2002 World Champion Dremiel Byers is the top seed at 120 kg at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Tony Rotundo photo

TheMat.com will preview the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa, set for April 21-22 in historic Carver-Hawkeye Arena. We will profile each of the Olympic styles over three days this week.

55 kg/121 lbs. Weight Class Preview
(qualified for Olympic Games)

Spenser Mango has controlled this weight class since earning his spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. He competed in the last three World Championships for the United States. His top international finishes are his eighth at the Beijing Olympics and his ninth at the 2009 Worlds. Mango was a World University champion and a Junior World bronze medalist as he moved up through the age-group ranks. He is in his second year since joining the U.S. Army, and won the U.S. Open this year. He also qualified this weight class for the Olympics at the Pan Am Olympic Qualifier in Florida.

Placing second at U.S. Open was another Army star, Jermaine Hodge, who boasts a U.S. Open title from 2009. Hodge, a consistent challenger in recent years, is big for this weight class. He won a silver at the 2012 Pan American Championships. Placing third at the U.S. Open was Max Nowry, who was fifth at the Junior World Championships two years ago and has extensive age-group success. Nowry was undersized at this division but is growing and gaining experience here.

Paul Tellgren was second at the 2011 World Team Trials to take the No. 2 spot on the national team. He earned his spot in the field with a silver medal in Finland this winter. Placing fourth at U.S. Open was Nikko Triggas, taking an Olympic redshirt from Ohio State where he was an All-American. Triggas has many age-group Greco-Roman achievements. 

2011 Junior World Team member Mike Fuenffinger was fifth at the U.S. Open, with a number of age-group national honors. He spent a semester at the USOEC doing just Greco-Roman, but has returned to college wrestling at Augsburg. Nate Engel, the 2011 Armed Forces champion, placed sixth at the U.S. Open and is a past Greco-Roman national team member. Tyler Cox, taking a redshirt from the University of Wyoming, qualified for the Trials by placing seventh at the U.S. Open. Cox has been successful in Greco-Roman on the age-group level.

Earning their spots in the field through the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls were champion Isaiah Verona and runner-up Ryan McQuade, both young talents. Joining the field through the wildcard process was Dmitry Ryabchinskiy, a past University Nationals runner-up and New York AC International champion.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 55 kg/121 lbs.

2012 U.S Open placewinners
1. Spenser Mango, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
2. Jermaine Hodge, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
3. Max Nowry, Wheeling, Ill. (New York AC/USOEC)
4. Nikko Triggas, Moraga, Calif. (New York AC)
5. Mike Fuenffinger, Hibbing, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
6. Nathan Engel, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
7. Tyler Cox, Laramie, Wyo. (Gator WC)…us open
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Ryan McQuade, Appleton, Wis. (Aviators WC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Dmitry Ryabchinskiy, Brooklyn, N.Y. (New York AC)
• Wildcard selection
Paul Tellgren (Anoka, Minn./Minnesota Storm)
• Silver medalist at Haavisto Cup (Finland)
Isaiah Varona, Miami, Fla. (USOEC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion

60 kg/132 lbs. Weight Class Preview
(qualified for Olympic Games)

Joe Betterman was the 2012 U.S. Open champion, and competed at the 2007 and 2011 World Championships for the United States. Betterman won the 2008 Olympic Team Trials but could not compete at the Olympics because the USA did not qualify this weight class for the Beijing Games. Betterman has won a number of medals at international events, but seeks his first World-level medal on the Senior level.

Two-time U.S. World Team member Jeremiah Davis placed second behind Betterman at the U.S. Open this year, and has a fierce rivalry with him. A past U.S. Open champion, Davis has expanded his international experience in recent seasons. Placing third at the U.S. Open was Marco Lara, an Army athlete like Davis. Lara won the 2011 Armed Forces Championships, and has been a national team member at this division.

Having the best year this season has been two-time Junior World bronze medalist Ellis Coleman, who was an international internet sensation with his Flying Squirrel throw at the 2011 Junior Worlds. Coleman won the New York AC International and Sunkist Kids International this fall. He missed U.S. Open with an injury. He qualified the USA for the Olympic Games with a second place finish at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier in Florida.

