With A Number Of Elite Wrestlers Retired or Not Competing, Opportunity For Many New Faces to Emerge
By Andrew Hipps “Staff Writer
Please send comments, questions or replies to: [email protected]
The 2005 Las Vegas/ASICS United States National Wrestling Championships will get underway Friday at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The top seven place winners at this event qualify for the 2005 World Team Trials in Ames, Iowa, June 17-19.
Below is a weight-by-weight breakdown of the freestyle portion of the event. Check back for a preview of the Greco-Roman tournament and more event information tomorrow.
55 kg:
With 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist Stephen Abas expected to move up to 60 kg, and Teague Moore retired from international wrestling, it appears that Sammie Henson of the Sunkist Kids will be the overwhelming favorite to capture the title in this weight class. He finished runner-up at both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Olympic Team Trials last year.
Matt Azevedo of the Sunkist Kids, who finished fourth at the U.S. Nationals last year, has a bright future in the sport, but doesn’t quite have the experience or strength yet to challenge Henson. Luke Eustice of the Hawkeye WC, who was runner-up at the New York Athletic Club International and third at the Dave Schultz Memorial, is a young, rising star. Nick Simmons, who just finished his sophomore season at Michigan State University, placed sixth in the Olympic Team Trials and eighth at the U.S. Nationals last year. T.J. Hill is a former Junior World Champion, but because of his small stature is undersized for this weight class. Jason Powell of the Gator WC is a former NCAA Champion and a talented freestyle wrestler.
Finals Prediction: Sammie Henson over Matt Azevedo
60 kg:
Four-time World Team member and Olympian Eric Guerrero has called it a career and will now begin focusing his attention on coaching at Oklahoma State. His retirement clears the path for another California star, Abas, to take control of this weight class.
Abas, who competes for the Sunkist Kids, will be looking to win his third straight title at the U.S. Nationals. Mike Zadick of the Hawkeye WC placed second (behind Guerrero) at both the U.S. Nationals and Olympic Team Trials, but is recovering from mono and will not be competing this weekend. National team member Danny Felix of the Sunkist Kids is a seasoned veteran at 31-years-old. By winning the 2004 Dave Schultz International, Felix proved that he is a still capable of competing at a very high level. Iowa State star Nate Gallick of the Sunkist Kids has proven that he can compete as evidenced by a fourth place finish at the Olympic Team Trials and a gold medal (and outstanding wrestler award) at the Sunkist International Open. Celso DeAnda of the New York AC is a tough veteran who placed fifth at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials. Zach Roberson of the Sunkist Kids, a former NCAA Champion for Iowa State University, was named the outstanding wrestler at the NYAC Christmas Tournament in December. Another wrestler looking to break through on the senior level is Shawn Bunch of the New York AC, a quick and explosive wrestler who finished runner-up at the NCAA Tournament at 133 pounds.
Finals Prediction: Stephen Abas over Nate Gallick
66 kg:
This might be the deepest weight class in the country, even after the retirement of 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist Jamill Kelly. There are six wrestlers who you could legitimately make a case for winning the tournament.
Jared Lawrence of the Minnesota Storm might be a slight favorite if for no other reason than because his runner-up finish at the Olympic Trials is the highest of any returning wrestler in this weight class. In 2005, Lawrence took home the gold medal at the Dave Schultz Memorial. Chris Bono of the Sunkist Kids might be the oldest of the contenders, but is also the only one who has made two U.S. World Teams. Jesse Jantzen of the New York AC, a 2004 NCAA Champion for Harvard, is steadily improving his freestyle game. He captured a silver medal at the New York AC Christmas International and bronze medal at the Dave Schultz Memorial. Eric Larkin of the Sunkist Kids, who placed third at the Olympic Team Trials, has always been a phenomenal freestyle wrestler, and might be the most complete and well-rounded wrestler in this weight class. Jared Frayer, who placed third at the U.S. Nationals last year, is an explosive wrestler who has beaten some very tough opponents throughout his career including Bono, Larkin, and Cary Kolat. Doug Schwab of the Gator WC lost to Bono in the semifinals of last year’s Olympic Trials, but has since come back to beat him in Real Pro Wrestling. Schwab, a former three-time All-American for the University of Iowa, has a motor that never stops running. Veteran Bill Zadick is a former World Team member who cannot be overlooked.
Finals Prediction: Eric Larkin over Chris Bono
74 kg:
Joe Williams of the Sunkist Kids has long been the dominant force in the U.S. at this weight class. He has won both the U.S. Nationals and the World (or Olympic) Team Trials each of the last four years.
