Four new national champions crowned in wild U.S. Freestyle Nationals finals; Azevedo pins Cejudo at 55 kg
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by Gary Abbott
LAS VEGAS, NEV. - It was a night for newcomers, as four of the seven winners won a Senior national title for the first time at the 2008 Las Vegas/ASICS U.S. National Freestyle Championships at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Saturday night.
The first four weight classes were captured by first-time winners: Matt Azevedo (Pismo Beach, Calif./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Shawn Bunch (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Doug Schwab (Iowa City, Iowa/Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Ben Askren (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Azevedo shocked two-time U.S. Nationals champion and top-seed Henry Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) with a second period pin, 1-0, 0:18. Azevedo won the first period, scoring a takedown from the clinch. Early in the second period, Azevedo blocked a front headlock attempt by Cejudo and caught him on his back, securing the pin. Azevedo was named Outstanding Wrestler based upon his performance.
"I expected to win. I knew I could win a National title and obviously this is just a stepping stone to get to the Olympic team. This is a big goal. This is a big deal for me to be a National champion," said Azevedo.
Azevedo took advantage of a move by Cejudo which he felt may have been forced.
"I think when you lose the first period it definitely changes your mind frame," said Azevedo. "You feel like you have to go out and get the guy. A lot of times I feel like that too. I think he maybe tried to force something that wasn't there."
Bunch defeated Oklahoma State NCAA champion Coleman Scott (Waynesburg, Pa./Gator WC) in two straight periods, 4-0, 1-0. Bunch scored a three-point front headlock in the first period along with another takedown, and scored the only takedown in the second period.
"I've been beating guys all the time. I felt like I didn't get respect for what I've been doing. I can beat all those guys. I think I'm the best in the world and I can win the Olympic gold if I make the team," said Bunch.
Schwab, who was fifth in the 2007 World Championships, scored a two-period victory over 2006 World Champion Bill Zadick (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 1-0, 3-0. Schwab won both periods by scoring takedowns from the clinch. In the first period, Zadick received one point for the takedown, and in the second period, he received three points for the exposure.
"Everybody knows each other so well. I've wrestled him. Everybody has wrestled everybody in our weight so many times. It just comes down to the fact that you do it so well it doesn't even matter," said Schwab.
Askren won in two straight periods, defeating 2006 World Team Trials runner-up Tyrone Lewis (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC), 3-0, 3-2. Askren won the first period with a three-point double leg takedown. In the second period, trailing 2-0, Askren scored a two-point exposure and a takedown for the victory.
"You know I had a lot of things I wanted to do this year. I said this year I wanted to be tough. This year is for the Olympics. That's all I do everyday, my life's boring, but it paid off," said Askren.
Previous champions won the next three matches, with Mo Lawal (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) capturing his third U.S. Nationals title at 84 kg/185 lbs. and 2004 Olympian Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Sunkist Kids) winning his sixth career nationals title with a win at 96 kg/211.5 pounds and Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) winning his second straight national gold at 120 kg/264.5 pounds.
Lawal defeated 2006 World Team member Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC), 1-1, 1-0. In the first period, Hrovat scored the first takedown, with Lawal taking the second takedown, winning the period on the tiebreaker of last point scored. In the second period, Lawal had the only takedown.
Cormier was dominant in his 7-0, 2-0 victory over Nik Fekete (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC). In the first period technical fall, Cormier scored two takedowns for one point, a two-point gutwrench and a three-point front headlock. In the second period, Cormier added two more takedowns.
Lawal and Cormier met in the finals of the 2007 U.S. Nationals, with Cormier winning by 1-0, 1-0. Cormier also beat Lawal in the finals of the World Team Trials. This year, Lawal dropped back to 84 kg/185 lbs. and both were national champions. Both wrestlers attended Oklahoma State and are friends.
In a hotly contested heavyweight finals, Rowlands defeated Steve Mocco (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) , 3-0, 0-2, 1-0. The action was so intense that the wrestlers traded blows at the end of the second period.
