LAS VEGAS, NEV. - They train together and coach each other when they compete. On Thursday, Dan Chaid and Jim Phills became Veterans National double champions side-by-side by winning titles at the Veterans Greco-Roman Nationals at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Both compete in Div. C. Chaid captured the 97 kg/214 lbs. title in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, while Phils won the 130 kg/286.5 lbs. titles in both styles.

Dan Chaid is a familiar name within the wrestling community. He was a two-time NCAA champion for the Univ. of Oklahoma, and was a Senior freestyle national champion. Chaid placed second at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials competing for the Dave Schultz WC.

Chaid never seemed to quit wrestling, jumping into coaching and competing on the Veterans circuit. He won a Veterans World title in 2001, and has entered the U.S. Nationals a number of times in recent years.

"I want to thank my training partner Jim Phills. He was a national champion and fifth in the World last year. We train with the Stanford Cardinal club. We don't overtrain. We are real consistent. As Veterans, we try to help each other in the practice room."

Phills, who was an EIWA champion at Harvard and was a runner-up in the Canadian Olympic Trials, had a long time away from wrestling. He retired from the sport after 1984 to pursue his career. It was not until 2007, when Phills entered the U.S. Veterans Nationals, that he returned to the mat as an athlete.

"This is something I really enjoyed a lot. After I quit in 1984, there really wasn't a wrestling program for for me. When I moved to Stanford in 2000, I worked out a few times. When Kerry McCoy became the coach a few years ago, I starting working out with the team and with Dan Chaid," said Phills.

Phills works as a teacher with the Stanford Business School, teaching courses on social entrepreneurship and strategy. Chaid is history teacher at Wilcox High School, and has been a coach for many years. Wrestling is a hobby and a passion for both of them.

Phills and Chaid would like to go to the Veterans World Championships together one year, and try to win World titles together. Last year, Phills went to the Worlds but Chaid was injured a bit and did not attend. This summer, with the Veterans Worlds in September, it will be hard for them to go because of their teaching duties. Chaid will also be in Beijing, China, supporting Team USA at the Olympics in August.

Phills and Chaid were among 14 Veterans Nationals double champions this year. 

For the second year in a row Ben McCrillis of Massachusetts was a double champion at Veterans Nationals.  McCrillis went undefeated in the round robin tournament at 214 lbs. to claim the freestyle title. Two other wrestlers claimed titles in both styles at Division A this year, Jason French of California at 152 and Lee Gilford of Washington at 286.5.

In Division B, Rodney Fisher of West Virginia was the only double champion, competing at 85 kg/187.25 lbs. In Division C, there were three double champions, Chaid, Phills and Rob Porter of Illinois at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.

The Division D double champions were Ray "Mac" Piggott of Hawaii at 58 kg/127.7 lbs., Joseph Colletta of Illinois at 63 kg/138.75 lbs., Michael Paquette of New York at 97 kg/214 lbs. and Michael Cain of Florida at 130 kg/286.5 lbs. The Division E double champions were Kenneth Peters of Illinois at 76 kg/167.5 lbs., William Kalivas of California at 97 kg/214 lbs. and Gerald Ponce of California at 130 kg/286.5 lbs.

The athletes at the Veterans Nationals enjoy the chance to compete against their peers and test themselves in their favorite sport. An example of the passion for wrestling was the Div. B champion at 97 kg/214 lbs., Ramon Diaz of California.

"I was at 240 pounds, fat and out of shape. I hadn't wrestled since 1994, the year I lost to Marty Morgan at the World Team Trials in Greco-Roman. I was done with wrestling, gave up on the sport. I was reading an article in a local paper that they needed a wrestling coach at the school. I wanted to give back to the sport, and do what I can to help," said Diaz.

Diaz was inspired by former Greco-Roman wrestlers Dan Henderson and Randy Couture who had successful careers in Mixed Martial Arts. He decided to get back into wrestling, and started competing in all styles of the sport. He competed at the World Wrestling Games last summer in Antalya, Turkey, winning World medals in Grappling and Sombo and also competing in the Beach Wrestling World event. 

"I want to make the U.S. team in Grappling this year," said Diaz. "They don't know how to throw like I do. I will wrestle any style. When you wrestle Greco-Roman, you can wrestle any style. I came to get more matches, to get experience and to get the butterflies out."

