Les Sigman in control against Tervel Dlagnev on the way to winning the 2010 U.S. World Team Trials. Sigman will compete against Russia in New York on Friday night. Larry Slater photo

There have been a few changes in the American lineup for the USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet to be held Friday, November 11 (11-11-11) in New York City. The initial lineup was announced a few weeks agao.

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.

The new competitors on the U.S. lineup are:
• Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs.
• Raymond Jordan, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) at 84 kg/185 lbs.
• Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Competing for the U.S. men’s team is 2011 U.S. Open champion Sam Hazewinkel (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. Hazewinkel also has two career U.S. Open Greco-Roman titles to go with last year’s freestyle title. He was a college star for Oklahoma. He replaces Angel Escobedo

Raymond Jordan (Lincoln, Neb./Sunkist Kids) will compete at 84 kg/185 lbs. Jordan was the champion at the 2011 Sunkist Kids International and a top Olympic hopeful in his weight class. He was a star for the Univ. of Missouri. He replaces Jake Herbert.

Les Sigman (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) will be wrestling at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Sigman was a member of the 2009 U.S. World Team. He was just named Grand Champion at the Hargobind International in Canada. He won four NCAA Div. II titles for Nebraska-Omaha. He replaces Dom Bradley.

Hazewinkel will also replace Escobedo in the USA vs. Mongolia dual meet on Thursday, Nov. 10 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

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. 

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

Final U.S. freestyle team lineup
55 kg/121 lbs. – Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Reece 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. – Raymond Jordan, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
Coaches - National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Andy Hrovat of Ann Arbor, Mich.; Jamill Kelly of San Luis Obispo, Calif.