Cejudo has the golden hold, wins 55kg wrestling title

The 'whiz kid' beats Japan's Tomohiro Matsunaga in final

By the Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) -- Henry Cejudo, the 21-year-old prodigy who had competed in only one world-level senior tournament before Beijing, won the gold medal Tuesday at Olympic freestyle 55-kilogram wrestling.
Cejudo, crying the moment the match ended and wrapping himself in an American flag, defeated Tomohiro Matsunaga of Japan 2-2 on tiebreaker and 3-0 in the best-of-three match. Cejudo was 31st in last year's world championships, his only prior tournament at this level.

Cejudo, the son of undocumented Mexican aliens who bypassed a college career to try to become an Olympian, assures of the United States of winning a freestyle wrestling gold for the ninth consecutive Olympics at which it has competed.
The bronze medalists were last year's world champion, Besik Kudukhov of Russia, and Radoslav Velikov of Bulgaria. Kudukhov was pinned by Matsunaga in the semifinals.

Two years after U.S. coach Kevin Jackson called him the future of wrestling, the future became the present in a dazzling four-match flurry, making Cejudo the youngest American to win an Olympic wrestling gold medal.

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Watch all the final-round matches from Day 11, including Henry Cejudo's golden victory in the 55kg.

None of the other 49 did it the way he did.

"I always knew I was going to be here," Cejudo said, his blackened right eye a contrast to the gold medal he clutched ever-so-tight. "I watched the Olympics as a kid and I knew I'd be here. It was tough. But it's all worth it."

The tears that fell moments after he defeated Matsunaga gave way to a smile as wide as a wrestling mat, as he realized what he had done it. And, too, how he had done it.

American wrestlers are supposed to go to college, then enter the Olympic program when they're experienced and ready; Cejudo did so at age 17 and is the only wrestler to win a national senior championship before leaving high school.

From high school to the big time -- the same path LeBron James and Kobe Bryant took in basketball.

On his day of days, Cejudo all but gave away periods, gambling he'd have enough energy to wear down his opponents in the last two periods, admittedly causing Jackson moments of panic.

"I'm kind of unorthodox," Cejudo said.
The whiz kid won because he was every bit a wizard against wrestlers older and more wizened. His success story is the kind that seems hackneyed and a cliche, at least until it happens with the Olympics as a backdrop.

"This proves that whatever you want to do as an American, you can do it," Cejudo said.
Photos

His parents were undocumented Mexicans who met in Los Angeles. His mother had six kids, four with his father, Jorge, who was in and out of prison until dying of heart problems at age 44 last year. Henry never saw him after age 4.

The family was miserably poor, sometimes moving from apartment to apartment under the cover of night because they lacked rent money. His mom worked several jobs at a time, stealing home for a few hours to make sure her family wasn't in trouble.

Sometimes they stayed with friends, sometimes with relatives, sleeping six or seven to a room in bad neighborhoods, drug deals going on down the street. Always, though, someone was there to offer a helping hand.

Henry and older brother Angel emulated the pro wrestlers they saw on TV and the Mexican boxers they revered, and they entered a youth wrestling program in Phoenix. Angel was the first ace, winning four high school state titles, and Henry did the same.

Neither liked studying, so when Angel was invited to the Olympic training center, Henry tagged along and won his last two state titles while living there. Within a year, younger brother was the rising star.

But winning an Olympics so soon, with so little world-level experience, almost never happens. Cael Sanderson was the only U.S. freestyle gold medalist in Athens, but he had a long and storied amateur career and was a four-time unbeaten NCAA champion.

Cejudo's first match was a tipoff of what was to come as he defeated Velikov 0-1, 3-2, 4-3, his first victory on the world level.

Cejudo then beat Besarion Gochashvili of Georgia 1-3, 3-2, 3-0, using single-leg takedowns to get the deciding points in each of the final two periods. He again lost the first period in the semifinals, but rallied to beat Namig Sevdimov of Azerbaijan 3-5, 3-2, 4-3, on another single-leg takedown.

Matsunaga helped by pinning Kudukhov in a major upset, and the Japanese wrestler appeared to lose his edge against Cejudo and didn't wrestle nearly as well.

