Four U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers noted in UWW’s June world rankings
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by Taylor Miller, USA Wrestling
2017 U.S. Greco-Roman World Team members Patrick Smith, Cheney Haight and G’Angelo Hancock and 2017 National Team member Geordan Speiller checked in the top-20 of their respective weight classes in the June edition of United World Wrestling’s world Greco rankings, which were released Wednesday.
Speiller (Oviedo, Fla./Florida Jets) holds the highest ranking for the U.S. at No. 12 at 80 kg/176 lbs. The World Team Trials finalist recently took gold at the 2017 University Nationals in Akron, Ohio, last weekend. Internationally in 2017, Speiller has claimed gold at the Dave Schultz Memorial International and Cerro Pelado, while earning silver at the Grand Prix of Hungarian.
At 98 kg/216 lbs., Hancock (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC/Sunkist Kids) moves up a spot to No. 17 in the world after taking bronze at the Pan American Championships in May. Last weekend, Hancock earned his spot on the 2017 Junior Greco World Team, the feat coming just weeks after making his first Senior World Team.
Haight (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) and Smith (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) jumped into this month’s rankings after gold-medal performances at the continental championships.
Two-time World Team member Haight joins Speiller at 80 kg, holding the No. 18 spot, while Smith comes in at No. 20 at 71 kg/156 lbs.
At the World Team Trials in late-April, Haight secured a spot on his second World Team and first since 2011, with a controlling best-of-three series win against John Stefanowicz.
Smith will represent the U.S. at the World Championships for the first time in his career, after knocking off reigning World Team member Chris Gonzalez at the Trials.
Smith, Haight and Hancock will travel to Paris, France, for the World Championships, Aug. 21-26.
Click here to read full UWW Story on Greco-Roman World rankings
U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers ranked in the UWW June rankings
No. 12 at 80 kg – Geordan Speiller, Oviedo, Fla. (Florida Jets)
No. 17 at 98 kg – G’Angelo Hancock, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC/Sunkist Kids)
No. 18 at 80 kg – Cheney Haight, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
No. 20 at 71 kg – Pat Smith, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