Rowlands won the first period with a takedown with exposure from the clinch. Mocco had a takedown and a stepout for points in the second period. The only point in the final round was when Rowlands forced Mocco to step out on a hip toss during a scramble.
By winning the U.S. Nationals, four wrestlers qualified to advance directly to the best-of-three series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. There are four criteria that a 2008 National champion must meet in order to skip straight into the final series. They are:
- Top 10 finish at the 2005, 2006 or 2007 Senior World Championships
- 2005 University World Games medalist
- 2005, 2006 or 2007 Junior World medalist
- Multiple-time U.S. World Team member
Based upon these criteria, advancing into the finals series are Schwab, Lawal, Cormier and Rowlands. The other four champions will enter the Challenge Tournament portion of the tournament.
The top seven placewinners at each weight class qualified to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15.
U.S. NATIONAL FREESTYLE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Las Vegas, Nev., April 26
55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Matt Azevedo, Pismo Beach, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) pin Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 0:18
3rd - Danny Felix, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Nick Simmons, Williamstown, Mich. (Sunkist Kids), 2-1, 0-2, 3-0
5th - Vic Moreno, Palo Alto, Calif (Gator WC) dec. Grant Nakamura, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 5-0,6-2
7th - Adam Smith, State College, Pa. (New York AC) dec. Javier Maldonado, Kissimmee, Fla. (Sunkist Kids), 6-0, 1-0
60 kg/132 lbs.
1st - Shawn Bunch, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Coleman Scott, Waynesburg, Pa. (Gator WC), 4-0, 1-0
3rd - Teyon Ware, Oklahoma City, Okla. (New York AC) dec. Dylan Long, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 5-1, 1-0
5th - Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) inj. dft. over Zach Roberson, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids),
7th - Drew Headlee, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Pittsburgh) dec. Franklin Gomez, Brandon, Fla. (Michigan WC), 3-2, 6-0
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
1st - Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC) dec. Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 1-0, 3-0
3rd - Jared Frayer, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Chris Bono, Ringold, Ga. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0,5-1
5th - Brent Metcalf, Davison, Mich. (Gator WC) inj. dft. Zack Esposito, Stillwater, OK (Gator Wrestling Club),
7th - Trent Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Eric Larkin, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 1-1, 2-1
74 kg/163 lbs.
1st - Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 3-0, 3-2
3rd - Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) dec. Matt Lackey, Champaign, Ill. (New York AC), 5-2, 1-2, 3-0
5th - Ramico Blackmon, Colorado Springs Colo. (New York AC) dec. Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 2-0
7th - Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC) dec. Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids), 0-6,1-0,3-0
84 kg/185 lbs.
1st - Mo Lawal, Temecula, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor Mich. (New York AC), 1-1, 1-0
3rd - Bryce Hasseman, Bloomsburg, Pa, (New York AC) inj. dft. Clint Wattenberg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York Athletic Club),
5th - B J Padden, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) inj. dft. Matt Pell, Charlottesville, Va. (Cavalier WC),
7th - Jake Varner, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Tyrel Todd, , (New York AC), 2-0,7-1
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
1st - Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator Wrestling Club) dec. Nik Fekete, Iowa City Iowa (New York AC), 7-0,2-0
3rd - Willie Parks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Kurt Backes, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-0, 1-0
5th - Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York Athletic Club) dec. Max Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Sunkist Kids), 7-0, 3-0
7th - Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) dec. Konrad Dudziak, Bayonne, N.J. (New York AC), 1-0, 3-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
1st - Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) dec. Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3-0, 0-2, 1-0
3rd - Tervel Dlagnev, Kearney, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Tolly Thompson, Waterloo, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 0-1, 3-0
5th - Les Sigman, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Patrick Cummins, State College Pa. (New York AC), 2-0,2-0
7th - Scott Steele, Baltimore, Md. (Navy Mat Club) dec. Dom Bradley, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 1-0, 1-1
Div. I Team champion - Sunkist Kids, 109 pts.
