U.S. World Team Trials Greco-Roman preview at 74 kg/163 lbs.

Two-time World bronze medalist Harry Lester has returned from retirement and moved up to this division. He put his shoes on the mat at the Olympic Trials after placing third at 66 kg. Since coming back, Lester won the Dave Schultz Memorial and the U.S. Nationals at his new division, as well. Lester is looking to add more size and strength to his considerable skills. He advances directly into the best-of-three finals series because of his World medals.

This weight class has opened up after 2008 Olympian T.C. Dantzler moved up to 84 kg this season. Dantzler and Lester are good friends, and both would love to be teammates again on a World Team but at different weight classes.

Lester's long-time teammate at the USOEC, Jake Fisher, had his best nationals ever by placing second. Fisher won the New York AC International the last two years, and was third at the 2008 U.S. Nationals. Another USOEC veteran star who placed third at the 2009 U.S. Nationals was Cheney Haight, who was second at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials behind Dantzler. For these guys to reach their dreams, they will have to beat their friend and training partner Lester, something that will take a breakthrough in performance.

2008 Olympian Jake Deitchler, who made national news as an 18-year-old when he beat Lester in the Olympic Trials, has also moved up to this division. Deitchler was sixth at the U.S. Nationals, including a loss to Lester in the semifinals. He has left the U.S. Olympic Training Center to return to college at Minnesota, but says he remains committed to pursuing his Greco-Roman dreams in addition to college wrestling.

Jess Hargrave was fourth at the U.S. Nationals and Andrew Bisek was fifth, both who have strong skills and have been competitive in recent seasons. Bisek's best performance was his second place finish at the 2008 U.S. Nationals. Qualifying by placing seventh at the U.S. Nationals was high school star Ben Provisor, who competed on the 2008 U.S. Junior World Team. Provisor is coached by past World champion and Olympic medalist Dennis Hall, and shows similar passion in his wrestling.

Qualifying through the University Nationals were champion Aaron Briggs and true second-place finisher Anton Gottfredson. Both are young but have shown promise. Steve Forrest earned a trip to the World Trials with a win at the Northeast Regionals. Forrest is one of the top performers on the U.S. Marine Corps team.

2009 U.S. Nationals results at 74 kg/163 lbs.
1st - Harry Lester, Marquette, Mich. (New York AC) dec. Jake Fisher, Platte City, Mo. (New York AC), 2-0, 1-0
3rd - Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC) dec. Jess Hargrave, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 6-0, 0-2, 1-0
5th - Andrew Bisek, Chaska, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Jacob Deitchler, Ramsey, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 6-0, 2-0
7th - Ben Provisor, Stevens Point, Wis. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Aaron Briggs, Tucson, Ariz., (USOEC), 3-0, 1-0

World Team Trials qualifiers at 74 kg/163 lbs.
U.S. Nationals Champion - Harry Lester, Marquette, Mich. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Jake Fisher, Platte City, Mo. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Jess Hargrave, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Andrew Bisek, Chaska, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Jacob Deitchler, Ramsey, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Ben Provisor, Stevens Point, Wis. (Sunkist Kids)
Northeast Regional Trials Champion - Steve Forrest, Hubert, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps)
Northern Plains Trials Champion - Tim Bleau (USOEC)
University Nationals Champion - Aaron Briggs, Tucson, Ariz. (USOEC)
University Nationals Runner-up - Anton Gottfredson, Lagun