Strong U.S. team to compete in Beach World Series in Constanta, Romania, Sept. 7-8
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
The United States will send a talented and experienced team to the fourth Beach World Series event of the 2023 season, set for Neversea Beach in Constanta, Romania, Sept. 7-8.
The U.S. Senior team will feature eight men and five women, a mix of competitors with extensive international experience, along with a number of athletes who will be testing themselves against foreign opponents for the first time.
Three of the U.S. entries hold 2023 Beach World Series rankings in their weight class, based upon the first three events of the Beach World Series season: No. 5 Ty Loethen at men’s 80 kg, No. 9 Mitchell Cook at men’s 70 kg and No. 11 Eliana Bommarito at women’s Over 70 kg. Loethen competed in Singapore and Argentina this season, while Cook wrestled in Singapore and France. Bommarito wrestled in Argentina.
Bommarito is one of three 2023 U.S. Senior Beach Nationals champions on the tour, along with Jamel Johnson in men’s 70 kg and Tyson Beauperthuy in men’s 90 kg. Bommarito and Johnson had qualified for the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games, which was cancelled in August in Bali, Indonesia.
All of the men on the tour were medalists at the 2023 U.S. Senior Beach Nationals. Runners-up included Cook, Wayne Lamont (80 kg) and Terrance Zaleski (90 kg). Those who were third at the 2023 Beach Nationals were Justin Benjamin (70 kg) and Mingo Grant (Over 90 kg).
Joining Bommarito on the women’s roster are U.S. Senior Beach Nationals medalists Taylor Colangelo (2nd at 60 kg), Josephine Wearmouth (3rd at 60 kg) and Katelyn Lewis (3rd at Over 70 kg). Also competing in the women’s event is Halley Wheeler at 50 kg. All five of the U.S. women competing at the Beach World Series are also entered in the U20 Beach World Championships, also in Constanta, September 10.
The Beach World Series begins on Thursday, September 7, with Group Rounds at 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The Group Rounds conclude on Friday, September 8 at 10:00 a.m., with the elimination rounds and finals starting at 4:00 p.m. Constanta is seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time.
The event will be broadcast live on FloWrestling.
BEACH WORLD SERIES
At Constanta, Romania, September 7-8
U.S. Beach World Series roster
Senior Women:
50kg: Halley Wheeler, Bakersfield, N.C.
60kg: Josephine Wearmouth, Saint Charles, Iowa
60kg: Taylor Colangelo, Peoria, Ariz.
+70kg: Eliana Bommarito, Brighton, Mich.
+70kg: Katelyn Lewis, Great Falls, Mont.
Senior Men:
70kg: Mitch Cook, Orland Park, Ill.
70kg: Jamel Johnson, Jacksonville, N.C.
70kg: Justin Benjamin, St. Charles, Ill.
80kg: Ty Loethen, Columbia, Mo.
80kg: Wayne Lamont, Corum, N.Y.
90kg: Tyson Beauperthuy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
90kg: Terrence Zaleski, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Over 90kg: Mingo Grant, Baltimore, Md.
Coaches:
Gabe Beauperthuy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Ed Duncan, Spruce Pine, N.C.
Cheryl Baynard, Naples, N.C.
Steve Baynard, Naples, N.C.
Team Leader: Tim Box, Oceanside, Calif.
Referee: Scott Cutbirth, Blue Springs, Mo.
NF Delegate: Rusty Davidson, Grants, N.M.
Constanta Beach World Series Schedule
Thursday, September 7
10:00 a.m. – noon – Group Rounds
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Group Rounds
Friday, September 8
10:00 a.m. – noon – Group Rounds
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Elimination Rounds and Finals
*Constanta is seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time zone