AWL releases list of 66 eligible wrestlers for AWL I draft, live on TrackWrestling this Saturday
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
The American Wrestling League has released its list of 66 draft eligible wrestlers, who will be included in the first ever AWL Draft, which will be broadcast live and for free on TrackWrestling.com on Saturday, November 3 at 6:00 p.m. Central Time from the Airliner in Iowa City.
This group of Senior-level athletes, who have agreed to be considered for AWL the draft, includes wrestlers in all 10 international men’s freestyle weight classes. Included on the list are eight past World or Olympic team members for Team USA, including Thomas Gilman (57 kg), Tony Ramos (61 kg), Frank Molinaro (70 kg), Kamal Bey (77 kg), Kyle Dake (79 kg), David Taylor (86 kg), Ben Provisor (92 kg) and Robby Smith (125 kg). There are both freestyle and Greco-Roman athletes on the list.
From this pool of many of the nation’s top stars, World Champions David Taylor and Kyle Dake will serve as captains for the AWL I: THE BEGINNING. This Saturday, Dake and Taylor will choose their wrestlers at the draft, selecting one wrestler per weight class and one alternate. Team Taylor will battle Team Dake in AWL I.
Weight classes for AWL I will consist of the 10 freestyle international weights: 57 kg to 125 kg. Being on the list makes a person eligible for selection for the AWL I card.
AWL I: THE BEGINNING will be held Friday night, November 30th, 2018 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The draft on Saturday night will narrow down the field of athletes for that inaugural card of matches. The AWL has announced that the wrestlers will compete for $120,000 in prize money.
Each AWL event in the future will hold a draft to determine its card of competitors. Additional athletes have reached out to the AWL and are expected to be included in future drafts.
American Wrestling League President, Wayne Boyd further explained that, “with each draft, the host city and state is guaranteed six wrestling spots automatically, as the local fans deserve to see their own. The rest of the draft is at the drafters’ discretion!"
Tickets for AWL I: THE BEGINNING can be purchased at www.americanwrestling.org
“This weekend’s draft has the wrestling world buzzing with anticipation. Fans are eager to see who will make the cut for AWL I: THE BEGINNNING. The response to our draft has been outstanding and we have many more wrestlers that want, and will get a chance to join the AWL draft after our first event. You can bet that as we grow, the opportunities for American wrestlers will grow too,” said Jonny Ruggiano, Executive Director of the AWL.
Legendary wrestler and coach Dan Gable and many of his former wrestlers will be on hand at AWL I in Cedar Rapids. The event will also Pin Cancer with Chuck Yagla and Light the Night, honoring the great Mike Duroe. The AWL will also introduce Curran Jacobs, America’s World Catch Wrestling Champion, who wrestles in the image of Iowa’s one and only Frank Gotch.
“AWL comes to Iowa for one reason; they have the greatest wrestling fans on Earth! We are going to give the great fans of Iowa, the Greatest Wrestling Show on Earth! Be there because amateur wrestling is finally taking its place as a professional sport,” said Boyd.
Follow the AWL via social media @AWLToday for Twitter
and American_wrestling_league on Instagram
DRAFT ELIGIBLE WRESTLERS
For AWL I draft, live on TrackWrestling on Saturday, November 3
57 kg
Zach Sanders
Alan Waters
Darian Cruz
Eddie Klimara
Frank Perrelli
Joe DeAngelo
Johnni Dijulius
Thomas Gilman
Zane Richards
Daniel Deshazer
61 kg
Brandon Wright
Bryce Meredith
Cory Clark
Joey Lazor
Nico Megaludis
Shelton Mack
Tony Ramos
A.J. Schopp
65 kg
Andy Simmons
Dean Heil
Destin McCauley
Evan Henderson
Jordan Oliver
Josh Kindig
Nick Dardanes
Nick Simmons
70 kg
Anthony Collica
Brandon Sorensen
Dylan Palacio
Kevin Jack
Lavion Mayes
Richie Lewis
Frank Molinaro
74 kg
Kamal Bey
Dan Vallimont
Isaiah Martinez
Joey LaVallee
Nick Becker
Tommy Gantt
79 kg
Alex Dieringer
Nate Jackson
Josh Asper
Kyle Dake: CAPTAIN
86 kg
Pat Downey
Brett Pfarr
Kenny Courts
Nick Heflin
Sammy Brooks
David Taylor: CAPTAIN
92 kg
Ben Provisor
Deron Winn
Hayden Zillmer
Mike Macchiavello
Timmy McCall
97 kg
Blaize Cabell
Jacob Kasper
Kyven Gadson
Micah Burak
Ty Walz
Wynn Michalak
Josh Manu
125 kg
Ben Durbin
Ceron Francisco
Dom Bradley
Bobby Telford
Robby Smith
This group of Senior-level athletes, who have agreed to be considered for AWL the draft, includes wrestlers in all 10 international men’s freestyle weight classes. Included on the list are eight past World or Olympic team members for Team USA, including Thomas Gilman (57 kg), Tony Ramos (61 kg), Frank Molinaro (70 kg), Kamal Bey (77 kg), Kyle Dake (79 kg), David Taylor (86 kg), Ben Provisor (92 kg) and Robby Smith (125 kg). There are both freestyle and Greco-Roman athletes on the list.