VETERANS FREESTYLE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Las Vegas, Nev., April 24, 2008

Division A - 58 KG - 127.75 lbs Results
1st Place - DJ Rainey of Kansas
2nd Place - Kyle Foulon of Utah
3rd Place - Bobby Lorenz of California
Round Robin Matches
DJ Rainey (Kansas) dec. Bobby Lorenz (California) 5-3, 7-0
DJ Rainey (Kansas) tech. fall Kyle Foulon (Utah) 6-0, 7-0
Kyle Foulon (Utah) inj. dft. Bobby Lorenz (California)

Division A - 63 KG - 138.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Daniel Jacobs of California
2nd Place - Tracy Dent of Arizona
3rd Place - Rusty Marchello of Nevada
Round Robin Matches
Tracy Dent (Arizona) dec. Rusty Marchello (Nevada) 7-2, 4-1
Daniel Jacobs (California) dec. Tracy Dent (Arizona) 3-2, 4-0
Daniel Jacobs (California) dec. Rusty Marchello (Nevada) 3-0, 1-0

Division A - 69 KG - 152 lbs Results
1st Place - Jason French of California
2nd Place - Lance Quick of Idaho

Division A - 76 KG - 167.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Brent Wright of California
2nd Place - Kalhor Fadaiekalhor of California
3rd Place - Thomas Jenkins of Idaho
Round Robin Matches
Kalhor Fadaiekalhor (California) dec. Thomas Jenkins (Idaho) 6-2, 3-0
Brent Wright (California) dec. Thomas Jenkins (Idaho) 3-0, 1-0
Brent Wright (California) dec. Kalhor Fadaiekalhor (California) 2-1, 4-0

Division A - 85 KG - 187.25 lbs Results
1st Place - Todd Prace of Nevada

Division A - 97 KG - 214 lbs Results
1st Place - Ben McCrillis of Massachusetts
2nd Place - Chris Feist of Washington
3rd Place - Jason Blakeman of California
4th Place - Sam Reisman of Fall Guys
Round Robin Matches
Ben McCrillis (Massachusetts) inj. dft. Jason Blakeman (California) 
Ben McCrillis (Massachusetts) dec. Chris Feist (Washington) 3-1, 6-0
Chris Feist (Washington) pin Jason Blakeman (California) 2-5, 7-5, 1:42

Division A - 130 KG - 286.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Lee Gilford of Washington

Division B - 58 KG - 127.75 lbs Results
1st Place - Michael Tuck of Missouri
2nd Place - Joe Dansby of California

Division B - 63 KG - 138.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Shane Rosselle of Colorado
2nd Place - Chad Shilson of Minnesota
3rd Place - Kevin Robinson of Florida
4th Place - Jerry Ingalls of Indiana
Round Robin Matches
Kevin Robinson (Florida) dec. Shane Rosselle (Colorado) 1-1, 0-2, 5-2
Chad Shilson (Minnesota) dec. Kevin Robinson (Florida) 2-0, 1-0
Shane Rosselle (Colorado) dec. Chad Shilson (Minnesota) 3-2, 2-1

Division B - 69 KG - 152 lbs Results
1st Place - Rudy Dizon of California
2nd Place - Tige Thompson of Florida
3rd Place - Richard Weissinger of Arizona
4th Place - Dj Hollingsworth of Nevada
Round Robin Matches
Richard Weissinger (Arizona) dec. Tige Thompson (Florida) 3-2, 4-1
Rudy Dizon (California) inj. dft. Richard Weissinger (Arizona) 
Tige Thompson (Florida) dec. Rudy Dizon (California) 6-1, 3-0

Division B - 76 KG - 167.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Brad Lawler of Indiana
2nd Place - Gustavo Anaya of Washington
4th Place - Woody Ojeda of Texas
4th Place - James Morgan of Missouri
1st Place Match
Brad Lawler (Indiana) over Gustavo Anaya (Washington) Fall 0-4,1:50
3rd Place Match
James Morgan (Missouri) and Woody Ojeda (Texas) were both disqualified.