2006 World Champion Joe Warren has pursued a career in mixed martial arts, but still seeks an Olympic team berth. He was sixth at the U.S. Open competing at 66 kg and is expected to be in the Trials field back down at 60 kg.

Three-time Junior World Team member Jesse Thielke was fourth at the U.S. Open. He is spending a year at the U.S. Olympic Training Center pursuing his Olympic dream before going off to college at Wisconsin. Another young talent, Jamel Johnson, who also had age-group success, placed fifth at the U.S. Open. Veteran U.S. Marine Corps wrestler Donovan DePatto, who has been in the mix nationally for a number of years, was sixth at the U.S. Open. Also qualifying for Iowa City with his seventh place at the Open was young Joey Denova, an emerging talent at the U.S. Olympic Education Center.

Reaching the Olympic Trials with a top two finish at the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls were champion Chad Vandiver and runner-up Mark Gillen. Vandiver has been a U.S. Open runner-up, with considerable success on the Senior level in recent years. Gillen is a young talent just emerging in Greco. Receiving a wildcard was three-time Junior World Team member Jimmy Chase, a 2011 University Nationals champion who was fourth in the 2008 Olympic Trials down at 55 kg.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 60 kg/132 lbs.

2012 U.S. Open placewinners
1. Joe Betterman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Jeremiah Davis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
3. Marco Lara, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
4. Jesse Thielke, Germantown, Wis. (Sunkist Kids) 
5. Jamel Johnson, Greensboro, N.C. (YES Wrestling)
6. Donovan DePatto, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines)
7. Joey Denova, Fortson, Ga. (USOEC)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Jimmy Chase, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
• Wildcard selection
Ellis Coleman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
• 2011 Sunkist Kids International champion
Mark Gillen, Johnstown, N.Y. (unattached)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Chad Vandiver, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Joe Warren, Monument, Colo. (New York AC)
• Past U.S. World Team member

66 kg/145.5 lbs. Weight Class Preview
(qualified for the Olympic Games)

The top star at this division has been Justin Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist who placed fifth at the 2011 World Championships, qualifying this weight class for the Olympic Games. After falling short of the Olympic Team in 2008, Lester made the 2009 World Team at 74 kg then took the next season off. Lester joined the U.S. Army and returned last year to this weight, once again among the world’s elite stars. Lester won the U.S. Open at 74 kg and could choose that division, but when down at 66 kg is the favorite the make the Olympic team. If he is at 66 kg, he must enter the Challenge Tournament like all of the others in the weight class.

Coming on strong in the last few seasons has been C.P. Schlatter, the 2012 U.S. Open champion at 66 kg. The former Minnesota star has moved up the ladder within the USA, and has found success in foreign events. Schlatter won golds at the Sunkist Kids International and the New York AC International and a silver at the Pan American Championships. Claiming the U.S. Open runner-up spot is Ben Sanchez, who was third in the 2010 U.S. Open and has placing nationally four straight years. A graduate of the USOEC program, Sanchez has continued his progress at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

The Army room is loaded at this class. Veteran Glenn Garrison continues to excel at this weight class, placing third at the U.S. Open this year. Garrison has won two U.S. Open titles and made the national team a number of times, but still seeks his first Olympic team berth. Teammate Faruk Sahin, the U.S. World Team member in 2009 and 2010, is another experienced talent seeking an Olympics berth. Sahin is a naturalized citizen born in Turkey, and was second behind phenom Jake Deitchler at the 2008 Olympic Trials. Deitchler has retired due to frequent concussions.

USOEC talent Kendrick Sanders has dropped to this weight and won the Dave Schultz Memorial to enter the Trials field. Sanders is known for his high amplitude throws. Another to drop down from 74 kg is Josh Castellano, who was fourth at the U.S. Open. Also earning trips to Iowa City with U.S. Open placements are Zachary Lamano (fifth) and John Cox (seventh). Joe Warren was sixth at U.S. Open, but expects to drop to 60 kg for Trials.