Several of Cejudo's brothers and sisters were there to watch it, including Angel, who, Cejudo said, "Made it tough on me, with a few knuckle sandwiches along the way. But he's the reason I'm here. We won this gold together."

Their mom, Nelly Rico, didn't make the long trip but, Henry said, will get the gold medal that he planned to sleep with Tuesday night.

"I'm not letting go of this," he said, holding it up proudly. "It's beautiful."

His story produced the 125th Olympic wrestling medal for the United States and its 50th gold. Only swimming and track and field, with far more events, have produced more American golds.

"I'm proud of my Mexican heritage," Cejudo said. "But I'm an American. It's the best country in the world. They call it the land of opportunity, and it is. Maybe if some other kid watches this, he can do the same."

2008 USA Olympic Wrestling Trials Results

Friday Challenge - Wm FS 48 kg
1st Place - Clarissa Chun of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Mary Kelly of New York AC
3rd Place - Sara Fulp-Allen of New York AC
4th Place - Alyssa Lampe of Sunkist Kids
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Clarissa Chun (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Mary Kelly (New York AC) (Dec 1-1,1-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Sara Fulp-Allen (New York AC) won by decision over Alyssa Lampe (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 4-4,7-0)

Friday Challenge - GR 55 kg
2nd Place - Spenser Mango of Gator WC
2nd Place - Sam Hazwinkel of Gator WC
3rd Place - Lindsey Durlacher of New York AC
4th Place - Jimmy Chase of Pinnacle
1st Place Match
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Lindsey Durlacher (New York AC) won by tech fall over Jimmy Chase (Pinnacle) (TF 7-1,6-0)

Friday Challenge - Wm FS 55 kg
1st Place - Sally Roberts of Gator WC
2nd Place - Tatiana Padilla of Sunkist Kids
3rd Place - Tina George of US Army
4th Place - Sharon Jacobson of Gator WC
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Sally Roberts (Gator WC) won by decision over Tatiana Padilla (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 1-0,4-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Tina George (US Army) won by tech fall over Sharon Jacobson (Gator WC) (TF 6-0,7-1)

Friday Challenge - GR 60 kg
2nd Place - Joe Betterman of New York AC
2nd Place - Glenn Garrison of US Army
3rd Place - Jeremiah Davis of US Army
4th Place - CC Fisher of Unattached
1st Place Match
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Jeremiah Davis (US Army) won by decision over CC Fisher (Unattached) (Dec 6-4,4-0)

Friday Challenge - Wm FS 63 kg
1st Place - Sara McMann of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Alaina Berube of New York AC
3rd Place - Tori Adams of Sunkist Kids
4th Place - Stephanie Shaw of New York AC
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Sara McMann (Sunkist Kids) won by pin over Alaina Berube (New York AC) (Pin 1:35)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Tori Adams (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Stephanie Shaw (New York AC) (Dec 1-0,2-0)

Friday Challenge - Wm FS 72 kg
1st Place - Katie Downing of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Kristie Marano of New York AC
3rd Place - Stephany Lee of Sunkist Kids
4th Place - Megan Goldsmith of UCWC
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Katie Downing (Sunkist Kids) won by pin over Kristie Marano (New York AC) (Pin 1-0,1:35)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Stephany Lee (Sunkist Kids) won by pin over Megan Goldsmith (UCWC) (Pin 1:10)

Friday Championship - GR 60 kg
1st Place - Joe Betterman of New York AC
2nd Place - Glenn Garrison of US Army
Round 1
Round 1 - Joe Betterman (New York AC) won by decision over Glenn Garrison (US Army) (Dec 2-2,4-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Joe Betterman (New York AC) won by decision over Glenn Garrison (US Army) (Dec 5-4,2-1)
Round 3

Friday Championship - Wm 48 kg
1st Place - Clarissa Chun of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Patricia Miranda of Sunkist Kids
Round 1
Round 1 - Clarissa Chun (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Patricia Miranda (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 4-0,0-6,3-1)
Round 2
Round 2 - Clarissa Chun (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Patricia Miranda (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 1-0,3-1)
Round 3

