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Richards, Carr win True-Third Wrestle-offs to make 2022-23 National Team

by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling

Zane Richards celebrates after winning True Third Wrestle Off for National Team. Justin Hoch photo.


STILLWATER, Okla. – Two men’s freestyle wrestlers, Zane Richards (Illinois RTC/TMWC) at 57 kg and David Carr (Cyclone RTC/TMWC) at 74 kg won True Third National Team Wrestle-offs on Friday at Gallagher-Iba Arena, securing a spot on the 2022-2023 National Team.


These wrestle-offs were held on a later date after the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament (held in Coralville, Iowa) under a specific circumstance. These matches are held in weight classes where a World medalist has previously qualified for Final X, and when the runner-up at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament did not wrestle against the third-place finisher.


Basically, this True Third National Team Wrestle-off match will determined the No. 3 athlete for the 2022-23 National Team at these weight classes, which makes the winner eligible for National Team support, including financial support, training opportunities and competition opportunities.


Richards scored on two exchanges to end the match. He opened with a takedown and two gut wrenches to lead 6-0. He came back with a double leg takedown and another gutwrench to end the match in 2:39.


Camacho was second in the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, while Richards placed third. Camacho is a current student-athlete at NC State.


Carr, who competes for Iowa State, led 3-0 at the break with a takedown and a point on the shot clock. Early in the second period, Carr and Lavallee had an active exchange with both scoring points. After a challenge, it was sorted out with Carr up 10-6. Carr closed it out with a takedown, another takedown and turn to close out the victory.


Lavallee was second in the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, while Carr placed third.


These bouts were held prior to Final X Stillwater, which will determine the U.S. Senior World Team member in 15 weight classes. Session times are 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. All of these bouts will be broadcast live by FloWrestling. https://flosports.link/3kFMn9a


There will be nine more True Third National Team Wrestle-offs held prior to Final X New York at Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 8,

TRUE THIRD NATIONAL TEAM WRESTLE-OFFS

At Stillwater, Okla., Friday, June 3



Men’s freestyle 57 kg –Zane Richards (Illinois RTC/TMWC) tech fall Jakob Camacho (Wolfpack RTC/TMWC), 10-0, 2:39


Men’s freestyle 74 kg –David Carr (Cyclone RTC/TMWC) tech. fall Joey Lavallee (Lehigh Valley WC/TMWC), 16-6, 4:57