The U.S. will have a very strong lineup in its freestyle wrestling dual against Russia at Hofstra’s University Arena in Hempstead, N.Y. on November 19.

Six of the seven U.S. team members have represented the United States at the Senior World Championships and all seven are serious hopefuls for the 2012 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team.

The team features 2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert (Evanston, Ill./New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Herbert was also a member of the 2010 U.S. World Team.

Other 2010 U.S. World Team members in the dual meet are Brent Metcalf (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and J.D. Bergman (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

Other 2009 U.S. World team members on the U.S. team are Shawn Bunch (Columbus, Ohio/Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Trent Paulson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs.

Also competing on the team is 2010 University World Team member Angel Escobedo (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs.

All of the team members were outstanding college wrestlers. Two-time NCAA Div. I champions on the team are Metcalf (Iowa) and Herbert (Northwestern). Both won the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s best college wrestler.

Escobedo won a Div. I NCAA title at Indiana. Dlagnev was a two-time Div. II NCAA champion at Nebraska-Kearney.

NCAA Div. I runners-up on the team include Bunch (Edinboro) and Bergman (Ohio State). Paulson was a three-time All-American at Iowa State.

The Russian lineup is not set at this time, and will be announced as soon as it is available.

The event is presented by the New York Athletic Club and the Friends of Long Island Wrestling.

Tickets will cost $20 and will be available in advance or at the door. Those who wish to pre-purchase tickets can do so at the following link:
http://nyacwrestling.ticketleap.com/usa-vs-russia-freestyle-dual-meet/#"

Doors open for those who pre-purchase tickets at 6:00 p.m. Doors open for general admission tickets sold at the door at 6:30 p.m. There will be a pre-match kickoff at 7:30 p.m. followed by the USA vs. Russia match at 8:00 p.m.

For more information on the Nov. 19 USA vs. Russia dual meet, contact Noel Thompson at NYACwrestling@gmail.com

USA vs. RUSSIA DUAL MEET
At Hempstead, N.Y., Nov. 19

U.S. freestyle team lineup
55 kg/121 lbs. – Angel Escobedo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Brent Metcalf, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Trent Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Jake Herbert, Evanston, Ill. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)