Preview of Episode 7
This Sunday’s episode of Real Pro Wrestling, which will air on PAX TV at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), will feature competition in the 264-pound weight class. Action from the quarterfinal and semifinal matches will be shown, with the finals set to air next Sunday.
The wrestling is expected to be intense in this weight class, as seven of the eight wrestlers have placed at the U.S. Nationals. Interestingly, the only wrestler who hasn’t placed at the U.S. Nationals was a 2000 Olympian from Armenia. In addition, five of the eight competitors in this weight class wrestled in the national finals while in college.
In the first quarterfinal match, top-seeded Tolly Thompson of the California Claw will take on eighth-seeded Khoren Papoyan of the Minnesota Freeze.
Thompson is currently the top freestyle wrestler in the U.S. at this weight class. He claimed his second U.S. Nationals title last weekend by pinning collegiate star Steve Mocco in the finals. The 31-year-old Thompson is a two-time Pan American Championships gold medalist and won the 2000 Takhti Cup in Iran. He is also a former NCAA Champion for the University of Nebraska.
Papoyan, a native of Armenia, is one of only two competitors in Real Pro Wrestling who was born outside the United States. While competing in Armenia, Papoyan won 10 national titles and represented his country at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. While competing in the Untied States, he has earned medals at both the NYAC Christmas Open and the Sunkist Kids International. He also served as a training partner for Olympic Gold Medalist Rulon Gardner and World champion Dremiel Byers leading up to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
What to expect: Thompson, an agile big man, will likely use his athleticism and quickness to his advantage in his match. Look for him to create a lot of motion on his feet and attempt to score early and often with his double leg or high crotch. He is also tough in the par terre position. Papoyan will likely try to slow the pace of the match using his tough pummeling skills — while hoping to keep it close.
The second quarterfinal match will pit fourth-seeded Kevin Hoy of the Chicago Groove against fifth-seeded Kellan Fluckiger of the Texas Shooters.
Hoy, a two-time NCAA All-American while competing for the Air Force Academy, is a bright, young, up and comer in freestyle. He finished fifth at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials, just one year removed from college. Also on his resume is a gold medal at the Armed Forces Championships, as well as a sixth place finish at the Dave Schultz Memorial.
Fluckiger, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 260 pounds, is a physically imposing presence. Like Hoy, the 24-year-old Fluckiger had an impressive showing on the freestyle circuit while just one year removed from his collegiate days. In 2004, he placed sixth at the U.S. Nationals and fifth at the Olympic Team Trials. Fluckiger was recently chosen as one of three wrestlers to participate in the Sunkist Kids National Training Program at West Virginia University.
What to expect: This should be an intriguing match, as these two wrestlers have exchanged victories over the past few years. During their college days, Hoy seemed to have Fluckiger’s number — beating him three times during the 2002-03 season — with two of those wins being by pin. Fluckiger, though, came back to beat Hoy at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials. Expect to see another great match between two young and talented stars.
In the bottom bracket, third-seeded Brian Keck of the Oklahoma Slam will take on sixth-seeded Wes Hand of the Iowa Stalkers.
Keck, a former national team member, is a tough veteran who has excelled in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. In 2003, he won a gold medal at the Pan American Championships in Greco-Roman. He placed third at the U.S. Nationals in both 2002 and 2003. Keck is currently the head assistant coach at Cleveland State University.
Hand, a former two-time NCAA All-American for the University of Iowa, moved up from 211 pounds last year, and continues to progress in freestyle. In 2004, he won the title at the Manitoba Open in Canada and was second at the Sunkist Kids International Open. Hand currently serves as an assistant coach for Virginia Tech University, along with Stalkers teammates Doug Schwab and Lee Fullhart.
What to expect: Keck poses match-up problems for anyone because of his experience in freestyle and Greco-Roman. He has an extremely strong upper body and is tough to score on. Look for Keck to try to score with his high crotch, double leg, or front headlock — as he is very effective with all three techniques. Hand is an athletic heavyweight who will likely try to use his quickness to his advantage in this match. Hand has great leg attacks (high crotches, high single legs, and double legs), but also has the ability to throw. This could be a tight one.
The final quarterfinal match will be a battle between second-seeded Pat Cummins of the Pennsylvania Hammer and seventh-seeded Angelo Borzio of the New York Outrage.
The 24-year-old Cummins is a young, rising star in this weight class. After finishing runner-up at the 2004 NCAA Tournament for Penn State University, he wasted little time making waves on the circuit by placing sixth at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials. Last weekend, Cummins qualified for the 2004 World Team Trials by finishing sixth place at the U.S. Nationals.
Borzio, at age 32, is a tough, seasoned veteran. He has placed at the U.S. Nationals five times, with his highest finish being third in 2001. He has also placed third at both the NYAC Christmas International and the Dave Schultz Memorial. Borzio competed for East Stroudsburg University while in college, and now serves as the head coach for his alma mater.
What to expect: Expect to see Cummins come out aggressively and use his quickness to his advantage. He will most likely try to keep a high pace in this match and attempt to tire the veteran Borzio. If he can do that, he should be in a great position to win this match. Borzio, though, has competed with the best wrestlers in the country for over a decade. He has a variety of leg attacks in his arsenal, which makes him a very tough match-up.
Quarterfinals:
#1 Tolly Thompson (California Claw) vs. #8 Khoren Papoyan (Minnesota Freeze)
#4 Kevin Hoy (Chicago Groove) vs. #5 Kellan Fluckiger (Texas Shooters)
#3 Brian Keck (Oklahoma Slam) vs. #6 Wes Hand (Iowa Shooters)
#2 Pat Cummins (Pennsylvania Hammer) vs. #7 Angelo Borzio (New York Outrage)
Semifinals:
Thompson/ Papoyan winner vs. Hoy/Fluckiger winner
Keck/Hand winner vs. Cummins/Borzio winner
Wrestling Gear
