Kendrick Sanders pins Italy’s Tiziano Corriga in the Dave Schultz Memorial International finals on Saturday. Larry Slater photo.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Kendrick Sanders has a penchant for generating his share of excitement when he steps on the wrestling mat.

That was evident during the finals of the Dave Schultz Memorial International on Saturday night at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

The 21-year-old Sanders executed a spectacular reverse lift and planted Italy’s Tiziano Corriga on his back for a first-period fall in the Greco-Roman finals at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

The crowd erupted when Sanders finished off Corriga, a 2011 World Team member, for the fall with 14 seconds left in the opening period. Sanders was named Outstanding Wrestler of the Greco-Roman competition.

“I knew I could lift him,” Sanders said. “That’s my go-to move, and that’s what I used. Once I got him up, I knew it was in my control.”

That win also lands Sanders a spot in April’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City.

World champion Dremiel Byers earned his record sixth Schultz title by downing veteran Nico Schmidt of Germany 1-0, 1-0 in the finals at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Byers beat Schmidt in the semifinals of the 2009 Worlds before Byers finished second.

“Anytime you can win, it’s a good day,” Byers said. “It’s real important to win a big tournament like this. He’s one of the best guys out there – he’s a tough wrestler. Battling guys like that will elevate you.”

Olympian Spenser Mango energized the crowd in the first finals bout, countering a second-period turn attempt and pinning India’s Rajender Kumar to win the title at 55 kg/121 lbs. Mango won the first period 5-1 before scoring the pin from the defensive position in par terre in the second period.

Chas Betts swept Jake Clark in a battle of past World Team members and Minnesota Storm teammates at 84 kg/185 lbs. Betts made the 2009 U.S. World Team before Clark made the team a year later.

Past World champion Mohammed Abdelfattah of Egypt countered a turn attempt by past World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz to record a first-period pin in the finals at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Ruiz exposed Abdelfattah for a two-point turn, but the Egyptian was able to step over to secure the pin.

Ruiz was seeking his fourth title in this event.

Andrew Bisek swept two-time Schultz champion Jake Fisher 1-0, 1-0 in the finals at 74 kg/163 lbs. Bisek replaced Fisher at the 2011 World Championships after Fisher was injured during training.

India’s Anil Kumar rallied past two-time World Team member Jeremiah Davis to win the title at 60 kg/132 lbs.

The U.S. Army won the team title.

FINALS RESULTS

55 kg/121 lbs.
Spenser Mango (U.S. Army) pinned Rajender Kumar (India), 5-1, 1:57

60 kg/132 lbs.
Anil Kumar (India) dec. Jeremiah Davis (U.S. Army), 0-1, 3-2, 2-0

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Kendrick Sanders (New York AC) pinned Tiziano Corriga (Italy), 1:46

74 kg/163 lbs.
Andrew Bisek (Minnesota Storm) dec. Jake Fisher (New York AC), 1-0, 1-0

84 kg/185 lbs.
Chas Betts (Minnesota Storm) dec. Jake Clark (Minnesota Storm), 2-0, 1-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Mohammed Abdelfattah (Egypt) pinned Justin Ruiz (New York AC), 1:46

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Dremiel Byers (U.S. Army) dec. Nico Schmidt (Germany), 1-0, 1-0