Sieracki vs. Lindland match for the U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman team set for Monday, August 14 at U.S.

<< Back to Articles
Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
08/11/2000


The wrestling match between Keith Sieracki (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) and Matt Lindland (Lincoln, Neb./Sunkist Kids) for a position on the U.S. Olympic Team for Greco-Roman wrestling has been scheduled.    The match will be held in OTC Gym #9 of Sports Center II on the U.S. Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo., Monday, August 14 at 10:00 a.m.    This match is being held due to the decision by arbitrator Daniel T. Burns on August 9, 2000 to re-wrestle Bout #244, the third and deciding match for the 76 kg/167.5 pound position on the U.S. Olympic Team for Greco-Roman wrestling.    Sieracki defeated Lindland in the championship finals series at 76 kg/167.5 pounds at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling in Dallas, Texas, June 24, 2000, two matches to one.     In Dallas, Lindland protested the third and final match, which was awarded to Sieracki. The Protest Committee for the Olympic Team Trials upheld the decision, giving the victory to Sieracki.    Lindland, pursuant to USA Wrestling rules, appealed the Protest Committee's decision to USA Wrestling's Greco-Roman Sport Committee. That body agreed with the Protest Committee's decision on July 19, 2000, denying Lindland's appeal. Lindland sought arbitration of his claim, and in a July 27, 2000 preliminary hearing, Lindland and USA Wrestling agreed to the arbitration.    Based upon the decision of the arbitrator, the championship series between Lindland and Sieracki stands tied at one match each, with the deciding third bout to be re-wrestled. This is concerning Case Number 30 190 00443 00 in the matter of arbitration between Matt Lindland and USA Wrestling.     Sieracki was a 1996 U.S. Nationals champion, and placed second in the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. He was second in the 1999 and 2000 U.S. Nationals. Sieracki has won three Armed Forces Greco-Roman titles (1993, 1995 and 1999). He has won gold medals at the 1998 Concord Cup and the 1995 Sunkist Kids International Open. Sieracki was the 1995 U.S. Olympic Festival champion. He is originally from Richland Center, Wis.    Lindland placed sixth in the 1998 World Championships, and also competed in the 1997 and 1999 World Championships. He was a 1999 Pan American Games champion. Lindland is a four-time U.S. Nationals champion (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000) and has placed second in the U.S. Nationals twice.  He placed third in the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. He was a 1996 World Cup champion. Lindland competed for the Univ. of Nebraska, and was also a Junior College national champion for Clackamas CC. He is originally from Gladstone, Ore.    The match will be open to the public, and will be free of charge.