Olympian Hazewinkel added to U.S. men's freestyle team for Pan American Championships

Sam Hazewinkel at the 2016 U.S. Senior Nationals. Photo: John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com.

FRISCO, Texas – Olympian Sam Hazewinkel (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) has been named a last minute replacement to the U.S. men’s freestyle that will compete at the Pan American Championships in Frisco, Texas on Saturday.


Hazewinkel will man the 57 kg/125.5 lbs. spot originally designated to 2013 U.S. World Team member Angel Escobedo (Ames, Iowa/New York AC). Escobedo was not able to compete at this time, and Hazewinkel was selected as his replacement.


Four years ago, Hazewinkel achieved the Olympic dream, clinching a berth on the 2012 Olympic Team that competed in London. He is a four-time U.S. Open champion, claiming two titles in men’s freestyle and two titles in Greco-Roman. In total, Hazewinkel has made the U.S. National Team nine times dating back to 2004. He finished in second place at the U.S. Senior Nationals in December.


In college, Hazewinkel was a four-time NCAA All-American for the University of Oklahoma, compiling a 132-10 record and finishing as high as second place in the NCAA Championships at 125 pounds.


For wrestling fans residing in Oklahoma and the surrounding areas, driving distance is minimal to Frisco, providing a rare opportunity to see Hazewinkel, as well as past Oklahoma State NCAA champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Coleman Scott (Chapel Hill, N.C./Sunkist Kids), step on the mat once more near their college towns.


Tickets for both this weekend's Pan American Championships and the Pan American Olympic Qualifier to be held March 4-6, also in Frisco, can be ordered at the same time. All-Session General Admission prices are $14.50 for a single day pass, $39.50 for a three-day pass and $59.50 for a six-day pass. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com.


Please note that the three-day pass will be good for either the three days of the Pan American Championships or for the Pan American Olympic Qualifier, but cannot be used partially for one event and then the rest on the other.


For more information, please visit the Pan American Championships and Pan American Olympic Games Qualifier website.

PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

At Frisco, Texas, Feb. 26-28

U.S. Men’s freestyle roster

57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)

61 kg/134 lbs.- Coleman Scott, Chapel Hill, N.C. (Sunkist Kids)

65 kg/143 lbs. - James Green, Lincoln, Neb. (Titan Mercury WC/Nebraska RTC)

70 kg/154 lbs. - Frank Molinaro, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

74 kg/163 lbs. - Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids/Nebraska RTC)

86 kg/189 lbs. - Keith Gavin, Charlottesville, Va. (Titan Mercury WC)

97 kg/213 lbs. - Scott Schiller, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

125 kg/275 lbs. - Dom Bradley, Blue Springs, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)

Team Leader – Andy Barth, San Marino, Calif.

National Freestyle Coach – Bruce Burnett, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Assistant National Freestyle Coach – Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Event Schedule
Friday, February 26

Women’s Freestyle Wrestling (48kg, 53kg, 55kg, 58kg, 60kg, 63kg, 69kg and 75kg)

10:00 am - 3:00 pm - Qualification Rounds and Repechage

5:30 pm - 6:00 pm - Opening Ceremony

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Medal Match Finals

Saturday, February 27

Men’s Freestyle Wrestling (57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg, 125kg)

10:00 am - 3:00 pm - Qualification Rounds and Repechage

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Medal Match Finals

Sunday, February 28

Greco-Roman Wrestling (59kg, 66kg, 71kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 98kg, 130kg)

10:00 am - 3:00 pm - Qualification Rounds and Repechage

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Medal Match Finals