Japan to replace Russia in Greco-Roman dual in West Orange, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 20
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by Gary Abbott
A team from Japan will replace Russia in the Greco-Roman portion of the international dual meet featuring Team USA in West Orange, N.J. on Thursday, November 20.
The U.S men's freestyle team will still compete against the Russian national freestyle team in this popular competition. This is the second straight year that the USA has competed against top international opponents in dual meet action in New Jersey.
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 Russian Greco-Roman team notified USA Wrestling this week that it will be unable to attend the dual meet and will also not be able to enter the American Airlines New York Athletic Club International Open the following weekend.
Team Japan has agreed to participate in the dual meet, and will bring five Japanese national champions to the mat to face off with Team USA. Included in this group of athletes are two wrestlers who have placed fifth in the Asian Greco-Roman Championships, Hiroyuki Shimizu at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Mistuhiro Ota at 84 kg/185 lbs.
Completing the seven-athlete lineup will be two athletes from Israel, both who are veteran international competitors, Bronislav Sharovtski at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Vladimir Guralski at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Both have represented Israel at the European Championships as well as the Junior World Championships. Sharovtski also wrestled for Israel in the 2007 Senior World Championships.
The format of the event will be the same as last year, with separate dual meets in freestyle and Greco-Roman. Freestyle and Greco-Roman matches will be alternated, and the final results of the dual meets will not be determined until the end of the evening.
Last year, the United States won the freestyle dual meet over Russia, 14-11, while the USA also won the Greco-Roman dual meet over Romania, 14-12.
The U.S. lineups in both styles are expected to be strong. There are five members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team scheduled for the dual meets: Greco-Roman wrestlers Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./Gator WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and freestyle wrestlers 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. and Steve Mocco (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
There will be a local flavor in the dual meet, as well. Mocco, who grew up in North Bergen, N.J., will be joined by Kurt Backes (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids), a native of Neshanic Station, N.J. in the lineup at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Both won prep national titles for Blair Academy. Mocco was a NCAA champion for both the Univ. of Iowa and Oklahoma State, while Backes was a NCAA runner-up for Iowa State.
Another New Jersey legend, Matt Valenti (Newton, N.J./New York AC) may also get an exhibition 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.
Fans are looking forward to another USA vs. Russia freestyle showdown this year, as two of the world's top powers will battle for bragging rights. The final Russian lineup has not yet been determined in freestyle, but there are expected to be competitors with international success in each weight class.
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 FREESTYLE WORLD DUAL MEET
At West Orange, N.J.., Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.
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)
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)
Coach - National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Sean Bormet (Naperville, Ill.)
Russian Freestyle athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Makhmud Magomedov
60 kg/132 lbs. -Artur Akhmedov, Victor Lebedev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Darsam Dzhaparov, Rafik Alimov
74 kg/163 lbs. - Taymuraz Friev, Magomed Zubairov, Inal Kabolov, Rashid Kurbanov
84 kg/185 lbs. - Petr Tavgazov, Soslan Ktsoev
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Evgeny Kolomiets, Anzor Boltukaev
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Bakhtiar Akhmedov, Soslan Gagloev, Valeriy Bedoev, Alexey Shemarov
TEAM USA VS. JAPAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD DUAL MEET
At West Orange, N.J.., Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.
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. - T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) and 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.)
Japan Greco-Roman athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Kiyoharu Hirao (Japan)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Kosuke Hori (Japan)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Hiroyuki Shimizu (Japan)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Kosuke Sumi (Japan)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Mitsuhiro Ota (Japan)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Bronislav Sharovtsky (Israel)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Vladimir Guralski (Israel)
The U.S men's freestyle team will still compete against the Russian national freestyle team in this popular competition. This is the second straight year that the USA has competed against top international opponents in dual meet action in New Jersey.
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 Russian Greco-Roman team notified USA Wrestling this week that it will be unable to attend the dual meet and will also not be able to enter the American Airlines New York Athletic Club International Open the following weekend.
Team Japan has agreed to participate in the dual meet, and will bring five Japanese national champions to the mat to face off with Team USA. Included in this group of athletes are two wrestlers who have placed fifth in the Asian Greco-Roman Championships, Hiroyuki Shimizu at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Mistuhiro Ota at 84 kg/185 lbs.
Completing the seven-athlete lineup will be two athletes from Israel, both who are veteran international competitors, Bronislav Sharovtski at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Vladimir Guralski at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Both have represented Israel at the European Championships as well as the Junior World Championships. Sharovtski also wrestled for Israel in the 2007 Senior World Championships.
The format of the event will be the same as last year, with separate dual meets in freestyle and Greco-Roman. Freestyle and Greco-Roman matches will be alternated, and the final results of the dual meets will not be determined until the end of the evening.
Last year, the United States won the freestyle dual meet over Russia, 14-11, while the USA also won the Greco-Roman dual meet over Romania, 14-12.
The U.S. lineups in both styles are expected to be strong. There are five members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team scheduled for the dual meets: Greco-Roman wrestlers Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./Gator WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and freestyle wrestlers 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. and Steve Mocco (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
There will be a local flavor in the dual meet, as well. Mocco, who grew up in North Bergen, N.J., will be joined by Kurt Backes (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids), a native of Neshanic Station, N.J. in the lineup at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Both won prep national titles for Blair Academy. Mocco was a NCAA champion for both the Univ. of Iowa and Oklahoma State, while Backes was a NCAA runner-up for Iowa State.
Another New Jersey legend, Matt Valenti (Newton, N.J./New York AC) may also get an exhibition 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.
Fans are looking forward to another USA vs. Russia freestyle showdown this year, as two of the world's top powers will battle for bragging rights. The final Russian lineup has not yet been determined in freestyle, but there are expected to be competitors with international success in each weight class.
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 FREESTYLE WORLD DUAL MEET
At West Orange, N.J.., Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.
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)
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)
Coach - National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Sean Bormet (Naperville, Ill.)
Russian Freestyle athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Makhmud Magomedov
60 kg/132 lbs. -Artur Akhmedov, Victor Lebedev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Darsam Dzhaparov, Rafik Alimov
74 kg/163 lbs. - Taymuraz Friev, Magomed Zubairov, Inal Kabolov, Rashid Kurbanov
84 kg/185 lbs. - Petr Tavgazov, Soslan Ktsoev
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Evgeny Kolomiets, Anzor Boltukaev
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Bakhtiar Akhmedov, Soslan Gagloev, Valeriy Bedoev, Alexey Shemarov
TEAM USA VS. JAPAN GRECO-ROMAN WORLD DUAL MEET
At West Orange, N.J.., Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.
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. - T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) and 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.)
Japan Greco-Roman athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Kiyoharu Hirao (Japan)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Kosuke Hori (Japan)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Hiroyuki Shimizu (Japan)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Kosuke Sumi (Japan)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Mitsuhiro Ota (Japan)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Bronislav Sharovtsky (Israel)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Vladimir Guralski (Israel)
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