Kelly Anundson is in control at the 2011 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev. Larry Slater photo.

Among the many exciting events in Las Vegas alongside the 2013 Las Vegas/ASICS U.S. Open for wrestling is the 2013 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials. 

This competition will be the qualifying event for the U.S. teams competing at the 2013 FILA Grappling World Championships in London, Canada. There will be a men’s and women’s division in both No-Gi and Gi Grappling at the World Team Trials. 

Those wishing to participate in the Grappling World Team Trials must also be eligible to represent the United States at the Grappling World Championships. They must have a United States passport.

Divisions being held are for Seniors, age 20 and over, and weight classes are: for men, 62 kg, 66 kg, 71 kg, 77 kg, 84 kg, 92 kg, 100 kg and +100 kg; and for women, 53 kg, 58 kg, 64 kg, 71 kg, and +71 kg. 

Participants must also have current 2013 USA Wrestling memberships. To become a USA Wrestling member, visit www.usawmembership.com.  

This year, there is an exciting new opportunity concerning hotel reservations and entry fees. Participants in all five USA Wrestling tournaments in Las Vegas will receive their event registration fee at half price if they book their hotel room through VEGAS.com. You must go through the USA Wrestling event websites first to get the proper location on Vegas.com and receive a discount code for registration. This is a tremendous value for all who use this option.

VEGAS.com offers extremely low prices at a large variety of hotels in Las Vegas and offers a price guarantee. If you can find a lower price at that hotel property somewhere else, VEGAS.com will match the rate.

YOU MUST BOOK A ROOM THROUGH VEGAS.COM FIRST IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A DISCOUNT CODE TO USE LATER FOR TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION. Do not go directly to Vegas.com to book your room. Use the link on the USA Wrestling event website to Vegas.com to order your room and receive the discount code for event registration.

The deadline to register online is Tuesday, April 16 at 9:00 a.m. PST. On-site registration is available but at a higher entry fee. Visit the Grappling World Team Trials event website for more information and links for registration and hotel booking. 

Also on the schedule in Las Vegas from April 16-20 is the 2013 Las Vegas/ASICS Senior Open, as well as the ASICS Junior Nationals, the Veterans Nationals and the Western Junior Regionals. Grapplers who are eligible are encouraged to enter wrestling events also, if they like.

The United States is one of the best Grappling nations in the world, with consecutive team titles in the World Championships from 2006 through 2010 in No-Gi Grappling. Team USA was also the World Team champion in Gi Grappling in 2009. Team USA was third at the 2011 and 2012 Grappling Worlds in No-Gi.

U.S. GRAPPLING WORLD TEAM TRIALS 
At Las Vegas, Nevada, April 17-20

Event Schedule

Thursday, April 18
6:30-7:30 p.m. – No Gi Men and Women Mandatory Check-in, Weigh-in Card Pickup, and Waiver Drop-off
7:30-8:00 p.m. – No Gi Men and Women Medical Check & Weigh-in

Friday, April 19
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – No Gi Men and Women U.S. Grappling World Team Trial Preliminaries and Medal Matches
2-4:00 p.m. – No Gi Men and Women U.S. Grappling World Team Trials Gold Medal Finals – Raised Mat
1:00-2:00 p.m. – Gi Men and Women Mandatory Check-in, Weigh-in Card Pickup, and Waiver Drop-off
2-2:30 p.m. – Gi Men and Women Medical Check & Weigh-in

Saturday, April 20
3:00-6:00 p.m. – Gi Men and Women U.S. Grappling World Team Trial Preliminaries, Medal Matches and Finals

2012 FILA GRAPPLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDALISTS AND TEAM MEMBERS 

U.S. Men’s No-Gi
62 kg/136.5 lbs. – Matt Betzold, 2nd 
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Ryan Vottero, dnp/11th 
71 kg/156.25 lbs. – Nick Marr, 7th 
77 kg/169.5 lbs. – Shane Cross, 2nd 
84 kg/185 lbs. – Mike Kelly, 2nd 
92 kg/202.5 lbs. – Jeff Funicello, 7th
100 kg/220 lbs. – Dan Huber, 3rd 
+100 kg/Over 220 lbs. – Jeff Monson, 1st 

U.S. Women’s No-Gi
53 kg/116.75 lbs. – Diana Anchondo, 5th 
58 kg/127.75 lbs. – Gabriella Foster, 3rd

U.S. Men’s Gi 
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jose Coronel, 8th 
71 kg/156.25 lbs. – Justin Hayes, 8th 
84 kg/185 lbs. – Danny Clark, 3rd 
92 kg/202.5 lbs. – Jeff Funicello, 7th 
100 kg/220 lbs. – Dan Huber, 8th 
Unlimited – Kenny Lester, 5th 

U.S. Women’s Gi 
53 kg/116.75 lbs. – Diana Anchondo, 5th 
58 kg/127.75 lbs.– Gabriella Foster, 7th 
64 kg/140.75 lbs.– Ryan Rogge, 3rd