U.S. World Team Trials Greco-Roman preview at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

2008 U.S. Olympian Dremiel Byers continues to dominate this division. Byers was a 2002 World champion and 2007 World bronze medalist and has been on every U.S. team since 2005 after the retirement of Olympic champion Rulon Gardner. Byers won his eighth U.S. Nationals title this year. Byers is motivated for another chance to win a World-level medal. He sits out until the best-of-three finals series in Council Bluffs because of his past World medals.

Placing second at the U.S. Nationals is young Brandon Rupp, who quickly improved since training full-time at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. He was second at the Pan American Championships, and also won a medal in two other international events. Prior to this year, all of his previous achievements were on the age-group levels. Placing third with his best Senior-level effort was Erik Nye, who has placed fifth at the Junior World Championships in both styles.

Tim Taylor, who was second behind Byers at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, had a disappointing U.S. Nationals, placing sixth. Taylor has scored victories over Byers in the past, but has yet to beat his teammate and friend in the major events. Taylor has the ability to challenge anybody in this class when he is wrestling well.

David Arendt, a past Armed Forces champion, finished fourth at the U.S. Nationals and Mark Simmonds was fifth. Both have considerable experience at this weight. Qualifying by placing seventh at U.S. Nationals was Akil Patterson, who was a college football player and wrestling referee who has committed to pursuing his Greco-Roman career.

Peter Kowalczuk, a University World bronze medalist last year, qualified by winning the University Nationals. He is a fast-rising prospect who is transferring his age-group success to the Senior level. Young college wrestler Atticus Disney from the Univ. of Minnesota placed second at University Nationals to join the field. Northeast Regional champion Charles Fish of the U.S. Marines is also a qualifier who is new to the national scene.

2009 U.S. Nationals Greco-Roman results at 120 kg/264.5 lbs
1st - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Brandon Rupp, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 5-0,1-0
3rd - Erik Nye, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) dec. David Arendt , Port Washington, Wis. (U.S. Marine Corps), 2-0, 1-0
5th - Mark Simmonds, Minneapolis, Minn. (U.S. Air Force) inj. dft. Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
7th - Akil Patterson, Frederick, Md. (TF Wrestling Club) inj. dft. over Christopher Pierce, Uniontown, Pa. (unattached)

World Team Trials qualifiers at 120 kg/264.5 pounds
U.S. Nationals Champion - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Brandon Rupp, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Erik Nye, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - David Arendt Jr, Port Washington, Wis. (U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Mark Simmonds, Minneapolis, Minn. (U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Akil Patterson, Frederick, Md. (TF Wrestling Club)
Northeast Regional Trials Champion - Charles Fish, Hartland, Wis. (U.S. Marine Corps)
University Nationals Champion - Pete Kowalczuk, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOEC)
University Nationals Runner-up - Atticus Disney, Andover, Kansas (Minnesota Storm)
Northern Plains Trials Champion - To be determined May 14