The popular Junior National Dual Meet Championships will be held June 30 – July 4 at the Freede Wellness Center on the campus of Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, Okla.

State-level teams will compete in dual meet action in both Olympic styles of the sport, freestyle and Greco-Roman. Juniors are athletes who are in grades 9-12.

The Greco-Roman competition will be held Monday June 30, Tuesday July 1 and Wednesday, July 2.

In Greco-Roman, Illinois claimed the team title last year, beating Minnesota in the championship finals, 38-23.

The freestyle competition will be held Wednesday July 2, Thursday July 3 and Friday July 4.

Illinois is also the defending champion in freestyle, earning a rare double team victory at the 2007 National Junior Duals. Illinois defeated Missouri, 37-25, in the championship dual meet in freestyle last year.

In addition to the team standings, an All-Tournament team will be announced for each of the styles. Coverage of the finals will be provided by TheMat.com

Results from the Junior National Duals can be located at TrackWrestling.com
www.TrackWrestling.com

84 lbs.
Nick Roberts of Pennsylvania A went 10-0

91 lbs.
Josh Walker of Oklahoma 1 went 10-0
Cory Clark of Iowa went 8-0
Zack Abkemeier of Oklahoma 2 went 6-0

98 lbs.
Davey Dolan of Oklahoma 1 went 10-0
Conner Mullins of Indiana went 9-0

105 lbs.
Cody Brewer of Missouri 1 went 10-0
Eddie Klimara of Illinois went 10-0

112 lbs.
Chase Ferman of Oklahoma 1 went 10-0
Devin Carter of Virginia went 7-0

119 lbs.
Jesse Thielke of Wisconsin went 10-0
Zachary Waldrop of Texas went 7-0
Evan Silver of Maryland went 6-0

125 lbs.
Aaron Runzo of Virginia went 7-0
Drew Lexvold of Minnesota 1 went 7-0
Evan Silver of Maryland went 6-0

130 lbs.
Jordan Wohlfert of Michigan went 7-0
Aaron Runzo of Virginia went 7-0

135 lbs.
Justin DeAngelis of Oklahoma 1 went 10-0

140 lbs.
Pat Greco of Illinois went 6-0

145 lbs.
Anthony Baldosaro of New Jersey went 9-0

152 lbs.
Mark Havers of Pennsylvania A went 10-0

160 lbs.
Ronnie Balfour of Oklahoma 1 went 10-0

171 lbs.
Roland Dunlap of Wisconsin went 10-0
Ronnie Balfour of Oklahoma 1 went 10-0
Levi Clemons of Florida went 8-0

189 lbs.
Andrew Campolattana of New Jersey went 9-0
Scott Schiller of North Dakota went 7-0
Max Adair of Oklahoma 1 went 6-0
Matt Lowe of New York went 6-0

215 lbs.
Cody Krumwiede of Iowa went 10-0
Hayden Bock of Missouri 1 went 10-0
Andrew Campolattana of New Jersey went 9-0
Payton DeCoteau of North Dakota went 7-0
Cody Davis of Texas went 7-0
Max Adair of Oklahoma 1 went 6-0

285 lbs.
Austin Blythe of Iowa went 7-0
Karl Green of Maryland went 7-0
Mike Shoff of Nebraska went 6-0

84 Results
Nick Roberts of Pennsylvania Black went 9-0
Zach Howell of Delaware went 6-0

91 Results
Zach Abkemeier of Oklahoma went 6-0
Kaleb Lemaire of Delaware went 6-0

98 Results
Conner Mullins of Indiana went 10-0
Mark Grey of New Jersey went 9-0

105 Results
Cody Brewer of Missouri went 9-0
Nick Babcock of Colorado went 7-0

112 Results
Rossi Bruno of Florida went 9-0
Sean Dolan of Delaware went 6-0

119 Results
Jesse Thielke of Wisconsin went 9-0
Shane Thomas of Oklahoma went 6-0

125 Results
Ryne Cokeley of Kansas went 8-0
Travis Himmelman of Colorado went 7-0

130 Results
Vincente Gallegos of Colorado went 7-0
Destin McCauley of Minnesota 1 went 7-0
Dylan Ness of Minnesota 1 went 6-0

