U.S. Olympic Team Trials preview in men's freestyle at 74 kg/163 lbs.
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by Craig Sesker
Ben Askren, the two-time Hodge Trophy winner from Missouri, has made a quick transition to freestyle. That was evident when he won the U.S. Nationals. Askren is supremely confident and seems to have a mental edge over the rest of the competitors in the field in this weight class. Askren also has shown an ability to deliver with big moves in close matches.
2006 World bronze medalist Donny Pritzlaff and 2007 U.S. World Team Trials runner-up Casey Cunningham both struggled at U.S. Nationals. Neither wrestler placed in the top seven. Pritzlaff already is qualified for the Trials by virtue of being a past World medalist. Cunningham came back from placing eighth at U.S. Nationals to win the Olympic Trials qualifier in Iowa. Expect Pritzlaff and Cunningham, who both may be in their last seasons, to come back strong at the Olympic Trials.
Tyrone Lewis, who lost to Pritzlaff in the finals of the 2006 World Team Trials, wrestled well at U.S. Nationals. He reached the finals before falling to Askren. The key for Lewis may be to keep his composure against Askren, a master at taking his opponents out of their game. Past Michigan standout Ryan Churella was one of the surprises at U.S. Nationals. He placed third after beating past NCAA champion Matt Lackey to win the bronze medal.
Past National Team member Ramico Blackmon also is a wrestler who is expected to contend. Travis Paulson, who beat Askren at the Sunkist Kids tournament, placed sixth at U.S. Nationals. Past Iowa Hawkeye All-American Eric Luedke placed seventh at U.S. Nationals. Luedke beat Cunningham twice in that event. 2008 NCAA champion Keith Gavin and veteran freestyler Philip Simpson are also wrestlers capable of winning matches at this level.
2008 U.S. Nationals results
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
2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Pre-Seeds
1. Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
3. Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
4. Matt Lackey, Champaign, Ill. (New York AC)
5. Ramico Blackman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
6. Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
7. Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
8. Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
9. Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC)
10. Keith Gavin, Factoryville, Pa. (Pittsburgh)
11. Travis Koppenhafer, Mancos, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
2006 World bronze medalist Donny Pritzlaff and 2007 U.S. World Team Trials runner-up Casey Cunningham both struggled at U.S. Nationals. Neither wrestler placed in the top seven. Pritzlaff already is qualified for the Trials by virtue of being a past World medalist. Cunningham came back from placing eighth at U.S. Nationals to win the Olympic Trials qualifier in Iowa. Expect Pritzlaff and Cunningham, who both may be in their last seasons, to come back strong at the Olympic Trials.
Tyrone Lewis, who lost to Pritzlaff in the finals of the 2006 World Team Trials, wrestled well at U.S. Nationals. He reached the finals before falling to Askren. The key for Lewis may be to keep his composure against Askren, a master at taking his opponents out of their game. Past Michigan standout Ryan Churella was one of the surprises at U.S. Nationals. He placed third after beating past NCAA champion Matt Lackey to win the bronze medal.
Past National Team member Ramico Blackmon also is a wrestler who is expected to contend. Travis Paulson, who beat Askren at the Sunkist Kids tournament, placed sixth at U.S. Nationals. Past Iowa Hawkeye All-American Eric Luedke placed seventh at U.S. Nationals. Luedke beat Cunningham twice in that event. 2008 NCAA champion Keith Gavin and veteran freestyler Philip Simpson are also wrestlers capable of winning matches at this level.
2008 U.S. Nationals results
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
2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Pre-Seeds
1. Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
3. Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
4. Matt Lackey, Champaign, Ill. (New York AC)
5. Ramico Blackman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
6. Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
7. Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
8. Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
9. Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC)
10. Keith Gavin, Factoryville, Pa. (Pittsburgh)
11. Travis Koppenhafer, Mancos, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
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