Friday Championship - Wm 55 kg
1st Place - Marcie Van Dusen of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Sally Roberts of Gator WC
Round 1
Round 1 - Marcie Van Dusen (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Sally Roberts (Gator WC) (Dec 1-2,1-0,3-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Marcie Van Dusen (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Sally Roberts (Gator WC) (Dec 0-1,1-0,1-0)
Round 3

Friday Championship - GR 55 kg
1st Place - Spenser Mango of Gator WC
2nd Place - Sam Hazwinkel of Gator WC
Round 1
Round 1 - Spenser Mango (Gator WC) won by decision over Sam Hazwinkel (Gator WC) (Dec 5-0,1-1)
Round 2
Round 2 - Spenser Mango (Gator WC) won by decision over Sam Hazwinkel (Gator WC) (Dec 1-1,3-2)
Round 3

Friday Championship - Wm 63 kg
1st Place - Randi Miller of Gator WC
2nd Place - Sara Mcmann of Sunkist Kids
Round 1
Round 1 - Randi Miller (Gator WC) won by decision over Sara Mcmann (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 1-3,4-0,2-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Randi Miller (Gator WC) won by decision over Sara Mcmann (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 1-0,1-0)
Round 3

Friday Championship - Wm 72 kg
1st Place - Ali Bernard of Gator WC
2nd Place - Katie Downing of Sunkist Kids
Round 1
Round 1 - Ali Bernard (Gator WC) won by decision over Katie Downing (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 2-0,2-2,1-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Ali Bernard (Gator WC) won by decision over Katie Downing (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 3-2,1-4,1-0)
Round 3

Fri - True 3rd`s - Wm - 48 kg
1st Place - Sara Fulp-allen of New York AC
2nd Place - Mary Kelly of New York AC
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Sara Fulp-allen (New York AC) won by decision over Mary Kelly (New York AC) (Dec 1-1,0-2,3-0)

Fri - True 3rd`s - Wm - 55 kg
1st Place - Tatiana Padilla of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Tina George of US Army
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Tatiana Padilla (Sunkist Kids) won by pin over Tina George (US Army) (Pin 0-6,4-0,0:56)

Fri - True 3rd`s - Wm - 63 kg
1st Place - Alaina Berube of New York AC
2nd Place - Tori Adams of Sunkist Kids
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Alaina Berube (New York AC) won by decision over Tori Adams (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 1-0,0-2,2-1)

Fri - True 3rd`s - Wm - 72 kg
1st Place - Kristie Marano of New York AC
2nd Place - Stephany Lee of Sunkist Kids
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Kristie Marano (New York AC) won by pin over Stephany Lee (Sunkist Kids) (Pin 1:25)

Saturday Challenge - GR 66 kg
2nd Place - Jake Deitchler of MN Storm
2nd Place - Faruk Sahin of US Army
3rd Place - Harry Lester of Gator WC
4th Place - Oscar Wood of US Army
1st Place Match
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Harry Lester (Gator WC) won by pin over Oscar Wood (US Army) (Pin 5-4,2-3,0:39)

Saturday Challenge - FS 55 kg
2nd Place - Henry Cejudo of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Stephen Abas of Sunkist Kids
3rd Place - Nick Simmons of Sunkist Kids
4th Place - Matt Azevedo of Sunkist Kids
1st Place Match
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Nick Simmons (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Matt Azevedo (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 1-0,2-0)

Saturday Challenge - GR 74 kg
1st Place - Cheney Haight of New York AC
2nd Place - Keith Sieracki of US Army
3rd Place - Talan Knox of Sunkist Kids
4th Place - Jess Hargrave of US Army
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Cheney Haight (New York AC) won by decision over Keith Sieracki (US Army) (Dec 4-1,3-1)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Talan Knox (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Jess Hargrave (US Army) (Dec 1-1,2-1)

Saturday Challenge - FS 60 kg
2nd Place - Shawn Bunch of Gator WC
2nd Place - Mike Zadick of Gator WC
3rd Place - Nate Gallick of Sunkist Kids
4th Place - Coleman Scott of Gator WC
1st Place Match
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Nate Gallick (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Coleman Scott (Gator WC) (Dec 2-1,6-0)

