Three first-time national champions headline U.S. Greco-Roman National Championships
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by Gary Abbott
LAS VEGAS, NEV. - Three of the seven champions at the 2008 Las Vegas/ASICS U.S. National Greco-Roman Championships won national titles for the first time in their careers with outstanding performances at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Friday night.
The first-time national champions included Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./Gator WC/USOEC) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Mark Rial (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Brad Ahearn (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 84 kg/185 lbs.
The finals began with an upset, as 2006 World University champion Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./Gator WC/USOEC) defeated 2006 World bronze medalist Lindsey Durlacher (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 1-3, 3-0, 7-0. It was Mango's first U.S. Nationals title, and he was named Outstanding Wrestler for his effort.
Durlacher scored a two-point reversal to win the first period. In the second period, with Durlacher only seconds away from victory, Mango scored a two-point gut wrench to take the period. Mango scored early in the third on a stepout, then received a key two-point penalty and caution when Durlacher jumped from the starting position. Two more Mango gut wrenches ended the period as a technical fall, 7-0.
"Actually I think my biggest improvement has been my defense. I guess a good offense is a good defense," said Mango.
Mango was unaware of how much time remained when he scored the key gut wrench turn in the second period.
"I didn't know. I didn't want to take the time to look at the clock. If there was a couple extra seconds I would have I guess had everything against me. I just tried to get my hands locked first and once I had my hands locked just get enough momentum to turn him over," he said.
Winning his first U.S. Nationals title was Mark Rial (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) who defeated high school sensation Jake Deitchler (Rumsey, Minn./Minnesota Storm) in two straight periods, 5-4, 1-1 at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Rial opened the first period quickly with a takedown and a gut wrench, but Deitchler was able to score late in the period to lose by just a point. In the second period, neither wrestler could score from the clinch position, and Rial won by scoring the final point defending from the bottom.
"To tell you the truth there haven't been any changes in my training, it's just the mental aspect. I've been more positive, more confident in my ability. I'm not worried about going out there and winning or losing, but going out there and having fun," said Rial about his preparation for the event.
Ahearn upset 2007 World silver medalist Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in the finals, 2-1, 1-1. Ahearn's top previous finish at the U.S. Nationals was fourth in 2006.
Ahearn won the first period, 2-1, scoring the only takedown of the period. In the second period, both wrestlers were unable to score from their feet. Vering defended from the clinch position to score the first point, then Ahearn was able to defend for a point and won the period by scoring the final point. An attempt for a turn by Vering on the edge of the mat late in the final period was reviewed by officials and no points were awarded.
"Last year I was at 96 kg. I did that to work on my technique and I heal my body. I had a few surgeries that I had. I knew I was coming back down to 84 kg for the Olympic year. I changed my training up, started doing a whole lot of extra work, just something extra everyday. I believed in my coaches and had a few overseas tournaments which was just a big experience for me. It just paid off," said Ahearn.
Winning his seventh career U.S. Nationals title was 2002 World champion Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) who stopped Russ Davie (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., 2-1, 4-0.
Byers scored the only takedown in the first period for the edge. In the second period, a gut wrench turn by Byers was the key to his win.
Winning his fifth career U.S. Nationals title was 2005 World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) who stopped R.C. Johnson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 4-1, 1-1. Ruiz had a three-point body lock in the first period, and scored the final point in the second period for the victory.
Capturing his third career title was T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), who defeated Andrew Bisek (Chaska, Minn./Minnesota Storm/USOEC), 2-2, 3-2 at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Both Bisek and Dantzler scored two-point turns from the clinch position in the first period, but Dantzler won by scoring the last point. In the second period, Dantzler defended from the clinch position for one point. Each wrestler scored two points on a scramble at the end for the second clinch, giving Dantzler .