From this pool of many of the nation’s top stars, World Champions David Taylor and Kyle Dake will serve as captains for the AWL I: THE BEGINNING. This Saturday, Dake and Taylor will choose their wrestlers at the draft, selecting one wrestler per weight class and one alternate. Team Taylor will battle Team Dake in AWL I.
Weight classes for AWL I will consist of the 10 freestyle international weights: 57 kg to 125 kg. Being on the list makes a person eligible for selection for the AWL I card.
AWL I: THE BEGINNING will be held Friday night, November 30th, 2018 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The draft on Saturday night will narrow down the field of athletes for that inaugural card of matches. The AWL has announced that the wrestlers will compete for $120,000 in prize money.
Each AWL event in the future will hold a draft to determine its card of competitors. Additional athletes have reached out to the AWL and are expected to be included in future drafts.
American Wrestling League President, Wayne Boyd further explained that, “with each draft, the host city and state is guaranteed six wrestling spots automatically, as the local fans deserve to see their own. The rest of the draft is at the drafters’ discretion!"
Tickets for AWL I: THE BEGINNING can be purchased at www.americanwrestling.org
“This weekend’s draft has the wrestling world buzzing with anticipation. Fans are eager to see who will make the cut for AWL I: THE BEGINNNING. The response to our draft has been outstanding and we have many more wrestlers that want, and will get a chance to join the AWL draft after our first event. You can bet that as we grow, the opportunities for American wrestlers will grow too,” said Jonny Ruggiano, Executive Director of the AWL.
Legendary wrestler and coach Dan Gable and many of his former wrestlers will be on hand at AWL I in Cedar Rapids. The event will also Pin Cancer with Chuck Yagla and Light the Night, honoring the great Mike Duroe. The AWL will also introduce Curran Jacobs, America’s World Catch Wrestling Champion, who wrestles in the image of Iowa’s one and only Frank Gotch.
“AWL comes to Iowa for one reason; they have the greatest wrestling fans on Earth! We are going to give the great fans of Iowa, the Greatest Wrestling Show on Earth! Be there because amateur wrestling is finally taking its place as a professional sport,” said Boyd.
Follow the AWL via social media @AWLToday for Twitter
and American_wrestling_league on Instagram
DRAFT ELIGIBLE WRESTLERS
For AWL I draft, live on TrackWrestling on Saturday, November 3
57 kg
Zach Sanders
Alan Waters
Darian Cruz
Eddie Klimara
Frank Perrelli
Joe DeAngelo
Johnni Dijulius
Thomas Gilman
Zane Richards
Daniel Deshazer
61 kg
Brandon Wright
Bryce Meredith
Cory Clark
Joey Lazor
Nico Megaludis
Shelton Mack
Tony Ramos
A.J. Schopp
65 kg
Andy Simmons
Dean Heil
Destin McCauley
Evan Henderson
Jordan Oliver
Josh Kindig
Nick Dardanes
Nick Simmons
70 kg
Anthony Collica
Brandon Sorensen
Dylan Palacio
Kevin Jack
Lavion Mayes
Richie Lewis
Frank Molinaro
74 kg
Kamal Bey
Dan Vallimont
Isaiah Martinez
Joey LaVallee
Nick Becker
Tommy Gantt
79 kg
Alex Dieringer
Nate Jackson
Josh Asper
Kyle Dake: CAPTAIN
86 kg
Pat Downey
Brett Pfarr
Kenny Courts
Nick Heflin
Sammy Brooks
David Taylor: CAPTAIN
92 kg
Ben Provisor
Deron Winn
Hayden Zillmer
Mike Macchiavello
Timmy McCall
97 kg
Blaize Cabell
Jacob Kasper
Kyven Gadson
Micah Burak
Ty Walz
Wynn Michalak
Josh Manu
125 kg
Ben Durbin
Ceron Francisco
Dom Bradley
Bobby Telford
Robby Smith
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