Coleman Scott (Stillwater, Okla. /Gator WC) won a tense three-period match over Reece Humphrey (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) in the preliminary match, to earn a spot in the Championship Series finals at the U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off for the 60 kg/132 lbs. position on the U.S. Olympic Team in men’s freestyle wrestling.

After  a scoreless first period, Scott won the ball draw and converted the takedown from the offensive position for a 1-0 win.

The second period went to Humphrey, who hit a leg attack and converted the step out for a point with just three seconds left to win the second period, 1-0.

The third period was scoreless as well, and went to the ball draw. It came up for Scott, who once again converted the takedown from the offensive position for a 1-0 lead.

Scott advances to the best of three Championship Series against Shawn Bunch (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC), which begins at 6:00 p.m.
The competition was the first match of “The Grapple in the Big Apple” in Duffy Square in New York’s Times Square.

Scott was not available for comment.

“I blew it,” said Humphrey after the bout. “You can’t leave it to the ball draw. There is no excuse. I needed to score more to win.

Bunch will face the Humphrey/Scott winner in the first match of the Championship Series at 6:00 p.m. in Times Square. The second match will be held at approximately 7:20 p.m. If necessary, the third match will be held at approximately 8:20 p.m.

Scott was ranked No. 3 on 2011-12 Freestyle Team USA. He won the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, defeating Logan Stieber in the Championship Series. He went undefeated in five matches at the 2012 Freestyle World Cup. He was third at the World Team Trials the last three years and was a 2008 U.S. Open runner-up. Scott was a 2008 NCAA champion and four-time All-American for Oklahoma State and hails from Waynesburg, Pa.

Humphrey was ranked No. 1 on 2011-2012 Freestyle Team USA. He placed ninth in the 2011 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Humphrey won the 2011 U.S. Open and the 2011 U.S. World Team Trials. He is a two-time University World Championships medalist. He was an NCAA runner-up and two-time All-American for Ohio State and hails from Indianapolis, Ind.

The event is held alongside the USA vs. Russia international freestyle dual meet set for Times Square in New York City, starting immediately following the first 60 kg bout during the 6:00 p.m. session on Thursday, June 7.
 
A card of high school and junior high matches featuring athletes from the Beat the Streets program will be held at 3:00 p.m.

U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS WRESTLE-OFF AT 60 KG
At Duffy Square in Times Square, New York, N.Y., June 7
 
Preliminary Match 
Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) dec. Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC) , 1-0, 0-1, 1-0

Scott to face Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC) in the best-of-three Championship Series at 6:00 p.m.