2010 U.S. World Team member Les Sigman will compete at 120 kg in the USA vs. Russia dual meet in Troy, N.Y., Nov. 27

The U.S. will have a strong lineup in its freestyle wrestling dual against Russia at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 1:00 p.m.

Two of the team members have represented the United States in past World Championships, 2009 U.S. World Team member Jake Varner (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and 2010 U.S. World Team member Les Sigman (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Varner was a two-time NCAA champion and four-time NCAA finalist for Iowa State Univ. He placed ninth in the 2009 World Championships and was a 2009 U.S. Open champion. Varner is currently ranked No. 2 on Freestyle Team USA.

Sigman is the top-ranked heavyweight in the nation. He was a four-time Div. II national champion for Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha. He placed ninth in the 2010 World Championships and was a 2010 U.S. Open champion.

Two others competing in the dual meet are members of Freestyle Team USA, which includes the top three in each weight class at the 2010 World Team Trials: Coleman Scott (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Raymond Jordan (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) at 84 kg/185 lbs. Both hold No. 3 rankings on the national team.

Scott was a NCAA champion for Oklahoma State, while Jordan was a NCAA All-American at the Univ. of Missouri.

Two talented upcoming young stars will also be on display at the dual meet: Dan Dennis (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Nick Marable (Columbia, Mo. /Missouri) at 74 kg/163 lbs. Both are in their first season concentrating completely on freestyle wrestling. 

Dennis was a NCAA All-American for Iowa and Marable was a NCAA All-American for Missouri. Dennis recently won two matches for the USA at the Intercontinental Cup in Russia, while Marable won a bronze medal at the Ramzan Kadirov Cup in Russia. Marable holds a No. 4 ranking on Freestyle Team USA.

Rounding out the U.S. team will be veteran Joe Johnston (Columbia, Mo./Missouri) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Johnston had three wins at the Intercontinental Cup, and won a bronze medal at the Hargobind International in Canada.

USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones, a World champion and Olympic silver medalist as an athlete, will coach the U.S. team.

The event is hosted by Journeymen Wrestling, and will be a part of the Journeymen/ASICS Northeast Duals weekend. 

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.

The U.S. vs. Russia dual will be hosted at halftime of the Journeymen/ASICS Northeast Duals.

In addition to the USA vs. Russia dual meet, there will be two featured Greco-Roman wrestling matches, featuring U.S. athletes against Italian opponents.

At 84 kg/185 lbs., 2008 Olympic gold medalist Andrea Minguzzi of Italy will battle 2010 U.S. Open champion Cheney Haight (Boise, Idaho/New York AC). At 96 kg/211.5 lbs., 2010 University World silver medalist Diagoro Timoncini of Italy will battle veteran U.S. wrestler John Lorenz (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army).

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

The Russian freestyle lineup will be announced in a few days. The Russian team will start its tour with another USA vs. Russia dual meet in Hempstead, N.Y., Nov. 19.

USA vs. RUSSIA DUAL MEET
At Troy, N.Y., Nov. 27

U.S. freestyle team lineup
55 kg/121 lbs. – Dan Dennis, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Joe Johnston, Columbia, Mo. (Missouri)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Nick Marable, Columbia, Mo. (Missouri)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Raymond Jordan, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

Russian team to be announced in a few days.

USA vs. ITALY GRECO-ROMAN BOUTS
84 kg/185 lbs. – Andrea Minguzzi (Italy) vs, Cheney Haight (Boise, Idaho/New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Diagoro Timoncini (Italy) vs. John Lorenz (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army)