Saturday Challenge - GR 84 kg
2nd Place - Brad Vering of New York AC
2nd Place - Aaron Sieracki of US Army
3rd Place - Jake Plamann of Gator WC
4th Place - Chas Betts of MN Storm
1st Place Match
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Jake Plamann (Gator WC) won by decision over Chas Betts (MN Storm) (Dec 0-3,2-1,1-1)

Saturday Challenge - FS 66 kg
1st Place - Bill Zadick of Gator WC
2nd Place - Chris Bono of Sunkist Kids
3rd Place - Trent Paulson of Sunkist Kids
4th Place - Jared Frayer of Gator WC
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Bill Zadick (Gator WC) won by decision over Chris Bono (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 0-1,1-1,3-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Trent Paulson (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Jared Frayer (Gator WC) (Dec 2-1,0-8,2-0)

Saturday Championship - FS 60 kg
1st Place - Mike Zadick of Gator WC
2nd Place - Shawn Bunch of Gator WC
Round 1
Round 1 - Mike Zadick (Gator WC) won by decision over Shawn Bunch (Gator WC) (Dec 3-1,1-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Shawn Bunch (Gator WC) won by decision over Mike Zadick (Gator WC) (Dec 3-0,3-0)
Round 3
Round 3 - Mike Zadick (Gator WC) won by decision over Shawn Bunch (Gator WC) (Dec 0-2,3-0,1-0)

Saturday Championship - GR 66 kg
1st Place - Jake Deitchler of MN Storm
2nd Place - Faruk Sahin of US Army
Round 1
Round 1 - Jake Deitchler (MN Storm) won by decision over Faruk Sahin (US Army) (Dec 0-5,7-4,1-1)
Round 2
Round 2 - Jake Deitchler (MN Storm) won by decision over Faruk Sahin (US Army) (Dec 2-3,7-5,3-0)
Round 3

Saturday Championship - FS 55 kg
1st Place - Henry Cejudo of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Stephen Abas of Sunkist Kids
Round 1
Round 1 - Henry Cejudo (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Stephen Abas (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 3-2,4-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Stephen Abas (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Henry Cejudo (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 2-0,6-3)
Round 3
Round 3 - Henry Cejudo (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Stephen Abas (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 0-1,3-0,3-0)

Saturday Championship - GR 74 kg
1st Place - T.C. Dantzler of Gator WC
2nd Place - Cheney Haight of New York AC
Round 1
Round 1 - T.C. Dantzler (Gator WC) won by decision over Cheney Haight (New York AC) (Dec 3-2,0-2,5-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - T.C. Dantzler (Gator WC) won by decision over Cheney Haight (New York AC) (Dec 5-1,1-1,4-1)
Round 3

Saturday Championship - FS 66 kg
1st Place - Doug Schwab of Gator WC
2nd Place - Bill Zadick of Gator WC
Round 1
Round 1 - Doug Schwab (Gator WC) won by decision over Bill Zadick (Gator WC) (Dec 1-0,1-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Doug Schwab (Gator WC) won by decision over Bill Zadick (Gator WC) (Dec 1-0,1-1,2-1)
Round 3

Saturday Championship - GR 84 kg
1st Place - Brad Vering of New York AC
2nd Place - Aaron Sieracki of US Army
Round 1
Round 1 - Brad Vering (New York AC) won by decision over Aaron Sieracki (US Army) (Dec 1-1,7-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Brad Vering (New York AC) won by decision over Aaron Sieracki (US Army) (Dec 6-0,3-0)
Round 3

Sat True 3rd - FS 66 kg
1st Place - Trent Paulson of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Chris Bono of Sunkist Kids
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Trent Paulson (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Chris Bono (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 3-1,3-0)

Sunday Challenge - FS 74 kg
2nd Place - Ben Askren of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Tyrone Lewis of Gator WC
3rd Place - Travis Paulson of Sunkist Kids
4th Place - Ryan Churella of New York AC
1st Place Match
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Travis Paulson (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Ryan Churella (New York AC) (Dec 2-1,4-1)

