2011 World Champion Jordan Burroughs is the top seed at 74 kg at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Larry Slater 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 the Olympic Games)

This weight class has considerable depth, with many capable of making an impact in Iowa City. After many years as a top contender, Nick Simmons made his first U.S. World Team in 2011 and placed fifth at the World Championships, qualifying the USA for the Olympics at the division. Simmons is extremely tall and talented, developing his own style to succeed at this weight class. He has proven successful against international opponents in recent seasons.

Placing second at the 2011 World Team Trials was Sam Hazewinkel, who was the 2011 U.S. Open champion. An Olympic Trials runner-up in Greco-Roman in 2008, Hazewinkel switched styles and has had increasing success in freestyle. His father and uncle were both Olympic wrestlers. Placing third at the 2011 World Team Trials was Obe Blanc, who was the U.S. World Team member in 2010, placing ninth in the World Championships. Blanc has thrived in freestyle since his college career ended, where he starred for Lock Haven and then Oklahoma State.

All eyes are on 2008 Olympic champion Henry Cejudo, who took almost 3 ½ years off before returning to the mats last spring. Cejudo won the Sunkist Kids International this season and second at the Henri Deglane Challenge in France, but has not met many of the top challengers in the field since his comeback. Also chasing his Olympic dream is 2009 World Team member Danny Felix, one of the most experienced veterans on the national scene. Cejudo beat Felix in the Sunkist Kids International finals in the fall.

Coming into the Trials with momentum is Angel Escobedo, who was second in both the U.S. Nationals and the World Team Trials in 2010, but missed much of last season with injury. An NCAA champ for Indiana, Escobedo won the New York AC International this year. Earning their trip to Iowa at the Freestyle Trials Qualifier in Las Vegas were Brandon Precin, Mark McKnight and Shawn Contos, all veterans on the freestyle scene.

Reaching the Trials in his first year after college with his fourth-place finish at the Sunkist Kids International is tough Ben Kjar. The biggest surprise in the field is young Earl Hall from Florida, in just his first year after high school, who placed a strong fourth at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. Wildcards went to two-time NCAA champion Matt McDonough of Iowa, who was a Junior World Team member, and Cornell’s Frank Perrelli, fifth at last year’s U.S. Open and a University Nationals champion.

The final two qualifiers came from the Final Olympic Team Qualifier in Cedar Falls in early April, with Minnesota college star Zach Sanders taking first and Wyoming’s Michael Martinez placing second. Both have been strong freestylers throughout their college years.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 55 kg/121 lbs.

2011-2012 Freestyle National Team
1. Nick Simmons, Corvallis, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
3. Obe Blanc, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
• Past U.S. Olympic Team member
Shawn Contos, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier fourth place
Angel Escobedo, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
• New York AC International champion
Danny Felix, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids)
• Past U.S. World Team member
Earl Hall, Homestead, Fla. (New York AC)
• Dave Schultz Memorial fourth place
Ben Kjar, Orem, Utah (Utah Valley)
• Sunkist Kids International fourth place
Mark McKnight, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place
Michael Martinez, Pagosa Springs, Colo. (Cowboy WC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Matt McDonough, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
• Wildcard selection
Frank Perrelli, Hackettstown, N.J. (New York AC)
• Wildcard selection
Brandon Precin, Evantson, Ill. (New York AC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Zach Sanders, Lauderdale, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion

60 kg/132 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 not yet announced its plan for who will got to World Olympic Qualifiers in China, and if necessary in Finland, in the upcoming weeks. If the USA is successful in getting this weight qualified, those pulled out for the overseas qualifiers and the Olympic Trials champion will compete for the Olympic spot in a Secondary Olympic Trials at a time and date to be set.

This weight class has a tremendous amount of depth, with many competitors with past U.S. World Team experience. The 2011 U.S. World Team member and current No. 1 on the national team is Reece Humphrey, who placed ninth at the 2011 World Championships. This was not high enough to qualify the USA for the Olympics. Humphrey was a 2011 U.S. Open champion and World Team Trials champion, and boasts two University World medals. His father Jim was an Olympic coach and World silver medalist.

Placing behind Humphrey in both the U.S. Open and World Team Trials was Shawn Bunch, who competed at the 2009 World Championships for the USA. Bunch has been successful in many major international events, using his combination of quickness and power. Bunch was selected for the Pan Am Olympic Qualifier in Florida, taking third after losing to a top Cuban in the semifinals. 

