U.S. receives its Greco-Roman draws for Zagreb Open in Croatia

ZAGREB, Croatia – A team of 13 U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers have weighed in and received their draws for the Grand Prix Zagreb Open, which will be held on Saturday.


The team features three past U.S. World Team members, Jake Fisher (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 75 kg/165 lbs., Cheney Haight (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 80 kg/176 lbs. and Joe Rau (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 80 kg/176 lbs.


Fisher opens against African Junior bronze medalist Mesbeh Ben of Tunisia.


Haight and Rau are in the same weight class. Haight starts off against Vjekoslav Luburic of Croatia. Rau has a bye and awaits the winner of American Patrick Martinez against Michael Wagner of Austria.


At 71 kg/156.5 lbs., Youth Olympic Games silver medalist Mason Manville (Colorado Springs, Colo.) drew Aleksandr Maksimovic of Serbia, who was fifth in 2013 World Championships. Manville was a Cadet World champion last year in freestyle.


Below are the first round pairings for all of the American athletes.

GRAND PRIX ZAGREB OPEN

at Zagreb, Croatia, Feb. 21


U.S. first round draws


59 kg/130 lbs – William Simpson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)

Vs. Ivan Lizatovic (Croatia), 2nd in 2014 Mediterranean Championship… 8th in 2012 European Championships


59 kg/130 lbs – Ryan Mango, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Vs. winner of William Simpson (USA) vs. Ivan Lizatovic (Croatia)


66 kg/145.5 lbs – Hayden Tuma, Boise, Idaho

Vs. Istvan Kozak (Hungary), 2012 World University champion… 5th in 2011 European Championships


66 kg/145.5 lbs – Marco Lara, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)

Vs. Mark Toth (Hungary), 7th in 2015 Grand Prix of Paris


66 kg/145.5 lbs – Brian Graham, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Vs. Christian Simatic (Croatia), 8th in 2014 Junior World Championships… 5th in 2014 European Junior Championships


71 kg/156.5 lbs – Mason Manville, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Vs. Aleksandr Maksimovic (Serbia), 5th in 2013 World Championships… 3rd in 2012 European Championships


75 kg/165 lbs – Jake Fisher, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Vs. Mesbeh Ben (Tunisia), 3rd in 2014 African Junior Championships


75 kg/165 lbs. – Geordan Speiller, Oviedo, Fla. (Florida Jets)

Vs. Bozo Starcevic (Croatia), 5th in 2014 World Championships… 3rd in 2013 European Championships


80 kg/176 lbs – Patrick Martinez, Orlando, Fla. (Florida Jets)

Vs. Michael Wagner (Austria), 3rd in 2014 Stockholm Open


80 kg/176 lbs – Cheney Haight, Colorado Springs, Colo. (USOTC)

Vs. Vjekoslav Luburic (Croatia), 10th in 2014 European Junior Championships…


80 kg/176 lbs – Joe Rau, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Vs. winner of Patrick Martinez (USA) vs Michael Wagner (Austria)


130 kg/286.6 lbs – Jarod Trice, Des Moines, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)

Vs. Boban Zivanovic (Serbia), 9th in 2014 Junior World Championships… Second in 2013 Cadet World Championships


130 kg/286.6 lbs – David Arendt, Jacksonville, NC (U.S. Marines)

Vs. winner of Jarod Trice (USA) vs. Boban Zinvanovic (Serbia)