Tervel Dlagnev in the 120 kg finals. Robbert Wijtman photo

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Two U.S. wrestlers won gold-medals and four total medals in men’s freestyle at the Pan American Games competition on Sunday at the CODE II Gymnasium.

Capturing gold medals were Jake Herbert (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Tervel Dlagnev (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. 

Herbert, defeated Humberto Arencibia of Cuba in the finals, 1-0, 4-3. 

The first period went to the clinch with Arencibia getting Herbert’s leg. Officials gave Arencibia one point while Herbert defended, but the U.S. protested and it was upheld. They restarted the clinch and Herbert held on to score the point. In the second period, a three-point move by Herbert was key to the victory.

“It was huge. I had to defend hard in the clinch to win the first period. It was great to be a little stronger, drive through him and force him on his back on the edge to a 3-0 lead in the second period,” said Herbert.

Dlagnev defeated Sunny Dhinsa of Canada in the finals, 2-0, 6-0, controlling the action the entire way. In the second period, Dlagnev scored a quick takedown and turned Dhinsa for a fast technical fall. 

“It was good. The Cuban in the semis wrestled for a medal twice at Worlds and the Olympics. He’s a good wrestler. Cuba comes here to win, so it was a good win for me. The Canadian is a young kid but he’s tough. This is a good tournament to get a gold,” said Dlagnev.

Winning a silver medal was Obe Blanc (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. He was defeated in the gold-medal match by Juan Ramirez of the Dominican Republic, 1-0, 2-1. Ramirez won the first period on a clinch. In the second period, Blanc led 1-0 and officials gave Ramirez a pushout with one second left to win. The U.S. protested but the call was upheld, and Ramirez got an additional point.

“I didn’t see (the point). I down know. The video didn’t show anything. I started out a little too late. His style is very defensive, blocking all the time. In the second period, I opened him up, but it was still too late. Lesson learned,” said Blanc.

Capturing a bronze medal was Teyon Ware (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. He won his bronze-medal match against Edison Hurtado of Colombia, 1-1, 4-1, 6-0. After losing the first period, Ware wore Hurtado down, winning a tight second period. He dominated the third period for a technical fall.

“I give myself a C for my wrestling. It let’s me know I have a long way to go. I told myself I had to fight back hard in the bronze match. He’s a strong guy, but strong guys get tired,” said Ware.

U.S. coach Zeke Jones assessed the day for Team USA.

“It was good. We could have done a little better, but we are improving. Obe’s loss was a little hard, but the overall effort was good,” said Jones.

PAN AMERICAN GAMES
At Guadalajara, Mexico, Oct. 23

U.S. men’s freestyle performances

55 kg/121 lbs. – Obe Blanc, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 2nd
WIN Steven Takahashi (Canada), 2-0, 6-0
LOSS. Juan Ramirez (Dominican Republic), 1-0, 2-1

66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Teyon Ware, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC), 3rd
WIN Ryan Lue (Canada), 0-2, 1-0, 1-0
LOSS Livan Lopez (Cuba), 0-5, 1-4
WIN Edison Hurtado (Colombia), 1-1, 4-1, 6-0

84 kg/185 lbs. – Jake Herbert, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), 1st
WIN Jaime Espinal (Puerto Rico), 3-2, 2-0
WIN Jose Diaz (Venezuela), 1-0, 2-1
WIN Humberto Arencibia (Cuba), 1-0, 4-3

120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), 1st
WIN Carlos Delgado (Ecuador), 6-0, 7-0
WIN Disney Rodriguez (Cuba), 1-0, 5-0
WIN Sunny Dhinsa (Canada), 2-0, 6-0