35-year-old Danny Felix moves within one step of making first U.S. World Team
Share:
by Michael Carnes
Danny Felix tries to take down Logan Stieber. Photo by Kevin Schlosser/BuckeyeWrestling.com.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - There really is no substitute for experience, as Danny Felix proved at the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Sunday afternoon.
Wrestling a young man almost old enough to be his son, the 35-year-old Felix swept to a 1-0, 3-0 win over 18-year-old Logan Stieber to earn a spot in the best-of-three championship round against Nick Simmons. The winner of tonight's match will represent the United States in the freestyle 55-kilogram division at the World Championships this September in Denmark.
Felix has been close to representing his country in World competition before. It's that experience that may very well have been the difference against an opponent who, he says, will be a player on the national wrestling stage for years to come.
"He's probably a little naive at this point and maybe doesn't analyze it like somebody my age would right now, but he's going to be a great wrestler, no doubt," Felix said.
Stieber, who came up one win short recently at the FILA Junior World Team Trials, posted wins over Cruse Aarhus and Michael Martinez, while Felix upset second-ranked Obe Blanc in the semifinals to set up the challenge title match.
Felix got a late takedown off a scramble in the final seconds to win the first period, then used his leverage in the second period to force the younger Stieber out of bounds. A late takedown and exposure point helped seal the deal for Felix.
Felix knew he couldn't let the age difference take from his focus.
"I had to figure he's pretty good, or he wouldn't be here, and I just needed to approach it as if he was a veteran and keep in mind the things I wanted to do," he said.
That experience, which has included a third-place finish in the 2004 Olympic Trials and second and third place finishes at U.S. Nationals will serve him well, according to U.S. National Coach Zeke Jones.
"He brought a lot of wisdom and experience to the mat and came out of it nicely," Jones said. "The wisdom and maturity and the strength Felix has is probably something a young guy like (Stieber) hasn't experienced before."
Jones said Felix has beaten Simmons before, and looks forward to a great battle between the two Sunday night at the Mid-America Center.
"He's got some wins over Simmons before, so he's certainly capable," Jones said. "Simmons is a more wide-open wrestler, while Danny is more conservative, so they are contrasting titles that should make it a good match.
"It's for a chance to wrestle on the World Team, and that's definitely what it's all about for Danny tonight.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - There really is no substitute for experience, as Danny Felix proved at the USA Wrestling World Team Trials Sunday afternoon.
Wrestling a young man almost old enough to be his son, the 35-year-old Felix swept to a 1-0, 3-0 win over 18-year-old Logan Stieber to earn a spot in the best-of-three championship round against Nick Simmons. The winner of tonight's match will represent the United States in the freestyle 55-kilogram division at the World Championships this September in Denmark.
Felix has been close to representing his country in World competition before. It's that experience that may very well have been the difference against an opponent who, he says, will be a player on the national wrestling stage for years to come.
"He's probably a little naive at this point and maybe doesn't analyze it like somebody my age would right now, but he's going to be a great wrestler, no doubt," Felix said.
Stieber, who came up one win short recently at the FILA Junior World Team Trials, posted wins over Cruse Aarhus and Michael Martinez, while Felix upset second-ranked Obe Blanc in the semifinals to set up the challenge title match.
Felix got a late takedown off a scramble in the final seconds to win the first period, then used his leverage in the second period to force the younger Stieber out of bounds. A late takedown and exposure point helped seal the deal for Felix.
Felix knew he couldn't let the age difference take from his focus.
"I had to figure he's pretty good, or he wouldn't be here, and I just needed to approach it as if he was a veteran and keep in mind the things I wanted to do," he said.
That experience, which has included a third-place finish in the 2004 Olympic Trials and second and third place finishes at U.S. Nationals will serve him well, according to U.S. National Coach Zeke Jones.
"He brought a lot of wisdom and experience to the mat and came out of it nicely," Jones said. "The wisdom and maturity and the strength Felix has is probably something a young guy like (Stieber) hasn't experienced before."
Jones said Felix has beaten Simmons before, and looks forward to a great battle between the two Sunday night at the Mid-America Center.
"He's got some wins over Simmons before, so he's certainly capable," Jones said. "Simmons is a more wide-open wrestler, while Danny is more conservative, so they are contrasting titles that should make it a good match.
"It's for a chance to wrestle on the World Team, and that's definitely what it's all about for Danny tonight.
Read More#
Kilty, Welker win gold, Nette a silver and Gallegos a bronze & USA claims women’s freestyle team title at Pan American Championships
Sancho wins gold, Foy gets bronze, and USA wins Pan American Greco-Roman title with nine medals
Engel, Guilford receive AAC Athlete Leadership Award, presented by the Greg Strobel Leadership Academy
U.S. U17 Men’s Freestyle World Team set at CLAW U.S. Open; Sanchez, Taylor among stars in great finals round
