U.S. OPEN - GRECO-ROMAN, WOMEN FREESTYLE
11 champs crowned to set stage for Trials
World champions Byers, Chun, Smith were among the champs crowned in Arlington, Texas
By Gary Abbott ARLINGTON, Texas - Senior national champions were crowned in 11 weight classes for the new season at the U.S. Open for Greco-Roman and Women’s Freestyle held at the Arlington Convention Center on December 16-17. Competition was held in the seven Olympic weight classes in Greco-Roman and four Olympic weight classes in women’s freestyle. Based upon a differ- ent qualification system for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, there is no U.S. Open in men’s freestyle this year. The top seven placewinners in each weight class earned a spot in the field at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa, April 21-22. Three past World Champions were able to claim gold medals with impressive performances.
In Greco-Roman, 2002 World champi- on Dremiel Byers of the U.S. Army won his 10th career U.S. Open title, defeating Brandon Rupp of the Sunkist Kids in the finals, 1-0, 1-0 at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. “Slow and steady. It is a stepping stone. I’ve got a lot of work to do to get this weight class qualified. I definitely want to win everything along the way, stay focused, train hard and do what we are doing,” said Byers. In women’s freestyle, 2005 World champion Iris Smith of the U.S. Army was the champion at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. and 2008 World champion Clarissa Chun of the Sunkist Kids came home with the gold at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.
Smith stopped two-time U.S. World 6 USA Wrestler
Two-time World Team member Joe Betterman executes a lift en route to winning a Greco-Roman title at 60 kg/132 lbs. in Arlington, Texas. Adam Fenn photo.
Team member Stephany Lee of the Sunkist Kids, 0-1, 1-0, 1-0. Smith scored a takedown with less than 10 seconds left in the final period for the win. It was her fifth career U.S. Open title, her last coming in 2005.
“I think I wrestled fairly well. I still have a lot of work to do to make sure I get the medal in 2012,” said Smith. “The match was near the end. I could judge the time was running out. There is a point in the match where you have to do something to win it,” said Smith.
Chun defeated two-time Junior World champion Victoria Anthony of the New York AC in the finals. Chun won the first
period on a takedown from the leg clinch, and hit a three-point hip throw for the second period win.
Chun won her fourth U.S. Open title. She was fifth at the 2008 Olympic Games.
“I had a lot to work on since competing at the New York AC Tournament. I feel like I polished some things here. Victoria is tough; she is a quick wrestler. I needed to wrestle my style against her,” said Chun.
In Greco-Roman, two-time World bronze medalist Justin Lester of the U.S. Army edged his teammate Aaron Sieracki
Continued on page 7
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44