Jordan Burroughs hits a leg attack against Trent Paulson in the finals at 74 kg at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. Larry Slater photo

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Jordan Burroughs knows it is not going to be easy to repeat what he did in 2011.

But the reigning World freestyle champion at 74 kg/163 lbs. looks primed for another big season in 2012.

Burroughs won a battle of past World Team members and NCAA champions by earning a 1-0, 6-0 decision over Trent Paulson in the Dave Schultz Memorial International finals on Friday night at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

The 23-year-old Burroughs has not lost a freestyle match since entering the U.S. Open last April, shortly after capping his college career with his second NCAA title at Nebraska.

Burroughs won a physical battle with the burly Paulson. The first period was scoreless and Paulson won a ball draw, but Burroughs countered in the clinch and gained a reversal to win the period. Burroughs then took control in the second period to clinch his first Dave Schultz title.

“Trent’s a tough wrestler,” Burroughs said. “He coached me at one point in my career and we’ve trained together a lot, so he knows what I have. I knew it was going to be a battle. I definitely have room for improvement. I have to keep wrestling my hardest and try to dominate.”

Burroughs was one of seven first-time Schultz champions crowned on Friday.

Past NCAA champion Coleman Scott earned the title at 60 kg/132 lbs. by rallying past Rahul Bala Aware of India 2-1, 1-3, 3-2. Aware made India’s World Team in 2011. Scott was named Outstanding Wrestler.

2010 World champion Sushil Kumar of India won the title at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. by sweeping past NCAA runner-up Chase Pami in the finals.

National Team member Raymond Jordan swept past NCAA All-American Phil Keddy in the finals at 84 kg/185 lbs.

Dom Bradley outlasted Jarod Trice in three periods in a battle of NCAA All-Americans in the finals at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Bradley is a past Junior World champion in freestyle.

2011 NCAA champion Dustin Kilgore finished second at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Junior World champion Shamil Akhmedov of Russia downed Kilgore 3-0, 3-2 in the finals.

India’s Amit Kumar topped past NCAA All-American Brandon Precin 1-0, 1-0 in the finals at 55 kg/121 lbs.

The Sunkist Kids won the team title.

Four wrestlers earned spots in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials by virtue of being highest American finisher at his weight class that hasn’t already qualified. Those wrestlers included Earl Hall at 55 kg/121, Justin Pearch at 60 kg/132 lbs., Todd Meneely at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., and Deron Winn at 84 kg/185 lbs. Hall, Pearch and Meneely each placed fourth. Winn lost in the consolation semifinals to finish in the top six.

Wrestlers had to finish in the top six to qualify for the Olympic Trials.

The third and final day of the tournament is set for Saturday with the Greco-Roman competition. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

FINALS RESULTS

55 kg/121 lbs.
Amit Kumar (India) dec. Brandon Precin (New York AC), 1-0, 1-0

60 kg/132 lbs.
Coleman Scott (Gator WC) dec. Rahul Bala Aware (India), 2-1, 1-3, 3-2

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Sushil Kumar (India) dec. Chase Pami (Sunkist Kids), 3-0, 3-1

74 kg/163 lbs.
Jordan Burroughs (Sunkist Kids) dec. Trent Paulson (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 6-0

84 kg/185 lbs.
Raymond Jordan (Sunkist Kids) dec. Phil Keddy (Hawkeye WC), 1-0, 5-2

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Shamil Akhmedov (Russia) dec. Dustin Kilgore (Sunkist Kids), 3-0, 3-2

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Dom Bradley (Sunkist Kids) dec. Jarod Trice (Gator WC), 0-1, 1-0, 1-0