There will be two USA vs. Italy Greco-Roman matches as part of the international wrestling dual meet to be held at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. on Saturday, Nov. 27.

These bouts will be held in addition to the seven-match USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet, which is set to begin at 1:00 p.m., during the halftime of the Journeymen/ASICS Northeast Duals.

2008 Olympic champion Andrea Minguzzi of Italy will face 2010 U.S. Open champion Cheney Haight (Boise, Idaho/New York AC) in a featured Greco-Roman bout at 84 kg/185 lbs.

Minguzzi shocked the wrestling community with his stunning victory at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. It was clearly the best performance of his career, and included victories over a number of highly-regarded opponents.

Minguzzi was a two-time European bronze medalist (2007-08) and won the 2009 Mediterranean Games. He also competed in the 2004 Olympic Games. On the age-group levels, he was sixth in 2001 Junior World Championships and fourth in 1999 Cadet World Championships.

Haight won his first Senior national title in 2010, and has been third at the U.S. Open on two other occasions. He was second in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Haight has represented the USA at the University World Championships, and has won a number of age-group national Greco-Roman titles. He also boasts victories at the Sunkist Kids International as well as the New York AC International. He is a product of the U.S. Olympic Education Center program at Northern Michigan University.

The other Greco-Roman match will feature Diagoro Timoncini of Italy at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. against an American to be named later.

Timonici’s top international achievements including fifth at the 2007 World Championships and eighth at the 2010 World Championships. He was ninth at the 2010 European Championships and seventh at the 2005 European Championships.

The lineups for the United States freestyle team and the Russian freestyle team which will compete in Troy, N.Y. have not been finalized and will be announced when available.

The event is hosted by Journeymen Wrestling and part of a full weekend of wrestling action. The Journeymen High School Scrimmage will be held Friday, Nov. 26. Along with the international dual, the Journeymen/ASICS Northeast Duals will be held Saturday, Nov. 27, featuring top college programs Lehigh, Missouri, American, Virginia, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Binghamton and Rutgers. Also making an appearance is MMA star and former Michigan State wrestler Rashad Evans.

Tickets will cost $20 for general admission and will be available at the door.

For information on the Nov. 27 USA vs. Russia dual meet, contact Frank Popolizio at Frank@journeymenwrestling.com or visit www.journeymenwrestling.com

USA vs. ITALY GRECO-ROMAN CHALLENGE BOUTS
At Troy, N.Y., Nov. 27

84 kg/185 lbs. matchup

Andrea Minguzzi, Italy
2008 Olympic champion… Third in 2007 and 2008 European Championships… 2009 Mediterranean Games champion… 2008 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion… Competed in five Senior World Championships (2001-03, 2006-07)… Competed in 2004 Olympic Games… Sixth in 2001 Junior World Championships… Fourth in 1999 Cadet World Championships… Born: February 1, 1982… Age 27…

Cheney Haight, Boise, Idaho (New York AC)
2010 U.S. Open champion… Third in 2010 Pan American Championships… Second in 2010 Granma Cup (Cuba)… Second in 2006, 2009 and 2010 Dave Schultz Memorial International… 2006, 2007 and 2009 Sunkist Kids International Open champion… Fourth in 2009 U.S. World Team Trials… Third in 2007 and 2009 U.S. Nationals… Second in 2005 and 2008 New York AC International… Second in 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials… Fourth in 2008 U.S. Nationals… Seventh in 2008 World University Championships… 2006 New York AC International champion… Fifth in 2006 U.S. Nationals… 2005 University World Team Trials champion… 2002 Junior Nationals champion… Attended Northern Michigan Univ., where he was a member of the U.S. Olympic Education Program… Three-time Utah state champion (2001-03) for Timpanogos High School… Born: Dec. 27, 1984… Age 25

96 kg/211.5 lbs. matchup

Diagoro Timoncini, Italy
Eighth in 2010 World Championships… Fifth in 2010 Mediterranean Championships… Ninth in 2010 European Championships… Fifth in 2007 World Championships… Tenth in 2006 University World Championships… Fifth in 2005 Mediterranean Games… Seventh in 2005 European Championships… Also competed in 2005, 2006 and 2009 World Championships… Born December 13, 1985… Age: 24

U.S. opponent to be named