U.S. gets freestyle draws for UWW Golden Grand Prix Finals in Azerbaijan for Friday

2014 U.S. World Team member Jimmy Kennedy, shown at a major event in Dagestan, Russia earlier this season, is among the 11 U.S. freestylers competing in Azerbaijan on Friday.


BAKU, Azerbaijan – The USA has a talented team of 11 men’s freestyle wrestlers who have weighed in and received their first round draws for the UWW Golden Grand Prix Finals on Thursday.


This is the final event of the annual UWW Golden Grand Prix series. Nations must qualify athletes through specific events to enter. Prize money includes $10,000 to champions, $5,000 to silver medalists and $2,000 for bronze medalists.


Two-time World Team member J.D. Bergman (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC/Ohio RTC) opens at 97 kg/213 lbs. against Magomed Musaev of Kyrgyzstan,


2014 U.S. World Team member Jimmy Kennedy (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC/Cliff Keen WC) drew 2013 World bronze medalist Mandakhnaran Ganzorig of Mongolia in his first round bout at 65 kg/143 lbs.


Four-time NCAA champion Logan Stieber (Columbus, Ohio/Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC) has drawn Selahattin Kilicsallayan of Turkey, a 2014 World University champion and 2013 Junior World champion.


Although the size of the field in each weight class is not large, the quality of this tournament is very high and winning a medal is very challenging. All 11 Americans have competitive first-round draws.


United World Wrestling will be providing a live stream from Baku for the next three days, with women’s freestyle on Saturday and Greco-Roman on Sunday.

UWW GOLDEN GRAND PRIX FINALS

At Baku, Azerbaijan


U.S. men’s first round draws


57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Andrew Hochstrasser, Boise, Idaho (Titan Mercury WC)

Vs. Ismael Muskaev (Russia), 2015 European U23 champion, Second in 2015 Ramzan Kadyrov Cup (Russia)


61 kg/132 lbs. – Chris Dardanes, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Vs. B. Lomtadze (Georgia), 7th in 2015 World Championships, Second in 2015 European Games,


65 kg/143 lbs. – Logan Stieber, Columbus, Ohio (Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC)

Vs. Selahattin Kilicsallayan (Turkey), 2014 World University champion, 2013 Junior World champion


65 kg/143 lbs. – Jimmy Kennedy, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC/Cliff Keen WC)

Vs. Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (Mongolia), 3rd in 2013 World Championships, 5th in 2015 World Championships, 2014 World Military champion


70 kg/154 lbs. – Kevin LeValley, Williamsport, Pa. (Minnesota Storm)

Vs. Gadjimurad Omarov (Azerbaijan), 3rd in 2014 FILA Golden Grand Prix Finals, 2013 Junior World bronze medalist


74 kg/163 lbs. – Anthony Valencia, Pico Rivera, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)

Vs. Ashraf Aliyev (Azerbaijan), 3rd in 2011 World Chmpionships, 8th in 2012 Olympics, 8th in 2014 World Championships, 3rd in 2013 FILA Golden Grand Prix Finals,


86 kg/189 lbs. – David Taylor, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

Vs. Umidyon Ismanov (Uzbekistan), 2013 Asian champion, 3rd in 2015 Asian Championships, 3rd in 2014 Asian Games


86 kg/189 lbs. – Clayton Foster, Laramie, Wyo. (GRIT Athletics/Cowboy WC)

Vs. Serdar Boeke (Turkey), 9th in 2013 World Championships, 2nd in 2012 World University Championships


97 kg/213 lbs. – J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC/Ohio RTC)

Vs. Magomed Musaev (Kyrgyzstan), 9th in 2015 World Championships, 2nd in 2014 Asian Games, 7th in 2012 Olympic Games


97 kg/213 lbs. – Dustin Kilgore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

Vs. Aslanbek Alborov (Azerbaijan), 2nd in 2010 Junior Worlds, 3rd in 2011 Junior Worlds


125 kg/275 lbs. – Dom Bradley, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids)

Vs. Geno Petriashvili (Georgia), 3rd in 2013 and 2015 World Championships, 2013 Junior World champion