Div. I Team runner-up - New York AC, pts.
Div. II Team champions - Gator WC, 62 pts.
The first four weight classes were captured by first-time winners: Matt Azevedo (Pismo Beach, Calif./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Shawn Bunch (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Doug Schwab (Iowa City, Iowa/Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Ben Askren (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Azevedo shocked two-time U.S. Nationals champion and top-seed Henry Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) with a second period pin, 1-0, 0:18. Azevedo won the first period, scoring a takedown from the clinch. Early in the second period, Azevedo blocked a front headlock attempt by Cejudo and caught him on his back, securing the pin. Azevedo was named Outstanding Wrestler based upon his performance.
"I expected to win. I knew I could win a National title and obviously this is just a stepping stone to get to the Olympic team. This is a big goal. This is a big deal for me to be a National champion," said Azevedo.
Azevedo took advantage of a move by Cejudo which he felt may have been forced.
"I think when you lose the first period it definitely changes your mind frame," said Azevedo. "You feel like you have to go out and get the guy. A lot of times I feel like that too. I think he maybe tried to force something that wasn't there."
Bunch defeated Oklahoma State NCAA champion Coleman Scott (Waynesburg, Pa./Gator WC) in two straight periods, 4-0, 1-0. Bunch scored a three-point front headlock in the first period along with another takedown, and scored the only takedown in the second period.
"I've been beating guys all the time. I felt like I didn't get respect for what I've been doing. I can beat all those guys. I think I'm the best in the world and I can win the Olympic gold if I make the team," said Bunch.
Schwab, who was fifth in the 2007 World Championships, scored a two-period victory over 2006 World Champion Bill Zadick (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 1-0, 3-0. Schwab won both periods by scoring takedowns from the clinch. In the first period, Zadick received one point for the takedown, and in the second period, he received three points for the exposure.
"Everybody knows each other so well. I've wrestled him. Everybody has wrestled everybody in our weight so many times. It just comes down to the fact that you do it so well it doesn't even matter," said Schwab.
Askren won in two straight periods, defeating 2006 World Team Trials runner-up Tyrone Lewis (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC), 3-0, 3-2. Askren won the first period with a three-point double leg takedown. In the second period, trailing 2-0, Askren scored a two-point exposure and a takedown for the victory.
"You know I had a lot of things I wanted to do this year. I said this year I wanted to be tough. This year is for the Olympics. That's all I do everyday, my life's boring, but it paid off," said Askren.
Previous champions won the next three matches, with Mo Lawal (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) capturing his third U.S. Nationals title at 84 kg/185 lbs. and 2004 Olympian Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Sunkist Kids) winning his sixth career nationals title with a win at 96 kg/211.5 pounds and Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) winning his second straight national gold at 120 kg/264.5 pounds.
Lawal defeated 2006 World Team member Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC), 1-1, 1-0. In the first period, Hrovat scored the first takedown, with Lawal taking the second takedown, winning the period on the tiebreaker of last point scored. In the second period, Lawal had the only takedown.
Cormier was dominant in his 7-0, 2-0 victory over Nik Fekete (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC). In the first period technical fall, Cormier scored two takedowns for one point, a two-point gutwrench and a three-point front headlock. In the second period, Cormier added two more takedowns.
Lawal and Cormier met in the finals of the 2007 U.S. Nationals, with Cormier winning by 1-0, 1-0. Cormier also beat Lawal in the finals of the World Team Trials. This year, Lawal dropped back to 84 kg/185 lbs. and both were national champions. Both wrestlers attended Oklahoma State and are friends.
In a hotly contested heavyweight finals, Rowlands defeated Steve Mocco (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) , 3-0, 0-2, 1-0. The action was so intense that the wrestlers traded blows at the end of the second period.
Rowlands won the first period with a takedown with exposure from the clinch. Mocco had a takedown and a stepout for points in the second period. The only point in the final round was when Rowlands forced Mocco to step out on a hip toss during a scramble.
