The final three U.S. wrestlers in men's freestyle wrestling competed and were eliminated from medal contention at the World University Championships in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, June 20.

Competing on Tuesday were Nick Simmons (Williamstown, Mich./Michigan WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Trent Paulson (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Cyclone WC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and J.D. Bergman (Columbus, Ohio/Ohio International) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

Simmons opened win a win over  Z. Muhatarbekully of Kazakhstan, 1-4, 1-2, 2-1. He was defeated in the quarterfinals by T. Tsyrendorjiev of Russia, 0-2, 1-6. When Tsyrendorjiev was defeated in the semifinals, Simmons was eliminated and not eligible for the wrestlebacks.

Simmons is a NCAA All-American for Michigan State and was fifth in the 2005 World University Games at 55 kg/121 lbs.

Paulson dropped his opening match to D. Gombodorj of Mongolia, 0-2, 1-2. When Gombodorj failed to qualify for the finals, Paulson was not eligible for wrestlebacks.

Paulson was a 2006 University Nationals champion, and is a NCAA All-American for Iowa State.

Bergman was beating Oyunbileg of China, 5-1 in the first period of the opening match, when Oyunbileg threw Bergman and secured a pin in the closing seconds of the period. 
When Oyunbileg lost in the next round, Bergman was not eligible for the wrestlebacks.

Bergman was a 2006 University Nationals champion, and was a NCAA All-American in 2004 for The Ohio State Univ.

In the two-day freestyle competition, the United States captured a pair of bronze medals from Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./Wildcat WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Cole Konrad (Freedom, Wis./Minnesota Storm) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Herbert was a 2006 University Nationals champion, and was an NCAA runner-up competing for Northwestern. Konrad was a 2006 University Nationals champion, and was a NCAA champion for Minnesota this year.

"I feel we did not wrestle up tp our potential, but the athletes are all young and this international experience will be valuable to them. I beleive they will all continue after college and be successful," said USA Wrestling National Freestyle Developmental Coach Dave Bennett.

More information will be posted when available.

The web page for the World University Championships is:
http://www.mssf.mn/index.aspx

WORLD UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Ulan Bator, Mongolia, June 20

Men's Freestyle Medalists

60 kg/132 lbs. 
Gold - D. Lkhagvordorj (Mongolia)
Silver - Ersin Qetin (Turkey)
Bronze - Vitali Koriakin (Krygyzstan)
Bronze - Lee Jae Ho (Korea)

74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold - Sergelen (China)
Silver - Hadi Habibi (Iran)
Bronze - Luca Lampus (France)
Bronze - D. Gombodorj (Mongolia)

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Gold - G. Shashab (Iran)
Silver - David Zilberman (Canada)
Bronze - B. Sainbayar (Mongolia)
Bronze - Z. Mamutov (Kazakhstan)

U.S. performances

60 kg/132 lbs. - Nick Simmons, Williamstown, Mich. (Michigan WC)
WIN Z. Muhatarbekully (Kazakhstan), 1-4, 1-2, 2-1
LOSS T. Tsyrendorjiev (Russia), 0-2, 1-6

74 kg/163 lbs. - Trent Paulson, Council Bluffs, Iowa (Cyclone WC)
LOSS D. Gombodorj (Mongolia), 0-2, 1-2

96 kg/211.5 lbs. - J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (Ohio International)
LOSS Oyunbileg (China), pin in 1st period