USA to send delegation to compete at Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov International in Bulgaria
by Taylor Miller-Gregorio, USA Wrestling
Photo of Mallory Velte by Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com.
The USA is sending 16 athletes to Bulgaria to compete in next week’s Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov International, including six entries in men’s freestyle, six in Greco-Roman and five in women’s freestyle.
Competition begins Thursday, Feb. 17 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 20. USA Wrestling will update with results and information on how to watch as it becomes available. As of now, the live stream is believed to be hosted on the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation’s YouTube page.
Highlighting the roster are Senior World bronze medalists Mallory Velte (WFS 62 kg) and G’Angelo Hancock (GR 97 kg). Velte won her World medal in 2018, while Hancock won his in 2021. Also joining them is two-time Senior World Team member Zain Retherford (MFS 65 kg) and 2018 World Team member RaVaughn Perkins (GR 77 kg).
Emma Bruntil (WFS 62 kg) is expected to compete just weeks after becoming only the seventh U.S. woman to win the prestigious Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix.
Gabe Townsell, a past U23 World Team member, is slated to wrestle in both men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman at 61 kg and 60 kg, respectively.
A complete roster and schedule is below.
DAN KOLOV – NIKOLA PETROV INTERNATIONAL
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria | Feb. 17-20, 2022
U.S. men’s freestyle roster
57 kg: Nico Provo (South Side WC)
61 kg: Josh Rodriguez (Nittany Lion WC)
61 kg: Gabe Townsell (California RTC)
65 kg: Pat Lugo (Hawkeye WC)
70 kg: Zain Retherford (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC)
125 kg: Ceron Francisco (Titan Mercury WC)
U.S. women’s freestyle roster
53 kg: Alisha Howk (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg: Sophia Mirabella (Team Tornado WC)
62 kg: Emma Bruntil (USOPTC/Titan Mercury WC)
62 kg: Jennifer Page (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC)
62 kg: Mallory Velte (Beaver Dam RTC/Titan Mercury WC)
U.S. Greco-Roman roster
60 kg: Gabe Townsell (California RTC)
63 kg: Chayse La Joie (California RTC)
67 kg: Robert Perez (Greco-Roman Development)
77 kg: RaVaughn Perkins (New York AC)
97 kg: G’Angelo Hancock (USOPTC/Sunkist Kids)
130 kg: Tanner Farmer (New York AC)
Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 17
10:30 a.m. – Elimination rounds (MFS 61, 70, 79, 92; GR 55, 63, 72, 82; WFS 55, 59, 65, 72)
5 p.m. – Opening ceremony and semifinals (MFS 61, 70, 79, 92; GR 55, 63, 72, 82; WFS 55, 59, 65, 72)
Friday, Feb. 18
10:30 a.m. – Elimination rounds (MFS 57, 65, 74; GR 87, 97, 130; WFS 62, 68, 76)
10:30 a.m. – Repechage (MFS 61, 70, 79, 92; GR 55, 63, 72, 82; WFS 55, 59, 65, 72)
5 p.m. – Semifinals (MFS 57, 65, 74; GR 87, 97, 130; WFS 62, 68, 76)
6 p.m. – Finals (MFS 61, 70, 79, 92; GR 55, 63, 72, 82; WFS 55, 59, 65, 72)
Saturday, Feb. 19
10:30 a.m. – Elimination rounds (MFS 86, 97, 125; GR 60, 67, 77; WFS 50, 53, 57)
10:30 a.m. – Repechage (MFS 57, 65, 74; GR 87, 97, 130; WFS 62, 68, 76)
5 p.m. – Semifinals (MFS 86, 97, 125; GR 60, 67, 77; WFS 50, 53, 57)
6 p.m. – Finals (MFS 57, 65, 74; GR 87, 97, 130; WFS 62, 68, 76)
Sunday, Feb. 20
11 a.m. – Repechage (MFS 86, 97, 125; GR 60, 67, 77; WFS 50, 53, 57)
12 p.m. – Finals (MFS 86, 97, 125; GR 60, 67, 77; WFS 50, 53, 57)