Raymond Jordan, shown at the 2010 World Team Trials, earned a spot on the University World Team on Friday. Larry Slater photo.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Raymond Jordan’s magical 2009-10 season continues.

Jordan swept two straight matches from Mack Lewnes to earn the final spot on the University World Team during a Special Wrestle-Off on Friday afternoon at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Jordan swept the best-of-3 freestyle series over Lewnes at 84 kg/185 lbs. Jordan advances to the University World Championships on Oct. 26-30 in Turin, Italy.

Jordan (Tempe, Arizona/Sunkist Kids) won the first match 3-0, 2-1 before sweeping the second match 3-1, 2-1.

“It’s very exciting to have a chance to wrestle in the University World Championships,” Jordan said. “Italy is one of the countries I really want to visit. I get to do three things I wanted to do now – travel to a cool place, eat some great Italian food and wrestle, which is my true love.”

In the first match, Lewnes shot in on a leg attack late in the second period and looked poised to finish. But Jordan countered near the edge of the mat with six seconds left to gain the match-clinching takedown.

In the second match, Lewnes led 1-0 late in the second period. Lewnes had Jordan in a front headlock, but Jordan came up and body-locked Lewnes and gained exposure to score two points with 18 seconds left.

It was the first time Jordan had faced Lewnes.

“I feel like my offense was a little sluggish, but Lewnes is a very tough competitor,” Jordan said. “I just had to keep fighting and figure out a way to beat him. Lewnes is very low and compact, and he stays in good position. It was a good win for me.”

Jordan placed third in June’s U.S. Senior World Team Trials to make his first U.S. National Team. He placed third in the NCAAs for Missouri as a senior in 2009 at 174. Jordan has placed in seven tournaments this season in freestyle.

Lewnes was an NCAA runner-up for Cornell in 2010 at 174 pounds. A two-time All-American from Annapolis, Md., Lewnes has one year of college eligibility left. 

Quentin Wright won the University World Team Trials earlier this year at 84 kilos, but elected to give up his spot on the team as he prepares for the upcoming college season at Penn State. He was an All-American for the Nittany Lions in 2009.

Wright beat Lewnes in the finals of the University World Team Trials.