Greco-Roman University Nationals finals set for Friday afternoon in Akron

AKRON, Ohio – The 18 finalists for the 2017 Greco-Roman University Nationals finals have been determined and will wrestle Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET at the Louis and Freda Stile Athletic Field House on the campus of the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio.

Just a couple hours after winning the 96 kg/211 lbs. Junior Greco World Team spot in a special wrestle-off on Friday morning, G’Angelo Hancock (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC/Sunkist Kids) made his way to the finals of the 98 kg/216 lbs. University bracket.

Hancock, a 2016 Junior World bronze medalist and 2017 Senior World Team member, will take on Zach Merrill (Norman, Okla./NYRTC) in tonight’s finals.

Merrill was a bronze medalist at last year’s Bill Farrell International in New York City.

At 80 kg/176 lbs., Geordan Speiller (Oviedo, Fla./Florida Jets), the 2016 University Nationals champ, made an impressive comeback in the semifinals to claim his spot in the finals. Down 5-4 with 30 seconds left, Speiller threw Vlad Dombrovskiy (State College, Pa./U.S. Army WCAP) for five points, landing it just right for a touch fall.

Standing in his way to repeat as University champion is 2017 U.S. National Team member Jon Jay Chavez (Boise, N.Y./NYRTC). Chavez recorded four tech falls en route to the finals and has only given up two points throughout the tournament.

At 59 kg/130 lbs., returning 2016 University Nationals champion and two-time Junior World Team member Dalton Roberts (Fowlerville, Mich./New York AC) will face off against 2017 freestyle Armed Forces champion Mike Fuenffinger (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army WCAP).

The two last met at the Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs in February. Fuenffinger walked away with an 8-0 technical fall in 2:49 to advance to the bronze-medal match.

NCAA folkstyle athletes Dante Rodriguez (Kearney, Neb./Cyclone RTC) and Alex Mossing (Toledo, Ohio/Foxfire WC) made their ways to the finals at 66 kg/145 lbs. and 71 kg/156 lbs., respectively.

Rodriguez, who was a 2014 Junior Greco World Team member, will wrestle 2017 freestyle and Greco Armed Forces silver medalist Raymond Bunker (Villa Park, Ill./US Marines), while Mossing will take on 2016 University Nationals runner-up Anthonie Linares (San Jose, Calif./New York AC).

The finals will take place at 3 p.m. ET and can be streamed live on Flowrestling.org with a subscription. Fans can also follow the action on Twitter @USAWrestling.

UWW CADET AND UNIVERSITY NATIONALS

at Akron, Ohio

University Greco-Roman finals matchups
59 kg: Mike Fuenffinger (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army WCAP) vs. Dalton Roberts (Fowlerville, Mich./New York AC)
63 kg: Wesley Dawkins (Ashland, Neb./Nebraska Golden Eagles) vs. Ty Pelot (Manitowoc, Wisc./X-Factor Elite)
69 kg: Raymond Bunker (Villa Park, Ill./US Marines) vs. Dante Rodriguez (Kearney, Neb./Cyclone RTC)
71 kg: Anthonie Linares (San Jose, Calif./New York AC) vs. Alex Mossing (Toledo, Ohio/Foxfire WC)
75 kg: Colin Schubert (Brussels, Wisc./New York AC) vs. Curt Calovecchi (Brussels, Wisc./NMU-OTS)
80 kg: Geordan Speiller (Oviedo, Fla./Florida Jets) vs. Jon Jay Chavez (Boise, N.Y./NYRTC)
85 kg: Barrett Stanghill (Philipsburg, Mont./Minnesota Storm) vs. Richard Carlson (Arden Hills, Minn./Minnesota Storm)
98 kg: G’Angelo Hancock (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC/Sunkist Kids) vs. Zach Merrill (Norman, Okla./NYRTC)
130 kg: Malcolm Allen (Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Storm) vs. Donald Longendyke (Vadnais Heights, Minn./Minnesota Storm)