ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Looking for a way to remain active during the summer months, Lehigh junior Trevor Chinn took to the beach. Saturday, Chinn captured the 165 national title at the second annual U.S. Beach Wrestling National Championships, winning all three of his matches on Sunday Beach. Chinn, wrestling for Team Titan, came from behind to defeat Kevin Sackett 2-1 in the championship finals.
Beach wrestling was named an international style of wrestling by FILA in 2005. Athletes wrestle on a sand surface inside a circle marked in the sand. Matches last three minutes and can be won by fall or by being the first to accumulate two points.
Chinn earned a 2-0 decision over John Bonaldi in an earlier bout, and also won by fall Tom Cuppernell. With the victory, Chinn earned to right to compete in the Beach World Team Trials on Sunday, but chose not to enter. The second Beach World Championships will be held in Turkey in September.
A NCAA qualifier in 2006, Chinn was the Mountain Hawks- starter at 149 before suffering a season-ending elbow injury against Brown. He returned to competition in April, placing eighth at 70 kg at the University Nationals in Akron, Ohio. Chinn finished the 2006-07 season with a 12-10 record, and carries a 32-25 career mark into the 2007-08 season.
Wrestling Gear
