Kids Nationals begin with Greco-Roman competition in Green Bay, Wis.
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
06/29/2005
The 2005 USA Wrestling Kids National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships have a new began at the Brown County Arena in Green Bay, Wis. with the first session of the Greco-Roman competition on Weds., June 27. 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). A total of 441 athletes entered the competition, representing 35 states. The first session included as many as three rounds in some of the weight divisions. 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. A total of 28 athletes who were 2005 USA Wrestling Folkstyle National champions entered the tournament, and were eligible to continue on the quest for the coveted Triple Crown. They included: Midget Noah Teaney (MO) Cullen Hood (KS) Mitch Sliga (IN) Sam Stoll (MN) Wesley Bernard (IN) Novice Brian Marquez (TX) Mark Grey (NJ) Shane Thomas (OK) Eric DeVos (MN) Joshua Villani (WA) Taylor Massa (MI) Jason Luster (GA) Michael Pelfrey (MI) Justin Birschbach (WI) Donny Longendyke (MN) Schoolboy Rossi Bruno (WI) Sharky Slyter (KS) Chris Villalonga (NJ) Riley Ewalt (MI) Derek Olson (WI) Taylor March (IN) Brandon Rolnick (NJ) Kalvin York (WI) Ben Best (WI) Brendan Eichmann (MN) Dillon Kern (MI) Joe Arthur (IN) Max Pelfrey (MI) Last year, there were a record 12 Triple Crown winners. How many of these 28 potential winners will be able to win all three national titles this year? Greco-Roman competition completes on Thursday. Freestyle will be held on Friday and Saturday.