AKRON, OH – May , 2012 – USA Wrestling and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission will host the ASICS University & FILA Cadet National Championships for the sixth consecutive year at the Louis and Freda Stile Athletic Field House at the University of Akron, May 31 – June 3, 2012. This tournament is estimated to bring over 1,100 athletes from across the nation. Both age divisions will compete in the Olympic-styles of Greco-Roman and Freestyle.

ASICS University athletes are 18 to 24 years of age (born 1988-1994) and will feature some of the nation’s top wrestlers from college wrestling programs and the U.S. Military teams. Traditionally, athletes who succeed at the University Nationals often go on later in their careers to make U.S. Senior World and Olympic teams.

The finalists at the seven Olympic weight classes only qualify for the 2012 University World Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo., on August 17-18.

A total of 12 champions from the 2011 University National Championships qualified this year to compete at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City in April.

University Freestyle champions from last year who competed at the Olympic Trials were Brandon Precin at 55 kg/121 lbs., Andrew Howe at 74 kg/163 lbs., Colt Sponseller at 74 kg/163 lbs., Quentin Wright at 84 kg/185 lbs., Chad Hanke at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. and Dom Bradley at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

University Greco-Roman champions from last year who competed at the Olympic Trials were Max Nowry at 55 kg/121 lbs., Jimmy Chase at 60 kg/132 lbs., Tanner Andrews at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Aaron Briggs at 74 kg/163 lbs., Mark Stenberg at 84 kg/185 lbs., Zac Nielsen at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Pete Gounaridis at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

Howe, Nowry and Gounaridis placed second at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

The FILA Cadet Nationals will feature many of the best high school wrestlers in the United States ages 15 to 17 years old (born 1995-1996 and 1997 with a medical certificate). 

The champion in each FILA Cadet weight class qualifies to represent the United States at the 2012 FILA Cadet World Championships August 21-27 in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

In men’s freestyle, two members of the 2011 FILA Cadet World Team are eligible to return this year, both from Minnesota: Gannon Volk at 92 pounds and Tommy Thorn at 101 pounds. Both placed seventh in the FILA Cadet World Championships last year, and both were Cadet Nationals freestyle champions last year in Fargo, N.D.

Three members of the 2011 FILA Cadet Greco-Roman Team, who also won FILA Cadet National titles last year, are eligible to return: Lincoln Olson of Michigan at 92 pounds, Darius Henry of Illinois at 119 pounds and Hayden Tuma of Idaho at 127 pounds.

Another FILA Cadet Nationals champion in Greco-Roman, who did not compete at the World Championships, is also eligible this year, Dylan Lucas of Florida at 101 pounds.

Two other FILA Cadet World Team members, who were not national champions last year, can return for another shot at making the team: Matthew Rundell of Illinois at 101 pounds and Gabe Schroek of Montana at 110 pounds.

The top three place winners at this event qualify for their state's Cadet national teams (above the state limit) in the style in which they qualify. This is only for athletes born in 1996 or 1997. Athletes born in 1995 do not qualify for their Cadet national team. Athletes must still adhere to all state policies and qualify in the style in which they place. The ASICS/Vaughan Junior & Cadet National Championships will be held in Fargo, ND, from July 14-21.

Discounted online athlete registration is now open at www.trackwrestling.com and will officially close Tuesday, May 29th at 9:00 p.m. Central time. Click here to register online

On-site registration is also available.

To attend the ASICS University & FILA Cadet Nationals, tickets can be purchased at the door and start at just $5. 

2012 ASICS University & FILA Cadet Nationals Schedule 

Thursday, May 31st:
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM:  University GR & FILA Cadet GR Registration
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM:  University GR & FILA Cadet GR Medical Check/Weigh-ins

Friday, June 1st:
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM:  University GR & FILA Cadet GR Preliminaries
3:00 PM – Conclusion:  University GR & FILA Cadet GR Preliminaries through Finals
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM:  University (Men) FS & FILA Cadet FS Registration
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM:  University (Men) FS & FILA Cadet FS Medical Check/Weigh-ins

Saturday, June 2nd:
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM:  University (Men) FS & FILA Cadet FS Preliminaries
3:00 PM – 8:30 PM:  University (Men) FS & FILA Cadet FS Preliminaries

Sunday, June 3rd:
9:00 AM – Conclusion:  University (Men) FS & FILA Cadet FS to Completion

2011 ASICS Men's University & FILA Cadet National Champions:

University Greco-Roman Champions
55 kg – Max Nowry of NYAC/USOEC; 60kg – Jimmy Chase of NYAC; 63 kg – Joe Colon of Clear Lake; 66 kg – Bo Beckman of NYAC/USOEC; 70 kg – Tanner Andrews of USOEC; 74 kg – Aaron Briggs of NYAC/USOEC; 79 kg – Chad Hemerson of NYAC/USOEC; 84 kg – Mark Stenberg of USOEC; 96 kg – Zac Nielsen of Minnesota Storm; 120 kg – Pete Gounaridis of Sunkist Kids/USOEC

University Men's Freestyle Champions
55 kg – Brandon Precin of Wildcat WC; 60 kg – Steve Mytych of NYAC-Excel; 63 kg – Andrew Long of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club; 66 kg – Andrew Alton of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club; 70 kg – James English of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club; 74 kg – Andrew Howe of Badger Wrestling Club; 79 kg – Colt Sponseller of Ohio Regional Training Center; 84 kg – Quentin Wright of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club; 96 kg – Chad Hanke of NWRTC; 120 kg – Dom Bradley of Sunkist Kids

FILA Cadet Greco-Roman Champions
39-42 kg – Lincoln Olson of Michigan; 46 kg – Dylan Lucas of Florida; 50 kg – Phillip Laux of Iowa; 54 kg – Darius of Illinois; 58 kg – Haden Tuma of Idaho; 63 kg – Cody Ross of Florida; 69 kg – Ryan Gartner of Wisconsin; 76 kg – Jordan Rogers of Washington; 85 kg – Sam Brooks of Illinois; 85-100 kg – Adam Coon of Michigan; 125 kg – John Dreggors of Florida

FILA Cadet Freestyle Champions
39-42 kg – Gannon Volk of Minnesota; 46 kg – Tommy Thorn of Minnesota; 50 kg – Dalton Brady of Arizona; 54 kg – Thomas Gilman of Nebraska; 58 kg – Zane Richards of Illinois; 63 kg – Joey Lavallee of Nevada; 69 kg – Oliver Pierce of Texas; 76 kg – Jordan Rogers of Washington; 85 kg – Sam Brooks of Illinois; 85-100 kg – Adam Coon of Michigan; 125 kg – Brooks Black of Pennsylvania

To learn more about the 2012 ASICS University & FILA Cadet National Wrestling Championships, please visit www.themat.com or www.clevelandsports.org. 

The mission of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is to measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the Greater Cleveland community by attracting and creating significant sporting events and activities.  Since 2000, the Sports Commission has been responsible for attracting and/or managing over 120 sporting events, contributing more than $370 million in economic impact.  Visit us online at www.clevelandsports.org for a complete listing of our services and events.