Look for New Faces In Las Vegas
Spring has arrived, and the international wrestling season is in full bloom. America’s wrestlers on all age levels are competing in freestyle and Greco-Roman, seeking national titles against the top competitors in the nation
It is the year after an Olympic Games, and the Senior-level scene in the United States is very uncertain. There may be a number of Olympians and top contenders who decide either to retire or sit out for this season. The big question this year will be how the new young challengers fare.
The results from the U.S. Nationals this year will set the ladder for the World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa, June 18-19. The World Championships in all three styles are in Budapest, Hungary this fall. Let’s take a quick look at the field expected at all three national tournaments in Vegas.
Men’s Freestyle
• At 121 pounds, Olympic silver medalist Stephen Abas is continuing for another four years, but is expected to move up to 132 pounds. That means 2000 Olympic silver medalist and 1998 world champion Sammie Henson becomes the favorite. Many of the contenders from the 2004 Olympic Trials have not yet competed this year. Matt Azevedo has competed well in tournaments this winter. Nick Simmons comes out of the college ranks seeking success. Veterans Mike Mena and Jeremy Hunter add depth here. Young athletes Luke Eustice and Jason Powell are showing promise.
•
With 132-pound Olympian Eric Guerrero likely in retirement, Olympic teammate Stephen Abas takes on the favorite role by moving up in weight. Mike Zadick made a big jump up to No. 2 last year, and has been getting important foreign competition. Danny Felix has been close to the top in past years, and seeks to move into the No. 1 spot. Collegian Nate Gallick has done well in freestyle events. Michael Lightner, Zach Robertson and Josh Moore are among the wrestlers who have looked good during winter events. There could be some veterans returning who will also make an impact this year.• With Olympic medalist Jamill Kelly on the sidelines, Olympic Trials runner-up Jared Lawrence is the top dog of a very competitive pack of wrestling stars at 145.5 pounds. Lawrence is winning matches at the highest level this year. Two-time world team member Chris Bono seeks to return to the top. Eric Larkin, who has tremendous freestyle skills, seeks to take over this division. Athletes such as Doug Schwab, Jared Frayer, Jesse Jantzen, Bill Zadick, Scott Moore and Cliff Moore are expected in the field, making some early-round matches very competitive.
• Olympian Joe Williams returns, and has been very strong competing under the new rules, winning four international gold medals this winter. He plans to stay at this division until he achieves a World gold medal. Joe Heskett has been No. 2 behind Williams and is looking to beat him this year. Kirk White and Donny Pritzlaff, both experienced in freestyle, believe they can make the national finals in this division. Carl Fronhofer, Tyrone Lewis and Luke Becker are some of the new stars in the division.
• With Olympic champion Cael Sanderson not returning to compete this year, Olympic Trials runner-up Lee Fullhart seeks to take over the 185-pound division. He proved he could win matches against Sanderson, adding to his confidence. Muhammed Lawal was third in the Olympic Trials and has considerable talent. College stars Greg Jones and Ben Askren add flavor to the field. Others such as Aaron Simpson, Clint Wattenberg, Andy Hrovat, Tyler Nixt and Greg Parker make this a deep field at the national level.
• Olympian Daniel Cormier returns, seeking his first world-level medal after being fourth at the Athens Games at 211.5 pounds. Many of the veterans in the division are expected to have retired. Tommy Rowlands has emerged as a top challenger this season, with a number of international medals. Some of the athletes who may do well this season include Dawid Rechul, Nik Fekete, Nick Preston, Damion Hahn and Wes Hand. This weight has many tough athletes.
• The dominant heavyweight for five years has been two-time Olympian Kerry McCoy, who has reportedly retired. Tolly Thompson is the top-ranked wrestler returning, and seeks his first U.S. world team berth. Dan Hodge Trophy winner Steve Mocco has the ability to win this division. Kellen Fluckiger, Mike Faust, Michael Irving and Billy Blunt seek to move up. Veterans Angelo Borzio and Brian Keck still command respect.
Men’s Greco-Roman
• With Olympic Trials finalists and past Olympic medalists Dennis Hall and Brandon Paulson not expected to compete, the 121-pound division opens up for a new star. Collegian Sam Hazewinkel is the top returnee in the rankings, but veteran Lindsey Durlacher seeks to take over the division. Joe Betterman, Luke Smith, Duane Martin and Neal Rodak are among the top contenders.
