The 2005 U.S. Greco-Roman World Wrestling Team will compete in the respected Pytlasinski Tournament in Raciborz, Poland, August 19-22. This event will serve as a tuneup competition for the team, which will represent the United States at the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 26-Oct. 2. The U.S. athletes will participate in a training camp with the Polish National Team for more than a week prior to the start of the competition in Raciborz. The athletes will be competing in the new rules of international Greco-Roman wrestling, which were clarified in early June. This event gives the U.S. athletes a chance to test their skills in the new rules against top international stars. "Our goals are to experience the new rules in action internationally, and to experiment and refine our skills during the training camp," said National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser. "We will determine our strengths, as well as our needs for improvement, in preparation for the World Championships." 2002 World Champion Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) headlines the U.S. team, which will be a mix of veteran stars and talented newcomers. Byers is considered one of the world's most talented and experienced athletes competing at 120 kg/264.5 pounds. 2004 Olympian Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) will compete at 84 kg/185 lbs., looking to establish himself as a top medal hopeful for this year's World Championships. Vering was fifth in both the 2002 and 2003 World Championships. Past U.S. World Team members T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 163 pounds and Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) provide extensive experience to the U.S. lineup. The U.S. features first-time World Team members in the lightest three weight divisions: Lindsey Durlacher (Colorado Springs Colo./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Joe Warren (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Harry Lester (Akron, Ohio/USOEC/Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Durlacher and Warren received extensive international experience on their way up to the top spot in the United States in their division. Lester is a talented young star, becoming the first USOEC resident athlete from Northern Michigan to win U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials titles. Coaching the U.S. squad at the Pytlasinski Tournament will be USA Wrestling National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 2005 U.S. World Team Coaches Jay Antonelli (Dumfries, Va.), Rich Estrella (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Dale Oliver (Stanley, N.Y.), plus coaches Dan Hicks (Quantico, Va.) and Shon Lewis (Colorado Springs Colo.) A number of other U.S. wrestlers are expected to enter the competition, representing the U.S. Marines Corps team. This event has traditionally been a strong indication of how athletes may perform at the World Championships or Olympic Games. Last year, two U.S. wrestlers won medals at the Pytlasinki Tournament, champion Rulon Gardner at 120 kg/264.5 lbs and runner-up Garrett Lowney at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Pytlasinski Tournament at Raciborz, Poland, August 19-22 U.S. World Team Roster 55 kg/121 lbs. - Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs Colo. (New York AC) 60 kg/132 lbs. - Joe Warren, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Harry Lester, Akron, Ohio (USOEC/Gator WC) 74 kg/163 lbs. - T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) Additional U.S. participants 60 kg/132 lbs. - Jeremy Pederson, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Joseph Zinken, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines) 74 kg/163 lbs. - Jess Hargrave, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines) 74 kg/163 lbs. - Ryan Cunningham, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marines) Coaches: Steve Fraser, Colorado Springs, Colo., Jay Antonelli, Dumfries, Va., Rich Estrella, Colorado Springs, Colo., Dale Oliver, Stanley, N.Y., Dan Hicks, Quantico, Va. and Shon Lewis, Colorado Springs Colo.