Of the champions, only Dantzler, Ruiz and Byers will advance directly to the best-of-three championship series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15. Only athletes who have placed fifth or higher at the 2005-07 World Championships and also won the U.S. Nationals will go directly to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials finals series in Greco-Roman. The other four champions will be included in the Challenge Tournament portion of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
At 60 kg/132 lbs., two-time Olympian Jim Gruenwald (Marquette, Mich./Sunkist Kids) defeated 2007 U.S. World Team member Joe Betterman (Chicago, Ill./New York AC), 5-0, 6-3. Gruenwald was able to get throws with exposure in both periods to win the match. Gruenwald, 37, made a comeback earlier in the year after retiring after the 2004 Olympic Games.
Gruenwald is the assistant coach at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan Univ., where Betterman has been a student-athlete. Betterman beat Gruenwald in the finals of the Sunkist Kids International in October, in their only meeting since Gruenwald came out of retirement. It was Gruenwald's third career U.S. Nationals title, with his last national crown in 2004.
Prior to the championship finals, the members of the 2007 U.S. Greco-Roman World Team delegation, along with key leaders in the American Greco-Roman community, received World Championship rings honoring their achievement.
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.
Deitchler was not the only high school wrestler to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Greco-Roman by placing in the top seven during the U.S. Nationals. At 55 kg/121 lbs., high school stars Eric Grajales of Florida placed fifth and Jimmy Chase of Illinois placed sixth.
U.S. GRECO-ROMAN NATIONAL WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Las Vegas, Nev., April 25
55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (Gator/USOEC) dec. Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-3, 3-0, 7-0
3rd - Jermaine Hodge, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC), 4-1, 6-2
5th - Eric Grajales, Brandon, Fla. (Sunkist Kids) tech. fall Jimmy Chase, Carol Stream, Ill. (Pinnacle), 10-0, 6-5
7th - Joshua Habeck, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Andrew Perez, Great Falls, Mont. (Air Force), 2-0, 2-0
60 kg/132 lbs.
1st - Jim Gruenwald, Marquette, Mich. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Joe Betterman, Chicago, Ill. (New York AC), 5-0, 6-3
3rd - Glenn Garrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Marco Lara, Long Beach, Calif. (New York AC), 6-0, 4-0
5th - Jeremiah Davis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Willie Madison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 3-2, 0-3, 5-3
7th - Eric Stevenson, Newberg, Ore. (Newberg) dec. Donny DePatto, Monticello, Minn. (U.S. Marine Corps), 1-4,2-1,1-1
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
1st - Mark Rial, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Jake Deitchler, Rumsey, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 5-4, 1-1
3rd - Faruk Sahin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) pin Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (Gator/USOEC), 1:11
5th - Jacob Hey, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) inj. dft. Marcel Cooper, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
7th - Oscar Wood, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Ben Sanchez, Leominster, Mass. (USOEC), 3-3, 5-0
74 kg/163 lbs.
1st- T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Andrew Bisek, Chaska, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 2-2, 3-2
3rd - Jake Fisher, Platte City, Mo. (New York AC) dec. Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC), 3-0, 4-1
5th - Jess Hargrave, Colorado Springs, Colo (U.S. Army) inj. dft. over James Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
7th - Talan Knox, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sunkist Kids) dec. Marco Toledo, Miami, Fla. (USOEC), 1-1,1-1,1-1
84 kg/185 lbs.
1st- Brad Ahearn, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 2-1,1-1
3rd - Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 1-1, 3-0
5th - Ken Cook, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Jake Plamann, Kaukauna, Wis. (Gator WC), 2-2, 1-1
7th - Zak Nielsen, Zimmerman, Minn. (USOEC) dec. Nathaniel Mesyn (unattached), 5-1, 10-3
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
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. Rob 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
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
1st- Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Russ Davie, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 2-1, 4-0
3rd - Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Erik Nye, Sacramento, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 2-2, 1-1
5th - Peter Kowalczuk, Oak Park, Ill. (NMU/USOEC) dec. David Arendt Jr, Port Washington, Wis. (U.S. Marine Corps), 5-1, 2-0
7th - Cole Konrad, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Brandon Ruiz, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sunkist Kids), 5-3, 3-0
Div. I Team champion - U.S. Army, 62 pts.
Div. I Team runner-up - Sunkist Kids, 37 pts
Div. II Team champion - New York AC, 47 pts.
