McDonough, Kilgore and Fortune win University World Team challenge matches
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by Richard Immel USA Wrestling
| Matt McDonough defeated Nahshon Garrett two matches to zero in the University World Team wrestle-off. Tony Rotundo Photo. |
The 2014 Freestyle University World Team is set after a series of best-of-three wrestle-offs were contested Monday afternoon on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.
Matt McDonough (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC), Dustin Kilgore (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids/OTC) and Tyrell Fortune (Portland, Ore./Titan Mercury WC) all cemented their spots on the University World Team, each winning their challenge series two matches to none.
McDonough squared off against University National Champion Nahshon Garrett (Ithaca, N.Y./Cornell University) for the World Team spot at 57 kg.125.5 lbs. Garrett exploded to an 8-2 first period lead in match one, but it was all McDonough after that. McDonough rallied to win the first match 16-10 before winning convincingly in match two 15-5.
“I was given this opportunity and it is one of those you can’t pass up,” McDonough said. “I worked really hard the past year to figure out how to wrestle guys that are explosive like that. He is a competitor. He wants to win just as bad as I do but at the end of the day only one guy can take it.”
Kilgore was the challenger to University National Champion Chad Hanke (Dayton, Ore./Titan Mercury WC) at 97 kg/213 lbs. Kilgore won both bout in impressive fashion 7-0 and 11-0 to make his second University World Team.
“I didn’t make the men’s World Team, but I made the University team, and for me that’s the next best thing. I’m proud of myself.” Kilgore said.
Fortune faced University National runner-up Austin Marsden (Crystal Lake, Ill./Titan Mercury WC) for the spot at 125 kg/275 lbs. Fortune controlled the series from start to finish, winning by scores of 6-0 and 12-1.
“I just wrestled a smart match and didn’t go out there and force anything,” Fortune said. “ One thing I wanted to implement was a lot of pressure and staying in his face so it limited his offense. He couldn’t fake or do anything because my hands were always on him.”
Fortune won a bronze medal at last year’s World University Games in freestyle and was fifth in Greco-Roman.
McDonough, Kilgore and Fortune join B.J. Futrell (Ann Arbor, Mich./Titan Mercury WC), Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield, N.J./Rutgers), James Green (Willingboro, N.J./Titan Mercury WC), Tyler Caldwell (Stillwater, Okla./Sunkist Kids) and Chris Perry (Stillwater, Okla./Titan Mercury WC) on the squad that will represent the U.S. at the University World Championships July 8-12 in Pecs, Hungary.
2014 Freestyle University World Team Challenge Results
June 23 in Temp, Ariz.
57 kg/125.5 lbs. best-of-three series
Match 1: Matt McDonough dec Nahshon Garrett 16-10
Match 2: Matt McDonough tech Nahshon Garrett 15-5
McDonough wins 2-0
97 kg/213 lbs. best-of-three series
Match 1: Dustin Kilgore dec Chad Hanke 7-0
Match 2: Dustin Kilgore tech Chad Hanke 11-0
Kilgore wins 2-0
125 kg/275 lbs. best-of-three series
Match 1: Tyrell Fortune dec Austin Marsden 6-0
Match 2: Tyrell Fortune tech Austin Marsden 12-1
Fortune wins 2-0
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