2006 World bronze medalist and 2008 Olympian Mike Zadick, who was a star for host Iowa, also brings vast international success. Zadick last wrestled at the World Championships in 2010. Zadick should get a boost from the hometown Hawkeye crowd at the Olympic Trials. He has wins over most of the competitors in this weight class, looking for a great performance and another Olympic team berth.

Placing third at the 2011 World Team Trials was Coleman Scott, who was an NCAA champion for Oklahoma State. Scott has been a consistent performer, qualifying for the national team a number of times. This weight is loaded with past NCAA champions, including two-timer Matt Valenti of Penn as well as Derek Moore of UC Davis. Valenti got into the Trials based upon his New York AC International medal, and Moore, now with the U.S. Army, earned his spot at the Sunkist Kids International.

The Olympic Trials Qualifier in Las Vegas was won by Tyler Graff, who is taking an Olympic redshirt this year from college. Graff has been nationally ranked in freestyle going back to his days in high school. Martin Berberyan, a recently naturalized U.S. citizen who has competed at the World Championships for Armenia, was second in Vegas, and Jimmy Kennedy won the bronze medal. Reaching the field through the Dave Schultz Memorial was Justin Pearch.

Earning wildcards are the top two NCAA athletes at 133 pounds, champion Logan Stieber of Ohio State and runner-up Jordan Oliver of Oklahoma State. Oliver was 2011 NCAA champion. Both are past Junior World medalists in freestyle.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 60 kg/132 lbs.

2011-2012 Freestyle National Team
1. Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)**
2. Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC)**
3. Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Martin Berberyan, Valley Village, Calif. (SK Golden Boys)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Tyler Graff, Loveland, Colo. (New York AC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Drew Headlee, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Andrew Hochstrasser, Boise, Idaho (Bronco WC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
James Kennedy, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place
Derek Moore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army
• Sunkist Kids International second place
Jordan Oliver, Easton, Pa. (Gator WC)
• Wildcard selection
Justin Pearch, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army
• Dave Schultz Memorial, fourth place
Kellen Russell, High Bridge, N.J. (Cliff Keen WC)
• Wildcard selection
Logan Stieber, Monroeville, Ohio (New York AC)
• Wildcard selection
Matt Valenti, Philadelphia, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
• New York AC International third place
Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC)
• Past U.S. Olympic Team member

** - Could miss Olympic Trials to compete in World Olympic Qualifiers overseas

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

Coming off his best season in freestyle is 2011 U.S. World Team member Teyon Ware, who was a two-time NCAA champion for Oklahoma. Ware won both the U.S. Open and the World Team Trials in 2011, showing an explosive scoring ability. He did some Greco-Roman before jumping completely into freestyle, and has thrived since joining the Nittany Lion WC. He was third in the 2011 Pan American Games.

Brent Metcalf, a two-time NCAA champion for Iowa, competed in the 2010 World Championships for the USA. Metcalf lost to Ware in the U.S. Open and World Team Trials last year. He has had some strong international efforts, including a gold medal at the Olympic Games Test Event in London in December. He also qualified the USA for the Olympics at the Pan Am Olympic Qualifier in Florida. Taking the No. 3 spot on the ladder is Josh Churella, who has made the national team the last two years and continues to show progress. He is capable of beating anybody in this weight class, and placed second in the 2010 U.S. Open.

Veteran Jared Frayer is making another Olympic run. He was second to Metcalf at the 2010 World Team Trials, and took a year off. Since his return, he won the Sunkist Kids International and placed second in the Cerro Pelado Tournament in Cuba. Another talented veteran still in the mix is 2000 Olympian Cary Kolat, who placed second behind Ware at the 2011 U.S. Open. After the 2000 Sydney Games, Kolat took some years away from competition, but has been back on the circuit the last few seasons. Kolat looked strong winning gold at the Final Trials Qualifier in early April. Dustin Schlatter, an NCAA champ from Minnesota, was a 2009 World Team member at 74 kg, and has dropped to 66 kg, where he was the New York AC International champion and second at the Olympic Trials Qualifier.

