Bernard Futrell named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week
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by Richard Immel, USA Wrestling
| B.J. Futrell (TMWC) competing at the 2016 Dave Schultz Memorial International. Photo: Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com. |
Bernard Futrell (Ann Arbor, Mich./Titan Mercury WC/Cliff Keen WC) has been selected as TheMat.com Athlete of the Week on April 5, 2016.
After storming to first place at the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls, Iowa this weekend, Futrell became the last man to qualify for the 65 kg/143 lbs. bracket at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials to be held next week in Iowa City, Iowa.
Futrell won five matches at the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier in a deep 65 kg weigh class to claim top prize. Entering the finals, he posted four wins, two coming by technical fall, one by fall in :10 and an 8-0 decision in the semifinals. Futrell topped Nazar Kulchytskyy (Titan Mercury WC), 8-2, in the gold medal match.
Futrell had come up one match short of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at his two competitions prior to the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier. He was the silver medalist at the Dave Schultz Memorial International and finished in eighth place at the U.S. Open.
In 2014, Futrell won a silver medal at the University World Championships and bronze medals at the U.S. Open, Alexander Medved International and Dave Schultz Memorial International.
He was a two-time NCAA All-American for the University of Illinois at 133 pounds. Futrell placed sixth at the 2012 NCAA Championships and eighth at the 2011 NCAA Championships.
Each week USA Wrestling will select an Athlete of the Week based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level.
To nominate a wrestler for USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week please send the athlete’s name, wrestling program and weekly and career accomplishments to Richard Immel at rimmel@usawrestling.org.
