hasseman, Franklin, Ind. (New York AC) Joey Hooker, Paradise Valley, Ariz. (New York AC) Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) Steve Luke, Massillon, Ohio (Cliff Keen WC) Jim Medeiros, Fremont, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) Nick Passolano, New Lenox, Ill. (Sunkist Kids) Trent Paulson, Council Bluffs, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) Chris Pendleton, San Jose, Calif. (Gator WC) Mark Perry, Stillwater, Okla. (Hawkeye Training Club) 84 kg/185 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Tyler Nixt, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye Training Club) Ben Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Sunkist Kids) David Bertlolino, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio (Cyclone WC) Paul Bradley, Tama, Iowa (Hawkeye Training Club) Alex Clemsen, East Stroudsburg, Pa. (East Stroudsburg WC) Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (Angry Fish) Tom Meester, Rock Rapids, Iowa (Unattached) 96 kg/211.5 lbs. University Nationals Champion - J.D. Bergman, Oak Harbor, Ohio (Ohio International WC) Andrew Adams, Dublin, Ohio (Navy) Ryan Bader, Reno, Nev. (Sunkist Kids) Phil Davis, Harrisburg, Pa. (Penn State) Matt Greenberg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC) Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Israel Silva, Marysville, Wash. (Chattanooga) Ryan Fuller, Lisbon, Iowa (Hawkeye Training Club) Jon May, Hutchinson, Minn. (Sunkist Kids) Steve Mocco, N. Bergen, N.J. (New York AC) Cain Velasquez, Yuma, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
GRECO-ROMAN50 kg/110 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Ricardo Osorio, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) 55 kg/121 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Joseph Betterman, Chicago, Ill. (USOEC/New York AC) Spenser Mango, Flourissant, Mo. (USOEC/Gator WC) Joey Martin, Weatogue, Conn. (Team Smith) Youni Martinez, Des Plaines, Ill. (Unattached) 60 kg/132 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Jeremiah Davis, El Cajon, Calif. (USOEC/Sunkist Kids) Marco Lara, Tanstaa, Fla. (New York AC) Nick Leon, Prescott, Ariz. (Embry-Riddle) Willie Madison, Metairie, La. (USOEC/Gator WC) Jeremy McClean, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps) Kerry Regner, Darlington, Pa. (USOEC) Shannon Slack, Anaheim, Calif. (Embry-Riddle) Chaz Tillman, Howell, Mich. (USOEC) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Harry Lester, Akron, Ohio (USOEC/Gator WC) Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (USOEC/Gator WC) Mervin Ford, Miami, Fla. (USOEC/Gator WC) Jeremiah Jarvis, Davis, Calif. (Unattached) Jade McCammon, Sullivan, Ind. (USOEC) 74 kg/163 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Trent Paulson, Council Bluffs, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) Ryan Cunningham, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps) Jacob Fisher, Platte City, Mo. (USOEC) Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (USOEC) Kevin Lozano, Jefferson, La. (USOEC/Gator WC) Robb Maxwell, Sandy, Utah (Unattached) Joseph Uccellini, Troy, N.Y. (USOEC) Jacob Volkmann, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) 84 kg/185 lbs. University Nationals Champion - Justin Millard, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (USOEC) Aaron Boone, Ostego, Mich. (USOEC) Jake Plamann, Kaukauna, Wis. (Unattached) John Wechter, East Lansing, Mich. (Michigan WC) 96 kg/211.5 lbs. University Nationals Champion - J.D. Bergman, Oak Harbor, Ohio (Oh
