U.S. Olympic Team Trials preview in Greco-Roman at 84 kg/185 lbs.
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by Craig Sesker
Brad Vering broke through last year to win a silver medal at the 2007 Worlds, but Vering was upset by Brad Ahearn in the finals of U.S. Nationals. Ahearn wrestled at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. last year, but has dropped back down this year. Ahearn is very strong and difficult to score on.
Expect Vering, a 2004 Olympian, to come back strong in the Olympic Trials. Vering, 30, likely is in his final season of competition.
2006 World Team member Jacob Clark, who placed second behind Vering at the 2004 Olympic Trials, is another tough wrestler in this division. Clark did not compete at U.S. Nationals, but is expected to compete at the Olympic Trials. Clark is very talented, but has struggled against the powerful Vering, placing second to him at the U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials a number of times.
Chas Betts, a silver medalist at the 2006 World University Championships, took third at U.S. Nationals. He is a top young prospect in this weight class. Betts won the University Nationals and the University World Team Trials this year, earning another chance at a World University medal this summer.
Aaron Sieracki, who knocked off Vering en route to placing second at the 2006 World Team Trials, could make a big impact here. Sieracki placed fourth at U.S. Nationals, and was the Armed Forces champion this year.
Ken Cook, who has bumped up a weight class after taking third at the 2007 U.S. World Team Trials at 163 pounds, finished fifth at U.S. Nationals. Jake Plamann, third at the 2007 World Team Trials, finished sixth at U.S. Nationals.
Of the qualifiers from the Regional Olympic Trials, the person with the most experience and national-level achievements is John Wechter, who captured the Northern Plains Trials.
2008 U.S. Nationals results
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
2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Pre-Seeds
1. Brad Ahearn, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
2. Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
3. Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
4. Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
5. Jacob Clark, Top Sail Island, N.C. (Minnesota Storm)
6. Jake Plamann, Kaukauna, Wis. (Gator WC)
7. Zak Nielsen, Zimmerman, Minn. (USOEC)
8. John Wechter, Lansing, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
9. Jeremy Pederson, Sneads Ferry, N.C. (U.S. Marines)
10. Abe Haddon, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC)
11. David Spangler, Iowa City, Iowa (U.S. Air Force)
12. Jeff Funicello, Mesa, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
Expect Vering, a 2004 Olympian, to come back strong in the Olympic Trials. Vering, 30, likely is in his final season of competition.
2006 World Team member Jacob Clark, who placed second behind Vering at the 2004 Olympic Trials, is another tough wrestler in this division. Clark did not compete at U.S. Nationals, but is expected to compete at the Olympic Trials. Clark is very talented, but has struggled against the powerful Vering, placing second to him at the U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials a number of times.
Chas Betts, a silver medalist at the 2006 World University Championships, took third at U.S. Nationals. He is a top young prospect in this weight class. Betts won the University Nationals and the University World Team Trials this year, earning another chance at a World University medal this summer.
Aaron Sieracki, who knocked off Vering en route to placing second at the 2006 World Team Trials, could make a big impact here. Sieracki placed fourth at U.S. Nationals, and was the Armed Forces champion this year.
Ken Cook, who has bumped up a weight class after taking third at the 2007 U.S. World Team Trials at 163 pounds, finished fifth at U.S. Nationals. Jake Plamann, third at the 2007 World Team Trials, finished sixth at U.S. Nationals.
Of the qualifiers from the Regional Olympic Trials, the person with the most experience and national-level achievements is John Wechter, who captured the Northern Plains Trials.
2008 U.S. Nationals results
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
2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Pre-Seeds
1. Brad Ahearn, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
2. Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
3. Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
4. Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
5. Jacob Clark, Top Sail Island, N.C. (Minnesota Storm)
6. Jake Plamann, Kaukauna, Wis. (Gator WC)
7. Zak Nielsen, Zimmerman, Minn. (USOEC)
8. John Wechter, Lansing, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
9. Jeremy Pederson, Sneads Ferry, N.C. (U.S. Marines)
10. Abe Haddon, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC)
11. David Spangler, Iowa City, Iowa (U.S. Air Force)
12. Jeff Funicello, Mesa, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
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