Smith, Perkins and Andrews score U.S. victories at Jack Pinto Cup
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by Richard Immel USA Wrestling
| RaVaughn Perkins (USA) at the 2016 Jack Pinto Cup. Photo: Robbert Wijtman |
GREELEY, Colo. – The U.S. Greco-Roman team took three-of-four matches at the 2016 Jack Pinto Cup on Friday evening with three-time U.S. World Team member Robby Smith leading the charge.
In the evening’s main event, Smith took control of 2015 Pan American Games bronze medalist Edgardo Lopez of Puerto Rico late in the first period after gaining top position due to passivity. Smith was able to lock four consecutive gutwrenches to take the 130 kg/286.6 lbs. bout by technical fall, 9-0.
“He’s real slippery, I’ve been training with him, and he slips out of [front headlock]. I know I can gut him, like I did. That gutwrench, I knew it was tight and I knew I could finish him with it, so it was good,” said Smith.
Fans in attendance also played witness to the much anticipated return of RaVaughn Perkins to the Greco-Roman scene. Perkins has been sidelined from active competition for over a year due to personal reasons.
Perkins was able to pick up a fall over Jefrin Mejia of Honduras at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Mejia has competed in two World Championships for Honduras.
“It felt great to be back out there. I didn’t get to get off what I wanted to, but it felt pretty good.
I feel like I’m getting a lot better at par terre. I didn’t like how I did on my feet though. I want to cause a lot more action on my feet, but par terre was great,” said Perkins.
At 59 kg/130 lbs. Northern Colorado product Trey Andrews went back and forth with Puerto Rico World Team member Wesley Morales before striking with a fall late in the first period.
Greco-Roman up and comer G’Angelo Hancock also gained some valuable experience at the Jack Pinto Cup. Hancock scored the opening takedown against 2015 Pan American Games silver medalist Kevin Mejia of Honduras, but the colorado native was eventually upended by technical fall, 12-2.
U.S. Greco-Roman coach Matt Lindland was pleased with the performance of his squad and excited to host the Jack Pinto Cup in Greeley, Colo. for the second straight year.
“This is a match where we are just going out, having fun and putting on a show for the Greeley fans, introduce them to some Greco-Roman,” Lindland said. “Robby is always great to have headline any of your shows. He’s a fan favorite for sure. It’s great to see RaVaughn back on the mat. We’re just looking to get out here and compete and see what shakes out,” said Lindland.
The Greco-Roman showcase event is held in honor of six-year-old Jack Pinto, who lost his life in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in Newtown, Conn. Active in a number of sports, Pinto was a wrestler with the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association, a USA Wrestling club in his hometown.
Jack Pinto Cup Results
Jan. 22 at Greeley, Colo.
Team USA 3 – Team World 1
59 kg/130 lbs. – Trey Andrews (United States) fall Wesley Morales (Puerto Rico), 2:50
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – RaVaughn Perkins (United States) fall Jefrin Mejia (Honduras), 2:02
98 kg/216 lbs. – Kevin Mejia (Honduras) tech. fall G’Angelo Hancock (United States), 12-2
130 kg/286.6 lbs. – Robby Smith (United States) tech. fall Edgardo Lopez (Puerto Rico), 9-0
