AKRON, Ohio – Jimmy Chase was eager to return to the mat.

And it showed.

Chase looked strong in his return from an injury after winning the University Nationals Greco-Roman title on Thursday at the University of Akron Field House.

Chase, competing for the first time after undergoing elbow surgery, swept Dmitry Ryabchinskiy 1-0, 3-0 in the finals at 60 kg/132 lbs.

Chase was named Outstanding Wrestler. Chase placed fifth at the Junior World Championships in 2009.

The two top finishers in each weight class qualify for June’s U.S. World Team Trials in Oklahoma City.

"It was a good win for me," Chase said. "I couldn't wrestle at the U.S. Open, so I knew I had to come here to qualify for the Trials. I felt great out there. I won my first national championship here in 2007 in FILA Cadets. It was good to come back up here and get another one."

Chase executed a second-period turn to put his finals match away.

"I know I can turn pretty much anyone," Chase said. "I'm good on top, my defense is lacking. I just need to learn how to score on my feet against those Senior guys. You don't want to go down at 60 because all of those guys are real good on top."

U.S. Olympic Education Center wrestlers Max Nowry (55 kg/121 lbs.), Aaron Briggs (74 kg/163 lbs.) and Mark Stenberg (84 kg/185 lbs.) repeated as University Nationals champions on Thursday afternoon.

Nowry placed fifth in the Junior Worlds last year.

Stenberg and Nielsen continued to wrestle well after each wrestler placed fourth in the U.S. Open two weeks ago in Cleveland.

Nielsen placed fifth in University Worlds last year.

There will be no University World Team Trials this year since there is no University World event for wrestling this season.

The University Nationals freestyle competition is set for Friday and Saturday in Akron.

UNIVERSITY NATIONALS GRECO-ROMAN – FINALS RESULTS

55 kg/121 lbs.
Max Nowry (NYAC/USOEC) dec. Nikko Triggas (NYAC), 1-0, 3-0

60 kg/132 lbs.
Jimmy Chase (NYAC) dec. Dmitry Ryabchinskiy (NYAC/USOEC), 1-0, 3-0

63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Joe Colon (Clear Lake) dec. Gavin Moore (Bobcat Wrestling Club), 5-0, 1-2, 4-1

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Bo Beckman (NYAC/USOEC) dec. Joseph Locksmith (Navy Mat Club), 0-2, 7-0, 5-0

70 kg/154.25 lbs.
Tanner Andrews (USOEC) dec. Kalvin York (Badger Wrestling Club), 1-0, 3-0

74 kg/163 lbs.
Aaron Briggs (NYAC/USOEC) dec. Corey Hope (USOEC), 2-0, 1-0

79 kg/174 lbs.
Chad Hemerson (NYAC/USOEC) dec. Josh Castellano (USOEC), 1-0, 2-0

84 kg/185 lbs.
Mark Stenberg (USOEC) dec. Travis Rutt (Badger Wrestling Club), 1-0, 0-1, 2-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Zac Nielsen (Minnesota Storm) dec. Marcus Finau (USOEC), 6-0, 1-0

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Pete Gounaridis (Sunkist Kids/USOEC) dec. Patrick Carey (TWC), 3-0, 4-0

TRUE SECOND-PLACE MATCHES

55 kg/121 lbs.
Tyler Cox (Gator) dec. Nikko Triggas (NYAC), 5-3, 4-1

60 kg/132 lbs.
Eric Chandler (YES Wrestling) dec. Dmitry Ryabchinskiy (NYAC/USOEC), 1-0, 3-0

63 kg/138.75 lbs.
James Clark (Ringers) pinned Gavin Moore (Bobcat Wrestling Club), 7-0, 1:33

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Wally Maziarz (Buffalo Wrestling Club) won by forfeit over Joseph Locksmith (Navy Mat Club)

74 kg/163 lbs.
Corey Hope (USOEC) dec. Jesse Stafford (Falcon Training Club), 7-0, 1-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Marcus Finau (USOEC) won by decision over Caylor Williams (YES Wrestling), 3-2, 1-0