Jake Varner and Tervel Dlagnev of the United States pose with their 2012 Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix medals. Randy Boswell photo

KRASNOYARSK, Russia – The United States came home with two medals in men’s freestyle on the final day of competition at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix on Sunday. This is considered by many the toughest freestyle tournament of the year.

Capturing a silver medal at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. was Tervel Dlagnev, (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Dlagnev was a 2009 World bronze medalist.

Winning a bronze medal at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. was Jake Varner (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC). Varner was a 2011 World bronze medalist.

Dlagnev won all of his preliminary matches to reach the final, where he was defeated by 2008 Olympic silver medalist Bakhtiyar Akhmedov of Russia. It was the second straight year which Dlagnev won a medal at the Yarygin Memorial, after returning with a bronze medal in 2011.

“Tervel was in position to win. He really dominated until the finals but made a couple of mistakes that cost him. The funny thing was he was great in the second position clinch going 2-2 but lost a critical first position clinch which cost him a period. Knowing Tervel, he'll go home and fix them,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones.

Varner’s only loss came in the semifinals, when he was defeated by Ibrahim Saidov of Russia. He came back to win his final match to capture the bronze medal.

Last year, Varner reached the Yarygin semifinals, where an injury stopped him from continuing and kept him from a medal.

"Jake was in a monster weight class. There's no question this tournament at 96 kg is tougher than the Olympics will be in August. Right now Jake's freestyle is at the highest level and he is mastering the techniques and tactics that you need to win at this level. He really just needed to be stingier in the semis. I do like where he's at in his training and competition cycle. He's only going to get better,” said Jones.

The U.S. had a delegation of four athletes. Also competing but falling short of medals were Sam Hazewinkel at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Brent Metcalf at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

"In measuring the 2008-2012 cycle, we had a losing record in 2009 and 2010 and finally turned the corner in 2011. This year, we had a 50% medal success rate where last year we had six guys wrestle for medals but only came away with one. That’s good. It means we're improving. Next time, we need 100% medal rate,” said Jones.

Only 10 U.S. men’s freestyle wrestlers have ever won this event, and all 10 were Olympians during their career. The last U.S. men’s freestyle champion at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial was Steve Mocco at 120 kg in 2009.

"Overall we had a good effort and for the most part it translated into medals. No gold though. It makes us want to come back here again until we get it right. Don't get me wrong, it wasn’t for lack of effort. You never have to worry about the wrestlers that came on this trip when it comes to effort. They get after it. It really boiled down to not making mistakes at the wrong time. We did that a few times. I can tell you this; we'll go home and work on those mistakes,” said Jones.

IVAN YARYGIN MEMORIAL GRAND PRIX
At Krasnoyarsk, Russia, Jan. 29

Men's freestyle results

84 kg/185 lbs.
Gold - Anzor Urishev (Russia)
Silver – Georgiy Rubaev (Russia)
Bronze – Magomed Ibragimov (Russia)
Bronze – Anzor Baltukaev (Russia)

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Gold - Abdusalam Gadisov (Russia)
Silver - Ibrahim Saidov (Russia)
Bronze – Georgiy Ketoev (Russia)
Bronze – Jake Varner (USA)

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Gold - Bakhtiyar Akhmedov (Russia)
Silver - Tervel Dlagnev (USA)
Bronze – Soslan Gagloev (Russia)
Bronze – Magomedgadzhi Nurasulov (Russia)

U.S. performances

96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC), bronze medal

120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids), silver medal

Match summaries will be posted when available