Joining the field through the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier by winning the title was Ravaughn Perkins, who has won a number of age-group Greco-Roman titles. Perkins lost a razor-tight series to Coleman for the 2011 Junior World Team spot. Also advancing was runner-up Patrick Smith, who also has a strong Greco-Roman background through age-group programs.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

2012 U.S. Open placewinners 
1. C.P. Schlatter, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
2. Ben Sanchez, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
3. Glenn Garrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
4. Josh Castellano, Wood Dale, Ill. (USOEC)
5. Zachary Lamano, Layton, Utah (Edge Hoboken) 
6. Joe Warren, Monument, Colo. (New York AC)
7. John Cox, Hampstead, N.C. (U.S. Marines)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Justin Lester, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
• Past U.S. World Team member
Ravaughn Perkins, Omaha, Neb. (ReadyRP)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Faruk Sahin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
• Past U.S. World Team member
Kendrick Sanders, Homestead, Fla. (New York AC/USOEC)
• 2012 Dave Schultz Memorial champion
Patrick Smith, Chaska, Neb. (Minnesota Storm)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up

74 kg/163 lbs. Weight Class Preview
(qualified for Olympic Games)

The U.S. Open champion at this weight class is two-time World medalist Justin Lester, who will most probably drop to 66 kg for the Olympic quest. We list him at 66 kg in the previews. However, if he chooses 74 kg, he advances directly to the championship series because he was a top five placer in the World during the last quadrennium, and also won the 2012 U.S. Open at this weight class.

Placing second at the U.S. Open was veteran Aaron Sieracki, who competed most of his career at 84 kg but has dropped to this weight in recent years after his brother Keith retired. Sieracki was second in the 2008 Olympic Team Trials at 84 kg, and has been a U.S. Open runner-up twice. Now with the Army, his career began with the Air Force.

Coming into the Olympic Trials with momentum is Andrew Bisek, who was third at the U.S. Open. Bisek competed at the 2011 World Championships when U.S. World Team member Jake Fisher was injured in training and couldn’t compete. Bisek won the 2012 Pan American Championships, beating a tough Cuban in the finals. He also qualified the USA for the Olympic Games with his silver medal at the Pan Am Olympic Qualifier in Florida.

The 2011 U.S. Open champion was young Ben Provisor, who made the decision to stay at 74 kg for this Olympic cycle. Provisor competed at the Junior Worlds three times and won numerous age-group titles. He was fourth at the recent U.S. Open.

Jake Fisher qualified for the 2010 and 2011 World Team and has a 2010 U.S. Open title on his resume. Fisher developed in the USOEC program and is now winning medals at international events in recent seasons. He competed at 84 kg at the U.S. Open but will drop for the Trials to reclaim his No. 1 spot here. Earning spots in the Trials field with placements at 74 kg at the U.S. Open were Tanner Andrews, Timothy Bleau and Jon Anderson. A West Point grad, Anderson also won the Armed Forces title this season.

Two comebacks to watch include 2004 Olympian Oscar Wood and the amazing three-time World freestyle medalist Andre Metzger. Wood entered at the U.S. Open and is training again. Metzger, at 52 years old, has made his comeback in Greco-Roman, in spite of not competing for over 20 years. Among the other qualifiers is Marco Toledo, who won a medal at an event in Finland to join the field.

Winning the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls was past University Nationals champion Aaron Briggs, who has been competitive on the Senior level for many years. Anton Gottfredson, also active on the Senior level in recent season, qualified with a silver medal there.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 74 kg/163 lbs.

World Top 5 & US Open champ in Trials finals – Justin Lester, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
Other 2012 U.S. Open placewinners
2. Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
3. Andrew Bisek, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm)
4. Ben Provisor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Tanner Andrews, North Aurora, Ill. (USOEC)
6. Timothy Bleau, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
7. Jon Anderson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Aaron Briggs, Tucson, Ariz. (New York AC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Jake Fisher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
• Past U.S. World Team member
Anton Gottfredson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Andre Metzger, Norman, Okla. (Oklahoma Underdogs)
• Past U.S. World Team member
Marco Toledo, Colorado Springs, Colo.
• Bronze medalist at Haavisto Cup (Finland)
Oscar Wood, Fountain, Colo. (U.S. Army)
• Past U.S. Olympic Team member

84 kg/185 lbs. Weight Class Preview
(qualified for the Olympic Games)

Having his best season to date is 2009 U.S. World Team member Chas Betts, who won the 2012 U.S. Open title this season. Betts won the 2012 Pan American Championships with a win over Cuba’s top athlete, and has done very well on tours this year. He qualified the USA for the Olympics by placing second at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier in Florida. A USOEC product who has thrived since graduation, Betts has been among the top challengers the entire Olympic cycle.

