Gruenwald named USAToday.com's U.S. Olympic Athlete of the Week

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
10/03/2004


Two-time Olympian Jim Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) was named USA Today.com's U.S. Olympic Athlete of the Week for November 3.    Gruenwald received the honor after capturing the gold medal in men's Greco-Roman at 60 kg/132 lbs. at the Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open in Tempe, Ariz., October 29-30.    Gruenwald became only the second wrestler to win this award since the program was created in late 2003. The other wrestling winner was Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) who received the award on April 13, 2004, after beating Olympic Champion Rulon Gardner at the U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas, Nev.    Gruenwald defeated Willie Madison (Metarie, La./USOEC/Gator) in the championship finals in two straight periods, 7-0 and 5-0.     The tournament was conducted under the new international wrestling rules, where an athlete must win two of three periods. Gruenwald won all four matches in two straight periods. None of his opponents scored a point. In the four matches, Gruenwald outscored the opposition, 54-0.    In the article concerning his honor, USAToday.com noted that "now 34, Gruenwald hasn't stepped off the mat. He was one of a handful of Olympians who competed at the Sunkist Kids/Arizona State University International Open and took a convincing win in the final of the 132-pound weight class."    The article, written by Beau Dure, can be found at:   http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2004-11-02-aow-gruenwald_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA