Strong field to represent USA at Hargobind International in Canada on Nov. 7
Share:
by Matthew Blumberg
Surrey, British Columbia - The Third Annual Hargobind International Wrestling Championships will be held in Surrey, B.C., Canada on Saturday, November 7.
The tournament traditionally features the top competitors from Canada, numerous stars from the United States, as well as competitors from other nations.
One of the reasons for a strong turnout is the $35,000 in prize money given at the event.
Champions in the seven Olympic weight classes in the men's division win $2,000, the second place finishers earn $500, and the third place finishers win $250. In the women's division wrestlers who win one of the four Olympic weight classes also win $1,000, while second place earns $500, and third place walks away with $250.
Also included in the format are challenge matches between the men's freestyle winners. The bonus prizes include:
- 96 kg champ against the 120 kg champ - $5,000
- 74 kg champ against the 84 kg champ - $2,000
- 60 kg champion against the 66 kg champ - $1,000
Based upon information from the major club programs in the United States, as well as the USA Wrestling National Coaching staff, there are numerous top American wrestlers who are planning to compete in the Hargobind International.
Among those expected are two members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic freestyle team, Ben Askren (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Steve Mocco (Coralville, Iowa/New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Askren did not compete in 2009, but made a return to freestyle wrestling with a second place finish at the recent Sunkist Kids International Open, competing up at 84 kg/185 lbs.
Mocco was the grand winner at last year's Hargobind International, capturing both the 120 kg/264.5 lbs. division, as well as the challenge match between the 96 kg and 120 kg winners. He is currently ranked No. 2 on Freestyle Team USA.
There are many other members of Freestyle Team USA and Women's Team USA, the national teams for USA Wrestling, who are expected to compete in Canada.
In the women's division, two-time World Team member Deanna Rix (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), is among those expected to compete. Rix has placed fifth in the World Championships the last two years.
Athletes who have a No. 2 ranking on Women's Team USA who are on the preliminary list for the Hargobind International include Alyssa Lampe (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Leigh Jaynes (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Kelsey Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Jenna Pavlik (Colorado Springs, Colo. /New York AC) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
The No. 3 ranked U.S. wrestler at 55 kg/121 lbs. will be competing, former Junior World champion Whitney Conder (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Another top women's competitor from the USA will be two-time University World champion and 2008 World Team member Stephany Lee (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
On the men's side, there are two athletes with No. 2 Team USA rankings expected to compete in Canada this weekend, Travis Paulson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Bryce Hasseman (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. Paulson was a 2009 U.S. Nationals champion.
The No. 3 ranked wrestler at 60 kg/132 lbs., Coleman Scott (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) is expected to wrestle.
There will be interest about the 55 kg/121 lbs. division, with Paul Donahoe (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) and Sam Hazewinkel (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) expected to enter. Donahoe is a past NCAA Div. I champion, while Hazewinkel won two U.S. Greco-Roman National titles prior to switching over to freestyle this season.
Also at 60 kg/121 lbs. should be Nate Gallick (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids), who won the 2005 World University Games gold medal.
A total of three wrestlers who won the recent Sunkist Kids International Open are among the Americans expected to wrestle: Hazewinkel, Gallick, and Campbell.
Athletes will be representing their club programs at this event. However, both U.S. Women's National Team Coach Terry Steiner and National Assistant Freestyle Coach Brandon Slay will attend the event to help coach the U.S. athletes.
For more information on the event, visit the official website at:
www.hargobindwrestling.com/tournament.cfm
Expected United States Men's Wrestlers
55 kg/121 lbs. - Paul Donahoe, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Nate Gallick, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Lloyd Rogers, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Ben Askren, Phoenix, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Bryce Hasseman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Steve Mocco, Coralville, Iowa (New York AC)
Expected United States Women's Wrestlers
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - CC Weber, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Alyssa Lampe, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Rachel Bernardes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Deanna Rix, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Kelsey Campbell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Jenna Pavlik, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stephany Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
* Please note that additional U.S. wrestlers may enter this tournament, and this is only a preliminary list provided by club programs.
2008 Hargobind International men's champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - John Pineda (Canada)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Yogeshwar Dutt (India)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Haislan Garcia (Canada)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Zach Esposito (United States)
84 kg/185 lbs. - B.J. Padden (United States)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Andy Hrovat (United States)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Steve Mocco (United States)
2008 Hargobind International women's champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Lindsay Rushton (Canada)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jessica Bondy (Canada)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Brittanee Laverdure (Canada)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Amanda Gerhart (Canada)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Elena Pirzohkova (United States)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Stacie Anaka (Canada)
72 kg/158.5 lbs - Ali Bernard (United States)
The tournament traditionally features the top competitors from Canada, numerous stars from the United States, as well as competitors from other nations.