This weight has a strong group of young talents breaking through. Winning the Olympic Trials Qualifier in Las Vegas was Adam Hall, looking strong in freestyle in his first year after college. His teammate at Boise State, Jason Chamberlain was third in Vegas, and Chase Pami, NCAA runner-up for Cal Poly, was fifth. Other talents who are making their name in freestyle are Kevin Levalley and Todd Meneely. LeValley was third at the New York AC International, and also had a strong tour to Ukraine. Meneely was fourth at the Dave Schultz Memorial. 

Earning their way into the field at the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls were Joe Johnston, who was second behind Kolat, and Zack Bailey, who was third in the event. Johnston has considerable freestyle experience. Earning a wildcard was 2012 Pan American Championships champion Phillip Simpson, who has been nationally ranked in recent seasons. He is a former NCAA runner-up for West Point.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

2011-2012 Freestyle National Team
1. Teyon Ware, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
2. Brent Metcalf, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC)
3. Josh Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Zack Bailey, Kansas City, Mo. (Victory Wrestling)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier third place
Jason Chamberlain, Boise, Idaho (Bronco WC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place
Jared Frayer, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC)
• Sunkist Kids International champion
Adam Hall, Boise, Idaho (New York AC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Joe Johnston, Columbia, Mo. (Gator WC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Cary Kolat, Chapel Hill, N.C. (North Carolina RTC)
• Past U.S. Olympic Team member
Kevin Levalley, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
• New York AC International third place
Todd Meneely, Colorado Springs, Colo. (OTC)
• Dave Schultz Memorial, fourth place
Chase Pami, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier fifth place
Dustin Schlatter, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
• Past U.S. World Team member
Phillip Simpson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
• Wildcard selection

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

The big name in freestyle wrestling coming into the Olympic Trials is 2011 World champion Jordan Burroughs. Since winning his second NCAA title for Nebraska and taking the 2011 Dan Hodge Trophy, he has been on an inspired run. He has not lost a bout while winning eight straight events: Burroughs has won the U.S. Open, Beat the Streets USA/Russia Dual, World Team Trials, Ukrainian Memorial International, World Championships, Pan American Games, Dave Schultz Memorial and the Cerro Pelado International. His world title moves him directly into the best-of-three championship series.

Placing second at the 2011 World Team Trials is Wisconsin NCAA champion Andrew Howe, who is also a top freestyle talent. Howe has been No. 2 on the national team for two years, and won the 2010 U.S. Open. A former Junior World bronze medalist, he is taking an Olympic redshirt to pursue the Olympic berth. He was second in the Olympic Test event in England and a major event in Ukraine this winter. Placing third at the World Team Trials in emerging talent Nick Marable, who was also second at the 2011 U.S. Open. Marable has expanded his international experience this season, making him even more dangerous.

This weight class includes Trent Paulson, who was on the 2009 World Team at 66 kg. Trent was second behind Burroughs at the Dave Schultz Memorial and the Cerro Pelado in Cuba this winter. His twin brother Travis, who was on the 2010 World Team at 74 kg, is reportedly competing up at 84 kg for this season.

The veteran among the rest of the field is Lloyd Rogers, who trains in Iowa City and got into the field with his second place at the Sunkist Kids International. Ryan Morningstar, who competed for Iowa, got in by placing at the New York AC International. The qualifiers from the Olympic Trials qualifier in Las Vegas were Colton Sponseller, Tyler Caldwell and Moza Fay, all emerging talents.

Winning the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier was the talented Mike Poeta, the former Illinois star who has impressive freestyle skills. Second behind Poeta was young Penn State talent Matt Brown. NCAA champions Kyle Dake of Cornell and David Taylor of Penn State were added as wildcards. Both have been on U.S. Junior World Teams, and show tremendous potential in freestyle.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 74 kg/163 lbs.

’11 World Medalist in Trials Finals - Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)
National Team members in Challenge Tournament
2. Andrew Howe, Cedar Lake, Ind. (New York AC)
3. Nick Marable, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Matt Brown, West Valley City, Utah (Nittany Lion WC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Tyler Caldwell, Wichita, Kan. (Sunkist Kids)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place
Kyle Dake, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)
• Wildcard selection
Moza Fay, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier fourth place
Ryan Morningstar, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC)
• New York AC International fourth place
Trent Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
• Past U.S. World Team member
Mike Poeta, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen WC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Lloyd Rogers, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
• Sunkist Kids International runner-up
Colton Sponseller, Glenmont, Ohio (New York AC)
•’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
David Taylor, St. Paris, Ohio (Nittany Lion WC)
• Wildcard selection

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

The big news in U.S. wrestling was the comeback by 2004 Olympic champion Cael Sanderson last summer, when he won the World Team Trials after more than seven years away from competition. Sanderson placed fifth at the World Championships, losing to the eventual champion, qualifying the weight for the USA. His amazing technical skills were still apparent. Sanderson has yet to announce if he will return again for the Olympic Trials. Fans may not find out until weigh-ins in Iowa City.