Sunday Challenge - GR 96 kg
1st Place - Adam Wheeler of Gator WC
2nd Place - RC Johnson of Sunkist Kids
3rd Place - Justin Millard of US Air Force
4th Place - Rob Smith of New York AC
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Adam Wheeler (Gator WC) won by decision over RC Johnson (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 1-1,1-1,1-1)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Justin Millard (US Air Force) won by pin over Rob Smith (New York AC) (Pin 0:16)

Sunday Challenge - FS 84 kg
1st Place - Andy Hrovat of New York AC
2nd Place - Jake Varner of Sunkist Kids
3rd Place - Bryce Hasseman of New York AC
4th Place - Tyrel Todd of New York AC
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Andy Hrovat (New York AC) won by decision over Jake Varner (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 2-0,5-1)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Bryce Hasseman (New York AC) won by decision over Tyrel Todd (New York AC) (Dec 4-0,1-1)

Sunday Challenge - FS 96 kg
1st Place - Damion Hahn of New York AC
2nd Place - Kurt Backes of Sunkist Kids
3rd Place - Sean Stender of Sunkist Kids
4th Place - Nik Fekete of New York AC
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Damion Hahn (New York AC) won by decision over Kurt Backes (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 3-2,5-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Sean Stender (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Nik Fekete (New York AC) (Dec 1-1,2-0,1-0)

Sunday Challenge - GR 120 kg
1st Place - Timothy Taylor of US Army
2nd Place - Russ Davie of New York AC
3rd Place - David Arendt of US Marines
4th Place - Peter Kowalczuk of Sunkist Kids
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Timothy Taylor (US Army) won by decision over Russ Davie (New York AC) (Dec 3-0,0-3,1-1)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - David Arendt (US Marines) won by decision over Peter Kowalczuk (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 2-1,5-0)

Sunday Challenge - FS 120 kg
1st Place - Steve Mocco of New York AC
2nd Place - Scott Steele of Navy Mat Club
3rd Place - Patrick Cummins of New York AC
4th Place - Les Sigman of Sunkist Kids
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Steve Mocco (New York AC) won by decision over Scott Steele (Navy Mat Club) (Dec 2-0,7-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Patrick Cummins (New York AC) won by decision over Les Sigman (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 3-1,0-2,3-0)

Sunday Championship - FS 74 kg
1st Place - Ben Askren of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Tyrone Lewis of Gator WC
Round 1
Round 1 - Ben Askren (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Tyrone Lewis (Gator WC) (Dec 2-0,1-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Ben Askren (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Tyrone Lewis (Gator WC) (Dec 2-6,2-0,1-0)
Round 3

Sunday Championship - GR 96 kg
1st Place - Adam Wheeler of Gator WC
2nd Place - Justin Ruiz of New York AC
Round 1
Round 1 - Adam Wheeler (Gator WC) won by decision over Justin Ruiz (New York AC) (Dec 2-2,1-1,1-1)
Round 2
Round 2 - Justin Ruiz (New York AC) won by decision over Adam Wheeler (Gator WC) (Dec 3-0,4-0)
Round 3
Round 3 - Adam Wheeler (Gator WC) won by decision over Justin Ruiz (New York AC) (Dec 1-2,1-1,2-0)

Sunday Championship - FS 84 kg
1st Place - Andy Hrovat of New York AC
2nd Place - Mo Lawal of Sunkist Kids
Round 1
Round 1 - Mo Lawal (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Andy Hrovat (New York AC) (Dec 3-1,1-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Andy Hrovat (New York AC) won by decision over Mo Lawal (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 0-1,2-0,3-0)
Round 3
Round 3 - Andy Hrovat (New York AC) won by decision over Mo Lawal (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 0-1,1-0,2-2)

Sunday Championship - FS 96 kg
1st Place - Daniel Cormier of Gator WC
2nd Place - Damion Hahn of New York AC
Round 1
Round 1 - Daniel Cormier (Gator WC) won by decision over Damion Hahn (New York AC) (Dec 6-1,6-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Daniel Cormier (Gator WC) won by decision over Damion Hahn (New York AC) (Dec 1-0,1-0)
Round 3

Sunday Championship - GR 120 kg
1st Place - Dremiel Byers of US Army
2nd Place - Timothy Taylor of US Army
Round 1
Round 1 - Dremiel Byers (US Army) won by decision over Timothy Taylor (US Army) (Dec 1-1,4-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Timothy Taylor (US Army) won by decision over Dremiel Byers (US Army) (Dec 2-5,2-1,1-1)
Round 3
Round 3 - Dremiel Byers (US Army) won by decision over Timothy Taylor (US Army) (Dec 4-0,5-0)

Sunday Championship - FS 120 kg
1st Place - Steve Mocco of New York AC
2nd Place - Tommy Rowlands of Sunkist Kids
Round 1
Round 1 - Steve Mocco (New York AC) won by decision over Tommy Rowlands (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 1-0,1-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Tommy Rowlands (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Steve Mocco (New York AC) (Dec 3-0,1-0)
Round 3
Round 3 - Steve Mocco (New York AC) won by decision over Tommy Rowlands (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 1-0,2-0)

Sun - True 3rd`s - FS 96 kg
1st Place - Sean Stender of Sunkist Kids
2nd Place - Kurt Backes of Sunkist Kids
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Sean Stender (Sunkist Kids) won by decision over Kurt Backes (Sunkist Kids) (Dec 0-4,3-0,2-0)

Sun - True 3rd`s - FS 120 kg
1st Place - Scott Steele of Navy Mat Club
2nd Place - Patrick Cummins of New York AC
1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Scott Steele (Navy Mat Club) won by decision over Patrick Cummins (New York AC) (Dec 3-2,2-0)

U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials Results

Freesyle

Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC), dec. Casey Cunningham, Mount Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-1, 4-0.

Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Travis Koppenhafer, Mancos, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 1-1, 2-1.

Keith Gavin, Factoryville, Pa. (New York AC), dec. Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye Wrestling Club), 0-1, 6-0, 3-1.

Consolations

Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Keith Gavin, Factoryville, Pa. (New York AC), 1-0, 5-3.
Today in Sports

Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC), dec. Matt Lackey, Champaign, Ill. (New York AC), 4-0, 7-0.

Keith Gavin, Factoryville, Pa. (New York AC), dec. Casey Cunningham, Mount Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1-2, 2-0.

Matt Lackey, Champaign, Ill. (New York AC), dec. Travis Koppenhafer, Mancos, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 3-4, 2-0, 1-1.

Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC), tech. fall Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye Wrestling Club), 7-0, 0-1, 7-0.

Quarterfinals

Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC), 3-0, 1-1.

Ramico Blackmon, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), dec. Matt Lackey, Champaign, Ill. (New York AC), 1-0, 2-0.

Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), dec. Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 1-5, 1-0, 1-0.

Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), dec. Keith Gavin, Factoryville, Pa. (New York AC), 1-1, 1-0, 1-0.

Semifinals

Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Ramico Blackmon, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-0, 2-1.

Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), dec. Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), 0-2, 3-0, 7-0.

Consolation Semifinals

Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Ramico Blackmon, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-0, 2-0.

Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), dec. Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC), 0-1, 1-0, 2-0.

Championship Series

(Best-of-3)

Match One - Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 2-0, 1-0.

Match Two - Ben Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Tyrone Lewis, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 2-6, 2-0, 1-0.

Askren wins series 2-0 and qualifies for the U.S. Olympic Team.

Third Place

Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Ryan Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), 2-1, 4-1.

185

First Round

Chris Pendleton, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), dec. Lee Fullhart, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 3-0, 4-2.

Tyrel Todd, Ann Arbor, Mich (New York AC), dec. Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC), 4-5, 1-1, 7-0.

Consolation

Tyrel Todd, Ann Arbor, Mich (New York AC), dec. Clint Wattenberg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC), 3-1, 1-1.

BJ Padden, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC), 6-1, 0-1, 9-5.

Tyrel Todd, Ann Arbor, Mich (New York AC), won by forfeit over Lee Fullhart, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC).

Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC), dec. Chris Pendleton, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 6-5, 7-5.

Quarterfinals

Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), tech. fall Chris Pendleton, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 6-0, 6-0.

Joe Williams, Belvidere, Ill. (Sunkist Kids), dec. BJ Padden, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 4-1, 3-1.

Jake Varner, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Clint Wattenberg, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC), 0-1, 4-3, 3-0.

