Justin Ruiz (in blue) is one of the 2011 U.S. Open champions that will be competing at the Pan American Championships in the beginning of May. (Larry Slater Photo)

A talented team will represent the United States during the 2011 Pan American Championships in Rionegro, Colombia May 6-8. Competition will be in all three Olympic styles and will feature top athletes from North America, Central American and South America.

The competition will begin with Greco-Roman on Friday, May 6 and will continue with women’s freestyle on Saturday, May 7 and will complete with men’s freestyle on Sunday, May 8.

The Greco-Roman team includes two 2011 U.S. Open champions: Jordan Holm at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Justin Ruiz (Boise, Idaho/New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Ruiz won a 2005 World bronze medal. 

The U.S. women’s freestyle team features 2000 and 2003 World Champion and nine-time World medalist Kristie Davis (Yukon, Okla./OCU/Gator WC) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Other past U.S. World Team members on the team include Jessica Medina (Colorado Springs, Colo. /Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. and Kelsey Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. The team also features past Junior World champion Nicole Woody (Odenton, Md./Gator WC/OCU) at 105.5 pounds.

The men’s freestyle team will be led by 2011 U.S. Open champions: Sam Hazewinkel (Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Reece Humphrey (New York AC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Teyon Ware (Nittany Lion WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. 2008 U.S. Olympic team member Steve Mocco (Bethlehem, Pa./Lehigh Valley AC) will compete at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. 2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick (Solon, Iowa/Gator WC) will compete at 60 kg/132 lbs.

This event is the qualifying event for the 2011 Pan American Games, which will be held in Mexico in October. 

PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Rionegro, Colombia, May 6-8

U.S. Greco-Roman team
55 kg/121 lbs. – Paul Tellgren, Anoka, Minn. (USOEC/Minnesota Storm)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Matt Holt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Unattached)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – CP Schlatter, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Kendrick Sanders, Homestead, Fla. (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Jordan Holm, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Justin Ruiz, Boise, Idaho (New York AC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Steve Andrus, Manhattan, Kan. (Michigan WC)
Coaches – Jay Antonelli, Annapolis, Md.; Dale Oliver, Stafford, Va.

U.S. women’s freestyle team
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Nicole Woody, Odenton, Md. (Gator WC/OCU)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Jessica Medina, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Kelsey Campbell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Amanda Hendey, Beaumont, Calif. (San Diego Hot Beaches)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Kristie Davis, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Gator WC/OCU)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Erin Clodgo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Kendra Lewis, Houston, Texas (Lindenwood Univ.)
Coaches - Katie Cygan, Oklahoma City, Okla., Celso DeAnda, Marquette, Mich.

U.S. men’s freestyle team
55 kg/121 lbs. – Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Teyon Ware, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Nick Marable, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Keith Gavin, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Dan Erekson, Boise, Idaho (Bronco WC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Steve Mocco, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
Coaches –National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jason Kutz, Bethlehem, Pa.

PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
At Rionegro, Columbia, May 6-8

Friday, May 6
2:00 p.m. – Greco-Roman qualification rounds and repechage
7:00 p.m. – Opening Ceremony
7:30 p.m. – Greco-Roman finals

Saturday, May 7
2:00 p.m.  – Women’s freestyle qualification rounds and repechage
7:30 p.m. – Women’s freestyle finals

Sunday, May 8
2:00 p.m. – Men’s freestyle qualification rounds and repechage
7:30 p.m. – Men’s freestyle finals