Winning a silver medal at the 2009 World Championships was talented Jake Herbert, who also earned a spot on the 2010 World Team. Herbert’s dominance during this Olympic cycle was set back with a loss to Sanderson at the 2011 World Team Trials. A two-time NCAA champ for Northwestern, Herbert has been a top freestyle talent for many years. Taking the No. 3 spot on the national team was Keith Gavin, an NCAA champion for Pitt, who has emerged as a freestyle talent. He has been a World Team Trials finalist and boasts some strong efforts on international tours.

Raymond Jordan, who made the national team in 2010, earned his spot in the Trials with a Sunkist Kids International title. Jordan has been winning medals overseas in the last few years. Former Iowa wrestler Phil Keddy made the field with a victory at the New York AC International. Travis Paulson, who was a World Team member at 74 kg in 2010, has reportedly moved up to 84 kg for good.

Jon Reader, an Iowa State NCAA champion, won the title at the Olympic Team Trials Qualifier in Las Vegas. Reader has quickly improved since jumping into freestyle full-time. Also qualifying in Las Vegas were Mack Lewnes and Bryce Hasseman. In the past, Hasseman has been ranked as high as No. 2 on the national ladder. Young Deron Winn earned a spot in the field placing fifth at the Dave Schultz Memorial.

Three wrestlers for this weight class emerged at the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls. Former Michigan star Tyrel Todd was the champion, and Wyoming star Joe Blanc was true second at 84 kg at the qualifier. Taking true second at 96 kg there was Missouri NCAA champion Max Askren, who is planning to drop to 84 kg for the Olympic Trials. 

Getting wildcards were a pair of NCAA champions from Penn State 2010 NCAA champion and 2011 NCAA runner-up Quentin Wright and 2012 NCAA champion Ed Ruth. Wright is a former Junior World bronze medalist who has beaten some top Senior-level stars in post-season events.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 84 kg/185 lbs.

2011-2012 Freestyle National Team
1. Cael Sanderson, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
2. Jake Herbert, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
3. Keith Gavin, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Max Askren, Somers, N.Y. (New York AC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier true second at 96 kg
Bryce Hasseman, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place
Raymond Jordan, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)
• Sunkist Kids International champion
Phil Keddy, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
• New York AC International champion
Joe LeBlanc, Meeker, Colo. (Cowboy WC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier true second
Mack Lewnes, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC) 
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Travis Paulson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
• Past U.S. World Team member
Jon Reader, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Ed Ruth, Harrisburg, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
• Wildcard selection
Tyrel Todd, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Deron Winn, Liberty, Mo. (unattached)
• Dave Schultz Memorial fifth place
Quentin Wright, Wingate, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
• Wildcard selection

96 kg/211.5 lbs. Weight Class Preview
(qualified for the Olympic Games)

2011 World bronze medalist Jake Varner has taken this weight class by storm. Since winning his second NCAA title at Iowa State, he followed his coach Cael Sanderson and joined up with the Nittany Lion WC at Penn State. He has grown in size and confidence and now competes with the world’s best. Varner advances directly to the best-of-three championship series in Iowa City because of his World medal.

The next two members of the Freestyle National Team are college stars on an Olympic redshirt year. World Team Trials runner-up Chad Hanke of Oregon State has moved up to 120 kg this year. Dustin Kilgore, NCAA champion for Kent State in 2011, has blossomed in freestyle this year, winning the Pan Am Championships and the Cerro Pelado in Cuba. 

Two past World Team members who train together at the Ohio RTC should be major factors here. Tommy Rowlands, who was fifth in the World at 120 kg in 2007, has returned and made the drop to 96 kg for his Olympic run. Rowlands won two NCAA titles for Ohio State. J.D. Bergman placed ninth in the 2010 World Championships, and after missing much of 2011 to injury, has returned to top form this year in time for the Olympic Trials.