140 Results
Drake Houdushelt of Missouri went 8-0
Cooper Moore of Minnesota 2 went 8-0

145 Results
Dylan Reel of Illinois went 9-0
Chase Nelson of Kansas went 8-0

152 Results

John Guzzo 150.4 of New Jersey went 7-0
Eric Hensel of Minnesota 1 went 6-0

160 Results
Jahwon Akui of Illinois went 9-0
John Michael Staudenmayer of Pennsylvania Black went 7-0

171 Results
Levi Clemons of Florida went 9-0
Joe Raygor of Wisconsin went 7-0
Ben Bowar of Minnesota 1 went 6-0

189 Results
Andrew Campolattana of New Jersey went 6-0
Mike MeGrath of New York went 6-0
Ben Brooks of Illinois went 6-0

215 Results
Zane Petersen of Minnesota 1 went 7-0
Michael Sojka of Illinois went 7-0
Andrew Campolattana of New Jersey went 6-0

285 Results
Karl Green of Maryland went 6-0
Austin Blythe of Iowa went 6-0
Mike Shoff of Nebraska went 6-0
Parker Betts of Minnesota 1 went 6-0

Wisconsin and Minnesota waged a historic battle for the Greco-Roman Championship in the 2008 Cadet National Duals.

Team Wisconsin would lay a solid foundation, winning the first six matches. Team Minnesota would roar back … winning the final two bouts by pin … and knotting the score at 36-36.

The criteria win goes to Wisconsin on the strength of that foundation; they won 9 matches to Minnesota’s 8.

Wisconsin dominated the early action, after the opening six bouts, the score was 22-3. An early highlight was a nice win by Wisconsin’s Alex Dieringer, in which he threw, Minnesota’s Cole Jensen, for five.

That was followed by Jesse Thielke, the ace from Wisconsin, with a 5-pointer of his own.

(Thielke did not lose a match in Greco-Roman but had to withstand quite a challenge from Kansan, Daniel DeShazer, Thielke won, 3-3, 0-6, 2-0 against DeShazer)

Minnesota began their comeback with wins from their studs. Destin McCauley defeated A.J. Zemke and then Dylan Ness beat Zak Benitz. Ness was as impressive as his credentials suggest. Ness put on quite a display in par terre for the past two days.

Minnesota had the Team B Squad cheering and raising the roof. After those opening six loses, Minnesota won the next six. Wisconsin would return to the winning ways with wins by Devin Peterson and Joe Raygor. It really looked bleak for Minnesota after Vaughn Grube extended the Wisconsin lead to 36-26.

Minnesota would make the happenings in Kansas City pretty exciting. Zane Peterson only needed about 30 seconds to record his fall.

Minnesota felt they only had one chance … and that was in the capable hands of Parker Betts as he would battle Wisconsin’s Curt Fuller in the final match.

Betts won the first frame, 3-0. Late in the next frame, the pinning predictament was not working, so Betts lost the period to Fuller, 1-2. Betts needed the pin. In the final period, he gained a pushout in the first minute. It was pure drama as Betts turned Fuller and then arched back for the press and the fall.

As you might anticipate … the crowd was absolutely electric! After two hours of wrestling in which 17 bouts were contested, we didn’t have a clear winner.

The consultation around the scores table proved that Team Wisconsin was the winner of the 2008 Cadet National Greco Dual Meet Championships!! WOW!!!

Championship Results
1st Place – Wisconsin
2nd Place – Minnesota 1
3rd Place – Pennsylvania Black
4th Place – Missouri
5th Place – New York
6th Place – Iowa
7th Place – Kansas
8th Place – Indiana

1st Place Match – Wisconsin defeated Minnesota 1 32-31.

3rd Place Match – Pennsylvania Black defeated Missouri 34-32.

5th Place Match – New York defeated Iowa 46-32.

7th Place Match – Kansas defeated Indiana 44-33.

Consolation Results
1st Place – Illinois
2nd Place – New Jersey

Click here for Cadet National Duals All-Tournament Team

For complete results, visit TrackWrestling.com
www.trackwrestling.com

OREM, Utah – The 2008 USA Wrestling Kids National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships will be held at the McKay Events Center on July 2-5 in Orem, Utah.

The nation’s best 9-14 year old wrestlers will be battling for national titles and All-American honors in three age-divisions: Midget (9-10), Novice (11-12) and Schoolboy/girl (13-14).

Competition moves to Utah after having been held four straight years in Wisconsin, three in Green Bay and one in Menomonie.

This is the final event in the coveted USA Wrestling Kids Triple Crown. Each year, USA Wrestling honors athletes who are able to win national titles at their age-level in all three styles: folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle.

