AKRON, Ohio – Jason Chamberlain was headed out of the arena early Sunday afternoon when one of his travel companions had a question for him.

Shouldn’t you stick around for the Outstanding Wrestler award, they asked.

Chamberlain headed back into the University of Akron Field House and did earn the OW after winning a University Nationals freestyle title on Sunday.

Chamberlain, a past Junior World Team member, dropped the first period before rallying to down Minnesosta NCAA qualifier Nick Dardanes 0-1, 1-0, 3-0 in the finals at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

“I pride myself in being somebody with a lot of stamina,” Chamberlain said. “At the end of the match I am more likely to score at the end. I think that showed today. I kept battling.”

Chamberlain capped a strong tournament that included a third-round win over two-time NCAA champion Kellen Russell.

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

Hometown favorite Dustin Kilgore, a 2011 NCAA champion for Kent State, looked strong in sweeping Pitt All-American Matt Wilps 2-0, 6-1 in the finals at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. 

“I just had to keep attacking and stay low,” Kilgore said. “He’s real strong and I didn’t want to go upper body with him. I set my pace and kept wrestling hard. I just had to keep fighting.”

Kilgore will return to Kent State for his senior year during the 2012-13 season.

NCAA champion Tony Nelson of Minnesota downed past Junior World champion Dom Bradley in the finals at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Nelson successfully defended in the clinch in the second period to earn the win.

Minnesota All-American Chris Dardanes won the title at 60 kg/132 lbs.

UNIVERSITY NATIONALS – FREESTYLE FINALS

55 kg/121 lbs.
Evan Silver (Cardinal Wrestling Club) won by forfeit over Jerome Robinson (HRWA)

60 kg/132 lbs.
Chris Dardanes (Minnesota Storm) dec. Jarrod Garnett (NRV Mat Club), 0-2, 2-0, 5-2

63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Nathan McCormick (Missouri Wrestling Foundation) dec. Joe Colon (Panther Wrestling Club), 3-3, 1-1

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Jason Chamberlain (Broncs Wrestling Club) dec. Nick Dardanes (Minnesota Storm), 0-1, 1-0, 3-0

70 kg/154.25 lbs.
Ian Miller (Golden Pride Wrestling Club) dec. Frank Hickman (Husky Wrestling Club), 4-1, 6-0

74 kg/163 lbs.
Jake Salazar (Cliff keen WC) dec. Eric Hess (LVAC), 1-0, 1-0

79 kg/174 lbs.
Josh Asper (Terrapin Wrestling Club) dec. Colton Sponseller (OHIO RTC), 1-0, 0-1, 3-1

84 kg/185 lbs.
Michael Letts (Navy Mat Club) dec. Kevin Steinhaus (Minnesota Storm), 2-0, 2-1

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Dustin Kilgore (OTC) dec. Matt Wilps (Pittsburgh Wrestling Club), 2-0, 6-1

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Tony Nelson (Minnesota Storm) dec. Dom Bradley (Missouri Wrestling Foundation), 1-1, 2-0