Div. II Team runner-up - Gator WC, 43 pts.
Outstanding Wrestler - Spenser Mango (Gator WC/USOEC), 55 kg/121 lbs.
The first-time national champions included Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./Gator WC/USOEC) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Mark Rial (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Brad Ahearn (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 84 kg/185 lbs.
The finals began with an upset, as 2006 World University champion Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./Gator WC/USOEC) defeated 2006 World bronze medalist Lindsey Durlacher (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 1-3, 3-0, 7-0. It was Mango's first U.S. Nationals title, and he was named Outstanding Wrestler for his effort.
Durlacher scored a two-point reversal to win the first period. In the second period, with Durlacher only seconds away from victory, Mango scored a two-point gut wrench to take the period. Mango scored early in the third on a stepout, then received a key two-point penalty and caution when Durlacher jumped from the starting position. Two more Mango gut wrenches ended the period as a technical fall, 7-0.
"Actually I think my biggest improvement has been my defense. I guess a good offense is a good defense," said Mango.
Mango was unaware of how much time remained when he scored the key gut wrench turn in the second period.
"I didn't know. I didn't want to take the time to look at the clock. If there was a couple extra seconds I would have I guess had everything against me. I just tried to get my hands locked first and once I had my hands locked just get enough momentum to turn him over," he said.
Winning his first U.S. Nationals title was Mark Rial (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) who defeated high school sensation Jake Deitchler (Rumsey, Minn./Minnesota Storm) in two straight periods, 5-4, 1-1 at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Rial opened the first period quickly with a takedown and a gut wrench, but Deitchler was able to score late in the period to lose by just a point. In the second period, neither wrestler could score from the clinch position, and Rial won by scoring the final point defending from the bottom.
"To tell you the truth there haven't been any changes in my training, it's just the mental aspect. I've been more positive, more confident in my ability. I'm not worried about going out there and winning or losing, but going out there and having fun," said Rial about his preparation for the event.
Ahearn upset 2007 World silver medalist Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in the finals, 2-1, 1-1. Ahearn's top previous finish at the U.S. Nationals was fourth in 2006.
Ahearn won the first period, 2-1, scoring the only takedown of the period. In the second period, both wrestlers were unable to score from their feet. Vering defended from the clinch position to score the first point, then Ahearn was able to defend for a point and won the period by scoring the final point. An attempt for a turn by Vering on the edge of the mat late in the final period was reviewed by officials and no points were awarded.
"Last year I was at 96 kg. I did that to work on my technique and I heal my body. I had a few surgeries that I had. I knew I was coming back down to 84 kg for the Olympic year. I changed my training up, started doing a whole lot of extra work, just something extra everyday. I believed in my coaches and had a few overseas tournaments which was just a big experience for me. It just paid off," said Ahearn.
Winning his seventh career U.S. Nationals title was 2002 World champion Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) who stopped Russ Davie (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., 2-1, 4-0.
Byers scored the only takedown in the first period for the edge. In the second period, a gut wrench turn by Byers was the key to his win.
Winning his fifth career U.S. Nationals title was 2005 World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) who stopped R.C. Johnson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 4-1, 1-1. Ruiz had a three-point body lock in the first period, and scored the final point in the second period for the victory.
Capturing his third career title was T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), who defeated Andrew Bisek (Chaska, Minn./Minnesota Storm/USOEC), 2-2, 3-2 at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Both Bisek and Dantzler scored two-point turns from the clinch position in the first period, but Dantzler won by scoring the last point. In the second period, Dantzler defended from the clinch position for one point. Each wrestler scored two points on a scramble at the end for the second clinch, giving Dantzler .
Of the champions, only Dantzler, Ruiz and Byers will advance directly to the best-of-three championship series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15. Only athletes who have placed fifth or higher at the 2005-07 World Championships and also won the U.S. Nationals will go directly to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials finals series in Greco-Roman. The other four champions will be included in the Challenge Tournament portion of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
At 60 kg/132 lbs., two-time Olympian Jim Gruenwald (Marquette, Mich./Sunkist Kids) defeated 2007 U.S. World Team member Joe Betterman (Chicago, Ill./New York AC), 5-0, 6-3. Gruenwald was able to get throws with exposure in both periods to win the match. Gruenwald, 37, made a comeback earlier in the year after retiring after the 2004 Olympic Games.
