Stevenson, Walsh repeat as champions at the Western Junior Regional Greco-Roman Championships
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
04/11/2001
Greco-Roman Photos Eric Stevenson of Newburg, Ore. and K.C. Walsh of Tacoma, Wash. claimed the gold medal for the second straight year at the Western Junior Regionals Championships, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., April 11. Stevenson scored a dominant 10-0 technical fall over Ben Schaeffer of Columbia Falls, Mont. in 1:48 in the gold medal match at 114.5 pounds. He was a Western Regional double champion last year, winning both the freestyle and Greco-Roman titles at 105.5 pounds. Stevenson was also a Junior National Greco-Roman champion last summer at 105.5 pounds. K.C. Walsh of Tacoma, Wash. won the title at 191.5 pounds, defeating Gerard Habibian of St. George, Utah in the finals, 7-1. Walsh was also a double champion last year at Western Junior Regionals at 191.5 pounds. He placed fifth at last summer's Junior Nationals. Dan Pitsch of Tacoma, Wash. (178) was named Outstanding Wrestler, defeating Cole Allison of Cortez, Colo. 11-0 by technical fall in the finals. Quincey Osborn of Grand Rapids, Minn., a runner-up at last year's Western Juniors in Greco-Roman, won the 123-pound title this year with a 6-3 victory over Jesse Jensen of Minneapolis, Minn. Cain Velazquez of Yuma, Ariz., also a runner-up at the 2000 Western Junior Greco-Roman championships, won the 275 pound title, pinning Saia Lotvlelei of Paia, Hawaii in the finals in 51 seconds. Velasquez was second in last years Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman. Gabe Mooney of Greenbush, Minn. claimed the 98-pound title, scoring a 16-4 technical fall in 3:09 over Rene Robles of Tucson, Ariz.in the finals. Mooney was a 2000 Cadet National champion at 88 pounds last summer. Other individual champions were Kevin Hunter of Orem, Utah (105.5), Anthony Haukenberry of Sumnet, Wash. (132), Matt Murray of Colby, Kansas (143), Patrick Pitsch of Tacoma, Wash. (154), Sven Hafemeiser of Leemore, Calif. (165), and Max Lossen of Winona, Minn. (220).