His biggest challenge will likely come from Joe Heskett of the Sunkist Kids, who finished second in both the U.S. Nationals and Olympic Team Trials in 2004. Heskett has continued to make improvements in all facets of his wrestling, so a return trip to the finals could be in the cards. Kirk White, a former NCAA Champion for Boise State, placed seventh at the U.S. Nationals last year. Carl Fronhofer of the Sunkist Kids is a young and talented wrestler who made the transition from Greco to freestyle and could be in the mix. Donny Pritzlaff of the New York AC, a former Junior World Champion, is fresh off winning the gold medal at the Dave Schultz Memorial and is always a threat regardless of the event. Tyrone Lewis of the Gator WC is an explosive wrestler who is on track to become a future star, but still lacks the experience of many of the contenders in this weight class.
Finals Prediction: Joe Williams over Joe Heskett
84 kg:
Now that 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Cael Sanderson has stepped aside, Lee Fullhart of the Gator WC is looking to step out of his shadow. Fullhart is an aggressive, physical wrestler who should continue to progress under the tutelage of former Olympic Champion Tom Brands.
Muhammed Lawal of the Gator WC, at age 24, might be the future of this weight class. He has an unorthodox but effective style, and is extremely quick and very athletic. Lawal has lost the last three times to Fullhart in freestyle, but won their last meeting at the Real Pro Wrestling event. Clint Wattenberg of the New York AC, a former Cornell All-American, has made a smooth transition to freestyle. He placed fourth at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials, and in December claimed the title at the New York AC Christmas Tournament. Aaron Simpson of the Sunkist Kids, a three-time place winner at the U.S. Nationals, has been a solid and steady performer throughout his freestyle career. He is a two-time Sunkist Kids International Open champion, as well as a 1997 Pan-American Championships silver medalist. Andy Hrovat of the New York AC, at age 25, is just beginning to make waves in senior level events. In February, he finished runner-up at the Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament. Last year, Hrovat placed second at the NYAC Christmas International in and was a champion at the President’s Grand Prix of Boutiatyr in Ulan-Ude, Russia. Tyler Nixt of the Hawkeye WC recently took first-place at University Nationals over Ben Askren, who placed sixth at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials.
Finals Prediction: Lee Fullhart over Muhammed Lawal
96 kg:
2004 Olympian Daniel Cormier of the Gator WC has been the man to beat in this weight class for the past two years. Although he has yet to claim a World or Olympic medal, he appears to be on the cusp of a break through year. Cormier possesses a rare combination of strength, quickness, and superb technical skills.
Tommy Rowlands of the Sunkist Kids, who placed fourth in both the U.S. Nationals and the Olympic Team Trials last year, has a very bright future ahead of him. In 2004, Rowland claimed titles at the Sunkist Kids International and the New York AC Christmas Open. Like Cormier, the 23-year-old Rowlands is an agile big man who is extremely comfortable both on his feet and in the par terre position. Nick Fekete of the New York AC has been impressive lately, earning a bronze medal in four major international events, the Medved International, Dave Schultz Memorial, NYAC Christmas International, and the Sunkist International Open. Zach Thompson of the Sunkist Kids, a former Junior World silver medalist, is a powerful wrestler who is tough to score on, which makes him tough to beat under the new rules. Nick Preston of the Sunkist Kids, who placed fourth in the 2004 U.S. Nationals, is making steady improvement and could figure into the mix. Matt Greenberg of the New York AC placed fourth at both the Sunkist International Open and NYAC Christmas International, as well as fifth at the Dave Schultz Memorial.
Finals Prediction: Daniel Cormier over Tommy Rowlands
120 kg:
With two-time Olympian and World silver medalist Kerry McCoy no longer in the picture, this weight class will crown a new U.S. Nationals champion for the first time in five years. While many people believe that 23-year-old Steve Mocco of the Gator WC will be the next great U.S. heavyweight, veteran Tolly Thompson of the Sunkist Kids enters this event as the top seed. Thompson defeated Mocco in the finals of the mini-tournament at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials.
The 31-year-old Thompson is a seasoned veteran who has been overshadowed by McCoy for almost his entire career. Mocco, who transferred from Iowa to Oklahoma State last summer, claimed his second NCAA title a month ago, while picking up the Dan Hodge Trophy, an annual award given to the nation’s top collegiate wrestler. Mocco is an extremely driven wrestler who has set lofty goals for himself in the sport. Mike Faust of the Sunkist Kids won a gold medal at the 2004 Sunkist International Open, and at age 23, he should continue to be a threat for years to come. Michael Irving, a four-time NAIA All-American and national champion from Cumberland College, won a silver medal at the Sunkist International Open. Two other wrestlers who figure to be in the mix are Pat Cummins of the New York AC and Cain Velasquez of the Sunkist Kids.
Finals Prediction: Tolly Thompson over Steve Mocco
Wrestling Gear