The registration deadline for the Kids Freestyle and Greco-Roman Nationals is Monday, June 30. All registrations sent in by mail must be received by that date. Those who wish to register online must do so by Monday, June 30 at 5:00 p.m. CST. Late or on-site entries will not be accepted.

Click here to register online

Click here to download event flier

Weigh-ins for the Greco-Roman competition will be July 2 with the competition set for July 3. Freestyle weigh-ins are July 3 with the wrestling taking place on July 4-5.

The first leg of the Triple Crown was the USA Wrestling Kids Folkstyle Nationals, held April 4-6 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Winners in that event who later participated in USA Wrestling’s Kids Regionals are eligible to pursue the Triple Crown this year in Green Bay.

2008 NCAA Division I champions Brent Metcalf and Angel Escobedo are former USA Wrestling Kids Triple Crown winners.

10 wrestlers captured USA Wrestling Triple Crowns in 2007.

There were four wrestlers in the Midget division (ages 9-10) to capture the Triple Crown: Mark Hall II of Michigan (87), Lance Benick of Minnesota (95), Zach Wolf of Wisconsin (120+), and Jacob Marnin of Iowa (120++).

The four Triple Crown winners in the Novice age group (ages 11-12) included Adam Drain of Iowa (100), Michael Johnson Jr. of Illinois (112), Mitch Sliga of Indiana (130), and Nick Cobb of Texas (140).

There were two Schoolboy wrestlers (ages 13-14) to capture the Triple Crown this year: Devin Peterson of Wisconsin (145) and Zack Rutt of Minnesota (185).

Sliga has the chance to to repeat as a Triple Crown champion after winning a Kids Folkstyle National title earlier this year in the Schoolboy division.

USA Wrestling’s Triple Crown program was created in 1997, and the total number of Triple Crown winners has reached the century mark.

2008 KIDS FOLKSTYLE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (eligible for Triple Crown)

MIDGET
50 – Gunner Charbonneau of Minnesota
55 – Zackary Donathan of Ohio
60 – Anthony Artalona of Florida
65 – A.J. Jaffe of Illinois
70 – Logan Moriarity of Missouri
75 – Kaleb Romero of Ohio
80 – Riley Jaramillo of Oregon
87 – Randy Meneweather of Illinois
95 – Keegan Moore of Minnesota
103 – Christian Rains of Oregon
112 – Jamiir Moore of Iowa
120 – Bennett Gunderson of Wisconsin
120+ – Donovan Perkins of Lousiana
120++ – Joey Spivak of Illinois

NOVICE
60 – Ty Pelot of Wisconsin
65 – Dante` Rodriguez of Nebraska
70 – Jon Marmolejo of Illinois
75 – Matthew Kolodzik of Ohio
80 – James Rothwell of Colorado
85 – Bo Nickal of New Mexico
90 – Joey Nelson of Wisconsin
95 – Dustin Williams of Kansas
100 – Michael Pixley of Illinois
105 – Connor Doak of Illinois
112 – Zachary Mulrooney of Wisconsin
120 – Nicholas Osowski of Wisconsin
130 – Robert Steveson II of Indiana
140 – Cody Linssen of Minnesota.
140+ – Logan Maurer of Wisconsin
140++ – Hunter Hauser of Wisconsin
140+++ – Jordan Geese of Illinois

SCHOOLBOY
70 – Martin Rodriguez of Michigan
77 – Sam Brancale of Minnesota
84 – Jered Cortez of Ohio
91 – Bryce Brill of Illinois
98 – Mitch Bengtson of Minnesota
105 – Andrew Schulte of California
112 – Blake Kastl of California
120 – Brandon Kingsley of Minnesota
128 – Eric Hoffman of Maryland
136 – Tanner Tinsley of Virginia
144 – Ryan Cone of Wisconsin
152 – Mitch Sliga of Indiana
160 – Joe Scanlan of Iowa
175 – Patrick Eldred of Michigan
190 – Zac Schleuger of Iowa
210 – Eric Mason of Kansas
235 – Caleb Green of Arkansas

2007 KIDS NATIONAL FREESTYLE AND GRECO-ROMAN CHAMPIONS

Midget Freestyle Champions
50 – Ozzy Lugo (Florida)
55 – Gregory Shack III (Alaska)
60 – Brock Benitz (Wisconsin)
65 – Ty Lucas (Florida)
70 – Nick Reenan (Texas)
75 – Dominic Sutermeister (Michigan)
80 – Zachary Volk (Washington)
87 – Mark Hall II (Michigan)
95 – Lance Benick (Minnesota)
103 – John Norton (Michigan)
112 – Joe Marcano (Florida)
120 – Alec Sampson (North Dakota)
120+ – Zach Wolf (Wisconsin)
120++ – Jake Marnin (Iowa)

