Sweden beats USA in Greco-Roman dual, 8-2, held prior to Haparanda Cup event

HAPARANDA, Sweden -- The national team from Sweden defeated a team of U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers in a dual meet held Thursday prior to the annual Haparanda Cup competition.


The United States scored victories in the two lightest weight classes.


Nate Engel (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) defeated Emil Sundbert, 1-0, 2-1 at 55 kg/121 lbs.


Two-time U.S. World Team member Joe Betterman (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) added a victory at 60 kg/132 lbs., stopping Niklas Ammemo, 1-0, 1-0.


2012 Olympic bronze medalist Johan Euren of Sweden won two matches for the Swedish team at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., beating U.S. wrestlers Eric Nye (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) and Robbie Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC).


A large team of American wrestlers will participate in the Haparanda Cup, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday in Haparanda. Athletes from a number of clubs will compete, as well as a large group from the U.S. Army World Class Athlete program, and some athletes from the USOEC program at Northern Michigan.

SWEDEN 8, UNITED STATES 2

At Haparanda, Sweden, November 15

55 kg/121 lbs. - Nate Engel (USA) dec. Emil Sundberg (Sweden), 1-0, 2-1

60 kg/132 lbs. - Joe Betterman (USA) dec. Niklas Ammemo (Sweden), 1-0, 1-0

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Sharur Vardanyan (Sweden) dec. Ben Sanchez (USA), 2-0, 1-0

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Vahab Danesvar (Sweden) dec. Thrasher Porcher (USA), 3-0, 1-0

74 kg/163 lbs. - Robert Rosengren (Sweden) dec. Jon Anderson (USA), 1-0, 1-0

74 kg/163 lbs. - Alexander Jersgren (Sweden) dec. Geordan Speiller (USA), 4-0, 1-0

84 kg/185 lbs. - Kristofer Johansson (Sweden) dec. Andy Bisek (USA), 3-1, 5-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Fredrick Schon (Sweden) dec. Ethan Dondlinger (USA), 3-0, 1-0

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Johan Euren (Sweden) dec. Erik Nye (USA), 2-0, 1-0

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Johan Euren (Sweden) dec. Robbie Smith (USA), 1-0, 1-0

HAPARANDA CUP

At Haparanda, Sweden, November 17-18


U.S. Greco-Roman participants

55 kg/121 lbs. - Spenser Mango, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

55 kg/121 lbs. - Nate Engel, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

60 kg/132 lbs. - Joe Betterman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

66 kg/145.5 lbs.- Ben Sanchez, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Thrasher Porcher, Chuluota, Fla. (USOEC)

74 kg/163 lbs. - Justin Lester, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

74 kg/163 lbs. - Jon Anderson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

74 kg/163 lbs. - Andy Bisek, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm)

74 kg/163 lbs. - Geordan Speiller, Oviedo, Fla. (Florida Jets)

84 kg/185 lbs. - Zac Nielsen, Zimmerman, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ethan Dondlinger, Slinger, Wis. (USOEC)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Erik Nye, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

Coach - Assistant National Coach, Momir Petkovic, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Coach - Shon Lewis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

Coach - Bruce Robinson, Shon Lewis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)

Referee - Bill Harper, Drexel, Mo.