Chaires named OW at FILA Cadet Nationals for Greco-Roman

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Craig Sesker (USA Wrestling)
04/28/2006


EVANSTON, Ill. - New York's Michael Chaires knows how to put points on the scoreboard.

And put them up in a hurry.

The high-scoring Chaires was named Outstanding Wrestler after downing Idaho's Kirk Smith 5-0, 0-4, 7-0 in the 167.5-pound finals at the FILA Cadet National Greco-Roman competition on Friday night at Northwestern University's Welsh Ryan Arena.

Double Cadet National champion Andrew Long of Creston, Iowa, earned his first FILA Cadet National title by sweeping Florida's Eric Chandler 8-3, 7-1 in the 101.25 pound finals.

Long, who captured his first state high school title a couple months ago, used a nifty early arm throw to gain a quick 3-0 lead. He kept the pressure on as he secured the title. Long placed third in Greco-Roman and fifth in freestyle last year in Evanston. He moved up one class this year after competing at 92.5 pounds in 2005.

Returning placewinner Eric Grajales of Florida struck gold at 110 pounds by winning by injury default over Demetrius Johnson of Tennessee in the finals. Grajales was third in Greco-Roman and fifth in freestyle at 101.25 last year at FILA Cadet Nationals.

Also winning FILA Cadet National titles in Greco-Roman were Missouri's Cody Tyler (92.5 pounds), Washington's Derek Garcia (119) and Michael Mangrum (127.75), Minnesota's Jake Deitchler (138.75), Florida's George Bancroft (152), Illinois' D.J. Bruce (187.25), and Michigan's Marcell Dubose (220.25) and Jarod Tice (275).

Mangrum, a Cadet National champion, won his FILA Cadet National title Friday with a convincing 9-3, 6-2 win over Florida's Kendrick Sanders in the championship match.

Ryan Mango, younger brother of University Nationals Greco-Roman champion Spenser Mango, placed fifth in Greco-Roman at 92.5 pounds. Tyler won the title at 92.5 after dropping the first period 6-0 to Alex Kostenborder of Oregon. Tyler rebounded to win the last two periods by identical 6-0 scores.

The FILA Cadet Nationals for freestyle are set for Saturday and Sunday at Northwestern.