Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) has been named the 1999 Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year by USA Wrestling. It is the first time that Byers has won this prestigious award. 
 He placed sixth in the 1999 World Championships at 286 pounds, the top U.S. Greco-Roman performance during the 1999 season.  
 Byers had a 3-1 record at the World Championships, competing on his first U.S. World team. He beat 1997 World silver medalist Mihaly Deak of Hungary in the first round. His only loss was a 1-1 referee's decision to 1996 Olympic bronze medalist Sergey Moureyko of Bulgaria. 
 Byers was the 1999 Pan American Games silver medalist, losing only to 1992 Olympic champion Hector Millian of Cuba in the gold-medal finals. 
 He was also the 1999 Greco-Roman World Team Trials champion, defeating 1996 Olympic silver medalist Matt Ghaffari in the finals series. 
 Byers was the 1999 U.S. Nationals champion, and was named Outstanding Wrestler of the Greco-Roman tournament. He won his first career U.S. Nationals title, defeating former World placewinner Rulon Gardner in the championship finals. He also defeated Ghaffari in an exciting semifinal match. 
 Byers also claimed a gold medal at the Copa de Campeones International Tournament in Venezeula, and won silver medals at the Sunkist Kids International Open and the Winter Classic. 
 Byers was also the 1999 Armed Forces Champion, and helped lead the U.S. Army team to the title in Greco-Roman. He is a member of the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program. 
 He is originally from Kings Mountain, N.C. and attended attended North Carolina A&T. 
 PAST GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS 
 1999 - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo., U.S. Army 
 1998 - Matt Lindland, Lincoln, Neb., Sunkist Kids 
 1997 - Rulon Gardner, Gilbert, Ariz., Sunkist Kids 
 1996 - Dennis Hall, Stevens, Point, Wis., Sunkist Kids 
 1995 - Dennis Hall, Stevens Point, Wis., Sunkist Kids 
 1994 - Dennis Hall, Stevens Point, Wis., Sunkist Kids 
 1993 - James Johnson, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunkist Kids