U.S. Army wins Greco-Roman tournament in Venezuela with six champions

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
11/08/1999


U.S. ARMY WINS GRECO-ROMAN TOURNAMENT IN VENEZUELA WITH SIX CHAMPIONS AND 10 MEDALISTS 

The U.S. Army Greco-Roman wrestling team claimed the team title with a strong performance at the "Copa de Campeones" International Festival in Punto Fijo, Venezuela, Nov. 3.

The Army team featured six individual champions and 10 medalists, finishing with 75 points, more than twice as many points as runner-up team Delta Amacuro club.

1999 U.S. World Team members Shon Lewis (152) and Dremiel Byers (286) were among the individual champions.

Other U.S. champions included Glenn Nieradka (138.75), Keith Sieracki (167.5), Aaron Sieracki (187.25) and Josh Hall (213.75). Aaron Sieracki, who is the younger brother of Keith, competes for the U.S. Air Force, but competed at the event with the Army team.

Silver medals were claimed by Dave Nieradka (138.75) and Mike Mathers (187.25). Bronze medals were earned by 1996 Olympian Mujaahid Maynard (127.75) as well as Jason Loukides (213.75).

It was a furious week of wrestling for the Army team members. The Army team attended the tournament in Venezuela after wrestling in the Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open in Phoenix, Oct. 30-31. After returning from Venezuela, many of the team members entered the Winter Classic in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 6.

COPA DE CAMPEONES INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL at Punto Fijo, Venezuela, Nov. 3

Greco-Roman Medalists

50 kg/110 lbs. - Gold - Gustavo Dennis (Venezuela); Silver - Ranny Viera (Venezuela); Bronze - Marcos Querales (Venezuela)

54 kg/119 lbs. - Gold - Jorge Cardoza (Venezuela); Silver - Wilmer Loaiza (Venezuela); Bronze - Jesus Flores (Venezuela)

58 kg/127.75 lbs. - Gold - Jairo Alvarado (Venezuela); Silver - Luis Liendo (Venezuela); Bronze - Mujaahid Maynard (U.S. Army)

63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Gold - Glenn Nieradka (U.S. Army); Silver - Dave Nieradka (U.S. Army); Bronze - Jorge Bracho (Venezuela)

69 kg/152 lbs. - Gold - Shon Lewis (U.S. Army); Silver - Jose Garcia (Venezuela); Bronze - Jimmy Rodriguez (Venezuela)

76 kg/167.5 lbs. - Gold - Keith Sieracki (U.S. Army); Silver - Jean Ramirez (Venezuela); Bronze - Paul Perez (Venezuela)

85 kg/187.25 lbs. - Gold - Aaron Sieracki (U.S. Air Force); Silver - Mike Mathers (U.S. Army); Bronze - Jose Cedeno (

97 kg/213.75 lbs. - Gold - Josh Hall (U.S. Army); Silver - Alvaro Torres (Venezuela); Bronze - Jason Loukides (U.S. Army)

130 kg/286 lbs. - Gold - Dremiel Byers (U.S. Army); Silver - Jhan Santos (Venezuela); Bronze - Emilio Suarez (Venezuela)

Team Standings - 1. U.S. Army - 75 pts.; 2. Delta Amacuro club, 37 pts.: 3. Lara club, 35 pts.: 4. Zulia club, 25 pts.; 5. Tachira club, 19 pts.; 6. Apure club, 18 pts.; 7. Anzoategui club, 16 pts.; 8. Bolivar club, 16 pts.; 9. Yaracuy club, 14 pts.; 10. Falcon club, 12 pts. (of 16 teams.

U.S. place finishes

119 - Michel Santos, 4th; 119 - Justin Weber, 8th; 127.75 - Mujaahid Maynard, 3rd; 138.75 - Glenn Nieradka, 1st ; 138.75 - Dave Nieradka, 2nd; 152 - Shon Lewis, 1st; 167.5 - Keith Sieracki, 1st; 187.25 - Aaron Sieracki, 1st; 187.25 - Mike Mathers, 2nd; 213.75 - Josh Hall, 1st; 213.75 - Jason Loukides, 3rd; 286 - Dremiel Byers, 1st