One of the reasons for a strong turnout is the $35,000 in prize money given at the event.
Champions in the seven Olympic weight classes in the men's division win $2,000, the second place finishers earn $500, and the third place finishers win $250. In the women's division wrestlers who win one of the four Olympic weight classes also win $1,000, while second place earns $500, and third place walks away with $250.
Also included in the format are challenge matches between the men's freestyle winners. The bonus prizes include:
- 96 kg champ against the 120 kg champ - $5,000
- 74 kg champ against the 84 kg champ - $2,000
- 60 kg champion against the 66 kg champ - $1,000
Based upon information from the major club programs in the United States, as well as the USA Wrestling National Coaching staff, there are numerous top American wrestlers who are planning to compete in the Hargobind International.
Among those expected are two members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic freestyle team, Ben Askren (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Steve Mocco (Coralville, Iowa/New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Askren did not compete in 2009, but made a return to freestyle wrestling with a second place finish at the recent Sunkist Kids International Open, competing up at 84 kg/185 lbs.
Mocco was the grand winner at last year's Hargobind International, capturing both the 120 kg/264.5 lbs. division, as well as the challenge match between the 96 kg and 120 kg winners. He is currently ranked No. 2 on Freestyle Team USA.
There are many other members of Freestyle Team USA and Women's Team USA, the national teams for USA Wrestling, who are expected to compete in Canada.
In the women's division, two-time World Team member Deanna Rix (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), is among those expected to compete. Rix has placed fifth in the World Championships the last two years.
Athletes who have a No. 2 ranking on Women's Team USA who are on the preliminary list for the Hargobind International include Alyssa Lampe (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Leigh Jaynes (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Kelsey Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Jenna Pavlik (Colorado Springs, Colo. /New York AC) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
The No. 3 ranked U.S. wrestler at 55 kg/121 lbs. will be competing, former Junior World champion Whitney Conder (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Another top women's competitor from the USA will be two-time University World champion and 2008 World Team member Stephany Lee (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
On the men's side, there are two athletes with No. 2 Team USA rankings expected to compete in Canada this weekend, Travis Paulson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Bryce Hasseman (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. Paulson was a 2009 U.S. Nationals champion.
The No. 3 ranked wrestler at 60 kg/132 lbs., Coleman Scott (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) is expected to wrestle.
There will be interest about the 55 kg/121 lbs. division, with Paul Donahoe (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) and Sam Hazewinkel (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) expected to enter. Donahoe is a past NCAA Div. I champion, while Hazewinkel won two U.S. Greco-Roman National titles prior to switching over to freestyle this season.
Also at 60 kg/121 lbs. should be Nate Gallick (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids), who won the 2005 World University Games gold medal.
A total of three wrestlers who won the recent Sunkist Kids International Open are among the Americans expected to wrestle: Hazewinkel, Gallick, and Campbell.
Athletes will be representing their club programs at this event. However, both U.S. Women's National Team Coach Terry Steiner and National Assistant Freestyle Coach Brandon Slay will attend the event to help coach the U.S. athletes.
For more information on the event, visit the official website at:
www.hargobindwrestling.com/tournament.cfm
Expected United States Men's Wrestlers
55 kg/121 lbs. - Paul Donahoe, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Nate Gallick, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Lloyd Rogers, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Ben Askren, Phoenix, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Bryce Hasseman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Steve Mocco, Coralville, Iowa (New York AC)
Expected United States Women's Wrestlers
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - CC Weber, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Alyssa Lampe, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Rachel Bernardes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Deanna Rix, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Kelsey Campbell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Jenna Pavlik, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stephany Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
* Please note that additional U.S. wrestlers may enter this tournament, and this is only a preliminary list provided by club programs.
2008 Hargobind International men's champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - John Pineda (Canada)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Yogeshwar Dutt (India)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Haislan Garcia (Canada)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Zach Esposito (United States)
84 kg/185 lbs. - B.J. Padden (United States)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Andy Hrovat (United States)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Steve Mocco (United States)
2008 Hargobind International women's champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Lindsay Rushton (Canada)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jessica Bondy (Canada)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Brittanee Laverdure (Canada)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Amanda Gerhart (Canada)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Elena Pirzohkova (United States)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Stacie Anaka (Canada)
72 kg/158.5 lbs - Ali Bernard (United States)
Read More#
Forrest, Lockett, Valencia claim gold in men’s freestyle at Senior Pan American Championships
Engel, Guilford receive AAC Athlete Leadership Award, presented by the Greg Strobel Leadership Academy
2024 USA Wrestling Men’s Freestyle Awards: Spencer Lee & David Taylor (Wrestlers), Casey Cunningham (Coach)
U.S. U17 Men’s Freestyle World Team set at CLAW U.S. Open; Sanchez, Taylor among stars in great finals round