Division B - 85 KG - 187.25 lbs Results
1st Place - Rodney Fisher of West Virginia
2nd Place - Michael Kelly of Illinois
3rd Place - Eric Cluck of Lee Kemp Cooler W.C.
4th Place - Richard Jensen of Oregon
1st Place Match
Rodney Fisher (West Virginia) over Michael Kelly (Illinois) Fall 3-2,1:25
3rd Place Match
Eric Cluck (Lee Kemp Cooler W.C.) over Richard Jensen (Oregon) Fall 2-4,1:48

Division B - 97 KG - 214 lbs Results
1st Place - Ramon Diaz of California
2nd Place - Antoni Walters of New York
3rd Place - Sean Jackson of Ohio
Round Robin Matches
Ramon Diaz (California) over Sean Jackson (Ohio) Fall 1-1,1:42
Ramon Diaz (California) over Antoni Walters (New York) 1-2,2-0,ID 
Antoni Walters (New York) over Sean Jackson (Ohio) Fall 3-0,0-2,0:19

Division B - 130 KG - 286.5 lbs Results
1st Place - George Porter of California
2nd Place - Tyrone Abercrombie of Arizona
3rd Place - Patrick Hayhurst of California
Round Robin Matches
Tyrone Abercrombie (Arizona) over Patrick Hayhurst (California) Fall 1:05
George Porter (California) over Tyrone Abercrombie (Arizona) Dec 3-0,3-0
George Porter (California) over Patrick Hayhurst (California) Fall 0:14

Division C - 63 KG - 138.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Rob Porter of Illinois
2nd Place - Cliff Johnson of Washington
3rd Place - Frank Gercak of Kentucky
Round Robin Matches
Rob Porter (Illinois) over Cliff Johnson (Washington) Dec 4-0,6-0
Rob Porter (Illinois) over Frank Gercak (Kentucky) TF 7-0,7-0
Cliff Johnson (Washington) over Frank Gercak (Kentucky) Fall 7-0,0:15

Division C - 69 KG - 152 lbs Results
1st Place - Anibal Nieves of Massachusetts
2nd Place - Steve Horton of Texas
3rd Place - John Short of Minnesota
4th Place - David Hines of California
1st Place Match
Anibal Nieves (Massachusetts) over Steve Horton (Texas) Dec 0-1,2-0,2-1
3rd Place Match
John Short (Minnesota) over David Hines (California) TF 6-0,7-0

Division C - 76 KG - 167.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Kevin Pine of Nevada
2nd Place - Jim Gioiosa of Arizona
3rd Place - Michael Robinson of Pennsylvania
4th Place - Mike Sweet of Washington
1st Place Match
Kevin Pine (Nevada) over Jim Gioiosa (Arizona) Dec 2-4,2-0,3-0
3rd Place Match
Michael Robinson (Pennsylvania) over Mike Sweet (Washington) Fall 0-6,1:59

Division C - 85 KG - 187.25 lbs Results
1st Place - Michael Farrell of Minnesota
2nd Place - Anthony Porcelli of Iowa
3rd Place - Brad Swart of Washington
4th Place - Boris Kulich of Illinois
1st Place Match
Michael Farrell (Minnesota) over Anthony Porcelli (Iowa) Dec 7-0,1-0
3rd Place Match
Brad Swart (Washington) over Boris Kulich (Illinois) Fall 2-0,1:11

Division C - 97 KG - 214 lbs Results
1st Place - Dan Chaid of California
2nd Place - Ronald Ayers of Nevada
3rd Place - Teddy Concepciopn of Nevada
4th Place - Darrell Andrews of Idaho
1st Place Match
Dan Chaid (California) over Ronald Ayers (Nevada) Fall 0:48
3rd Place Match
Teddy Concepciopn (Nevada) over Darrell Andrews (Idaho) Fall 0:23

Division C - 130 KG - 286.5 lbs Results
1st Place - James Phills of California
2nd Place - Jim Hall of New York
3rd Place - Timothy Stepleton of Iowa
4th Place - Craig Souza of California
Round Robin Matches
James Phills (California) over Timothy Stepleton (Iowa) FF 
Jim Hall (New York) over Timothy Stepleton (Iowa) Dec 1-3,1-0,3-2
James Phills (California) over Jim Hall (New York) ID 

Division D - 58 KG - 127.75 lbs Results
1st Place - Ray F `Mac` Pigott of Hawaii
2nd Place - Mike Osborne of Virginia
3rd Place - John Smithson of California
Round Robin Matches
Ray F `mac` Pigott (Hawaii) over Mike Osborne (Virginia) Dec 4-0,7-3
Mike Osborne (Virginia) over John Smithson (California) Fall 0-7,3-0,1:12
Ray F `mac` Pigott (Hawaii) over John Smithson (California) FF 


Division D - 63 KG - 138.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Joseph Coletta of Illinois
2nd Place - Larrick Johnson of Tennessee

