Top U.S. wrestlers set to take down competition at University Worlds July 9-13 in Greece
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by Elizabeth Wiley
The USA Wrestling University World Teams will travel to Thessoloniki, Greece for the University World Championships July 9-13.
Men's freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's freestyle teams will all compete against some of the best in the world at the competition.
Jake Herbert is the only returning competitor on the men's freestyle team. A bronze medalist at last year's competition, Herbert will provide leadership and experience for the team as he competes at 84 kg/185 lbs.
"Herbert is a returning bronze medalist," Freestyle Developmental Coach Dave Bennett said. "He knows what he needs to do. We're expecting a good performance."
Joining Herbert on the freestyle team are Brad Pataky at 55 kg/121 lbs., Reece Humphrey at 60 kg/132 lbs., Josh Churella at 66 kg/145.5 lbs, Keith Gavin at 74 kg/163 lbs., Brendan Jones at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Tervel Dlagnev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. All six of these wrestlers are making their first trip to compete at University Worlds.
"My goal for this team is to come back with seven gold medals and I think it's a goal for them, too," said Bennett. "That may not happen, but we have to go in believing all things are possible."
The men's freestyle team will be coached by Lou Rosselli and Wes Hand. Dave Bennett is serving as team leader for the trip.
The Greco-Roman squad features two wrestlers who just missed out on berths to the 2008 Olympic Games, as well as a number of other talented athletes.
"(Sam) Hazewinkel competed at the Olympic Team Trials and was one match from making the Olympic Team," Greco-Roman Developmental Coach Ike Anderson said. "I'm excited about him."
Sam Hazewinkel lost to Spenser Mango in the Championship Series at 55 kg/121 lbs. while Cheney Haight finished behind T.C. Dantzler at 74 kg/163 lbs.
"I expect Cheney Haight to be able to medal," said Anderson. "Again he was one match from making the Olympic Team against T.C."
Another top contender for the Greco-Roman team is Chas Betts. Betts was a silver medalist at the 2006 University World Championships and hopes to medal again in 2008.
The rest of the team is Donovan Depatto at 60 kg/132 lbs., Jacob Curby at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., and Robbie Smith at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. The heavyweight contender has not yet been determined for the U.S.
Eric Wetzel and Gary Mayabb will coach the Greco-Roman team.
The women's side features seven athletes that took part in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and should be incredibly competitive in Greece.
Three wrestlers on the team also competed at the 2006 World University Championships. Alaina Berube was a bronze medalist at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. two years ago. Joining her from that squad are Sara Fulp-Allen at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Othella Lucas at 59 kg/130 lbs.
Rounding out the women's team are Katherine Fulp-Allen at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Chelynne Pringle at 55 kg/121 lbs., Elena Pirozhkov at 67 kg/147.5 lbs., and Stephany Lee at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Serving as coaches for the women's freestyle team are Shannyn Gillespie and Trevor Keifer.
University World Championships
Thessoloniki, Greece
Men's Freestyle:
55 kg: Brad Pataky, Clearfield, Pa. (New York AC)
60 kg: Reece Humphrey, Indianapolis, Ind. (Ohio State)
66 kg: Josh Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
74 kg: Keith Gavin, Factoryville, Pa. (New York AC)
84 kg: Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC)
96 kg: Brent Jones, Burke, Va. (Cavalier WC)
120 kg: Tervel Dlagnev, Arlington, Texas (Loper WC)
Coach: Lou Rosselli
Coach: Wes Hand
Team Leader: Dave Bennett
Greco-Roman:
55 kg: Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC)
60 kg: Donovan Depatto, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corp)
66 kg: Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (USOEC/GatorWC)
74 kg: Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (USOEC/New York AC)
84 kg: Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (USOEC/Minnesota Storm)
96 kg: Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
120 kg: TBD
Coach: Eric Wetzel
Coach: Gary Mayabb
Women's Freestyle:
48 kg: Sara Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
51 kg: Katherine Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
55 kg: Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
59 kg: Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
63 kg: Alaina Berube, River Falls, Wis. (New York AC)
67 kg: Elena Pirozhkov, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
72 kg: Stephany Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Coach: Shannyn Gillespie
Coach: Trevor Keifer
Men's freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's freestyle teams will all compete against some of the best in the world at the competition.
