Belisle upsets Miranda, men’s Greco-Roman team tears through Spain

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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
06/20/2004


Atlanta, Ga. - Canada won its first two matches in a dual meet against the U.S. women's freestyle Olympic Team at the 2004 Titan Games, Built by Home Depot, but it was not enough as the U.S. pulled away with an 8-6 win at Phillips Arena.    Lyndsay Belisle, a 2003 World Cup gold medalist, upset two-time World silver medalist Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., 4-0. Belisle controlled the entire match, and Miranda was unable to finish her shot attempts in the match.    Pins by Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/New York AC) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. gave the U.S. team the win, however.    Montgomery's pin was over six-time World champion Christine Nordhagen.    McMann pinned 2003 World bronze medalist Viola Yanik midway through the second period. The match was tied 1-1 at the time of the fall.    Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) dropped a 9-4 decision to 2003 World Cup silver medalist Tonya Verbeek at 55 kg/121 lbs.    In Greco-Roman action, the U.S. won six of seven matches en route to a 22-6 win over Spain.    2000 Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner (Cascade, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dominated Jairo Rodriguez 10-0 at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. to finish off the victory for the U.S. Gardner's win was the third technical fall in the dual meet for the U.S.    "I did exactly what I wanted to do, even while nursing my wrist back to health. I set up the way I wanted it to a go," Gardner said after his win.    The U.S. won two matches against 2004 Olympic wrestlers in the dual meet.    At 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Oscar Wood (Fountain, Colo./U.S. Army) continued to dominate, pinning Moises Sanchez midway through the second period. Keith Sieracki (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), fought back from a 3-0 deficit to wear down 2004 Olympian Albert Recuero in a 7-3 win.    Also posting wins for the U.S. Greco-Roman team were Lindsey Durlacher (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Jim Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs.    Vering and Gruenwald both recorded wins by technical superiority.    2000 Olympic bronze medalist Garrett Lowney (Freedom, Wis./Minnesota Storm) did not compete due to damaged cartilage in his ribs.    Also injured an unable to compete is Giorgi Kharebava of the Republic of Georgia, who was competing in both styles at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Kharebava tore his ACL last night.    Republic of Georgia defeated Spain 16-12 in men's freestyle action.    In an exhibition match, Tariel Melelashvili of Georgia pinned Ahmed Weali of Iraq at 74 kg/163 lbs. in Greco-Roman competition.