U.S. freestylers to compete on tours to Brazil, France and Iran in late November
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by Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
Clayton Foster, shown in the 2014 U.S. Open finals, is among the top freestylers who will compete on a tour in November. Foster will wrestle in Brazil. Photo by Tony Rotundo – Wrestlers Are Warriors.
USA Wrestling will send teams of freestyle wrestlers to international competitions in Brazil, France and Iran the final weekend of November.
A team of men’s freestyle wrestlers, including national team members and top FILA Junior athletes, will wrestle in the Brazil Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 28-29.
A men’s freestyle team from the USA will head to Rio de Janiero, Brazil for the annual Brazil Cup, November 28-29. There is a mix of national team athletes and Junior-level stars who will compete on this tour.
Two wrestlers ranked No. 2 on the national team will compete, Dustin Kilgore (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 97 kg/213 lbs and Zach Rey (Bethlehem, Pa./Lehigh Valley AC) at 125 kg/275 lbs.
Three wrestlers ranked No. 3 on the national team will wrestle, Matt McDonough (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC) at 57 kg/125.5 lbs., Kyle Ruschell (Madison, Wis./New York AC/Badger WC) at 70 kg/154 lbs. and former World Team member J.D. Bergman (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) at 97 kg/213 lbs. will enter.
2014 U.S. Open runner-up Clayton Foster (Laramie, Wyo./GRIT Athletics/Cowboy WC) will wrestle at 86 kg/189 lbs. and talented Andrew Hochstrasser (Boise, Idaho/Titan Mercury WC) will wrestle at 57 kg/125.5 lbs.
2014 FILA Junior World silver medalist Joe McKenna (Towaco, N.J./Lehigh Valley AC) will wrestle at 61 kg/134 lbs., one of three Junior-level stars on the trip competing in the Senior division. He is joined by 2014 FILA Junior World Team member Anthony Valencia (Pico Rivera, Calif./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Logan Massa (St. Johns, Mich./Massa’s Maniacs) at 74 kg/163 lbs.
“It’s is a kind of test event in Brazil for the Olympics. Every competition is important. Post World Championships, this is our first major competition in the fall as our National Team starts back up. We have a broad mix of national team athletes and top developmental guys. It is very important to start the building process as we head into the new year, with the 2015 Worlds in Las Vegas,” said Assistant National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick.
A mixed team of men and women freestyle wrestlers will enter the 40th annual Henri Deglane Challenge in Nice, France on November 28-29.
On the women’s side, four-time World medalist Elena Pirozhkova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Titan Mercury WC) is at 63 kg/138.75 lbs., two-time World medalist Helen Maroulis (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) is at 55 kg/121 lbs., and 2013 World Team member Victoria Anthony (Huntington Beach, Calif./Titan Mercury WC) is at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.in France.
“They are three of our best athletes. They are mainstays on our national team. They have been travelling a lot this fall, trying to learn more about themselves and how they can improve on a daily basis. They are putting themselves in front of their competition and in tough environments with all the travel,” said National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner.
Three U.S. men freestylers will also wrestle in Nice, 2014 Junior World silver medalist Aaron Pico, Whittier, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC) at 143, plus young Senior stars Montel Marion, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC) at 65 kg/143 lbs. and Jason Welch, Evanston, Ill. (Chicago RTC/Wrestling Prep) at 74 kg/163 lbs.
“The Henri Deglane Challenge is a good tournament. As the Olympic year approaches, it becomes a stronger competition. It should be a good experience for the guys going over there. This is the 40th anniversary of the tournament and the French Federation is building it up. They want to make it a great competition,” said Zadick.
The Titan Mercury Wrestling Club, a top club from the United States, is funding a team that will compete at the Freestyle World Clubs Cup, a new event being held in Joybar, Iran, November 27.
Talented club teams from around the world have been invited to participate in this dual meet event. Titan Mercury WC is the only club from the United States included in the field this year.
