USA to face Russia in dual meet in West Orange, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 20
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by Gary Abbott
Click here for USA vs. Russia event flyer
For the second straight year, many of the world's most talented Olympic wrestlers will be featured when the United States battles Russia in an international dual meet in West Orange, N.J. on Thursday, November 20.
Just like last year, the USA vs. Russia showdown will feature a full lineup in both men's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman wrestling. Athletes who have won numerous international medals and national titles will be showcased. There was a standing-room only crowd at the event last year and the level of competition was spectacular.
The match will be held at West Orange High School in West Orange, N.J., starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door, $20 for adults and $15 for kids.
The United States and Russia are considered the world's top wrestling nations. There will be numerous Olympic athletes competing for both nations, just months after the 2008 Olympic Games were held in Beijing, China.
Five Olympic gold medalists will headline the Russian Greco-Roman team. Three won 2008 Olympic gold medals in Beijing, China: Nazir Mankiev at 55 kg/121 lbs., Islam-Beka Albiev at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Aslanbek Khustov at 96 kg/211.5 pounds. Two were 2004 Olympic champions in Athens, Greece: Alexey Mishin at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Khasan Baroev at 120 kg/264.5 pounds.
Baroev also added an Olympic silver medal in 2008. Baroev won World gold medals in 2003 and 2006 and Mishin was a 2007 World champion.
The U.S. Greco-Roman team will be led by 2008 Olympian Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./Gator WC), who placed eighth in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China at 55 kg/121 lbs. 2007 U.S. World Team member and 2008 Olympic Trials champion Joe Betterman (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) will wrestle at 60 kg/132 lbs.
The freestyle team will feature two of New Jersey's best active wrestlers, both who are competing at the international level: 2008 Olympian Steve Mocco (N. Bergen, N.Y./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. and Kurt Backes (Neshanic Station, N.J./Sunkist Kids) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Mocco placed seventh at the 2008 Olympic Games. He won four Prep School National titles, starring at St. Benedicts Prep and Blair Academy, then added two NCAA titles, one each for Iowa and Oklahoma State.
Backes was a NCAA Div. I runner-up and two-time All-American competing for Iowa State. Backes won three Prep National titles competing for Blair Academy.
Another New Jersey legend, Matt Valenti (Newton, N.J./New York AC) may also get a match in the dual. Valenti won two NCAA titles for the Univ. of Pennsylvania. He was a two-time New Jersey state champion for Kittatiny High School.
Mocco is among three 2008 U.S. Olympians on the freestyle lineup, joined by Beijing teammates Doug Schwab (Iowa City, Iowa/Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs.
Russia has sent a preliminary list of freestyle athletes, which will be finalized in early November. There are four past World Champions who are on the Russia's preliminary roster: Besik Kudukhov at 60 kg/132 lbs., Alan Dudaev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Irbek Farniev at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Georgy Ketoev at 96 kg/211.5.
Three of the athletes on the Russian freestyle roster won medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Olympic silver medalist Bakhtiar Akhmedov at 120 kg/264.5 pounds, along with Olympic bronze medalists Kudukhov and Ketoev. Five of the team members are past Junior World champions: Kudukhov, Akhmedov, Ketoev, plus Dzhamal Otarsultanov at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Denis Tsargush at 74 kg/163 lbs.
There may be additional exhibition matches between other athletes from the United States against the guests from Russia.
USA Wrestling's National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser and National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones will be among the coaches working with Team USA.
The athletes in this dual meet are also expected to compete in the annual American Airlines New York Athletic Club International Championships, scheduled for November 22-23 in New York City. Outstanding international wrestling action in all three Olympic styles will be showcased at the World famous NYAC facility on Central Park South in mid-town Manhattan.
For additional information, contact Sonny Greenhalgh at 973-256-0670 or Stephan Zichella of West Orange High School at 973-476-8782.
TEAM USA VS. RUSSIA WORLD DUAL MEET
At West Orange, N.J.., Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.
New York Athletic Club preliminary lineups
U.S. Greco-Roman athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (Gator WC)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Joe Betterman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Jake Plamann, Appleton, Wis. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - R.C. Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Pete Kowalczuk, Oak Park, Ill. (Sunkist Kids)
Coaches - National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Assistant National Greco-Roman Coach Momir Petkovic (Colorado Springs, Colo.), USOEC Assistant Greco-Roman Coach Jim Gruenwald (Marquette, Mich.)
U.S. Freestyle athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Nick Simmons, Corvallis, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) and Matt Valenti, Newton, N.J. (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC) and Josh Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) and Keith Gavin, Pittsburgh, Pa. (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) and Bryce Hasseman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Kurt Backes, Neshanic Station, N.J. (Sunkist Kids)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Steve Mocco, N. Bergen, N.J. (New York AC)
Coaches - National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Sean Bormet, Naperville, Ill.
Russia preliminary lineups
Russian Greco-Roman athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Nazyr Mankiev
60 kg/132 lbs. - Islam-Beka Albiev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Ambako Vachadze
74 kg/163 lbs. - Ruslan Belkharoev
84 kg/185 lbs. - Alexey Mishin
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Aslanbek Khushtov
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Khasan Baroev
Russian Freestyle athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Dzhamal Otarsultanov or Mahmud Magomedov
60 kg/132 lbs. - Besik Kudukhov, Adam Batirov or Labazan Askerbiev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Alan Dudaev, Vladimir Vilmov or Mulid Lampezhev
74 kg/163 lbs. - Irbek Farniev or Denis Tsargush
84 kg/185 lbs. - Andzor Urishev or Eldas Bataev
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Georgy Ketoev
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Valery Bedoev or Bakhtiar Akhmedov
Click here for USA vs. Russia event flyer
For the second straight year, many of the world's most talented Olympic wrestlers will be featured when the United States battles Russia in an international dual meet in West Orange, N.J. on Thursday, November 20.
