Metcalf, Paulson, Sigman weigh in and receive draws for final day of World Wrestling Championships

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
09/11/2010


MOSCOW, Russia – The final three U.S. freestyle wrestlers have weighed in and received their draws on the seventh and final day at the World Wrestling Championships on Sunday at the Olympiysky Sports Complex.

All three U.S. wrestlers competing Sunday will be in their first World Championships.

At 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Brent Metcalf (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC) will open against Otar Tushishvili of Georgia, a 2006 World silver medalist and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist.

At 74 kg/163 lbs., Travis Paulson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) will battle Abdulkahim Shapiyev of Kazakhstan, a 2009 Asian silver medalist.

At 120 kg/264.5 lbs., Les Sigman (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) will debut against Nicholas Lane of New Zealand.

In college, Metcalf was a two-time NCAA champion for Iowa, and Paulson starred for Iowa State. Sigman won four NCAA Div. II titles for Nebraska-Omaha.

“We want to get a fast start and a strong finish,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. “We can’t have any fatal mistakes. We need to come out straong and we have to be mistake free. Looking at the brackets, we can do it.”

U.S. men’s freestyle draws for Sunday

66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Brent Metcalf, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC)
Vs. Otar Tushishvili (Georgia)

74 kg/163 lbs. – Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
Vs. Abdulkahim Shapiyev (Kazakhstan)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
Vs Nicholas Lane (New Zealand)