U.S. World Team Trials Greco-Roman preview at 55 kg/121 lbs.

Jermaine Hodge won his first U.S. Nationals title, after a number of years among the challengers at the weight. His highest previous finish was third in the 2008 Nationals. He has won Armed Forces titles the last two years. Hodge is very tall for this weight class and offers many challenges for his opponents.

In the finals, Hodge edged 2008 University World champion Sam Hazewinkel, who has won two U.S. Nationals titles but never made a Senior World Team. Hazewinkel was second at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, and second in the World Team Trials twice. A four-time NCAA All-American at Oklahoma, Hazewinkel seems a bit snake-bit when it comes to winning the big events. He hopes to turn that around at the World Team Trials this year.

Olympian Spenser Mango moved up to 60 kg for the U.S. Nationals, where he was second, but many expect him to drop down for the World Team Trials. Mango beat Hazewinkel in the U.S. Olympic Trials finals, and has won a University World title and a Junior World bronze medal. Mango was eighth at the Beijing Olympics, and has considerable confidence when down at 55 kg.

Veteran Lindsey Durlacher, a 2006 World bronze medalist, placed third in the U.S. Nationals, and has the most experience in the field. Durlacher was on three straight World Teams (2005-07) and is dangerous when wrestling well. He decided to continue wrestling after falling short at the 2008 Olympic Trials, an extra motivation that will make him tough in Council Bluffs.

Nate Engel was fourth at the U.S. Nationals and Max Nowry was fifth, both who train at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan. Also qualifying for the Trials through the U.S. Nationals were Luis Salinas and high school star Ryan Mango, the younger brother of Olympian Spenser. Young Mango placed second at the FILA Junior World Team Trials a week ago, a disappointment that could motivate him in his next event.

University Nationals champion B.J. Futrell, who competes for the Univ. of Illinois, is a talented athlete. Also earning a spot in the field was Northeast Regional champion Jonathan Pattison. Anthony Hayes, who trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, grabbed the final qualifying spot by winning the Northern Plains Regionals.

2009 U.S. Nationals results at 55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Jermaine Hodge, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Sam Hazewinkel, Centerville, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), 1-0,0-3,4-4
3rd - Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo (New York AC) dec. Nate Engel, St. Helena, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0,1-1,1-0
5th - Max Nowry, Wheeling, Ill. (USOEC) dec. Luis Salinas, Ithaca, N.Y. (FLWC), 4-0, 1-0
7th - Ryan Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (New York AC) dec. Tyler Moore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force), 4-0, 3-1

World Team Trials qualifiers at 55 kg/121 pounds
U.S. Nationals Champion - Jermaine Hodge, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Sam Hazewinkel, Centerville, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - Nate Engel, St. Helena, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Max Nowry, Wheeling, Ill. (USOEC)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Luis Salinas, Ithaca, N.Y. (FLWC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Ryan Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (New York AC)
Northeast Regional Trials Champion - Jonathan Pattison, Windsor, Colo. (U.S. Marine Corps)
Northern Plains Trials Champion - Anthony Hayes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC)
New York AC International Champion - Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (New York AC)
University Nationals Champion - B.J. Futrell, Park Forest, Ill. (Illini WC)
University Nationals Runner-up - Max Nowry, Wheeling, Ill. (USOEC)