Minnesota Assistant Wrestling Coach Joe Russell to lead high school Greco-Roman All-Stars

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Kevin Kurtt (Univ. of Minnesota)
04/23/2001


University of Minnesota Assistant Wrestling Coach Joe Russell will coach a team of USA All-Stars in the First Annual Utah Greco-Roman Challenge on Friday, April 27, at Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah. The USA All-Stars will be facing Team Utah, one of the strongest age-group teams in USA Wrestling Greco-Roman programs. Russell is considered one of the nation's top age-group Greco-Roman coaches.    Russell is in his sixth year as a member of the Golden Gopher staff. This is his fourth year as an assistant coach after serving two years as the wrestling team's marketing/promotions director. Last summer, Russell was selected to coach the U.S. Junior Team at the 2000 Pan American Championships in Peru. Russell coached the U.S. 17-and-under team at the Cadet World Championships in August 1999, in Denmark. For his efforts, Russell was voted the 1999 USA Wrestling Person of the Year for the University and FILA Junior Age Divisions.    A new All-Star high school age wrestling event, the Challenge will feature many of the best high school age Greco-Roman wrestlers from across the nation, including several highly-touted Minnesota high school athletes. The USA All-Stars will also include Cadet World Champion and two-time National Champion Harry Lester of Akron, Ohio. Lester was the Outstanding Wrestler at 2000 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman, and is one of the nation's top wrestling recruits. Also competing for the USA All-Stars will be Joe Hennis of Mims, Fla., a three-time Cadet National Champion and State Champion.    Team Utah will be led by three-time State Champion, four-time Greco-Roman National Champion, Cam Jones who recently finished third in the National Senior Greco-Roman Tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada, losing only to Dennis Hall 4-0 (World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist). 2000 Cadet National Champion, Kevin Hunter will also be participating along with a stellar line-up of National Champions including Daryl Spackman and Rob Maxwell, and Zack and Josh Lamano.