AMES — Northern Iowa assistant coach Tolly Thompson earned a spot on his first United States World freestyle team Sunday at the U.S. World trials at Hilton Coliseum.
Thompson of Janesville beat NCAA champion Steve Mocco of Oklahoma State at heavyweight to earn the right to represent the U.S. at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Sept. 26-Oct. 2.
Thompson beat Mocco in a best of three competition, winning two matches to none.
Under new freestyle rules, each period of a match is scored separately and a wrestler must win two of the three periods to get the victory.
After beating Mocco 2-0, 1-0 in the first match, Thompson had to win the final two periods of the second match after losing the opening period 3-0.
Thompson pushed Mocco out of bounds to win the second period 1-0, then got a takedown late in the third period for the victory.
“It was a tough match, “said Thompson. “He wanted to win that one. I had to overcome some odds to win that dang match. He’s a great competitior and a great athlete.”
Thompson won the U.S. Nationals title in Las Vegas this spring by pinning Mocco in the finals. The win came ten years after Thompson claimed an NCAA championship at Nebraska and seven years after winning his first U.S. Open. The 264.5-pounder finished second at the 2004 Olympic Trials and at the 2003 U.S. Open and World Team Trials. He has spent six years on Team U.S.A.
Also earning a spot on the team was Iowa State assistant coach Chris Bono at 145 1/2 pounds.
Bono beat Minnesota national champion Jared Lawrence two matches to none.
“It doesn’t get any better than this one, “said Bono. “I’ve put a lot of work into this and to do it here, it’s just amazing.”
This is the third time Bono’s qualified for the national team, but first sicne 2002.
Other champions Sunday were Sammie Henson at 121, Michael Lightner at 132, Joe Williams at 163, Mo Lawal at 185 and Daniel Cormier at 211 1/2.
Making the Greco-Roman team were Lindsey Durlacher (121), Joe Warren (132), Harry Lester (145 1/2), TC Dantzler (163), Brad Vering (185), Justin Ruiz (221 1/2) and Dremiel Byers (264.5).
In the women’s freestyle competition, Jenny Wong (15 1/2), Stephanie Murata (112), Marci Van Dusen (121), Sally Roberts (130), Katie Downing (147 1/2) and Iris Smith (158 1/2) all were crowned national champions.
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