• Two-time Olympian Jim Gruenwald returns at 132 pounds, and may face Olympic Trials opponent Joe Warren, who has continued to improve. James Shillow and Jacob Hey are among the veterans in a weight class full of young talent still seeking recognition.
• Oscar Wood, who made the Olympics at 145.5 pounds in 2004, seeks to defend his turf in a competitive division. Veterans Marcel Cooper and Glenn Garrison have the experience to challenge here. Young Harry Lester is the rising star in the division, and athletes such as Mike Ellsworth and Brandon McNab seek to capture the title this year.
• The 163-pound division had three competitive stars in recent seasons, all who continue to compete: Keith Sieracki, Darryl Christian and T.C. Dantzler. Many expect a battle between them to determine the spot. Steven Woods has made the U.S. Nationals finals twice. Zac Dominguez, Jess Hargrave, Josh Henson and Jacob Volkmann should be challengers.
• Olympian Brad Vering has been the top athlete at 185 pounds for three years, and continues to excel at the international level. His top challenger the last two years, Jacob Clark, also returns for another battle. Veterans Quincey Clark, Ethan Bosch, Ken Cook and Aaron Sieracki are contenders. There could be some young athletes making an impact here.
• With two-time Olympian Garrett Lowney potentially in retirement, Justin Ruiz takes on the favorite role at 211.5 pounds. Adam Wheeler has been very competitive this season, along with Philip Johnston, R.C. Johnson and Al Sankey. Collegian J.D. Bergman should challenge.
• World champion Dremiel Byers (2002) is the overwhelming favorite, now that Rulon Gardner has retired. Many of the top challengers may have retired. Russ Davie has emerged as a strong contender this year. Cole Konrad could shine if he chooses Greco-Roman after the college season.
Women’s Freestyle
• With Olympic medalist Patricia Miranda in law school, the favorite role at 105.5 pounds is passed to Olympic Trials runner-up Clarissa Chun. Sara Fulp-Allen and Mary Kelly are top returnees who seek to win it all. Katie Kunimoto, Caitlyn Chase, Laura Felix, Liz Short and Sadie Kaneda add talent to the mix. If she drops down, two-time national champion Malinda Ripley could be the top wrestler of them all at this division.
• Past world medalists Stephanie Murata and Jenny Wong look to be the top stars at 112.25 pounds. Ripley has won two U.S. Nationals titles and will be a force no matter what weight she chooses. Debbi Sakai was second at last year’s U.S. Nationals.
• Olympian Tela O’Donnell and two-time world medalist Tina George are expected to continue their rivalry at 121 pounds, unless O’Donnell moves up a division as reported. Marcie Van Dusen has won many international medals. Sharon Jacobsen, Danyelle Hedin, Chelynne Pringle and Othella Lucas add depth here.
• World medalist Sally Roberts is the top star at 130 pounds, but lost a match early in the season to young Brandy Rosenbrock. If O’Donnell moves up, she will contend. Erin Tomeo has made the U.S. Nationals finals twice. Last year’s national champion Na’Tasha Umemoto is expected to move up.
• Olympic medalist Sara McMann has not wrestled this year, creating an opening at 138.75 pounds. Two-time world champion Kristie Marano won the U.S. Nationals here in 2004, but has been hurt and may compete at a higher weight. Alaina Berube made the Olympic Trials finals. Tori Adams, Kaci Lyle, Na’Tasha Umemoto and Stefenie Shaw are expect to challenge.
• The top-ranked wrestler at 147.5 pounds is veteran Katie Downing, a past national champion. If Marano wrestles here, she immediately becomes the favorite. National champion Ali Bernard returns, but might move up a class. Collegians Heather Martin and Kelly Branham are also talented.
• Olympian Toccara Montgomery has been injured and may not compete in Las Vegas at 158 pounds. Stephany Lee has also been injured this year. Samantha Lang has past success but is having challenges making the weight. Bernard would be tough if she moves up. This division is the biggest question mark in women’s wrestling this year.
We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas to enjoy our best international wrestlers.
(Gary Abbott is the Director of Special Projects for USA Wrestling. He has worked with USA Wrestling since 1988 directing the organization’s communications activities. Among Abbott’s special project assignments are Title 9 and women’s wrestling development. He was named W.I.N.’s Journalist of the Year in 2002.) n