Bryce Hasseman, Bloomsburg, Pa. (New York AC), dec. Tyrel Todd, Ann Arbor, Mich (New York AC), 1-0, 1-0.

Semifinals

Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), dec. Joe Williams, Belvidere, Ill. (Sunkist Kids), 3-0, 3-0.

Jake Varner, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Bryce Hasseman, Bloomsburg, Pa. (New York AC), 1-0, 1-0.

Consolation Semifinals Tyrel Todd, Ann Arbor, Mich (New York AC), won by injury default over Joe Williams, Belvidere, Ill. (Sunkist Kids).

Bryce Hasseman, Bloomsburg, Pa. (New York AC), dec. BJ Padden, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 7-0, 0-3, 1-0.

First Place

Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), dec. Jake Varner, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 2-0, 5-1.

Championship Series

(Best-of-3)

Match One - Mo Lawal, Temecula, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), 3-1, 1-0.

Match Two - Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), dec. Mo Lawal, Temecula, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 2-0, 3-0.

Match Three - Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), dec. Mo Lawal, Temecula, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 1-0, 2-2.

Hrovat wins series 2-1 and qualifies for the U.S. Olympic Team.

Third Place

Bryce Hasseman, Bloomsburg, Pa. (New York AC), dec. Tyrel Todd, Ann Arbor, Mich (New York AC), 4-0, 1-1.

211.5

First Round

Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Kyle Cerminara, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-1, 0-1, 6-0.

Brent Jones, Burke, Va. (Cavalier Wrestling Club), dec. Konrad Duziak, Bayonne, NJ (New York AC), 3-2, 0-3, 3-3.

Consolations

Kyle Cerminara, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), dec. Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 1-0, 7-0.

Nik Fekete, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC), dec. Max Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1-1, 1-1.

Kyle Cerminara, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), tech. fall Brent Jones, Burke, Va. (Cavalier Wrestling Club), 6-0, 6-0.

Nik Fekete, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC), dec. Konrad Duziak, Bayonne, NJ (New York AC), 1-0, 2-0.

Quarterfinals

Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), pin Nik Fekete, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC), 1:23.

Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC), dec. Max Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 5-2.

Kurt Backes, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1-0.

Willie Parks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), dec. Brent Jones, Burke, Va. (Cavalier Wrestling Club), 2-0, 4-0.

Semifinals

Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC), dec. Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 2-1, 3-1.

Kurt Backes, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), pin Willie Parks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), 1:51.

Consolation Semifinals

Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), pin Kyle Cerminara, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1:58.

Nik Fekete, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC), dec. Willie Parks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), 1-1, 1-0.

First Place

Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC), dec. Kurt Backes, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 3-2, 5-0.

Championship Series

(Best-of-3)

Match One - Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), dec. Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC), 6-1, 6-0.

Match Two - Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), dec. Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC), 1-0, 1-0.

Cormier wins series 2-0 and qualifies for the U.S. Olympic Team.

Third Place

Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Nik Fekete, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC), 1-1, 2-0, 1-0.

True Third Place

Sean Stender, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Kurt Backes, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 0-4, 3-0, 2-0.

264.5

Quarterfinals

Les Sigman, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Patrick Cummins, State College, Pa. (New York AC), 1-0, 2-0.

Scott Steele, Baltimore (Navy Mat Club), dec. Tolly Thompson, Waterloo, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 0-2, 1-0.

Tervel Dlagnev, Kearney, Neb. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Zachery Rey, Hopatcong, N.J. (LVAC), 1-0, 2-2.

Consolations

Tolly Thompson, Waterloo, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dec. Zachery Rey, Hopatcong, N.J. (LVAC), 6-0, 4-0.

Semifinals

Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), dec. Les Sigman, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1-0.

Scott Steele, Baltimore (Navy Mat Club), dec. Tervel Dlagnev, Kearney, Neb. (Sunkist Kids), 2-2, 0-3, 1-1.

Consolation Semifinals

Patrick Cummins, State College, Pa. (New York AC), dec. Tervel Dlagnev, Kearney, Neb. (Sunkist Kids), 2-0, 4-0.

Les Sigman, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Tolly Thompson, Waterloo, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 3-1, 2-0.

First Round

Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), dec. Scott Steele, Baltimore (Navy Mat Club), 2-0, 7-0.