Novice Freestyle Champions
60 – Jabari Moody (Illinois)
65 – Grant Boggs (Montana)
70 – Noah Teaney (Missouri)
75 – Nicholas Anderson (New Jersey)
80 – Zac Hall (Michigan)
85 – Bryce Brill (Illinois)
90 – Dylan Milonas (New Jersey)
95 – Austin Worachek (Wisconsin)
100 – Adam Drain (Iowa)
105 – Keaton Subjeck (California)
112 – Dominic Flock (Wisconsin)
120 – Michael Johnson, Jr. (Illinois)
130 – Mitch Sliga (Indiana)
140 – Sam Stoll (Minnesota)
140+ – Nick Cobb (Texas)

Schoolboy Freestyle Champions
70 – Sam Brancale (Minnesota)
75 – Corey Keener (Pennsylvania)
80 – Tyler Fraley (New Jersey)
85 – Earl Hall (Florida)
90 – Eddie Klimara (Illinois)
95 – Zachary Horan (Pennsylvania)
100 – Jarod Donar (Wisconsin)
105 – Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana)
110 – Ben Morgan (Minnesota)
115 – Jared Kust (Wisconsin)
120 – Tyrell Galloway (Nebraska)
125 – John Sims (Indiana)
130 – Zak Benitz (Wisconsin)
145 – Devin Peterson (Wisconsin)
165 – Mike Ettore (Florida)
185 – Zack Rutt (Minnesota)
205 – Jordan Olgin (California)
225 – Eric Mason (Kansas)
250 – Trystan Palmer (Oregon)

Midget Greco-Roman Champions
50 – Ozzy Lugo (Florida)
55 – Gregory Shack III (Alaska)
60 – Brock Benitz (Wisconsin)
65 – Ty Lucas (Florida)
70 – Brandon Fleischmann (Wisconsin)
75 – Dakota Wall (Idaho)
80 – Zachary Volk (Washington)
87 – Mark Hall II (Michigan)
95 – Lance Benick (Minnesota)
103 – Samuel Colbrany (Oregon)
112 – Austin Reynolds (California)
120 – Alec Sampson (North Dakota)
120+ – Zach Wolf (Wisconsin)
120++ – Jake Marnin (Iowa)

Novice Greco-Roman Champions
60 – Brian Burchett (Washington)
65 – Grant Boggs (Montana)
70 – Dylan Lucas (Florida)
75 – James Flint (Florida)
80 – Zac Hall (Michigan)
85 – Bryce Brill (Illinois)
90 – Ernest Battaglia (Illinios)
95 – Austin Worachek (Wisconsin)
100 – Adam Drain (Iowa)
105 – Keaton Subjeck (California)
112 – Dominic Flock (Wisconsin)
120 – Michael Johnson, Jr. (Illinois)
130 – Mitch Sliga (Indiana)
140 – Sam Stoll (Minnesota)
140+ – Nick Cobb (Texas)

Schoolboy Greco-Roman Champions
70 – Sam Brancale (Minnesota)
75 – Corey Keener (Pennsylvania)
80 – Alfredo Rodriguez (Michigan)
85 – Earl Hall (Florida)
90 – Kevin Norstrem (Florida)
95 – Dakota Trom (Minnesota)
100 – Jarod Donar (Wisconsin)
105 – Dylan Penka (Kansas)
110 – Ben Morgan (Minnesota)
115 – Jared Kust (Wisconsin)
120 – Tyrell Galloway (Nebraska)
125 – Justin Koethe (Iowa)
130 – Zak Benitz (Wisconsin)
145 – Devin Peterson (Wisconsin)
165 – Mike Ettore (Florida)
185 – Zack Rutt (Minnesota)
205 – Jordan Olgin (California)
250 – Trystan Palmer (Oregon)

PAST USA WRESTLING KIDS TRIPLE CROWN WINNERS

1997
Jon Dahl of Minnesota (Midget 100)
Beau DeArmon of Oklahoma (Schoolboy 100)

1998
Riley Jo Lindner of Iowa (Midget 100)
Anthony Morales of Nevada(Midget 120)
Mark Friend of Illinois (Novice 90)
Alex Cornette of Wisconsin (Novice 165+)
C.P. Schlatter of Ohio (Schoolboy 105)
Johnny Galloway of Iowa (Schoolboy 130)
Jeremy Hart of Indiana (Schoolboy 155)
Josh Reindl of Iowa (Schoolboy 175+).

