Lindsey Durlacher lost to Spenser Mango in a hard-fought match in the Greco-Roman finals of the U.S. Nationals, but Durlacher has shown an ability to deliver under pressure situations. It will be interesting to see what happens in this class at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Durlacher has made the last three U.S. World Teams at 55 kg/121 lbs., but only won U.S. Nationals one of those years.

Durlacher was second at U.S. Nationals in 2005 and 2007 before coming back to make the World Team. Durlacher won a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships. He is a veteran who may be in his last year of competition, so expect Durlacher to make a strong run at qualifying for his first Olympic Team.

Mango, one of the bright young stars in international wrestling, was a World University champion in 2006 and has been knocking on the door to make his first World-level team on the Senior level. He's quick, explosive and talented. Mango placed second to Durlacher at the 2007 World Team Trials.

Sam Hazewinkel has won U.S. Nationals twice, but has fallen short at the World Team Trials. Hazewinkel was fourth at U.S. Nationals and likely will face Mango in the semifinals of the Olympic Trials. Hazewinkel and Mango have had their share of close matchups over the past few years.

Jermaine Hodge placed third at U.S. Nationals. Barring any upsets, Hodge would battle Durlacher in the semifinals of the Olympic Trials. 

Also in this class, Josh Habeck placed third at the 2007 World Team Trials. Habeck took seventh at the 2008 U.S. Nationals. 

Florida high-school standout Eric Grajales placed fifth at U.S. Nationals. Grajales is a past Junior World Team member who appears to have a bright future ahead at the Senior level.

College wrestler Nikko Triggas qualified through the University Nationals. Also of interest is Roger Stewart, the Rocky Mountain Regional champion, who is deaf.

2008 U.S. Nationals results

1st - Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (Gator/USOEC) dec. Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-3, 3-0, 7-0

3rd - Jermaine Hodge, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC), 4-1, 6-2

5th - Eric Grajales, Brandon, Fla. (Sunkist Kids) tech. fall Jimmy Chase, Carol Stream, Ill. (Pinnacle), 10-0, 6-5

7th - Joshua Habeck, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Andrew Perez, Great Falls, Mont. (Air Force), 2-0, 2-0

2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Pre-Seeds

1. Spenser Mango, St. Louis, Mo. (USOEC/Gator WC)
2. Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
3. Jermaine Hodge, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
4. Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC)
5. Eric Grajales, Brandon, Fla. (Sunkist Kids)
6. Jimmy Chase, Carol Stream, Ill. (Pinnacle)
7. Joshua Habeck, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
8. Anthony Brooker, Philadelphia, Pa. (U.S. Air Force)
9. Nikko Triggas, Moraga, Calif. (Ohio State)
10. Miguel Pena, Camp Lejeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines)
11. Nate Engel, St. Helena, Calif. (Sunkist/USOEC)
12. Roger Stewart, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)