U.S. Olympic Team Trials preview in men's freestyle at 60 kg/132 lbs.
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by Craig Sesker
The U.S. has not qualified this weight class for the Olympics, but fans can still expect a tough, hard-fought battle in this weight class. Wrestlers in this division are still vying for three spots on the U.S. National Team.
2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick made the World Team again in 2007, but lost in the first round and was eliminated. Nate Gallick, who beat Zadick in the finals of the 2007 U.S. Nationals, is a top contender in this division. Gallick is a past World University Games champion. Gallick lost to Zadick in a Special Wrestle-Off for a spot on the 2007 U.S. World Team.
Shawn Bunch, one of the quickest and most explosive wrestlers in any weight class, won the U.S. Nationals. Zadick and Gallick sat out the event after trying to qualify the U.S. for the Olympics at events in Europe. 2008 NCAA champion Coleman Scott of Oklahoma State proved he could be a force in freestyle after finishing second at U.S. Nationals. Scott is a past Junior World Team member.
Two-time NCAA champion Teyon Ware has dropped back down to this weight class and took third at U.S. Nationals. Past NCAA runner-up Dylan Long was fourth at U.S. Nationals. 2005 World Team member Michael Lightner is back on the mat this year and placed fifth at U.S. Nationals. Zach Roberson, third in the 2007 World Team Trials, ended up in sixth place at U.S. Nationals.
Angel Cejudo is another very talented wrestler in this weight class. Cejudo won the Dave Schultz Memorial International earlier this year. Cejudo has struggled to make weight in this class, but could be a force if he is able to drop down for the Olympic Trials.
2008 U.S. Nationals results
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
2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Pre-Seeds
1. Shawn Bunch, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
2. Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
3. Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC)
4. Nate Gallick, Chattanooga, Tenn. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Teyon Ware, Oklahoma City, Okla. (New York AC)
6. Dylan Long, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
7. Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
8. Zach Roberson, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
9. Angel Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
10. Drew Headlee, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Pittsburgh)
11. Daniel Dennis, Ingleside, Ill. (Iowa)
12. Darrell Vasquez, Cambridge, Mass. (New York AC)
2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick made the World Team again in 2007, but lost in the first round and was eliminated. Nate Gallick, who beat Zadick in the finals of the 2007 U.S. Nationals, is a top contender in this division. Gallick is a past World University Games champion. Gallick lost to Zadick in a Special Wrestle-Off for a spot on the 2007 U.S. World Team.
Shawn Bunch, one of the quickest and most explosive wrestlers in any weight class, won the U.S. Nationals. Zadick and Gallick sat out the event after trying to qualify the U.S. for the Olympics at events in Europe. 2008 NCAA champion Coleman Scott of Oklahoma State proved he could be a force in freestyle after finishing second at U.S. Nationals. Scott is a past Junior World Team member.
Two-time NCAA champion Teyon Ware has dropped back down to this weight class and took third at U.S. Nationals. Past NCAA runner-up Dylan Long was fourth at U.S. Nationals. 2005 World Team member Michael Lightner is back on the mat this year and placed fifth at U.S. Nationals. Zach Roberson, third in the 2007 World Team Trials, ended up in sixth place at U.S. Nationals.
Angel Cejudo is another very talented wrestler in this weight class. Cejudo won the Dave Schultz Memorial International earlier this year. Cejudo has struggled to make weight in this class, but could be a force if he is able to drop down for the Olympic Trials.
2008 U.S. Nationals results
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
2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Pre-Seeds
1. Shawn Bunch, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
2. Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
3. Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC)
4. Nate Gallick, Chattanooga, Tenn. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Teyon Ware, Oklahoma City, Okla. (New York AC)
6. Dylan Long, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
7. Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
8. Zach Roberson, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
9. Angel Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
10. Drew Headlee, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Pittsburgh)
11. Daniel Dennis, Ingleside, Ill. (Iowa)
12. Darrell Vasquez, Cambridge, Mass. (New York AC)
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