Jake Herbert, shown on his way to a Pan American Games gold medal, will be a featured member of Team USA against Russia in New York City on November 11. Robbert Wijtman photo

USA Wrestling has named its lineup for the USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet to be held Friday, November 11 (11-11-11) in New York City.

The event will be held at the New York Athletic Club, starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at the door.

All seven members of the U.S. team are considered top hopefuls for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team.

Included on the team are four past U.S. World Team members.

Competing at 84 kg/185 lbs. is 2009 World silver medalist and two-time World Team member Jake Herbert (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC). He is coming fresh off his gold-medal performance at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Herbert was a two-time NCAA champion for Northwestern and winner of Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s best college wrestler.

2011 U.S. World Team member and 2011 U.S. Open champion Reese Humphrey (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) will compete at 60 kg/132 pounds. Humphrey was an NCAA runner-up for Ohio State and a two-time University World medalist.

2010 U.S. World Team member Brent Metcalf (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC) is on the team at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Metcalf won two NCAA titles for Iowa, and is also a past Dan Hodge Trophy winner.

Competing at 96 kg/211 lbs. is 2007 U.S. World Team member Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids). Rowlands won two NCAA titles for Ohio State, and was a University World Games champion.

The other three team members are young, talented and making an impact.

Angel Escobedo (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) will compete at 55 kg/121 lbs. Escobedo was second in the 2010 U.S. Open and 2010 World Team Trials. He was a NCAA champion for Indiana.

Wrestling at 74 kg/163 lbs. is Andrew Howe (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC). He is taking an Olympic redshirt year from Wisconsin, where he won a NCAA title. Howe was a 2010 U.S. Open champion and placed second at the 2010 and 2011 World Team Trials. He is a past Junior World medalist.

Dom Bradley (Blue Springs, Mo./Sunkist Kids) will wrestle at 120 kg/264.5 pounds. Bradley was a Junior World champion in 2009. He is an All-American for the Univ. of Missouri. 

The Russian lineup will be announced shortly.

The Russian team will be in town to compete at the annual New York Athletic Club International Championships later that weekend. Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle will be held Saturday, November 12, with men’s freestyle on Sunday, November 13.

There is a long history of USA vs. Russia wrestling dual meets, going back 50 years. The most recent USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet was held outside in historic Times Square as part of the Beat the Streets Gala on May 5, 2011, won by the United States, 5-2. 

Tickets are only $20 and can be purchased at the door.

Those that can’t make it in person will be able to follow the action on a live webcast from TheMat.com.

USA vs. RUSSIA DUAL MEET
At New York, N.Y., November 11

U.S. freestyle team lineup
55 kg/121 lbs. – Angel Escobedo, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Reese Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Brent Metcalf, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Andrew Howe, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Jake Herbert, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Dom Bradley, Blue Springs, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)