COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A trio of Penn wrestlers are competing this weekend at the FILA Junior World Team Trials. This year’s competition for freestyle and Greco-Roman will conclude June 9-10 at East Middle School in Colorado Springs, Colo. The winners in each weight class advance to represent the United States at the FILA Junior World Championships Aug. 29-Sept. 3 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Penn will be represented by Matt Dragon (74 kg), Brett McCurdy (66 kg) and Jack Sullivan (96 kg). Dragon won an EIWA title as a freshman at 149 lbs., compiling a 32-8 overall record. McCurdy put together a 4-2 record for the Quakers at 141 lbs., while Sullivan went 8-11 last year at 197 lbs.
The FILA Junior World Team Trials has provided a stage for future American stars to perform and excel on their way to earning spots on Team USA at the Senior level.
“This is an extremely important event and a big step toward developing our future Olympians,” said Dave Bennett, USA Wrestling’s National Developmental Freestyle Coach. “If you look at those wrestlers who have won at the FILA Junior World level in the past you will find some of our top people on it. Because the Junior World Tournament is in Guatemala this year it is particularly important that we get our best age level wrestlers to compete. We have as close to a home court advantage as we have had since 1998.”
FILA JUNIOR WORLD TEAM TRIALS SCHEDULE
Thursday, June 8
5 p.m. “Medical check and weigh-in (Olympic Training Center wrestling room). Greco-Roman weights: 50 kg/110 lbs., 55 kg/121 lbs., 60 kg/132 lbs., 66 kg/132 lbs. Freestyle weights: 74 kg/163 lbs., 84 kg/185 lbs., 96 kg/211.5 lbs., 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Friday, June 9
9 a.m.-noon “Challenge Tournament. Greco-Roman weights: 50 kg/110 lbs., 55 kg/121 lbs., 60 kg/132 lbs., 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Freestyle weights: 74 kg/163 lbs., 84 kg/185 lbs., 96 kg/211.5 lbs., 120 kg/264.5 lbs. All qualified wrestlers participate with the exception of the highest place finisher from the 2006 FILA Junior National Championship in attendance.
2-4:30 p.m. “Finals. Greco-Roman weights: 50 kg/110 lbs., 55 kg/121 lbs., 60 kg/132 lbs., 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Freestyle weights: 74 kg/163 lbs., 84 kg/185 lbs., 96 kg/211.5 lbs., 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Best-of-3 championship series with the champion of the Challenge Tournament facing the highest place finisher from the 2006 FILA Junior National Championship in attendance.
5 p.m. “Medical check and weigh-in (Olympic Training Center wrestling room). Greco-Roman weights: 74 kg/163 lbs., 84 kg/185 lbs., 96 kg/211.5 lbs., 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Freestyle weights: 50 kg/110 lbs., 55 kg/121 lbs., 60 kg/132 lbs., 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Saturday, June 10
9 a.m.-noon “Challenge Tournament. Greco-Roman weights: 74 kg/163 lbs., 84 kg/185 lbs., 96 kg/211.5 lbs., 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Freestyle weights: 50 kg/110 lbs., 55 kg/121 lbs., 60 kg/132 lbs., 66 kg/145.5 lbs. All qualified wrestlers participate with the exception of the highest place finisher from the 2006 FILA Junior National Championship in attendance.
2-4:30 p.m. “Finals. Greco-Roman weights: 74 kg/163 lbs., 84 kg/185 lbs., 96 kg/211.5 lbs., 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Freestyle weights: 50 kg/110 lbs., 55 kg/121 lbs., 60 kg/132 lbs., 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Best-of-3 championship series with the champion of the Challenge Tournament facing the highest place finisher from the 2006 FILA Junior National Championship in attendance.
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