U.S. freestyle team drops duals to Turkey, Ukraine during event in Russia
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by Craig Sesker
MOSCOW, Russia - The United States freestyle wrestling team had a rough day at the CSKA Open Team Cup on Saturday.
The United States combined to win just two matches, both by Daniel Cormier at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., in a pair of lopsided 6-1 losses to Turkey and Ukraine.
The American squad was comprised of members of the 2007 U.S. World Team. All the competing teams used primarily wrestlers who competed at the 2007 World Championships.
"We are still not doing the right things that it takes to win," USA Wrestling National Coach Kevin Jackson said. "It is up to me to figure out how I can get my athletes consistent training over the next eight months when they are at home that will allow us to take the next step as a country."
Russia won the event, defeating Ukraine 5-2 in the finals. Turkey beat Cuba 5-2 in the third-place match.
Cormier, the lone American medalist at the 2007 World Championships, picked up where he left off to end last season with a pair of victories. Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) was a bronze medalist at the 2007 Worlds in Baku, Azerbaijan. He outscored his two opponents Saturday by a combined 12-1 score.
American Henry Cejudo (55 kg/121 lbs.) did not wrestle in the second dual against Ukraine because of an injury.
Americans Mike Zadick (60 kg/132 lbs.), Doug Schwab (66 kg/145.5 lbs.), Joe Williams (84 kg/185 lbs.) and Tommy Rowlands (120 kg/264.5 lbs.) each went 0-2 on Saturday.
Donny Pritzlaff fell to a wrestler from Turkey at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Casey Cunningham lost to a close match to 2006 World champion Ibraghim Aldatov of Ukraine at 74 kilos. Those wrestlers both made the trip after 2007 World Team member Joe Heskett had to retire in October because of a heart condition.
More details and results will follow on TheMat.com.
The United States combined to win just two matches, both by Daniel Cormier at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., in a pair of lopsided 6-1 losses to Turkey and Ukraine.
The American squad was comprised of members of the 2007 U.S. World Team. All the competing teams used primarily wrestlers who competed at the 2007 World Championships.
"We are still not doing the right things that it takes to win," USA Wrestling National Coach Kevin Jackson said. "It is up to me to figure out how I can get my athletes consistent training over the next eight months when they are at home that will allow us to take the next step as a country."
Russia won the event, defeating Ukraine 5-2 in the finals. Turkey beat Cuba 5-2 in the third-place match.
Cormier, the lone American medalist at the 2007 World Championships, picked up where he left off to end last season with a pair of victories. Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) was a bronze medalist at the 2007 Worlds in Baku, Azerbaijan. He outscored his two opponents Saturday by a combined 12-1 score.
American Henry Cejudo (55 kg/121 lbs.) did not wrestle in the second dual against Ukraine because of an injury.
Americans Mike Zadick (60 kg/132 lbs.), Doug Schwab (66 kg/145.5 lbs.), Joe Williams (84 kg/185 lbs.) and Tommy Rowlands (120 kg/264.5 lbs.) each went 0-2 on Saturday.
Donny Pritzlaff fell to a wrestler from Turkey at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Casey Cunningham lost to a close match to 2006 World champion Ibraghim Aldatov of Ukraine at 74 kilos. Those wrestlers both made the trip after 2007 World Team member Joe Heskett had to retire in October because of a heart condition.
More details and results will follow on TheMat.com.
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