Submitted by: E.Goldman/Boxing & Wrestling Editor
A combination of world medalists of the past and newcomers to the highest level of international wrestling made it to the U.S. National Team Sunday as victors in the finals of the U.S. World Team Trials, held in Ames, Iowa.
Here are the full results of the finals, taken from the USOC Press Box page, by Gary Abbott of USA Wrestling:
U.S. World Teams determined at World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa, June 19; Only two series extended to full three matches, with Durlacher and Lester winning deciding bouts
by Gary Abbott – USA Wrestling
The U.S. team for the 2005 World Wrestling Championships was determined during the Championship Series at the World Team Trials, held at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, June 19.
Each of the team members had to win a best-of-three series to earn a spot on the team. Competition was in the three international styles of the sport, men’s freestyle, men’s Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle wrestling.
All but two of the Championship Series were completed in two straight matches. The only two series to be extended to three bouts occurred in men’s Greco-Roman wrestling. In both of those series, the athlete who lost the first match came back with two wins in a row to win the series, two matches to one.
Winning third and deciding matches to claim their Greco-Roman Championship Series were Lindsey Durlacher (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Harry Lester (Akron, Ohio/USOEC/Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Durlacher lost 3-1, 3-1 in his first match to 2005 U.S. Nationals champion Sam Hazewinkel (Pensacola, Fla./Gator WC), but came back with a 3-0, 6-0 win in the second bout. In the deciding third match, Durlacher scored a convincing 5-1, 3-0 win to make his first World Team.
Lester, the 2005 U.S. Nationals champion, lost the opening match to Glenn Garrison (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) , 5-3, 5-1, but won the second match, 2-0, 1-2, 3-1. In the deciding third match, Lester scored a 2-1, 2-0 victory to make his first World Team.
Two past World champions made another World Team, Sammie Henson (St. Louis, Mo./Sunkist Kids) in men’s freestyle and Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in men’s Greco-Roman.
Henson, a 1998 World champion, defeated Eric Akin (Gardner, Kan./Cyclone WC), 1-0, 6-0 in the first match and 4-0, 4-0 in the second match. Henson was also an Olympic silver medalist in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Byers, a 2002 World champion, stopped Russ Davie (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 5-0, 2-0 in bout one, and 5-0, 3-0 in bout two. This will be Byers third U.S. World Team.
Along with Henson, there was another Olympic silver medalist to make the World Team, Sara McMann (Iowa City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. in women’s wrestling. McMann won a silver at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and is competing in her first event since Athens. McMann has competed on four previous U.S. World Teams. McMann defeated Alaina Berube (Escanaba, Mich./New York AC), 6-0, 2-2, 4-3 in bout one and 2-1, 2-4, 4-2 in bout two. McMann was also a 2003 World silver medalist.
Along with McMann, three other members of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team earned spots on this year’s U.S. World Team: Joe Williams (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) and Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) in men’s freestyle, and Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) in men’s Greco-Roman.
Williams earned the spot at 74 kg/163 lbs., defeating Kirk White (Tacoma, Wash./Bronco WC), 2-0, 1-0 in bout one and 1-0, 4-0 in bout two. Williams placed fifth in the 2004 Olympics. He made his fifth U.S. World Team, including a bronze-medal performance at the 2001 World Championships.
Cormier was the champion at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., defeating Nick Preston (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids), 6-0, 4-0 in bout one and 2-0, 6-0 in bout two. Cormier was fourth at the 2004 Olympic Games. He also placed fifth at the 2003 World Championships.
Vering was the Greco-Roman champion at 84 kg/185 lbs., stopping Jake Clark (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Marine Corps), 1-1, 2-0, 2-1 in the opening bout, and 3-0, 1-1 in the second match. Vering competed in the 2004 Olympics but did not place. He was fifth at the 2002 and 2003 World Championships, his two previous World Team appearances.
The team will have a number of experienced athletes who have been to previous World Championships.
Four other women wrestlers on the 2005 U.S. World Team have previous World Championships experience: Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Wong, Murata and Roberts are past World medalists.
Wong made her second World Team, with a 0-1, 1-0, 0-1 win in bout one, and a 1-0, 0-2, 3-0 win in bout two over 2005 U.S. Nationals champion Sara Fulp-Allen (El Granada, Calif./Menlo College. Wong dropped down from 51 kg/112.25 lbs., where she was a 2003 World bronze medalist.
