Click here for NYAC v. Russia event flier

Many of the world's most talented Olympic wrestlers will be featured when the famed New York Athletic Club battles Russia in an international dual meet in West Orange, N.J. on Thursday, November 15.

This NYAC vs. Russia showdown will feature a full lineup in both men's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman wrestling. Athletes who have won numerous international medals and national titles will be showcased.

The match will be held at West Orange High School in West Orange, N.J., starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door, $20 for adults and $15 for kids.

The United States and Russia are considered the world's top wrestling nations. The USA won the 2007 World title in Greco-Roman wrestling and was fourth in freestyle. Russia won the 2007 World title in freestyle and was second in Greco-Roman.

A total of $14,000 in prize money will be given to winners, with $1,000 awarded to the winner of each match.

At least five of the seven members of the 2007 World Champion Greco-Roman Team from USA Wrestling will be competing in the dual meet. Included will be 2007 World silver medalist Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and 2007 World bronze medalist Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Also on the U.S. team will be 2005 World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

The freestyle team will feature three of New Jersey's greatest wrestlers ever, all who are currently top Olympic hopefuls: Donny Pritzlaff (Madison, Wis./New York AC) at 74 kg/163 lbs., Damion Hahn (Ithaca, N.Y./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Steve Mocco (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Pritzlaff won three state titles for Lyndhurst High School, before winning two NCAA titles at the Univ. of Wisconsin. He was also a 2006 World bronze medalist.

Hahn was a three-time state champion for Lakewood High School, then won two NCAA titles at the Univ. of Minnesota. Mocco won four Prep School National titles, starring at Blair Academy, then added two NCAA titles, one each for Iowa and Oklahoma State.

One of the superstars from neighboring New York State will also be in the U.S. freestyle lineup, Jesse Jantzen (Cambridge, Mass./New York AC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Jantzen was the first four-time New York State high school champion, competing for Shoreham-Wading River High School on Long Island. He also won a NCAA title for Harvard.

The Russian team will be talented in both styles, with numerous Olympic, World and Junior World champions on the preliminary roster. 

The Russian Greco-Roman team is expected to be led by 2004 Olympic champion and 2006 World champion Khassan Baroev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. The Greco-Roman lineup is loaded with Junior World champions, including Zaur Kuramagomedov at 55 kg/121 lbs., Islambeka Albiev at 60 kg/132 lbs., Ruslan Belkharoev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Soslan Fraev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

The Russian freestyle lineup is headlined by 2005 World champion Alan Dudaev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and 2007 European champion Shirvani Muradov at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Also on the roster is veteran star Ramil Islamov at 60 kg/132 lbs., a two-time World medalist, two-time Olympian and Espoir World champion. Also listed on the team is Junior World champion Kakhaber Khubezhty. 

There may be additional exhibition matches between other athletes from the New York Athletic Club against the guests from Russia.

The athletes in this dual meet are also expected to compete in the annual New York Athletic Club Holiday International Championships, scheduled for November 17-18 in New York City. Outstanding international wrestling action in all three Olympic styles will be showcased at the World famous NYAC facility on Central Park South in mid-town Manhattan.

For additional information, contact Sonny Greenhalgh at 973-256-0670 or Stephan Zichella of West Orange High School at 973-476-8782.

NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB VS. RUSSIA DUAL MEET
At West Orange, N.J.., Thursday, November 15, 7:00 p.m.

New York Athletic Club preliminary lineups

U.S. Greco-Roman athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) or Spencer Mango, Flourissant, Mo. (Gator WC/USOEC)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Joe Betterman, Chicago, Ill. (New York AC/USOEC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Harry Lester, Marquette, Mich. (Gator WC) or Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. -  T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
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)

U.S. Freestyle athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tyler Graff, Loveland, Colo. (New York AC)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Jason Kutz, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jesse Jantzen, Cambridge, Mass. (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Damion Hahn, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs - Steve Mocco, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)

Russia preliminary lineups

Russian Greco-Roman athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Zaur Kuramagomedov
60 kg/132 lbs. - Islambeka Albiev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Ruslan Belkharoev
74 kg/163 lbs. -  Vitaly Roganin
84 kg/185 lbs. - Magomed Magomedov
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - David Kaladze
120 kg/264.5 lbs. -Khassan Baroev, Soslan Fraev

Russian Freestyle athletes
55 kg/121 lbs. - Osip Mikhaylov
60 kg/132 lbs. - Ramil Islamov
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Alan Dudaev
74 kg/163 lbs. -  Kakhaber Khubezhty
84 kg/185 lbs. - Alexander Kusraev
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Shirvani Muradov, Soslan Gagloev
120 kg/264.5 lbs. -  Akhmedov Bakhtyar
Weights not identified: Feliks Tsogoev, Zaur Akoev, Murad Isakov, Atsana Chochiev, Rasul Osmanov, Alan Gelogaev, Alexey Savolkhov, Valerey Chebhoev