VARNA, Bulgaria – Willie Miklus (Des Moines, Iowa/OTC) won a bronze medal in freestyle in the first day of the Petko Sirakov –Ivan Illiev Junior International on Friday.

Miklus, who is a developmental resident at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, had an impressive 3-1 record at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. He defeated Phillip Hutter of Switzerland in the bronze-medal mtch 6-0, 4-1.

Another U.S. athlete who is also a developmental resident at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, - Danny Chaid (San Jose, Calif./OTC) also competed at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and finished with a 1-2 record.

"Willie and Danny both have had a good learning day. We can do even better however I'm impressed with our effort and willingness to learn. We raised our elevation a few times that has cost us. It is consistency and focus that keep us in our stances and I'm confident we will get to where we want to be!"

PETKO SIRAKOV – IVAN ILLIEV JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL
At Varna, Bulgaria, March 29

U.S. performances

96kg/211.5 lbs. - Willie Miklus, Des Moines, Iowa (OTC), 3rd place
WIN Tihomir Ivanov (Bulgaria), 7-0 pin
WIN Vlad Caras (Romania), 0-2, 4-2, 6-1
LOSS Y. Can Zeybek (Turkey), 2-3, 1-3
WIN Phillip Hutter (Switzerland), 6-0, 4-1

96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Danny Chaid, San Jose, Calif., (OTC)
LOSS Ali Boncouglu (Turkey), 2-3,0-5
WIN Bilgin Yumerov (Bulgaria), 1-0,0-1,3-1
LOSS Vlad Caras (Romania), 1-1, 0-5