1999
Riley Adamson of New Mexico (Midget 55)
Duane Zlatnik of Kansas (Midget 112).
Victor Weideman of Nebraska (Novice 60)
Angel Escobedo of Indiana (Novice 80)
David Craig of Florida (Novice 90)
Cole Swenson of Minnesota (Novice 105)
Jon Dahl of Minnesota (Novice 120)
Joe Zlatnik of Kansas (Novice 140)
Blake Roemer of Wisconsin (Novice 140++).
Alex Tsirtsis of Indiana (Schoolboy 95)

2000
David Taylor of Wyoming (Midget 60)
Riley Adamson of New Mexico (Midget 65)
Ryan Konrath of Indiana (Midget 87)
Atticus Disney of Kansas (Midget120).
Jonathan Reader of Michigan (Novice 90)
Mike May of Minnesota (Novice 140++)
Lance Palmer of Ohio (Schoolboy 75)
Brent Metcalf of Michigan (Schoolboy 115)
Brandon Mason of Iowa (Schoolboy 130)
Patrick Bond of Virginia (Schoolboy 150)
Kyle Massey of Minnesota (Schoolboy 160+)

2001
R.J. Pena of Oregon (Midget 75)
Jeff Olsen of Georgia (Midget 87)
Riley Adamson of New Mexico (Novice 75)
Eric Starks of Washington (Novice 90)
Elijah Madison of Kansas (Novice 140)
Jake Swensen of Utah (Schoolboy 100)
Daniel LeClere of Iowa (Schoolboy 120)
Angel Escobedo of Indiana (Schoolboy 110)
David Craig of Florida (Schoolboy 130)
Joe Zlatnik of Kansas (Schoolboy 160 ++)

2002
Blake Sorensen of Iowa (Midget 70)
Zachary Skates of Oklahoma (Midget 95)
Riley Adamson of New Mexico (Novice 80)
Atticus Disney of Kansas (Novice 140+)
Collin Dozier of Virginia (Schoolboy 95)
Matt Panasevich of Pennsylvania (Schoolboy 160)

2003
John Sims of Indiana (Midget 87)
Sharky Slyter of Kansas (Novice 65)
Ben Morgan of Oklahoma (Novice 75)
Shane Thomas of Oklahoma (Novice 90)
Jeff Olsen of Georgia (Novice 100)
Mark Myers of Indiana (Novice 105)
Riley Adamson of New Mexico (Schoolboy 85)
Shane Nay of Missouri (Schoolboy 125)
Deron Winn of Missouri (Schoolboy 160)
Matthew Campos of California (Schoolboy 160++++)

2004
Brandon Sorenson of Iowa (Midget 70)
Oliver Pierce of Texas (Midget 80)
Glenn Climmons of Georgia (Midget 103)
Alexander Lennartson of Wisconsin (Midget 120)
Ravaughn Perkins of Nebraska (Novice 75)
Nick Moore of Iowa (Novice 95)
Brett Jaeckel of Tennessee (Novice 140+)
Sharky Slyter of Kansas (Schoolboy 70)
Nick Lester of Missouri (Schoolboy 90)
Riley Adamson of New Mexico (Schoolboy 95)
Joshua Wiseman of Minnesota (Schoolboy 120)
Grant Gambrall of Iowa (Schoolboy 130)

2005
Noah Teaney of Missouri (Midget 60)
Mitch Sliga of Indiana (Midget 87)
Dylan Diebitz of Wisconsin (Midget 95)
Mark Grey of New Jersey (Novice 70)
Eric DeVos of Minnesota (Novice 85)
Taylor Massa of Michigan (Novice 100)
Jason Luster of Georgia (Novice 112)
Donny Longendyke of Minnesota (Novice 140+)
Riley Ewalt of Michigan (Schoolboy 95)

2006
Cole Verner of Woming (Midget 50)
James Rothwell of Colorado (Midget 65)
Bo Nickal of Wyoming (Midget 75)
Joey Mammolenti of Indiana (Midget 87)
Cody Rider of Wisconsin (Midget 112)
Jered Cortez of Colorado (Novice 70)
Oliver Pierce of Texas (Novice 90)
Ryan Cone of Wisconsin (Novice 112)
Glenn Climmons of Georgia (Novice 130)
Joe Scanlan of Iowa (Novice 140+)
Jesse Thielke of Wisconsin (Schoolboy 85)
Dylan Ness of Minnesota (Schoolboy 95)