Gruenwald is the assistant coach at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan Univ., where Betterman has been a student-athlete. Betterman beat Gruenwald in the finals of the Sunkist Kids International in October, in their only meeting since Gruenwald came out of retirement. It was Gruenwald's third career U.S. Nationals title, with his last national crown in 2004.
Prior to the championship finals, the members of the 2007 U.S. Greco-Roman World Team delegation, along with key leaders in the American Greco-Roman community, received World Championship rings honoring their achievement.
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.
Deitchler was not the only high school wrestler to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Greco-Roman by placing in the top seven during the U.S. Nationals. At 55 kg/121 lbs., high school stars Eric Grajales of Florida placed fifth and Jimmy Chase of Illinois placed sixth.
U.S. GRECO-ROMAN NATIONAL WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Las Vegas, Nev., April 25
55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (Gator/USOEC) dec. Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-3, 3-0, 7-0
3rd - Jermaine Hodge, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC), 4-1, 6-2
5th - Eric Grajales, Brandon, Fla. (Sunkist Kids) tech. fall Jimmy Chase, Carol Stream, Ill. (Pinnacle), 10-0, 6-5
7th - Joshua Habeck, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Andrew Perez, Great Falls, Mont. (Air Force), 2-0, 2-0
60 kg/132 lbs.
1st - Jim Gruenwald, Marquette, Mich. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Joe Betterman, Chicago, Ill. (New York AC), 5-0, 6-3
3rd - Glenn Garrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Marco Lara, Long Beach, Calif. (New York AC), 6-0, 4-0
5th - Jeremiah Davis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Willie Madison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 3-2, 0-3, 5-3
7th - Eric Stevenson, Newberg, Ore. (Newberg) dec. Donny DePatto, Monticello, Minn. (U.S. Marine Corps), 1-4,2-1,1-1
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
1st - Mark Rial, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Jake Deitchler, Rumsey, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 5-4, 1-1
3rd - Faruk Sahin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) pin Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (Gator/USOEC), 1:11
5th - Jacob Hey, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) inj. dft. Marcel Cooper, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
7th - Oscar Wood, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Ben Sanchez, Leominster, Mass. (USOEC), 3-3, 5-0
74 kg/163 lbs.
1st- T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Andrew Bisek, Chaska, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 2-2, 3-2
3rd - Jake Fisher, Platte City, Mo. (New York AC) dec. Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC), 3-0, 4-1
5th - Jess Hargrave, Colorado Springs, Colo (U.S. Army) inj. dft. over James Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
7th - Talan Knox, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sunkist Kids) dec. Marco Toledo, Miami, Fla. (USOEC), 1-1,1-1,1-1
84 kg/185 lbs.
1st- Brad Ahearn, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 2-1,1-1
3rd - Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 1-1, 3-0
5th - Ken Cook, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Jake Plamann, Kaukauna, Wis. (Gator WC), 2-2, 1-1
7th - Zak Nielsen, Zimmerman, Minn. (USOEC) dec. Nathaniel Mesyn (unattached), 5-1, 10-3
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
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. Rob 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
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
1st- Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Russ Davie, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 2-1, 4-0
3rd - Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Erik Nye, Sacramento, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 2-2, 1-1
5th - Peter Kowalczuk, Oak Park, Ill. (NMU/USOEC) dec. David Arendt Jr, Port Washington, Wis. (U.S. Marine Corps), 5-1, 2-0
7th - Cole Konrad, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Brandon Ruiz, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sunkist Kids), 5-3, 3-0
Div. I Team champion - U.S. Army, 62 pts.
Div. I Team runner-up - Sunkist Kids, 37 pts
Div. II Team champion - New York AC, 47 pts.
Div. II Team runner-up - Gator WC, 43 pts.
Outstanding Wrestler - Spenser Mango (Gator WC/USOEC), 55 kg/121 lbs.
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