Reece Humphrey takes down Coleman Scott in the 60 kg finals, and was named Outstanding Wrestler at the New York AC International. Julieta Okot photo

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Four U.S. wrestlers claimed gold medals in men’s freestyle on the final day of the New York Athletic Club International on Sunday.

Winning the Outstanding Wrestler award was Reece Humphrey (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) at 60 kg/132 lbs.

Humphrey, a 2011 U.S. World Team member, defeated Coleman Scott (Stillwater, Okla., Gator WC), 1-1, 1-0 in the championship finals. He won four matches on the way to the victory. He competed three of the last four days this weekend, also wrestling in dual meets against Mongolia and Russia.

“It was pretty brutal, a little grinding. It felt like college, actually,” said Humphrey. “I came out real slow against Mongolia on Thursday. We had a tough dual against Russia. I came out and got the win. It was a huge confidence boost for me. I had a lot of tough matches today. All the Americans know me well. I am opening up a little differently, using different tactics against them. This is my first international tournament win.”

Dustin Schlatter (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) won the title at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., defeating Azat Donbaev of Kyrgyzstan, 4-0, 1-0.

Schlatter was a 2009 U.S. World Team member at 74 kg/163 lbs. He dropped in weight for this event, although he has not officially decided that this is where he will compete this season.

“I felt good. Its good to get on the mat after a couple of months not being able to compete. It was good to see where I am at and what I need to work on,” said Schlatter.

The champion at 84 kg/185 lbs. was Phil Keddy (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC), who defeated Max Askren (Amawalk, N.Y./New York AC), 2-1, 0-1, 3-0 in the finals. Keddy had a strong third period after splitting the first two periods with the dangerous Askren.

“I wrestled pretty good. I am always looking for more. I am always looking for scoring positions I am good at. I got the win. I got qualified for the Olympic Trials. That was the goal. But I am always looking to build,” said Keddy.

At 55 kg/121 lbs., Angel Escobedo (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) won the title with an injury default over 2009 U.S. World Team member Danny Felix (Morgantown, W.Va./Sunkist Kids). Felix pulled out prior to the match, so the match was not held.

Escobedo, a 2010 World Team Trials runner-up had three wins before the finals. In the second round, he stopped 2011 U.S. Open champion Sam Hazewinkel (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) 2-0, 7-0. In the semifinals, he defeated World placewinner Nurlan Makenaliev of Kyrgyzstan, 3-0, 6-0.

“I wrestled at Sunkist a few weeks ago and I didn’t put it together at that tournament. I came here to get my weight under control, so it wouldn’t be a challenge for the Olympic year, and to get my offense going. I wanted to hit my shots, my double and single legs, and go after it, not only to take the guy down but to turn them on top,” said Escobedo.

Russia had three individual champions, Kamal Malikov at 74 kg/163 lbs., Yuri Belonovskiy at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Eduard Bazrov at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Malikov won in the finals by forfeit over teammate Saba Khubezhty. Belonovskiy stopped Dustin Kilgore (Berea, Ohio/Sunkist Kids), 3-1, 2-1 in the finals. Bazrov beat Jarod Trice (Highland Park, Mich./Gator WC), 3-0, 4-0 for the gold.

The top U.S. finisher who placed in the top four of their weight class qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa, April 21-22.

NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB INTERNATIONAL
At New York, N.Y., Nov. 13

Men’s freestyle finals

55 kg/121 lbs.
1st – Angel Escobedo (New York AC) won by inj. dft over Danny Felix (Sunkist Kids), no match
3rd - Davaakhuyag Tumur (Mongolia) dec. Bekhbayar Erdenebat (Mongolia), 1-3, 1-0, 6-0)

60 kg/132 lbs
1st - Reece Humphrey (New York AC) dec. Coleman Scott (Gator WC), 1-1, 1-0
3rd – Matt Valenti (Lehigh Valley Athletic Club) won by decision over Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (Mongolia), 1-6, 7-5, 7-6

66 kg/145.5 lbs. 
1st – Dustin Schlatter (Minnesota Storm) dec. Azat Donbaev (Kyrgyzstan), 4-0, 1-0
3rd- Kevin LeValley (Minnesota Storm) dec. Will Rowe (NCRTC), 4-1, 8-1

74 kg/163 lbs.
1st –Kamal Malikov (Russia) won by inj. dft. over Saba Khubezhty (Russia), no match
3rd – Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov (UZB-Brickhouse WC) dec. Ryan Morningstar (New York AC), 0-1, 4-0, 1-0

84 kg/185 lbs. 
1st –Phil Keddy (Hawkeye WC) dec. Max Askren (New York AC), 2-1, 0-1, 3-0
3rd – Doug Umbehauer (Nittany Lion WC) dec. Mack Lewnes (New York AC). 1-0, 1-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
1st –Yuri Belonovskiy (Russia) dec. Dustin Kilgore (Sunkist Kids), 3-1, 2-1
3rd – Tommy Rowlands (Sunkist Kids) dec. Wynn Michalak (Gator WC), 1-0, 3-0

120 kg/264.5 lbs. 
1st – Eduard Bazrov (Russia) dec. Jarod Trice (Gator WC), 3-0, 4-0
3rd - Charles Fish (Marines) dec. Charles Thomas (Canada Black Bears), 1-0, 2-0