2007
Mark Hall II of Michigan (Midget 87)
Lance Benick of Minnesota (Midget 95)
Zach Wolf of Wisconsin (Midget 120+)
Jacob Marnin of Iowa (Midget 120++)
Adam Drain of Iowa (Novice 100)
Michael Johnson, Jr. of Illinois (Novice 112)
Mitch Sliga of Indiana (Novice 130)
Nick Cobb of Texas (Novice 140)
Devin Peterson of Wisconsin (Schoolboy 145)
Zack Rutt of Minnesota (Schoolboy 185)

Returning to the All-American rounds from last year are teams from Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin and the host state, Missouri. Joining them are teams from Iowa, Indiana and Kansas.

These teams have guaranteed themselves All-American status. Last year, Team Illinois defeated Team Minnesota, 46-27 to win the duals.

Try this!!

In pool A, Team Iowa was victorious over Team Indiana. In pool B, Team Minnesota bettered Team Kansas. In pool C, it was Pennsylvania Black finishing ahead of Wisconsin. And in pool D, Team Missouri edged by Team New York.

The cammradarie and the spirit in these duals competitions cannot be
overlooked. Often times in theses battles, the war is won by the
enthusiastic team. But also, tradition enters into the equation.
Thus, the favorites would have to be Pennsylvania, Minnesota or home cooking might favor Missouri.

The outcome … will be decided on the mat, after a few hours, after a lot of tense moments, and a touch of hard work!

The Greco-Roman competition will be held on Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27.

The freestyle competition will be held Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29

Results from the Cadet National Duals can be located at TrackWrestling.com
www.trackwrestling.com

2007 World Beach bronze medalists Jeff Funicello (Gilbert, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) and Carlos Dolmo (Bronx, N.Y./Blast Double NY) are among the top stars expected to compete at the U.S. Beach National Championships and World Team Trials, which will be held at Ontario Beach Park in Rochester, N.Y., July 4-6.

Funicello won a bronze medal at the Below 187.75 lbs. division, and Dolmo won a bronze medal at the Above 187.25 lbs. division at the World Beach Wrestling Championships in Antalya, Turkey in 2007. Both have indicated that they will compete in Rochester this year, to earn another chance at the U.S. Beach World Team.

2006 World bronze medalist Ray Downey (East Meadow, N.Y./East Meadow WC) has also indicated he will compete again this year. Downey is two-time Beach Nationals champion who captured the 176-pound national title last year.

Many of the nation’s best Beach wrestlers in a number of age groups are expected to come to Rochester to enjoy the Fourth of July weekend and to compete in one of the newest and most exciting styles of international wrestling.

Beach wrestling rules are simple and focus on the takedown aspect of wrestling. Matches are quick and decisive and reward risk. The first athlete to score two points is declared the winner. Points can be earned by taking an opponent down or by forcing the opponent out of the ring.

On Saturday, July 5, national titles are up for grabs in Beach Wrestling on the Senior, Junior, Cadet, Schoolboy and Veterans age levels at the U.S. Beach National Championships.

Dolmo is also among the returning champions. A total of 23 individual Beach National champions were crowned last year in all age levels. There are no set weight classes at the U.S. Beach Nationals, as weights will be determined after the weigh-ins.

A Beach Belt will be awarded to the club which scores the most points at the 2008 U.S. Beach Nationals in all age groups. Team Titan of New York is the defending Beach Belt champion.

On Sunday, July 6, the results from the U.S. Beach World Team Trials on the Senior level will determine the athletes to represent the USA at the Beach World Championships in Durres, Albania, Sept. 18-20. The top three placewinners in each weight class from the U.S. Beach Nationals at the Senior level will earn a spot in the World Team Trials.

The returning champions from the U.S. Beach World Team Trials are Downey at the Below 187.75 lbs. division, and Rawle Shewprashad (New York, N.Y./Blast Double NY) at the Above 187.25 lbs. division

For the first time, there will be the National High School Beach Duals held on Sunday, July 6. Teams of high school-age wrestlers will battle in dual meets, with the champion team winning a team belt award, and medals awarded to the second and third place teams.

USA Wrestling has sanctioned Beach events since 2005, and held its first U.S. Beach National Championships and World Team Trials in 2006. FILA hosted the first World Championships in 2006 in Antalya, Turkey.

For more information, contact event director Lou Lombardo at 585-313-8503.