The U.S. team will feature two-time World Team member Reece Humphrey (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) at 65 kg/143 lbs. and 2014 U.S. World Team member Tony Ramos (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC) at 57 kg/125.5 lbs.
2014 University World champion Tyrell Fortune (Tempe, Ariz./Titan Mercury WC) will compete at 125 kg/275 lbs. Past Junior World bronze medalist and NCAA champion Andrew Howe (Norman, Okla./New York AC) will compete at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Also competing for Titan Mercury WC are Joe Colon (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC) at 61 kg/134 lbs., Adam Hall (New York, N.Y./Titan Mercury WC) at 70 kg/154 lbs., Deron Winn (Ames, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC) at 86 kg/189 lbs. and Wynn Michalak (Champaign, Ill./Titan Mercury WC) at 97 kg/213 lbs.
Colon and Fortune are coming off gold-medal performances at the Bill Farrell International last week, while Hall and Winn won silver medals at the event.
“I have never been there. I am excited. I have seen videos from the World Championships there. I have heard stories. It is a great opportunity when they asked me to go do it. I am getting ready. I am looking forward to getting some top international competition,” said 2014 World Team member Tony Ramos.
Follow TheMat.com for results and updates from these events.
BRAZIL CUP
At Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 28-29
U.S. men’s freestyle roster
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Matt McDonough, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Andrew Hochstrasser, Boise, Idaho (Titan Mercury WC)
61 kg/134 lbs. – Joe McKenna, Towaco, N.J. (Lehigh Valley AC)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Kyle Ruschell, Madison, Wis. (New York AC/Badger WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Logan Massa, St. Johns, Mich. (Massa’s Maniacs)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Anthony Valencia, Pico Rivera, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Clayton Foster, Laramie, Wyo. (GRIT Athletics/Cowboy WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Dustin Kilgore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
97 kg/213 lbs. – J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Zach Rey, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
National Freestyle Coach – Bruce Burnett, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Assistant National Freestyle Coach – Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Medical – Darryl Miller, Englewood, Colo.
Referee – Shawn Thorson, Buffalo, Wyo.
Brazil Cup schedule
Friday, November 28
Women’s freestyle (all weights), Greco-Roman (59 kg, 66 kg, 71 kg, 75 kg)
Saturday, November 29
Men’s freestyle (all weights), Greco-Roman (80 kg, 85 kg, 98 kg, 130 kg)
Sunday, November 30
Beach Wrestling (with prize money)
HENRI DEGLANE CHALLENGE
At Nice, France, November 28-29
U.S. men’s freestyle roster
65 kg/143 lbs. – Aaron Pico, Whittier, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Montel Marion, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jason Welch, Evanston, Ill. (Chicago RTC/Wrestling Prep)
U.S. women’s freestyle roster
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Victoria Anthony, Huntington Beach, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Helen Maroulis, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC)
Coach – Valentin Kalika, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Referee – Bryan Davis, Lake City, Fla.
Henri Deglane Challenge schedule
Friday, November 28
Men’s freestyle (65 kg, 86 kg, 125 kg), Women;s freestyle (48 kg, 59 kg, 69 kg)
Saturday November 29
Men’s freestyle (57 kg, 74 kg, 97 kg), Women’s freestyle (53 kg, 63 kg, 75 kg)
FREESTYLE WORLD CLUBS CUP
At Joybar, Iran, November 27
Titan Mercury WC team roster
57 kg/125.5 lbs. - Tony Ramos, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
61 kg/134 lbs. - Joe Colon, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
65 kg/143 lbs. - Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Adam Hall, New York, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Andrew Howe, Norman, Okla. (New York AC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Deron Winn, Ames, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Wynn Michalak, Champaign, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Tyrell Fortune, Tempe, Ariz. (Titan Mercury WC)
Team Leader – Wayne Boyd, Palm Springs, Calif.
Coach – Royce Alger, Des Moines, Iowa
Assistant Coach - Braden Barty, Los Angeles, Calif.