Just like last year, the USA vs. Russia showdown will feature a full lineup in both men's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman wrestling. Athletes who have won numerous international medals and national titles will be showcased. There was a standing-room only crowd at the event last year and the level of competition was spectacular.
The match will be held at West Orange High School in West Orange, N.J., starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door, $20 for adults and $15 for kids.
The United States and Russia are considered the world's top wrestling nations. There will be numerous Olympic athletes competing for both nations, just months after the 2008 Olympic Games were held in Beijing, China.
Five Olympic gold medalists will headline the Russian Greco-Roman team. Three won 2008 Olympic gold medals in Beijing, China: Nazir Mankiev at 55 kg/121 lbs., Islam-Beka Albiev at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Aslanbek Khustov at 96 kg/211.5 pounds. Two were 2004 Olympic champions in Athens, Greece: Alexey Mishin at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Khasan Baroev at 120 kg/264.5 pounds.
Baroev also added an Olympic silver medal in 2008. Baroev won World gold medals in 2003 and 2006 and Mishin was a 2007 World champion.
The U.S. Greco-Roman team will be led by 2008 Olympian Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./Gator WC), who placed eighth in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China at 55 kg/121 lbs. 2007 U.S. World Team member and 2008 Olympic Trials champion Joe Betterman (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) will wrestle at 60 kg/132 lbs.
The freestyle team will feature two of New Jersey's best active wrestlers, both who are competing at the international level: 2008 Olympian Steve Mocco (N. Bergen, N.Y./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. and Kurt Backes (Neshanic Station, N.J./Sunkist Kids) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Mocco placed seventh at the 2008 Olympic Games. He won four Prep School National titles, starring at St. Benedicts Prep and Blair Academy, then added two NCAA titles, one each for Iowa and Oklahoma State.
Backes was a NCAA Div. I runner-up and two-time All-American competing for Iowa State. Backes won three Prep National titles competing for Blair Academy.
Another New Jersey legend, Matt Valenti (Newton, N.J./New York AC) may also get a match in the dual. Valenti won two NCAA titles for the Univ. of Pennsylvania. He was a two-time New Jersey state champion for Kittatiny High School.
Mocco is among three 2008 U.S. Olympians on the freestyle lineup, joined by Beijing teammates Doug Schwab (Iowa City, Iowa/Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs.
Russia has sent a preliminary list of freestyle athletes, which will be finalized in early November. There are four past World Champions who are on the Russia's preliminary roster: Besik Kudukhov at 60 kg/132 lbs., Alan Dudaev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Irbek Farniev at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Georgy Ketoev at 96 kg/211.5.
Three of the athletes on the Russian freestyle roster won medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Olympic silver medalist Bakhtiar Akhmedov at 120 kg/264.5 pounds, along with Olympic bronze medalists Kudukhov and Ketoev. Five of the team members are past Junior World champions: Kudukhov, Akhmedov, Ketoev, plus Dzhamal Otarsultanov at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Denis Tsargush at 74 kg/163 lbs.
There may be additional exhibition matches between other athletes from the United States against the guests from Russia.
USA Wrestling's National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser and National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones will be among the coaches working with Team USA.
The athletes in this dual meet are also expected to compete in the annual American Airlines New York Athletic Club International Championships, scheduled for November 22-23 in New York City. Outstanding international wrestling action in all three Olympic styles will be showcased at the World famous NYAC facility on Central Park South in mid-town Manhattan.
For additional information, contact Sonny Greenhalgh at 973-256-0670 or Stephan Zichella of West Orange High School at 973-476-8782.
TEAM USA VS. RUSSIA WORLD DUAL MEET
At West Orange, N.J.., Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.
New York Athletic Club preliminary lineups
U.S. Greco-Roman athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (Gator WC)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Joe Betterman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Jake Plamann, Appleton, Wis. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - R.C. Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Pete Kowalczuk, Oak Park, Ill. (Sunkist Kids)
Coaches - National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Assistant National Greco-Roman Coach Momir Petkovic (Colorado Springs, Colo.), USOEC Assistant Greco-Roman Coach Jim Gruenwald (Marquette, Mich.)
U.S. Freestyle athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Nick Simmons, Corvallis, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) and Matt Valenti, Newton, N.J. (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC) and Josh Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) and Keith Gavin, Pittsburgh, Pa. (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) and Bryce Hasseman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Kurt Backes, Neshanic Station, N.J. (Sunkist Kids)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Steve Mocco, N. Bergen, N.J. (New York AC)
Coaches - National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Sean Bormet, Naperville, Ill.
Russia preliminary lineups
Russian Greco-Roman athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Nazyr Mankiev
60 kg/132 lbs. - Islam-Beka Albiev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Ambako Vachadze
74 kg/163 lbs. - Ruslan Belkharoev
84 kg/185 lbs. - Alexey Mishin
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Aslanbek Khushtov
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Khasan Baroev
Russian Freestyle athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Dzhamal Otarsultanov or Mahmud Magomedov
60 kg/132 lbs. - Besik Kudukhov, Adam Batirov or Labazan Askerbiev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Alan Dudaev, Vladimir Vilmov or Mulid Lampezhev
74 kg/163 lbs. - Irbek Farniev or Denis Tsargush
84 kg/185 lbs. - Andzor Urishev or Eldas Bataev
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Georgy Ketoev
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Valery Bedoev or Bakhtiar Akhmedov
Click here for USA vs. Russia event flyer
