Ellis, Kelly, Beauperthuy among U.S. gold medalists at Pan American Grappling Championships

U.S. medalists at the UWW Pan American Grappling Championships. Photo courtesy of Richard Tado.

NORWALK, Calif. – The 2016 UWW Pan American Grappling Championships concluded on Sunday evening with many familiar U.S. grappling staples earning gold medals.


Five-time Grappling World champion Lisa Ellis added another gold to her leger with a tough finals win over 2016 Grappling World bronze medalist Jessica Philippus. Ellis, also a bronze medalist at this year’s Grappling Worlds, defeated Philippus two matches to none in the best-of-three finals series at 53 kg/116.8 lbs.


Seven-time No-Gi Grappling World medalist Michael Kelly picked up the gold by downing Bobby McIntyre two matches to one at 77 kg/169.75 lbs. McIntyre scored a fall on Kelly in the first bout of the best-of-three finals. Kelly returned to win bouts two and three on points.


Kelly adds Pan Am Grappling gold to his resume that includes two silver and five bronze medals at the Grappling World Championships. He did compete at the 2016 Grappling Worlds this month, but was unable to place.


Fresh off Gi and No-Gi gold medals at the 2016 Veterans Grappling World Championships, Gabe Beauperthuy took top prize in the 100+ kg/Unlimited bracket with a hard fought finals win over Jason Needham, two matches to one.


Jason Cumiford, who won Gi and No-Gi bronze at the 2016 Veterans Grappling Worlds, won two straight bouts in the 71 kg/156.5 lbs. finals over Khaled Soliman to take the title.


2016 Grappling World silver medalist Laree Calihan won gold at 72+ kg/Unlimited. She topped Lily Cowles in the finals series two matches to none.


Other champions on the day include Aaron Johnson at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Eddy Ellis at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Carlos Soto at 92 kg/202.8 lbs.


Due to complications, international nations expected to compete at this event were unable to attend, and only U.S. athletes participated.


For complete results from the 2016 Pan American Grappling Championships visit trackwrestling.com.

2016 UWW PAN AMERICAN GRAPPLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Oct. 23 at Norwalk, Calif.

Men’s Grappling Final Results
66 kg/145.5 lbs.

Gold – Aaron Johnson of USA

Silver – Erik Echiverri of USA


Round 1 - Aaron Johnson (USA) won by fall over Erik Echiverri (USA) (Fall 5:00)

Round 2 - Aaron Johnson (USA) won by fall over Erik Echiverri (USA) (Fall 5:00)

71 kg/156.5 lbs.

Gold – Jason Cumiford of USA

Silver – Khaled Soliman of USA


Round 1 - Jason Cumiford (USA) won by fall over Khaled Soliman (USA) (Fall 5:00)

Round 2 - Jason Cumiford (USA) won by fall over Khaled Soliman (USA) (Fall 2:43)

77 kg/169.75 lbs.

Gold – Michael Kelly of USA

Silver – Bobby McIntyre of USA


Round 1 - Bobby Mcintyre (USA) won by fall over Michael Kelly (USA) (Fall 3:01)

Round 2 - Michael Kelly (USA) won by fall over Bobby McIntyre (USA) (Fall 5:00)

Round 3 - Michael Kelly (USA) won by fall over Bobby McIntyre (USA) (Fall 5:00)

84 kg/185 lbs.

Gold – Eddy Ellis of USA

Silver – Dan Brecht of USA


Round 1 - Eddy Ellis (USA) won by fall over Dan Brecht (USA) (Fall 5:00)

Round 2 - Eddy Ellis (USA) won by fall over Dan Brecht (USA) (Fall 5:00)

92 kg/202.8 lbs.

Gold - Carlos Soto of USA

Silver - Brent Ockerman of USA


Round 1 - Carlos Soto (USA) won by fall over Brent Ockerman (USA) (Fall 5:00)

Round 2 - Carlos Soto (USA) won by fall over Brent Ockerman (USA) (Fall 3:07)

100+ kg/Unlimited

Gold - Gabe Beauperthuy of USA

Silver - Jason Needham of USA


Round 1 - Gabe Beauperthuy (USA) won by fall over Jason Needham (USA) (Fall 5:00)

Round 2 - Jason Needham (USA) won by fall over Gabe Beauperthuy (USA) (Fall 4:32)

Round 3 - Gabe Beauperthuy (USA) won by fall over Jason Needham (USA) (Fall 5:00)

Women’s Grappling Final Results
53 kg/116.8 lbs.

Gold - Lisa Ellis of USA

Silver - Jessica Philippus of USA


Round 1 - Lisa Ellis (USA) won by fall over Jessica Philippus (USA) (Fall 1:18)

Round 2 - Lisa Ellis (USA) won by tech fall over Jessica Philippus (USA) (TF 11-0)

72+ kg/Unlimited

Gold - Laree Calihan of USA

Silver - Lily Cowles of USA


Round 1 - Laree Calihan (USA) won by fall over Lily Cowles (USA) (Fall 1:43)

Round 2 - Laree Calihan (USA) won by tech fall over Lily Cowles (USA) (TF 9-0)