Jake Herbert is the only returning competitor on the men's freestyle team. A bronze medalist at last year's competition, Herbert will provide leadership and experience for the team as he competes at 84 kg/185 lbs.
"Herbert is a returning bronze medalist," Freestyle Developmental Coach Dave Bennett said. "He knows what he needs to do. We're expecting a good performance."
Joining Herbert on the freestyle team are Brad Pataky at 55 kg/121 lbs., Reece Humphrey at 60 kg/132 lbs., Josh Churella at 66 kg/145.5 lbs, Keith Gavin at 74 kg/163 lbs., Brendan Jones at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Tervel Dlagnev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. All six of these wrestlers are making their first trip to compete at University Worlds.
"My goal for this team is to come back with seven gold medals and I think it's a goal for them, too," said Bennett. "That may not happen, but we have to go in believing all things are possible."
The men's freestyle team will be coached by Lou Rosselli and Wes Hand. Dave Bennett is serving as team leader for the trip.
The Greco-Roman squad features two wrestlers who just missed out on berths to the 2008 Olympic Games, as well as a number of other talented athletes.
"(Sam) Hazewinkel competed at the Olympic Team Trials and was one match from making the Olympic Team," Greco-Roman Developmental Coach Ike Anderson said. "I'm excited about him."
Sam Hazewinkel lost to Spenser Mango in the Championship Series at 55 kg/121 lbs. while Cheney Haight finished behind T.C. Dantzler at 74 kg/163 lbs.
"I expect Cheney Haight to be able to medal," said Anderson. "Again he was one match from making the Olympic Team against T.C."
Another top contender for the Greco-Roman team is Chas Betts. Betts was a silver medalist at the 2006 University World Championships and hopes to medal again in 2008.
The rest of the team is Donovan Depatto at 60 kg/132 lbs., Jacob Curby at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., and Robbie Smith at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. The heavyweight contender has not yet been determined for the U.S.
Eric Wetzel and Gary Mayabb will coach the Greco-Roman team.
The women's side features seven athletes that took part in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and should be incredibly competitive in Greece.
Three wrestlers on the team also competed at the 2006 World University Championships. Alaina Berube was a bronze medalist at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. two years ago. Joining her from that squad are Sara Fulp-Allen at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Othella Lucas at 59 kg/130 lbs.
Rounding out the women's team are Katherine Fulp-Allen at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Chelynne Pringle at 55 kg/121 lbs., Elena Pirozhkov at 67 kg/147.5 lbs., and Stephany Lee at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Serving as coaches for the women's freestyle team are Shannyn Gillespie and Trevor Keifer.
University World Championships
Thessoloniki, Greece
Men's Freestyle:
55 kg: Brad Pataky, Clearfield, Pa. (New York AC)
60 kg: Reece Humphrey, Indianapolis, Ind. (Ohio State)
66 kg: Josh Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
74 kg: Keith Gavin, Factoryville, Pa. (New York AC)
84 kg: Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC)
96 kg: Brent Jones, Burke, Va. (Cavalier WC)
120 kg: Tervel Dlagnev, Arlington, Texas (Loper WC)
Coach: Lou Rosselli
Coach: Wes Hand
Team Leader: Dave Bennett
Greco-Roman:
55 kg: Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC)
60 kg: Donovan Depatto, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corp)
66 kg: Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (USOEC/GatorWC)
74 kg: Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (USOEC/New York AC)
84 kg: Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (USOEC/Minnesota Storm)
96 kg: Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
120 kg: TBD
Coach: Eric Wetzel
Coach: Gary Mayabb
Women's Freestyle:
48 kg: Sara Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
51 kg: Katherine Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
55 kg: Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
59 kg: Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
63 kg: Alaina Berube, River Falls, Wis. (New York AC)
67 kg: Elena Pirozhkov, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
72 kg: Stephany Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Coach: Shannyn Gillespie
Coach: Trevor Keifer
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