U.S. sends strong men's freestyle squad to Intercontinental Cup in Khasajvurt, Russia

2015 World bronze medalist James Green leads the U.S. team into competition at the Intercontinental Cup this weekend in Russia. Photo: Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com.

KHASAJVURT, Russia – Seven of America’s young men’s freestyle standouts are slated to compete at the 2016 Intercontinental Cup in the wrestling hotbed of Dagestan, October 15-16.


2015 World bronze medalist James Green (Lincoln, Neb./Titan Mercury WC) is entered at 70 kg/154 lbs., and headlines the list of U.S. wrestlers making the trip to Russia this week.


Green has compiled four international medals since he broke through for World bronze just over one year ago. He picked up gold at the Freestyle World Cup and Grand Prix of Spain, in addition to a bronze at the Ziolkowski International, at 70 kg this year. Green also won silver at the 2016 Pan American Championships down at 65 kg/143 lbs.


Three-time NCAA champion Alex Dieringer (Stillwater, Okla./Cowboy WC) is set to compete at 74 kg/163 lbs. The Oklahoma State product qualified for his first U.S. Senior National Team by placing third at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in April. He posted a 2-2 record at the Freestyle World Cup in June.


NCAA champions Nico Megaludis (Murraysville, Pa./Nittany Lion WC), Kyven Gadson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids/Cyclone WC) and Nick Gwiazdowski (Raleigh, N.C./New York AC/Wolfpack WC) have also made the trip to Russia.


Megaludis is well-versed on international competition having competed on several past tours. He was a member of the University World Team in 2013 and won a gold medal at the Guelph Open last year. Megaludis is entered at 57 kg/125.5 lbs. this weekend.


Entered at 97 kg/213 lbs., Gadson competed at both the Ziolkowski and Alexander Medved Internationals in 2016, but was unable to reach the medal stand. He did top the standings at the University Nationals back in June, and was third at the 2016 U.S. Senior Nationals.


Since 2015, Gwiazdowski has picked up international gold medals at the Grand Prix of Spain and Bill Farrell International. He earned a bronze at the 2016 Ziolkowski International, his most recent international venture. Gwiazdowski was a two-time NCAA champion for North Carolina State and has finished in fourth place on the U.S. Senior ladder at 125 kg/275.5 lbs. the past four years.


Rounding out the list of U.S. entrants for the Intercontinental Cup are 2016 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion and four-place finisher at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Alan Waters (Columbia, Mo./Missouri Wrestling Foundation) at 57 kg, and 2016 U.S. Senior Nationals third-place finisher Bobby Telford (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC) at 125 kg.


The Intercontinental Cup will award nearly $2,400 in prize money to every champion, $1,600 to all silver medalists and $800 to bronze medalists.


Competition will begin in Khasajvurt on Saturday with the 57 kg, 65 kg, 74 kg and 97 kg brackets being contested. The remaining four weight categories will compete on Sunday.


Information on a live stream has not been provided at this time. Stay tuned to TheMat.com and USA Wrestling social media channels for updates on the Intercontinental Cup.

2016 INTERCONTINENTAL CUP

Oct. 15-16 at Khasajvurt, Russia

Event Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 15

57 kg, 65 kg, 74 kg, 97 kg

Sunday, Oct. 16

61 kg, 70 kg, 86 kg, 125 kg

U.S. men’s freestyle roster

57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Nico Megaludis, Murraysville, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Alan Waters, Columbia, Mo. (Missouri Wrestling Foundation)

70 kg/154 lbs. – James Green, Lincoln, Neb. (Titan Mercury WC)

74 kg/163 lbs. – Alex Dieringer, Stillwater, Okla. (Cowboy WC) NT

97 kg/213 lbs. – Kyven Gadson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)

125 kg/275.5 lbs. – Bobby Telford, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)

125 kg/275.5 lbs. – Nick Gwiazdowski, Raleigh, N.C. (New York AC/Wolfpack WC)

U.S. delegation

Coach – Eric Guerrero, Stillwater, Okla.

Coach – John Stutzman, Buffalo, N.Y.

Referee – Bryan Davis, Lake City, Fla.

Medical – Nate Hayes, Colorado Springs, Colo.