GUADALAJARA, Mexico – The first three U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers have weighed in and received their draws for the first day of wrestling at the Pan American Games, which begins on Thursday.

2011 U.S. World Team member Cheney Haight (Orem, Utah/New York AC) will compete at 84 kg/185 lbs. He will face Jose Arias of the Dominican Republic in the first rounds.

Arias won a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games. He has won silver medals at the 2010 and 2011 Pan Am Championships.

“Cheney is a tough guy and is in great condition. He is looking to make a mark at this tournament. He has to wrestle, though. There are no slouches here,” said U.S. Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser.

Also weighing in were U.S. Army teammates Glenn Garrison (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Tim Taylor (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Both are currently ranked No. 2 in the USA in their weight classes.

Garrison will face Ivan Duque of Colombia in the first round. Duque was third in the 2008 and 2011 Pan Am Championships. Garrison won a silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Championships.

“Garrison is a very, very good wrestler. He is a guy who could win this thing. He could beat the Cuban. He could beat everybody in this weight class. I have high hopes for Glenn Garrison,” said Fraser.

Taylor will face Ramon Garcia of the Dominican Republic in the opening round. Garcia won a bronze medal at the 2010 and 2011 Pan Am Championships.

“This is a great opportunity for Tim Taylor to win a Pan Am Games medal. He has Olympic champion Lopez of Cuba at his weight. You never know. Nobody expects Taylor to beat Lopez, so there is no pressure. You just give it all you got. If Tim comes out to wrestle here, he can do well,” said Fraser.

If all three Americans win their opening match, they are expected to face opponents from Cuba in the semifinals. Garrison could face 2011 World bronze medalist Pedro Isaac Mulens of Cuba. Haight could face Pablo Shorey of Cuba, a 2010 World silver medalist. Taylor could face 2008 Olympic champion and four-time World Champion Mijian Lopez of Cuba.

“We want to win gold medals. We want to beat Cubans here. We may meet three Cubans in the semifinals tomorrow. If we beat the Cubans in the semis, we will do really well,” said Fraser.

All three U.S. wrestlers will be competing in their first Pan American Games.

PAN AMERICAN GAMES
At Guadalajara, Mexico

U.S. Greco-Roman draws for Thursday

66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Glenn Garrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
Vs. Ivan Duque (Colombia)

84 kg/185 lbs. – Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC)
Vs. Jose Arias (Dominican Republic)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tim Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
Vs. Ramon Garcia (Dominican Republic)

Bio shorts for U.S. first round pairings

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
United States - Glenn Garrison – Seventh in 2007 World Military Championships… Second in 2007 Pan Am Championships… Two-time U.S. Open champion… Second in U.S. Olympic Team Trials… Age: 37

Colombia - Ivan De Jesus Duque - Third in 2008 and 2011 Pan Am Champs… Third in 2011 Granma Cup (Cuba)… Fifth in 2009 Pan Am Champs… Fifth in 2007 Pan Am Games… Age: 24

84 kg/185 lbs.

United States – Cheney Haight – 2011 U.S. World Team member… Fifth in 2011 Granma Cup (Cuba)… Second in 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials… Age: 26

Dominican Republic - Jose Antonio Arias Paredes – Second in 2010 and 2011 Pan Am Champs… Third in 2010 Central American & Carribean Games… Seventh in 2009 World Championships… Third in 2005, 2006 and 2007 Pan Am Championships… Third in 2007 Pan Am Games… Age: 26

120 kg/264.5 lbs.

United States – Timothy Taylor - Ninth in 2010 World Military Champs… Second in 2010 and 2011 U.S. World Team Trials… Second in 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials… Age: 29

Dominican Republic - Ramon Antonio Garcia – Third in 2010 and 2011 Pan Am Champs…Third in 2010 Central American & Carribean Games… 2006 Junior Pan Am Champs champion…Second in 2005 Junior Pan Am Champs… Age: 24