U.S. Beach Nationals and World Team Trials event flier

Register online for U.S. Beach Nationals and World Team Trials

High School National Beach Duals event flier

2008 U.S. BEACH NATIONALS AND WORLD TEAM TRIALS
At Rochester, N.Y., July 4-6

Friday, July 4
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Optional Registration and Weigh-ins at Cheeburger Cheeburger Restaurant at 100 North River Street in Rochester

Saturday, July 5
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – U.S. Beach Nationals Registration and Weigh-ins at Ontario Beach Park
11:00 a.m. – conclusion – U.S. Beach National Championships

Sunday, July 6
10:00 a.m. – conclusion – U.S. Beach Senior World Team Trials
10:00 a.m. – conclusion – National High School Beach Duals

2007 U.S. BEACH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Senior men´s champions
150 – Mike Cuppernell (Team Titan)
165 – Trevor Chinn (Team Titan)
176 – Ray Downey (East Meadow WC)
187 – Neil Cook (Team Titan)
210 – Rawle Shewprashad (Blast Double of NY)
255 – Patrick Bennett (Pat Bennett WC)
321 – Carlos Dolmo (Blast Double of NY)
Senior Women´s champions
107 – Anne Dinshah (unattached-PA)
Junior champions
145 – Matt Mariacher (NYSS)
160 – Cory Mahoney (Team Titan)
170 – Dave Rowntree (Westside)
235 – Robert Eskander (Team Titan)
Cadet champions
114 – Lance Zerniak (WCE)
130 – Charles Morone (Apex)
140 – Joe Bonaldi (Team Titan)
160 – Zane Gilfillan (unattached)
190 – Kyle Smith (Brighton)
Schoolboy champions
100 – Nick Cegelski (Team Titan)
150 – Kyle Toney (Mohawk Valley)
Veterans champions
150 – Christopher Nakis (unattached)
175 – Mike Marone (unattached-NY)
207 – Craig Gross (Team Titan)
280 – Michael Van Hoven (Go West WC)

2007 U.S. BEACH WORLD TEAM TRIALS
Championship finals
Below 187.75 lbs. – Ray Downey (East Meadow WC) dec. J.P. Reese (Parkland Destructors), 2-1
Above 187.75 lbs. – Rawle Shewprashad (Blast Double of NY) dec. Seth J. Houston (unattached-OH), 2-0

The Southwest Regional Grappling qualifier set for Las Vegas, Nev. on June 27-28 will now be hosted at Xtreme Couture MMA, which is located at 4055 West Sunset, Las Vegas NV 89118.

The event was previously announced to be held in a different location in Las Vegas.

The event will feature Senior Advanced Division competitors only. Men’s grapplers must place in the Top 4 and Women’s grapplers must place in the Top 3 to qualify for the 2008 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials to be held at Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif. on September 13-14.

USA Wrestling Southwest Regional Grappling Qualifier
Event Date: June 27-28, 2008
Event Location: Xtreme Couture MMA, www.xtremecouture.tv
Event Address: 4055 West Sunset, Las Vegas NV 89118
Event Contact: Scott Bieri, (702) 340-0484, scott@ckjj.com
Cost: Pre-Register (ends 6/25) online for $50 or On-site Late Registration is $75

Age Groups:
Senior Men (Born 1990 and before)
Senior Women (Born 1991 and before)

Weight Classes:
Senior Men’s (Advanced):
136.5 lbs, 154 lbs, 176 lbs, 202.5 lbs, 275 lbs
Senior Women’s (Advanced):
105.5 lbs, 121 lbs, 138.5 lbs, 158.5 lbs

Skill Divisions:
Advanced :
This event will feature the World Team Trails qualifying skill division only.
The Top 4 Male athletes and the Top 3 Female athletes in each weight class will qualify for the 2008 USA Grappling World Team Trials at Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif. on September 13-14.