Young athletes are also making a dent here. Craig Brester won the Olympic Trials Qualifier in Las Vegas, with Trevor Brandvold in second and Tanner Hall in third. Brester is just getting into freestyle on the highest level. Hall, a Junior World Team member, is at the Olympic Training Center in his first year after high school. Two other young athletes, David Zabriskie and Brent Jones, placed at the Olympic Trials Qualifier at 120 kg, but will drop down to 96 kg for Iowa City. 1996 Olympic champion Kurt Angle plans a comeback for the Olympic Trials, but has not competed since he made the announcement.

Reaching the Trials field with a victory at the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls was two-time NCAA champion from Oklahoma State Chris Pendleton, a past Freestyle National Team member. Pendleton moved up to 96 kg for this qualifying event, and indicated he may stay up for the Trials.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

’11 World Medalist in Trials Finals - Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
National Team members in Challenge Tournament
2. Chad Hanke, Dayton, Ore. (NWRTC)
3. Dustin Kilgore, Berea, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Kurt Angle, Pittsburgh, Pa. (unattached)
• Past U.S. Olympic Team member
J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio, (New York AC) 
• Past U.S. World Team member
Trevor Brandvold, Verona, Wis. (New York AC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Craig Brester, Lincoln, Neb. (NWTC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Tanner Hall, Meridian, Idaho (New York AC) 
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier third place
Brent Jones, Colorado Springs, Colo. (OTC)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier champion at 120 kg
Wynn Michalak, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
• Sunkist Kids International runner-up
Chris Pendleton, Laramie, Wyo. (Gator WC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Tommy Rowlands, Hilliard, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
• Past U.S. World Team member
David Zabriskie, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier champion at 120 kg

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

The United States has been traditionally strong at heavyweight, and is expected to have a medal contender for the London Games. Sitting at the top this year is 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev, who placed fifth at the 2011 World Championships to qualify the USA for the Olympics at the weight. Dlagnev won two NCAA Div. II titles for Nebraska-Kearney, and boasts a University World title. He had a big win over Olympic champion Artur Taymazov of Uzbekistan in the 2011 Worlds.

Steve Mocco placed seventh at the 2008 Olympic Games, his only U.S. Senior level team. Mocco was second behind Dlagnev at the 2011 World Team Trials. He won NCAA titles for Iowa and Oklahoma State, and now trains and coaches at Lehigh. Mocco has a wealth of international experience. Placing third at the World Team Trials was 2009 Junior World champion Dom Bradley, who is taking an Olympic redshirt from Missouri. Bradley has made the Senior national team the last two years and has been strong in freestyle going back to his high school years.

2010 World Team member Les Sigman is capable of competing with anybody. His rivalry with Dlagnev goes back to college, when Sigman was a four-time Div. II champion for Nebraska-Omaha. Sigman has extensive international experience, and gives his U.S. rivals challenges when he is healthy and wrestling well. 

Bradley is one of three Olympic redshirts from college in this weight class. Chad Hanke of Oregon State was No. 2 at 96 kg last year, but has since moved to 120 kg. He won a silver medal in a big event in Ukraine this winter. Jarod Trice of Central Michigan has also focused just on freestyle this year, getting into the Trials with his second place at the New York AC International. Also qualified based upon qualifying tournament placements are Charles Fish and James Friedrich. Fish was second at the Sunkist Kids International.

Qualifying for the Trials with a win at the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in Cedar Falls was past Div. III national champion John Helgerson of Warburg. Bloomsburg heavyweight Justin Grant also joined the field by placing second there.

Expected Olympic Trials participants at 120 kg/264 lbs.

2011-2012 Freestyle National Team
1. Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
2. Steve Mocco, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC)
3. Dom Bradley, Blue Springs, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)
Other Qualifiers (alphabetically)
Charles Fish, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marines)
• Sunkist Kids International runner-up
James Friedrich, Los Angeles, Calif. (Checkmate)
• ’11 Olympic Trials Qualifier fourth place
Justin Grant, Easton, Pa. (Husky WC)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier runner-up
Chad Hanke, Dayton, Ore. (NWRTC)
• Freestyle National Team No. 3 at 96 kg
John Helgerson, West Union, Iowa (Wartburg)
• Final Olympic Trials Qualifier champion
Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
• Past U.S. World Team member
Jarod Trice, Highland Park, Mich. (Gator WC)
• New York AC International runner-up