Championship Series

(Best-of-3)

Match One - Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), dec. Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1-0.

Match Two - Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), dec. Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3-0, 1-0.

Match Three - Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), dec. Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 2-0.

Mocco wins series 2-1 and qualifies for the U.S. Olympic Team.

Third Place

Patrick Cummins, State College, Pa. (New York AC), dec. Les Sigman, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids), 3-1, 0-2, 3-0.

True Third Place

Scott Steele, Baltimore, Md. (Navy Mat Club), dec. Pat Cummins, State College, Pa. (New York AC), 3-2, 2-0.

___

Greco-Roman

211.5

Quarterfinals

RC Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Daren Burns, Catawba, N.C. (YES Greensboro), 3-2, 2-1.

Justin Millard, Chesapeake Beach, Md. (US Air Force), dec. John Lorenz, Lacrosse, Wis. (Unattached), 1-5, 1-1, 1-1.

Rob Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), dec. Pete Gounaridis, Leominster, Mass. (Sunkist Kids), 8-0, 3-1.

Adam Wheeler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), dec. Deon Hicks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), 4-2, 5-0.

Consolations

John Lorenz, LaCrosse, Wis. (Unattached), dec. Daren Burns, Catawba, N.C. (YES Greensboro), 6-0, 1-1.

Deon Hicks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), dec. Pete Gounaridis, Leominster, Mass. (Sunkist Kids), 3-0, 3-0.

Semifinals

RC Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), dec. Justin Millard, Chesapeake Beach, Md. (US Air Force), 7-3, 1-1.

Adam Wheeler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), dec. Rob Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 0-4, 4-1, 4-0.

Consolation Semifinals

Rob Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), dec. John Lorenz, Lacrosse, Wis. (Unattached), 3-0, 3-0.

Justin Millard, Chesapeake Beach, Md. (US Air Force), dec. Deon Hicks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), 3-0, 1-4, 3-0.

First Place

Adam Wheeler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), dec. RC Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 1-1, 1-1, 1-1.

Championship Series

(Best-of-3)

Match One - Adam Wheeler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), dec. Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 2-2, 1-1, 1-1.

Match Two - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), dec. Adam Wheeler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 3-0, 4-0.

Match Three - Adam Wheeler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), dec. Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-2, 1-1, 2-0.

Wheeler wins series 2-1 and qualifies for the U.S. Olympic Team.

Third Place

Justin Millard, Chesapeake Beach, Md. (US Air Force), pin Rob Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 0:16.

264.5

Quarterfinals

David Arendt, Quantico, N.C. (US Marines), dec. Peter Kowalczuk, Oak Park, Ill. (Sunkist Kids), 3-0, 3-0.

Cole Konrad, Minneapolis (MN Storm), dec. Erik Nye, Sacramento, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 1-1, 1-1, 3-0.

Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), dec. Mark Simmonds, Minneapolis (US Navy), 1-1, 1-1.

Consolations

Mark Simmonds, Minneapolis (US Navy), dec. Erik Nye, Sacramento, Calif. (Sunkist Kids), 1-1, 1-1, 1-1.

Semifinals

Russ Davie, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), pin David Arendt, Quantico, N.C. (US Marines), 1:27.

Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), dec. Cole Konrad, Minneapolis (MN Storm), 1-1, 1-1.

Consolation Semifinals

Peter Kowalczuk, Oak Park, Ill. (Sunkist Kids), pin Cole Konrad, Minneapolis (MN Storm), 1:33.

David Arendt, Quantico, N.C. (US Marines), dec. Mark Simmonds, Minneapolis (US Navy), 5-0, 7-0.

First Place

Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), dec. Russ Davie, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3-0, 0-3, 1-1.

Championship Series

(Best-of-3)

Match One - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), dec. Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), 1-1, 4-0.

Match Two - Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), dec. Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), 2-5, 2-1, 1-1.

Match Three - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), dec. Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (US Army), 4-0, 5-0.

Byers wins series 2-1 and qualifies for the U.S. Olympic Team.

Third Place

David Arendt, Quantico, N.C. (US Marines), dec. Peter Kowalczuk, Oak Park, Ill. (Sunkist Kids), 2-1, 5-0.