11 American wrestlers advance to Greco finals at Dave Schultz Memorial

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Two wrestlers who have achieved great success in the Dave Schultz Memorial International will square off in the finals.

Three-time Schultz champion Joe Betterman and two-time champion Spenser Mango, teammates on the U.S. Army team, advanced to the Greco-Roman finals at 59 kg/130 lbs. on Thursday.

Mango and Betterman are now both in the same weight class after FILA, the sport’s international governing body, changed the lowest Greco class to 59 kilos.

Mango previously competed at 55 kg/121 lbs., a class he placed fifth in the World at in 2013. Mango is a two-time Olympian and four-time World Team member.

Betterman previously wrestled at 60 kg/132 lbs., a division he made two World Teams in.

“It’s going to be a great match,” Mango said. “It’s nice to see a teammate in the finals. It shows how tough our room is and the depth in the room. I’m looking forward to the match. We wrestle almost every day and know each other well. It will be a good one.”

The finals are scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Another battle of past Schultz champions will come at 75 kg/165 lbs. when Minnesota Storm teammates and past World Team members Andy Bisek and Jake Fisher meet in the finals. Bisek won this event in 2012 and Fisher won in 2010 and 2011.

Robby Smith, fifth in the World in 2013, rolled into the heavyweight finals. He will face American David Arendt for the title at 130 kg/286 lbs.

2013 World Team member Jordan Holm will battle fellow American Peter Hicks in the finals at 85 kg/187 lbs. Holm won this event last year.

Another all-american finals matchup will take place when Kendrick Sanders meets Bo Beckman at 71 kg/156 lbs. Sanders won this tournament and was named Outstanding Wrestler in 2012.

American Bryce Saddoris reached the finals at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

Day 2 of the three-day event is set for Friday at the Olympic Training Center. The freestyle competition will be contested. It is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. with the finals set for 4 p.m.

DAVE SCHULTZ MEMORIAL INTERNATIONAL

Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014

U.S. Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colo.

FINALS MATCHUPS

59 kg/130 lbs. – Joe Betterman (U.S. Army) vs. Spenser Mango (U.S. Army)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Bryce Saddoris (U.S. Marines) vs. Penfei Yan (China)

71 kg/156 lbs. – Kendrick Sanders (New York AC/USOEC) vs. Bo Beckman (New York AC)

75 kg/165 lbs. – Andy Bisek (Minnesota Storm) vs. Jake Fisher (Minnesota Storm)

80 kg/176 lbs. – Jonas Bossert (Switzerland) clinched title by going 4-0 in round robin

85 kg/187 lbs. – Jordan Holm (Minnesota Storm) vs. Peter Hicks (U.S. Army)

98 kg/215.5 lbs. – Di Xiao (China) vs. Iskakov Yerulan (Kazakhstan)

130 kg/286 lbs. – Robby Smith (New York AC) vs. David Arendt (U.S. Marines)