After dropping down from 96 kg, Zac Nielsen had his best national finish with his second place at the U.S. Open in December at 84 kg. Fifth at the University World Championships, Nielsen continues to improve at the Senior level. Placing third at the U.S. Open was Jordan Holm, who was a 2011 U.S. Open champion and World Team Trials runner-up. Holm, who is very powerful physically, has gained international experience the last two years and continues to improve his technical abilities.

Although his seventh place finish at the recent U.S. Open was disappointing, Cheney Haight competed at the 2011 World Championships and was second in the 2008 Olympic Team Trials. Haight boasts a 2010 U.S. Open title and numerous high national placements. Jake Clark is a two-time U.S. World Team member at this weight who has also shown consistent success at the highest levels. He placed third at the U.S. Open up at 96 kg, and becomes a serious threat if he is back down at 84 kg.

His fourth place was a best career U.S. Open finish for Donald Simmons of the Marines. Peter Hicks, a past Armed Forces champion, was fifth at the U.S. Open this year and third at the Open in 2011. Also qualifying for the Trials by placing in the sixth at the U.S. Open was Mark Stenberg of the USOEC, who has been numerous age-group honors with recent success on the Senior level.

Making a comeback is 2008 Olympian and many-time World Team member T.C. Dantzler, who has been training for months and entered the recent Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls as a tune-up. Winning that event, with a win over Dantzler, was Travis Rutt, who is on an Olympic redshirt season from Wisconsin to pursue his Greco-Roman career. Also earning a spot in the field with a silver medal there was veteran Jason Plamann.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 84 kg/185 lbs.

2012 U.S. Open placewinners
1. Chas Betts, Colorado Springs, Colo.(Minnesota Storm)
2. Zac Nielsen, Zimmerman, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
3. Jordan Holm, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
4. Donald Simmons, Sneads Ferry, N.C. (U.S. Marines)
5. Peter Hicks, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
6. Mark Stenberg, Lockport, Ill. (USOEC)
7. Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Jake Clark, Honolulu, Hawaii (Minnesota Storm)
• Past U.S. World Team member
T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Harvey Twisters)
• Past U.S. Olympic Team member
Jason Plamann, Kaukauna, Wis. (FVGC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Travis Rutt, New Prague, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Keith Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
• Past U.S. World Team member

96 kg/211.5 lbs. Weight Class Preview
(not yet qualified for Olympic Games)

The United States has not yet qualified for the Olympic Games at this weight class, so the Olympic Team Trials will not determine who goes to the Olympics. Qualifying becomes task one. USA Wrestling has chosen 2005 World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz to go to China, and if necessary, Finland to compete in World Olympic Games Qualifiers in the next few weeks. If Ruiz gets the job done, he will face the winner of the Olympic Trials in a Secondary Olympic Trials in a best-of-three series at a time and date to be set.

Ruiz continues his long quest for the Olympic Team, after placing second at the last two Olympic Trials. He fell in the 2004 Trials to 2000 Olympic medalist Garrett Lowney, then lost to Adam Wheeler in the 2008 Trials, who went on to win an Olympic medal. Ruiz has seven U.S. Open titles, but did not wrestle in the recent U.S. Open. A Pan Am Games champion, Ruiz has medaled at many of the world’s toughest meets. Ruiz was the entry at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier, but placed third, losing to the Cuban in the semifinals. Ruiz is capable of beating top foreign athletes, and will have to if the USA hopes to wrestle at 96 kg in London.

Winning the U.S. Open this season was 2009 World Team member R.C. Johnson, who has also been second in the World Team Trials and the U.S. Open a number of times. Johnson has been consistent in both domestic and international competition. Placing second at the U.S. Open is Pete Gounaridis, who has been on the Greco-Roman team two times to go along with many age-group titles. Two-time World Team member Jake Clark was third at the U.S. Open, but has his best achievements down at 84 kg. Clark is competitive in this division, but would still be considered a longshot against the larger competitors.

Daren Burns had a great U.S. Open effort, placing fourth and making progress in his development. Moises Hernandez of the Marines was fifth at the U.S. Open, taking his wrestling to a new level for the Olympic year. Junior World Team member Marcus Finau has been strong at the age-group levels, with his sixth at the U.S. Open being his best Senior-level effort. Earning his spot in the Trials was Kenyon Walsh by placing seventh at the U.S. Open.