By winning the U.S. Nationals, four wrestlers qualified to advance directly to the best-of-three series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. There are four criteria that a 2008 National champion must meet in order to skip straight into the final series. They are:
- Top 10 finish at the 2005, 2006 or 2007 Senior World Championships
- 2005 University World Games medalist
- 2005, 2006 or 2007 Junior World medalist
- Multiple-time U.S. World Team member
Based upon these criteria, advancing into the finals series are Schwab, Lawal, Cormier and Rowlands. The other four champions will enter the Challenge Tournament portion of the tournament.
The top seven placewinners at each weight class qualified to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15.
U.S. NATIONAL FREESTYLE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Las Vegas, Nev., April 26
55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Matt Azevedo, Pismo Beach, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) pin Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 0:18
3rd - Danny Felix, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Nick Simmons, Williamstown, Mich. (Sunkist Kids), 2-1, 0-2, 3-0
5th - Vic Moreno, Palo Alto, Calif (Gator WC) dec. Grant Nakamura, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 5-0,6-2
7th - Adam Smith, State College, Pa. (New York AC) dec. Javier Maldonado, Kissimmee, Fla. (Sunkist Kids), 6-0, 1-0
60 kg/132 lbs.
1st - Shawn Bunch, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Coleman Scott, Waynesburg, Pa. (Gator WC), 4-0, 1-0
3rd - Teyon Ware, Oklahoma City, Okla. (New York AC) dec. Dylan Long, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 5-1, 1-0
5th - Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) inj. dft. over Zach Roberson, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids),
7th - Drew Headlee, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Pittsburgh) dec. Franklin Gomez, Brandon, Fla. (Michigan WC), 3-2, 6-0
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
1st - Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC) dec. Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 1-0, 3-0
3rd - Jared Frayer, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Chris Bono, Ringold, Ga. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0,5-1
5th - Brent Metcalf, Davison, Mich. (Gator WC) inj. dft. Zack Esposito, Stillwater, OK (Gator Wrestling Club),
7th - Trent Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Eric Larkin, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 1-1, 2-1
74 kg/163 lbs.
1st - Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 3-0, 3-2
3rd - Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) dec. Matt Lackey, Champaign, Ill. (New York AC), 5-2, 1-2, 3-0
5th - Ramico Blackmon, Colorado Springs Colo. (New York AC) dec. Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 2-0
7th - Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC) dec. Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids), 0-6,1-0,3-0
84 kg/185 lbs.
1st - Mo Lawal, Temecula, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor Mich. (New York AC), 1-1, 1-0
3rd - Bryce Hasseman, Bloomsburg, Pa, (New York AC) inj. dft. Clint Wattenberg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York Athletic Club),
5th - B J Padden, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) inj. dft. Matt Pell, Charlottesville, Va. (Cavalier WC),
7th - Jake Varner, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Tyrel Todd, , (New York AC), 2-0,7-1
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
1st - Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator Wrestling Club) dec. Nik Fekete, Iowa City Iowa (New York AC), 7-0,2-0
3rd - Willie Parks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Kurt Backes, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-0, 1-0
5th - Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York Athletic Club) dec. Max Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Sunkist Kids), 7-0, 3-0
7th - Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) dec. Konrad Dudziak, Bayonne, N.J. (New York AC), 1-0, 3-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
1st - Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) dec. Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3-0, 0-2, 1-0
3rd - Tervel Dlagnev, Kearney, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Tolly Thompson, Waterloo, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 0-1, 3-0
5th - Les Sigman, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Patrick Cummins, State College Pa. (New York AC), 2-0,2-0
7th - Scott Steele, Baltimore, Md. (Navy Mat Club) dec. Dom Bradley, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 1-0, 1-1
Div. I Team champion - Sunkist Kids, 109 pts.
Div. I Team runner-up - New York AC, pts.
Div. II Team champions - Gator WC, 62 pts.
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