Event Schedule:
Friday, June 27
Registration and Weigh-ins from 6 PM- 9 PM
To be held at:
OTM Fightshop
3775 Spring Mountain Rd. #301
Las Vegas, NV 90278

Saturday, June 28
Registration and Weigh-ins from 9: 30 AM – 10 AM
Rules Demonstration from 10: 30 AM – 10:45 AM
Competition Begins at 11 AM

World Team Trials Qualifier Information
• All participants must have a USA Wrestling membership. Get one at:
https://webpoint.themat.com/wp/Memberships/Join.asp
• Returning World Team Trials Champions automatically qualify for the 2008 Grappling World Team Trials.
• The Top 4 Senior Men’s (Advanced) Place winners and Top 3 Senior Women’s (Advanced) Place winners qualify for the 2008 Grappling World Team Trials.
• There will no weight allowance; all competitors must make scratch weight.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for the World Team Trials.
• You may compete in as many qualifiers as you choose.
• At the World Team Trials you may compete in a different weight class other than the one in which you qualified.
• You must wear either a long-sleeve, short-sleeve or sleeveless tight fitting lycra rashguard competition top with no holes or abrasive parts. You may wear either tight fitting lycra competition shorts or loose fit board shorts. The board shorts may not extend below the top of the knee or be excessively baggy. Buttons, zippers, external strings, exposed Velcro or other abrasive parts are prohibited.
• All athletes must weigh-in in their competition tops and shorts.
• All athletes must wear the appropriate undergarments while competing.

Four top U.S. wrestlers will compete in Baku, Azerbaijan at the Golden Grand Prix Final, June 27-29.

Representing the U.S. are Greco-Roman wrestlers Joe Betterman of New York AC at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Cheney Haight of New York AC at 74 kg/163 lbs. Michael Martinez of Cowboy WC will compete at 55 kg/121 lbs. in men’s freestyle and Jessica Medina of New York AC is expected to take part at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. on the women’s side.

Greco-Roman competition will take place on June 27, followed by women’s freestyle on June 28 and men’s freestyle on June 29.

Prize money will be awarded to the top placers in each weight class. Champions earn $5,000, silver medalists are awarded $3,000, and third place finishers will receive $2,000.

Betterman was a 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials champion at 60 kg, but the U.S. did not qualify the weight class for the Olympic Games.

Haight just missed making the Olympic Team after losing in the Championship Series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials to T.C. Dantzler of the Gator WC.

Martinez and Medina also competed at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for wrestling. Martinez competes for the University of Wyoming, whiles Medina wrestles for University of the Cumberlands.

The team leader for the U.S. delegation is Paul Kieblesz of New York, N.Y.

Golden Grand Prix Final roster:

Women’s freestyle:
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (New York AC)

Men’s freestyle:
55 kg/121 lbs. – Michael Martinez, Pagosa Springs, Colo. (Cowboy Wrestling Club)

Greco-Roman:
60 kg/132 lbs. – Joe Betterman, Chicago, Ill. (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC)

Fort Hays State University announced on Thursday, June 26, 2008, the hiring of Chas Thompson as Head Wrestling Coach. Thompson becomes the 13th coach in the wrestling program´s history.

Thompson comes to Fort Hays State from Pratt Community College, where he served as head coach for two years from 2006-2008. In his time at PCC, Thompson led the Beavers to 10th and 21st place finishes at the NJCAA National Tournament and coached two NJCAA All-Americans. He also
coached 11 Academic All-Americans. His 2006-07 team was ranked as high as 6th in the nation and his 2007-08 team was ranked as high as 10th in the nation.

Thompson is no stranger to the Fort Hays State program, where he served as an assistant coach for three years prior to becoming the head coach at Pratt Community College. Thompson was a graduate assistant coach for two years at FHSU from 2003-2005. He was a student assistant coach during the 2002-03 season. Thompson had the privilege of helping coach five NCAA Division II All-Americans as an assistant at FHSU.

Outside his collegiate coaching experience, Thompson has also served in several other coaching roles. He was a coach for the Cadet National Team in Fargo, N.D., the past three years and a coach for the Southern Plains Wrestling Team the past four years. Thompson also served as a summer wrestling coach from 1999-2008 in the Freestyle, Folkstyle, and Greco Roman disciplines.

Thompson wrestled for Fort Hays State University from 1999-2002. He was a national qualifier during his junior season (1999-2000) after winning his weight class at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Championships/NCAA Division II West Regional.

Prior to competing at FHSU, Thompson wrestled for two seasons at Labette Community College under his father Jody Thompson. His father is a member of the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, NJCAA Coaches Hall of Fame, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, and National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Thompson earned NJCAA All-American honors as a sophomore and was a two-time national qualifi er for LCC.

A native of Parsons, Kan., Thompson compiled a record of 133-14 in his prep career at Parsons High School. He was named the Kansas Class 4A Wrestler of the Year after winning the state championship as a senior. He was a four-time state placer at PHS.

Thompson earned a bachelor´s degree in Physical Education from Fort Hays State in 2003, and is currently working towards completion of his master´s degree in Sports Administration at FHSU.