Interpreter - Mo Tavakolian, Roslyn Heights, N.Y.
Trainer - Bobby Reisz, Omaha, Neb.
USA Wrestling will send teams of freestyle wrestlers to international competitions in Brazil, France and Iran the final weekend of November.
A team of men’s freestyle wrestlers, including national team members and top FILA Junior athletes, will wrestle in the Brazil Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 28-29.
A men’s freestyle team from the USA will head to Rio de Janiero, Brazil for the annual Brazil Cup, November 28-29. There is a mix of national team athletes and Junior-level stars who will compete on this tour.
Two wrestlers ranked No. 2 on the national team will compete, Dustin Kilgore (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 97 kg/213 lbs and Zach Rey (Bethlehem, Pa./Lehigh Valley AC) at 125 kg/275 lbs.
Three wrestlers ranked No. 3 on the national team will wrestle, Matt McDonough (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC) at 57 kg/125.5 lbs., Kyle Ruschell (Madison, Wis./New York AC/Badger WC) at 70 kg/154 lbs. and former World Team member J.D. Bergman (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) at 97 kg/213 lbs. will enter.
2014 U.S. Open runner-up Clayton Foster (Laramie, Wyo./GRIT Athletics/Cowboy WC) will wrestle at 86 kg/189 lbs. and talented Andrew Hochstrasser (Boise, Idaho/Titan Mercury WC) will wrestle at 57 kg/125.5 lbs.
2014 FILA Junior World silver medalist Joe McKenna (Towaco, N.J./Lehigh Valley AC) will wrestle at 61 kg/134 lbs., one of three Junior-level stars on the trip competing in the Senior division. He is joined by 2014 FILA Junior World Team member Anthony Valencia (Pico Rivera, Calif./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Logan Massa (St. Johns, Mich./Massa’s Maniacs) at 74 kg/163 lbs.
“It’s is a kind of test event in Brazil for the Olympics. Every competition is important. Post World Championships, this is our first major competition in the fall as our National Team starts back up. We have a broad mix of national team athletes and top developmental guys. It is very important to start the building process as we head into the new year, with the 2015 Worlds in Las Vegas,” said Assistant National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick.
A mixed team of men and women freestyle wrestlers will enter the 40th annual Henri Deglane Challenge in Nice, France on November 28-29.
On the women’s side, four-time World medalist Elena Pirozhkova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Titan Mercury WC) is at 63 kg/138.75 lbs., two-time World medalist Helen Maroulis (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) is at 55 kg/121 lbs., and 2013 World Team member Victoria Anthony (Huntington Beach, Calif./Titan Mercury WC) is at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.in France.
“They are three of our best athletes. They are mainstays on our national team. They have been travelling a lot this fall, trying to learn more about themselves and how they can improve on a daily basis. They are putting themselves in front of their competition and in tough environments with all the travel,” said National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner.
Three U.S. men freestylers will also wrestle in Nice, 2014 Junior World silver medalist Aaron Pico, Whittier, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC) at 143, plus young Senior stars Montel Marion, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC) at 65 kg/143 lbs. and Jason Welch, Evanston, Ill. (Chicago RTC/Wrestling Prep) at 74 kg/163 lbs.
“The Henri Deglane Challenge is a good tournament. As the Olympic year approaches, it becomes a stronger competition. It should be a good experience for the guys going over there. This is the 40th anniversary of the tournament and the French Federation is building it up. They want to make it a great competition,” said Zadick.
The Titan Mercury Wrestling Club, a top club from the United States, is funding a team that will compete at the Freestyle World Clubs Cup, a new event being held in Joybar, Iran, November 27.
Talented club teams from around the world have been invited to participate in this dual meet event. Titan Mercury WC is the only club from the United States included in the field this year.
The U.S. team will feature two-time World Team member Reece Humphrey (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) at 65 kg/143 lbs. and 2014 U.S. World Team member Tony Ramos (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC) at 57 kg/125.5 lbs.