Murata defeated Mary Kelly (Mahomet, Ill./New York AC) in two straight bouts, 3-0, 3-1 in the first and 1-0, 5-2 in the second. Murata was second in the 2001 World Championships and fourth in two other World meets.
Roberts, a 2003 World bronze medalist, beat 2004 Olympian Tela O’Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in two straight, 5-3, 4-1 in the first match and 0-4, 5-0, 2-0 in the second match. This will be Roberts’ second World Team.
Smith made her third career World Team, with a sweep of Ali Bernard (New Ulm, Minn./Univ. of Regina), 2-0, 2-3, 6-0 in the first bout and 2-0, 3-0 in the second bout.
Other previous U.S. World Team members to earn spots on the U.S. team this year included freestyle wrestler Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., plus Greco-Roman wrestlers T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
It will be the third career World Team for Bono and Dantzler, and the second World team for Ruiz.
Bono defeated Jared Lawrence (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm), 2-0, 0-2, 2-0 in the first match and 3-0, 3-0 in the second match.
Dantzler also won in two straight matches, pinning Darryl Christian (Colorado Springs, Colo. /New York AC), in 1:38 in the first match, then scoring a 4-0, 2-3, 4-3 victory in the second match. Christian has won the last two U.S. Nationals titles.
Ruiz, who competed in the 2003 World Championships, stopped Adam Wheeler (San Diego, Calif./Gator WC), 5-0, 6-0 in the first match and 3-0, 2-0 in the second match.
There will be seven athletes who qualified for their first U.S. World Team with victories in Ames this evening.
The men’s freestyle team has three athletes who will be competing in their first World meet: Michael Lightner (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Mo Lawal (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Tolly Thompson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Lightner stopped local favorite Nate Gallick (Tucson, Ariz./Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1-0 in the first match and 1-0, 1-0 in the second match. Lightner was the 2005 U.S. Nationals champion.
Lawal defeated Lee Fullhart (Blacksburg, Va./Gator WC), 1-1, 1-0, 1-0 in bout one and 3-0, 5-0 in the second match. It was a rematch of the 2005 U.S. Nationals finals, won by Lawal.
Thompson swept Steve Mocco (N. Bergen, N.J./New York AC), in two bouts, 2-0, 1-0 in bout one and 0-3, 1-0, 2-0 in bout two. This was also a rematch of the 2005 nationals finals, won by Thompson.
The only member of the U.S. World team in women’s wrestling who has not competed in a previous World Championships is Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Downing beat two-time World Champion Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), scoring a pin in 30 seconds in the first match, and a 4-0, 1-0 victory in the second match. Marano had beaten Downing many times in the past, including World Team Wrestle-offs in 2002 and 2003.
There are three first-time World Team members in Greco-Roman: Durlacher, Lester and Joe Warren (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. Warren stopped James Johnson (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 1-1, 4-3, 5-1 in bout one and 3-0, 2-1 in bout two.
The U.S. team member in one weight class was not determined, 55 kg/121 lbs. in women’s wrestling. Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) won the World Team Trials event, beating Chelynne Pringle (Hugo, Minn./Minn. Storm), 2-2, 1-0 in bout one and 5-0, 2-0 in bout two.
Van Dusen qualifies to face 2005 national champion Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in a special wrestle-off at a date and site to be determined. George took an extension on her championship series due to injury, something that only national champions may do.
USA WRESTLING WORLD TEAM TRIALS
At Ames, Iowa, June 19, 2005
Best of three Championship Series
Winners qualify to compete for U.S. team at World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 26-Oct. 2
Men’s Freestyle
55 kg/121 lbs
Sammie Henson, St. Louis, Mo. (Sunkist Kids) def. Eric Akin, Gardner, Kan. (Cyclone WC), 1-0, 6-0
Sammie Henson, St. Louis, Mo. (Sunkist Kids) def. Eric Akin, Gardner, Kan. (Cyclone WC), 4-0, 4-0
Henson wins series, two matches to none
60 kg/132 lbs.
Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) def. Nate Gallick, Tucson, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1-0
Michael Lightner, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) def. Nate Gallick, Tucson, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1-0
Lightner wins series, two matches to none
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Chris Bono, Gilbert, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) def. Jared Lawrence, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 2-0, 0-2, 2-0
Chris Bono, Gilbert, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) def. Jared Lawrence, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 3-0, 3-0
Bono wins series, two matches to none
74 kg/163 lbs.