Division D - 69 KG - 152 lbs Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Carl Mangrum of Washington
2nd Place - Michael Betts of Minnesota
3rd Place - Dave Sauer of Colorado
Round Robin Matches
Michael Betts (Minnesota) over Dave Sauer (Colorado) Dec 10-4,2-0
Carl Mangrum (Washington) over Dave Sauer (Colorado) Dec 7-2,10-2
Carl Mangrum (Washington) over Michael Betts (Minnesota) Dec 2-0,1-0


Division D - 76 KG - 167.5 lbs Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Mark Black of California
2nd Place - Kevin Hejnal of California
3rd Place - Scott Neitenbach of Colorado
4th Place - Randy Beddow of Washington
1st Place Match
Mark Black (California) over Kevin Hejnal (California) Dec 1-0,8-0
3rd Place Match
Scott Neitenbach (Colorado) over Randy Beddow (Washington) Dec 2-1,1-0

Division D - 85 KG - 187.25 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Bryan Sonntag of Utah
2nd Place - Stephen Contarino of Florida
3rd Place - Robert Forster of California
Round Robin Matches
Bryan Sonntag (Utah) over Robert Forster (California) Dec 0-2,4-0,6-0
Stephen Contarino (Florida) over Robert Forster (California) ID 
Bryan Sonntag (Utah) over Stephen Contarino (Florida) Dec 7-4,3-1

Division D - 97 KG - 214 lbs Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Michael Paquette of New York
2nd Place - Randy Grein of Washington
3rd Place - Sukhvir Chahal of California
Round Robin Matches
Randy Grein (Washington) over Sukhvir Chahal (California) Dec 7-0,5-0
Michael Paquette (New York) over Randy Grein (Washington) Fall 1:05
Michael Paquette (New York) over Sukhvir Chahal (California) Fall 1:11

Division D - 130 KG - 286.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Mchael Cain of Florida
2nd Place - P.d. Hawkins of California
3rd Place - Randy Rueppel of Washington
Round Robin Matches
Mchael Cain (Florida) dec. P.d. Hawkins (California) 1-0, 4-2
Mchael Cain (Florida) tech. fall Randy Rueppel (Washington) 6-0, 7-0
P.D. Hawkins (California) inj. dft. Randy Rueppel (Washington)

Division E - 58 KG - 127.75 lbs Results
1st Place - Clifford Ray of Arizona

Division E - 63 KG - 138.5 lbs Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Shirzad Ahmadi of Connecticut
2nd Place - Steve Barkman of New Jersey
3rd Place - James Schartner of Maryland
Round Robin Matches
Shirzad Ahmadi (Connecticut) over James Schartner (Maryland) TF 6-0,7-0
Shirzad Ahmadi (Connecticut) over Steve Barkman (New Jersey) Dec 1-0,4-0
Steve Barkman (New Jersey) over James Schartner (Maryland) TF 6-0,6-0


Division E - 69 KG - 152 lbs Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - John Hughes of Arizona
2nd Place - Merl Lensing of Minnesota
3rd Place - Mansour Honarvar of California
4th Place - Vahik Ghazarian of California
1st Place Match
John Hughes (Arizona) over Merl Lensing (Minnesota) Fall 1:09

1st Place Match
Mansour Honarvar (California) over Vahik Ghazarian (California) TF 6-0,6-0

Division E - 76 KG - 167.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Kenneth Peters of Illinois
2nd Place - Coke Harrell of California
3rd Place - Gershon Horowitz of California
Round Robin Matches
Kenneth Peters (Illinois) tech. fall Coke Harrell (California) 8-1, 6-0
Kenneth Peters (Illinois) inj. dft. Gershon Horowitz (California)
Coke Harrell (California) inj. dft.Gershon Horowitz (California)

Division E - 85 KG - 187.25 lbs Results
1st Place - Peter Haag of Illinois

Division E - 97 KG - 214 lbs Results
1st Place - William Kalivas of California
2nd Place - Joseph Reasbeck of Wisconsin
3rd Place - Donald Apodaca of California
Round Robin Matches
Joseph Reasbeck (Wisconsin) over Donald Apodaca (California) Fall 1:44
William Kalivas (California) over Joseph Reasbeck (Wisconsin) Dec 2-0,1-1
William Kalivas (California) over Donald Apodaca (California) Dec 5-0,4-0

Division E - 130 KG - 286.5 lbs Results
1st Place - Gerald Ponce of California