2014 University World champion Tyrell Fortune (Tempe, Ariz./Titan Mercury WC) will compete at 125 kg/275 lbs. Past Junior World bronze medalist and NCAA champion Andrew Howe (Norman, Okla./New York AC) will compete at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Also competing for Titan Mercury WC are Joe Colon (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC) at 61 kg/134 lbs., Adam Hall (New York, N.Y./Titan Mercury WC) at 70 kg/154 lbs., Deron Winn (Ames, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC) at 86 kg/189 lbs. and Wynn Michalak (Champaign, Ill./Titan Mercury WC) at 97 kg/213 lbs.
Colon and Fortune are coming off gold-medal performances at the Bill Farrell International last week, while Hall and Winn won silver medals at the event.
“I have never been there. I am excited. I have seen videos from the World Championships there. I have heard stories. It is a great opportunity when they asked me to go do it. I am getting ready. I am looking forward to getting some top international competition,” said 2014 World Team member Tony Ramos.
Follow TheMat.com for results and updates from these events.
BRAZIL CUP
At Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 28-29
U.S. men’s freestyle roster
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Matt McDonough, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Andrew Hochstrasser, Boise, Idaho (Titan Mercury WC)
61 kg/134 lbs. – Joe McKenna, Towaco, N.J. (Lehigh Valley AC)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Kyle Ruschell, Madison, Wis. (New York AC/Badger WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Logan Massa, St. Johns, Mich. (Massa’s Maniacs)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Anthony Valencia, Pico Rivera, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Clayton Foster, Laramie, Wyo. (GRIT Athletics/Cowboy WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Dustin Kilgore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
97 kg/213 lbs. – J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Zach Rey, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
National Freestyle Coach – Bruce Burnett, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Assistant National Freestyle Coach – Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Medical – Darryl Miller, Englewood, Colo.
Referee – Shawn Thorson, Buffalo, Wyo.
Brazil Cup schedule
Friday, November 28
Women’s freestyle (all weights), Greco-Roman (59 kg, 66 kg, 71 kg, 75 kg)
Saturday, November 29
Men’s freestyle (all weights), Greco-Roman (80 kg, 85 kg, 98 kg, 130 kg)
Sunday, November 30
Beach Wrestling (with prize money)
HENRI DEGLANE CHALLENGE
At Nice, France, November 28-29
U.S. men’s freestyle roster
65 kg/143 lbs. – Aaron Pico, Whittier, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Montel Marion, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jason Welch, Evanston, Ill. (Chicago RTC/Wrestling Prep)
U.S. women’s freestyle roster
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Victoria Anthony, Huntington Beach, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Helen Maroulis, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC)
Coach – Valentin Kalika, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Referee – Bryan Davis, Lake City, Fla.
Henri Deglane Challenge schedule
Friday, November 28
Men’s freestyle (65 kg, 86 kg, 125 kg), Women;s freestyle (48 kg, 59 kg, 69 kg)
Saturday November 29
Men’s freestyle (57 kg, 74 kg, 97 kg), Women’s freestyle (53 kg, 63 kg, 75 kg)
FREESTYLE WORLD CLUBS CUP
At Joybar, Iran, November 27
Titan Mercury WC team roster
57 kg/125.5 lbs. - Tony Ramos, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
61 kg/134 lbs. - Joe Colon, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
65 kg/143 lbs. - Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Adam Hall, New York, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Andrew Howe, Norman, Okla. (New York AC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Deron Winn, Ames, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Wynn Michalak, Champaign, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Tyrell Fortune, Tempe, Ariz. (Titan Mercury WC)
Team Leader – Wayne Boyd, Palm Springs, Calif.
Coach – Royce Alger, Des Moines, Iowa
Assistant Coach - Braden Barty, Los Angeles, Calif.
Interpreter - Mo Tavakolian, Roslyn Heights, N.Y.
Trainer - Bobby Reisz, Omaha, Neb.
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