No. 1 pre-seed Byers will not compete at U.S. Nationals this weekend

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USA Wrestling ()
04/22/2010


CLEVELAND â€" Dremiel Byers, a three-time World medalist and eight-time U.S. Open champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, will not be competing this weekend at the U.S. Open.

Byers, the No. 1 pre-seed at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., did not weigh in on Thursday afternoon at Cleveland State’s Wolstein Center.

Byers won a World silver medal in 2009, and was heavily favored to win in Cleveland. Byers has already qualified for June’s U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa by virtue of being a past World and Olympic Team member.

Peter Hicks, who competes in Greco-Roman at 84 kg/185 lbs., also did not weigh in on Thursday.

Past World bronze medalist Lindsey Durlacher bumped up a weight class in Greco-Roman, moving up to 60 kg/132 from 55 kg/121 lbs.

Also bumping up a weight was the No. 2 seed at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., Robbie Smith, who will now be competing at heavyweight.

The U.S. Open Greco-Roman competition will begin on Friday morning in Cleveland. The finals are set for Saturday night.