NYAC FEATURE: NCAA champs Valenti, Moore begin process of seeking freestyle success
Share:
by UL
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Every time an athlete moves up to a higher level of competition, there is a learning process.
The first round of the American Airlines New York AC International Open had an intriguing match at 60 kg/132 pounds. Matt Valenti of the New York AC drew Derek Moore of the U.S. Army.
College wrestling fans will remember Valenti, who won two NCAA titles for Penn at 133 pounds with a crisp, aggressive style. He was known for his ability to wrestle at his best when it counted the most
They will also remember the tremendous NCAA tournament that Moore had as a senior at Cal-Davis in 2007, capturing the national title at 141 pounds and earning the Outstanding Wrestler award. Moore opened up the offense in the finals, scoring a technical fall over top seed Ryan Lang of Northwestern and winning the first Div. I title for his school.
It is a new Olympic four-year cycle. For athletes like Valenti and Moore, it is time to prove themselves at a new level.
The match met expectations, as both wrestlers displayed skills that make them strong prospects in international freestyle. In the first period, Valenti scored first on a double leg, but the taller Moore got behind Valenti late in the period to win the 1-1 tiebreaker. In the second period, Moore got the 1-0 lead but it was a late two-point exposure on a takedown scramble that gave the period to Valenti, 2-1. The third period featured a number of active exchanges with Valenti scoring the only point on a clean double leg takedown to win it 1-0.
Watching intently was USA Wrestling's National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. He had a unique perspective on the match. He was Valenti's head coach at the Univ. of Pennsylvania. Jones is also now working with Moore on a daily basis at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, where Moore is learning the freestyle craft.
"It was a great bout," said Jones. "Valenti was 20 seconds away from getting defeated, but scored late in the second period, then had a strong third period. You were looking at two bright and upcoming stars. Both will make a substantial impact on the national team and the international level as they get better."
Neither wrestler was active last year on the national scene. Valenti took an assistant coaching job at Columbia University and stayed out of the Olympic quest. Davis, who was a member of the Army ROTC while in college, entered the U.S. Army as a soldier to continue his career with the Army World Class Athlete Program.
"Matt is a critical thinker," said Jones. "He understands the 'all-in' concept. After college, he was assessing what he wanted to do. He was accessing what it takes to be a World and Olympic champion. It took a year, but he arrived at that. He is excited about his opportunity. It looks like the passion is there, also."
Just how far Valenti can go in freestyle is an exciting prospect for those who are helping him develop.
"Matt is wrestling pretty solid," said New York AC coach Sean Bormet, who has worked in his corner this weekend. "He will have to focus on transitions from positions between folkstyle and freestyle. He will need to connect the dots between them. He has a lot of upside because he hasn't been doing a lot of freestyle. He has a lot of tools to work with."
Moore is considered a prospect who is doing what it takes to make the next step.
"Derek is making a lot of progress. Step one was making the commitment to be at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and in the Army. Working with Derek at the Training Center has been fun. I have been able to see him every day, and help him to transfer to freestyle from folkstyle," said Jones.
"He is learning to use his unique abilities in freestyle, such as his work from the top and in scrambles. He is a hard worker. He has good freestyle skills. Derek is not far away. Like Matt, he can make the transfer to freestyle quickly," he said.
The U.S. Army wrestling program is excited about Moore's potential as an international wrestler.
"He has to switch from collegiate to freestyle," said U.S. Army coach Duaine Martin. "He has not yet adapted. In time, he will do very well. This is his first competition as part of the Army World Class Athlete Program. He has had a few months to prepare for this."
Neither wrestler were able to win a medal, as Valenti was defeated in the next round by Andrei Peralita of Moldova in the quarterfinals, 4-0, 1-0. In his first consolation bout, Valenti was eliminated by Russia's Artur Akhmedov, 2-0, 0-1, 0-1. Moore also fell in the consolation rounds, losing a back-and-forth battle with James Mancini of Canada, 2-0, 2-3, 2-4.
Jones felt good about the efforts of both Valenti and Moore, even though they won't be going home from New York with any hardware.
"Phase one is to fill the pipeline. We have some talented young guys like Moore and Valenti. It is essential that they get the international experience to get a feel for the training and technical styles of the rest of the world. The can now go back to the wrestling room and work on those areas. They both showed that they are there. Now they have to get on the other side of the score. It is just a matter of inches. We are not very that far off," said Jones.
The first round of the American Airlines New York AC International Open had an intriguing match at 60 kg/132 pounds. Matt Valenti of the New York AC drew Derek Moore of the U.S. Army.
