KIEV, Ukraine - Two U.S. women wrestlers claimed medals on the first day of the Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers Memorial International on Saturday

Capturing a silver medal at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. was Alyssa Lampe (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids). Winning a bronze medal at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. was Elena Pirozkhova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC).

Lampe went 3-1 for the day, including a semifinal win over 2006 Junior Worlds silver medalist Natalya Pulkovska of Ukraine, 2-0, 1-0. She was defeated in the gold-medal match by 2009 World silver medalist Lorisa Oorzak of Russia, 3-3, 1-3.

Pirozkhova, a two-time U.S. World Team member, also went 3-1 in the tournament. She opened with a victory over 2002 World champion and 2008 Olympic silver medalist Elena Kartashova of Russia, 0-1, 5-2, 1-0. In the next match, she was defeated by 2009 World silver medalist Lyubov Volosova of Russia, 0-1, 0-1.

After winning her first repechage match, Pirozkhova followed with a bronze-medal victory over 2009 European champion Yulia Ostapchuk of Ukraine, 1-0, 1-0.

"It was a solid day for both athletes who won medals," said National Women's Coach Terry Steiner. "They made a few mistakes but showed some great attacks and great positioning. They are coming along well!"

The top U.S. performance in men's freestyle was turned in by Keith Gavin (Pittsburgh, Pa./Lehigh Valley AC), who finished fifth at 84 kg/185 lbs. Gavin had a 3-2 record during the day. Included was a second-round win over U.S. teammate Bryce Hasseman (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 1-0, 2-0.

In the bronze-medal match, Gavin was defeated by 2008 World Military champion Soslan Gatsoev of Belarus, 1-3, 0-2.

"They showed some improvement over last week," said Assistant National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick of the five U.S. men competitors on Saturday. "Everybody lost tight matches to eventual medalists. We are right in there with the better guys, but we still have a lot of improvement to make to get over the hump."

OUTSTANDING UKRAINIAN WRESTLERS MEMORIAL INTERNATIONAL
At Kiev, Ukraine, February 20

U.S. women's performances

48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Alyssa Lampe (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 2nd
WIN Alina Ryzhova (Belarus), 2-0, 4-1
WIN Lyubov Kuzmina (Russia), 4-1, Fall :20
WIN Natalya Pulkovska (Ukraine), 2-0, 1-0
LOSS Lorisa Oorzak (Russia), 3-3, 1-3

55 kg/121 lbs. - Tatiana Padilla (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) , dnp
WIN Olga Narepekha (Ukraine), 2-1, 1-0
WIN Anna Maksumova (Russia), 2-1, 0-1, fall 0:48 
LOSS Aiym Abdidina (Kazakhstan), 1-1, 0-1

63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Elena Pirozkhova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), 3rd
WIN Elena Kartashova (Russia), 0-1, 5-2, 1-0
LOSS Lyubov Volosova (Russia), 0-1, 0-1
WIN Laura Skujina (Latvia), 1-0, fall 1:13
WIN Yulia Ostapchuk (Ukraine), 1-0, 1-0

U.S. men's performances

55 kg/121 lbs. - Obe Blanc, Naples, Fla (Gator WC), dnp
LOSS Besarian Gochishvili (Georgia), 0-2, 0-1
LOSS Andrey Komar (Belarus), 0-1, 4-7

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Corey Jantzen (Shoreham, N.Y./Lehigh Valley AC), dnp
LOSS Andriy Popok (Ukraine), 1-7, 0-2

84 kg/185 lbs. - Bryce Hasseman (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), dnp
WIN Dima Olshevski (Belarus), 0-1, 2-0, 2-0
LOSS Keith Gavin (USA), 0-1, 0-2

84 kg/185 lbs. - Keith Gavin, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC), 5th 
WIN Egor Synytsyn (Ukraine), 4-1, 4-0
WIN Bryce Hasseman (USA), 1-0, 2-0
LOSS Viktor Mukha (Ukraine), 0-2, 1-5
WIN Aslan Yunaev (Ukraine), 2-0, 5-1
LOSS Soslan Gatsoev (Belarus), 1-3, 0-2

120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
LOSS Alexei Shemarov (Belarus), 0-4, 0-2