Geordan Speiller named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week

Geordan Speiller celebrates his finals win at the  Dave Schultz Memorial International. Photo: John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com.

Geordan Speiller (Oviedo, Fla./Florida Jets) has been selected as TheMat.com Athlete of the Week on February 7, 2017.


After a seven-month layoff from competition, Speiller returned to Greco-Roman action last week and earned the 80 kg/176 lbs. gold medal at the 2017 Dave Schultz Memorial International held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.


Speiller won three bouts over quality competition on the day. He opened with a 9-0 technical fall over 2015 U.S. World Team Trials runner-up Courtney Myers. To advance to the gold-medal match, Speiller outlasted 2013 Junior World bronze medalist Shohei Yabiku of Japan, 6-3.


Wrestling opposite Speiller in the 80 kg finals was 2016 Olympian and African champion Mahmoud Sebie of Egypt. Sebie opened up a 3-0 lead in the first period with a takedown and passivity point. Speiller worked a relentless pace in the second frame to take the match on criteria, 3-3. He scored the match-deciding takedown with under 45 seconds remaining in the bout.


This marks Speiller’s first gold medal at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. He was named the outstanding wrestling of the Greco-Roman tournament for his efforts.


2016 was a solid year for Speiller who finished in second place at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at 75 kg/165 lbs. He also earned gold at the Pan American Championships, U.S. Open and University Nationals, on top of a bronze medal win at the Hungarian Grand Prix.


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 this honor please send the athlete’s name, wrestling program and weekly and career accomplishments to Richard Immel at rimmel@usawrestling.org.