College wrestling fans will remember Valenti, who won two NCAA titles for Penn at 133 pounds with a crisp, aggressive style. He was known for his ability to wrestle at his best when it counted the most
They will also remember the tremendous NCAA tournament that Moore had as a senior at Cal-Davis in 2007, capturing the national title at 141 pounds and earning the Outstanding Wrestler award. Moore opened up the offense in the finals, scoring a technical fall over top seed Ryan Lang of Northwestern and winning the first Div. I title for his school.
It is a new Olympic four-year cycle. For athletes like Valenti and Moore, it is time to prove themselves at a new level.
The match met expectations, as both wrestlers displayed skills that make them strong prospects in international freestyle. In the first period, Valenti scored first on a double leg, but the taller Moore got behind Valenti late in the period to win the 1-1 tiebreaker. In the second period, Moore got the 1-0 lead but it was a late two-point exposure on a takedown scramble that gave the period to Valenti, 2-1. The third period featured a number of active exchanges with Valenti scoring the only point on a clean double leg takedown to win it 1-0.
Watching intently was USA Wrestling's National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. He had a unique perspective on the match. He was Valenti's head coach at the Univ. of Pennsylvania. Jones is also now working with Moore on a daily basis at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, where Moore is learning the freestyle craft.
"It was a great bout," said Jones. "Valenti was 20 seconds away from getting defeated, but scored late in the second period, then had a strong third period. You were looking at two bright and upcoming stars. Both will make a substantial impact on the national team and the international level as they get better."
Neither wrestler was active last year on the national scene. Valenti took an assistant coaching job at Columbia University and stayed out of the Olympic quest. Davis, who was a member of the Army ROTC while in college, entered the U.S. Army as a soldier to continue his career with the Army World Class Athlete Program.
"Matt is a critical thinker," said Jones. "He understands the 'all-in' concept. After college, he was assessing what he wanted to do. He was accessing what it takes to be a World and Olympic champion. It took a year, but he arrived at that. He is excited about his opportunity. It looks like the passion is there, also."
Just how far Valenti can go in freestyle is an exciting prospect for those who are helping him develop.
"Matt is wrestling pretty solid," said New York AC coach Sean Bormet, who has worked in his corner this weekend. "He will have to focus on transitions from positions between folkstyle and freestyle. He will need to connect the dots between them. He has a lot of upside because he hasn't been doing a lot of freestyle. He has a lot of tools to work with."
Moore is considered a prospect who is doing what it takes to make the next step.
"Derek is making a lot of progress. Step one was making the commitment to be at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and in the Army. Working with Derek at the Training Center has been fun. I have been able to see him every day, and help him to transfer to freestyle from folkstyle," said Jones.
"He is learning to use his unique abilities in freestyle, such as his work from the top and in scrambles. He is a hard worker. He has good freestyle skills. Derek is not far away. Like Matt, he can make the transfer to freestyle quickly," he said.
The U.S. Army wrestling program is excited about Moore's potential as an international wrestler.
"He has to switch from collegiate to freestyle," said U.S. Army coach Duaine Martin. "He has not yet adapted. In time, he will do very well. This is his first competition as part of the Army World Class Athlete Program. He has had a few months to prepare for this."
Neither wrestler were able to win a medal, as Valenti was defeated in the next round by Andrei Peralita of Moldova in the quarterfinals, 4-0, 1-0. In his first consolation bout, Valenti was eliminated by Russia's Artur Akhmedov, 2-0, 0-1, 0-1. Moore also fell in the consolation rounds, losing a back-and-forth battle with James Mancini of Canada, 2-0, 2-3, 2-4.
Jones felt good about the efforts of both Valenti and Moore, even though they won't be going home from New York with any hardware.
"Phase one is to fill the pipeline. We have some talented young guys like Moore and Valenti. It is essential that they get the international experience to get a feel for the training and technical styles of the rest of the world. The can now go back to the wrestling room and work on those areas. They both showed that they are there. Now they have to get on the other side of the score. It is just a matter of inches. We are not very that far off," said Jones.
Read More#
U.S. receives draws for Senior division of Klippan Lady Open in Sweden
USA has five champions and a runner-up in U20 men’s freestyle division at Flatz Open in Austria
Coleman wins Greco-Roman bronze medal at Zagreb Open Ranking Event
Strong U.S. men’s and women’s freestyle team to compete at Muhamet Malo Ranking Event in Albania