Three athletes joined the field through the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls. Winning the title at 96 kg was young talent Lee Wildes, and qualifying with a silver medal was Caylor Williams. Also expected to compete here is the champion at 120 kg at this qualifier, veteran Rob Smith. Smith is a past Greco-Roman national team member and many-time age-group national champion, who missed much of this season with injury. When wrestling well, Smith is competitive with all of the U.S. competitors at 96 kg.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. 

2012 U.S. Open placewinners
1. R.C. Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Pete Gounaridis, Leominster, Mass. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Jake Clark, Honolulu, Hawaii (Minnesota Storm)
4. Daren Burns, Greensboro, N.C. (YES Wrestling)
5. Moises Hernandez, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines)
6. Marcus Finau, Ewa Beach, Hawaii (New York AC/USOEC)
7. Kenyon Walsh, Boise, Idaho (New York AC)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Justin Millard, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army
• '11 Interservice champion
Justin Ruiz, Meridian, Idaho (New York AC) **
• Past World team member
Rob Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
• Final Olympic Trials champion at 120 kg
Lee Wildes, Oviedo, Fla. (USOEC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Caylor Williams, Greensboro, N.C. (YES Wrestling)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up

** - Ruiz will miss Olympic Trials to compete in World Olympic Qualifiers overseas

120 kg/264.5 lbs. Weight Class Preview
(qualified for Olympic Games)

Dremiel Byers has been one of the greatest Greco-Roman stars in U.S. history. A 2002 World champion, he also won a 2009 World silver medal and a 2007 World bronze medal. He competed in the 2008 Olympic Games. He has owned this weight class in the USA since 2005, and boasts 10 U.S. Open titles. He is the top star on the strong U.S. Army team, and a mentor for many younger athletes. He got the USA qualified for the Olympics by winning the Pan Am Olympic Qualifier, and he has wins over almost all of the top wrestlers in the world at some point in his career. Byers advances directly to the best of three series at the Olympic Trials, where he needs just two wins to make his second Olympic team.

Placing second at the U.S. Open was Brandon Rupp, who was a 2010 U.S. Open champion and has made the last three Greco-Roman national teams. Rupp has won a number of international medals, and has emerged as top challenger each year. Pete Kowalczuk, a University World bronze medalist, was third at the U.S. Open, and has been a national challenger the last few seasons.

Byers’ teammate with the Army, Timothy Taylor, placed second at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials and has been No. 2 on the national team in past seasons, including the 2011 year. Taylor was injured at the 2011 Pan Am Games, and enters the field with a wildcard. 

Another longtime Byers rival, 2000 Olympic champion and 2001 World champion Rulon Gardner, has thrown his hat in the ring. Gardner’s first challenge is making the weight, then hoping to reclaim his tremendous skills at the age of 40. Gardner was a contestant on NBC’s The Biggest Loser last season, and refueled his desire to compete during that process.

Junior World Team member Toby Erickson was fourth at the U.S. Open, his best Senior level performance since focusing on Greco-Roman full-time. Another young star who is taking a redshirt year from college is Nikola Bogojevic, who was fifth at the U.S. Open. Also earning spots in the Iowa City field with U.S. Open placements are Jake Kettler and Joseph Sheffield.

Nick Severson, a former Div. II national champion and veteran of the Senior Greco-Roman scene, reached the field with a silver medal at the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls. Added as a wildcard was Steve Andrus, who was third at the 2011 U.S. Open and a member of the 2010 Junior World Team.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

World Top 5 & US Open champ in Trials finals – Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
Other 2012 U.S. Open placewinners
2. Brandon Rupp, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Pete Kowalczuk, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
4. Toby Erickson, East Helena, Montana (New York AC/USOEC)
5. Nikola Bogojevic, Superior, Wis. (Minnesota Storm)
6. Jake Kettler, Anoka, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
7. Joseph Sheffield, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Steve Andrus, Manhattan, Kan. (Michigan WC)
• Wildcard selection
Rulon Gardner, Logan, Utah (Sunkist Kids)
• Past U.S. Olympic Team member
Nick Severson, Pine Island, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Timothy Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
• Wildcard selection