VARNA, Bulgaria – Robbie Mathers (Awatukee, Ariz./OTC) won a silver medal in freestyle in the second day of the Petko Sirakov–Ivan Illiev Junior International on Saturday.

Mathers, who is a developmental resident at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, had a 2-1 record at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

He opened with a quarterfinal win over Behar Mamuti of Macedonia, 5-2, 6-0, then stopped Sefa Askoy of Turkey in the semifinals, 5-2, 6-0.

He was defeated in the championship match by Manzala Madalin of Romania, 2-2, 2-6.

Another U.S. athlete who is also a developmental resident at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Jesse Doyle (Trinity, N.C./OTC) competed at 84 kg/185 lbs. and finished with a 1-2 record.

"On the second day we saw Robbie Mathers at 66kg, and Jesse Doyle at 84kg, competing. I saw some very good things in both men wrestling hard in order to get offenses going. We do well when in this mind set. In our setbacks we made small position mistakes. I'm encouraged to see the progress these men are making. I, also, look forward to Earl Hall's opportunity tomorrow to take home a gold medal!"

It was the second medal won by the USA so far, along with a bronze from Willie Miklus (Des Moines, Iowa/OTC) on Friday at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

PETKO SIRAKOV – IVAN ILLIEV JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL
At Varna, Bulgaria, March 30

U.S. performances

66 kg/145.5 lbs. Robbie Mathers, Awatukee, Ariz., Silver medal
WIN Behar Mamuti (Macedonia), 5-2,6-0
WIN Safa Askoy (Turkey), 5-2,6-0
LOSS Manzala Madalin (Romania), 2-2,2-6 

84 kg/185 lbs. - Jesse Doyle, Trinity, N.C., DNP
WIN Peter Dominic (Austria) 3-1, 2-0
LOSS Iren Yurukov (Bulgaria) 1-1, 0-1
LOSS Miroslav Milkov (Bulgaria), 0-1, 0-1