Joe Williams, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) def. Kirk White, Tacoma, Wash. (Bronco WC), 2-0, 1-0
Joe Williams, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) def. Kirk White, Tacoma, Wash. (Bronco WC), 1-0, 4-0
Williams wins series, two matches to none
84 kg/185 lbs.
Mo Lawal, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) def. Lee Fullhart, Blacksburg, Va. (Gator WC), 1-1, 1-0, 1-0
Mo Lawal, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) def. Lee Fullhart, Blacksburg, Va. (Gator WC), 3-0, 5-0
Lawal wins series, two matches to none
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) def. Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), 6-0, 4-0
Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) def. Nick Preston, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), 2-0, 6-0
Cormier wins series, two matches to none
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Tolly Thompson, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) def. Steve Mocco, N. Bergen, N.J. (New York AC), 2-0, 1-0
Tolly Thompson, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) def. Steve Mocco, N. Bergen, N.J. (New York AC), 0-3, 1-0, 2-0
Thompson wins series, two matches to none
Women
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) def. Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College), 0-1, 1-0, 1-0
Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) def. Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College), 1-0, 0-2, 3-0
Wong wins series, two matches to none
51 kg/112.25 lbs.
Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) def. Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (New York AC), 3-0, 3-1
Stephanie Murata, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) def. Mary Kelly, Mahomet, Ill. (New York AC), 1-0, 5-2
Murata wins series, two matches to none
55 kg/121 lbs.
Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) def. Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minn. Storm), 2-2, 1-0
Marcie Van Dusen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) def. Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minn. Storm), 5-0, 2-0
Van Dusen wins series, two matches to none
Note: Winner does not qualify for World Team, must face national champion Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in a special wrestle-off at a date and site to be determined.
59 kg/130 lbs.
Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) def. Tela O’Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 5-3, 4-1
Sally Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) def. Tela O’Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 0-4, 5-0, 2-0
Roberts wins series, two matches to none
63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) def. Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC), 6-0, 2-2, 4-3
Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) def. Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC), 2-1, 2-4, 4-2
McMann wins series, two matches to none
67 kg/147.5 lbs.
Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) pin Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 0:30
Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) def. Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 4-0, 1-0
Downing wins series, two matches to none
72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) def. Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Univ. of Regina), 2-0, 2-3, 6-0
Iris Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) def. Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Univ. of Regina), 2-0, 3-0
Smith wins series, two matches to none
Greco-Roman
55 kg/121 lbs.
Sam Hazewinkel, Pensacola, Fla. (Gator WC) def. Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3-1, 3-1
Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) def. Sam Hazewinkel, Pensacola, Fla. (Gator WC), 3-0, 6-0
Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) def. Sam Hazewinkel, Pensacola, Fla. (Gator WC), 5-1, 3-0
Durlacher wins series, two matches to one
60 kg/132 lbs.
Joe Warren, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) def. James Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 1-1, 4-3, 5-1
Joe Warren, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) def. James Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 3-0, 2-1
Warren wins series, two matches to none
66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Glenn Garrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) def. Harry Lester, Akron, Ohio (USOEC/Gator WC), 5-3, 5-1
Harry Lester, Akron, Ohio (USOEC/Gator WC) def. Glenn Garrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 2-0, 1-2, 3-1
Harry Lester, Akron, Ohio (USOEC/Gator WC) def. Glenn Garrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 2-1, 2-0
Lester wins series, two matches to one
74 kg/163 lbs.
T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) pin Darryl Christian, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1:38
T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. Darryl Christian, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 4-0, 2-3, 4-3
Dantzler wins series, two matches to none
84 kg/185 lbs.
Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) def. Jake Clark, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Marine Corps), 1-1, 2-0, 2-1
Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) def. Jake Clark, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Marine Corps), 3-0, 1-1
Vering wins series, two matches to none
96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) def. Adam Wheeler, San Diego, Calif. (Gator WC), 5-0, 6-0
Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) def. Adam Wheeler, San Diego, Calif. (Gator WC), 3-0, 2-0
Ruiz wins series, two matches to none
120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) def. Russ Davie, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 5-0, 2-0
Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) def. Russ Davie, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 5-0, 3-0
Byers wins series, two matches to none
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