Jimmy Kennedy during the 60 kg finals series at the 2013 U.S. World Team Trials in Stillwater, Okla. Tony Rotundo - Wrestlers Are Warriors photo

A team of talented U.S. freestyle wrestlers will compete over two consecutive weekends in respected international wrestling competitions in Russia during the next two weeks.

The group will wrestle in the Intercontinental Cup in Khasvjurt, Russia, October 19-20, then travel to Grozny, Russia to participate in the Ramzan Kadirov Cup from October 26-27.

Leading the U.S. team will be 2013 U.S. World Team Trials runner-up Jimmy Kennedy (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC/Cliff Keen WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. A college star at the Univ. of Illinois, Kennedy won a bronze medal in last year’s Ramzan Kadirov Cup and has won medals at five international events in the last two years.

Two past NCAA champions will also compete, Dustin Kilgore (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids/OTC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Zack Rey (Bethlehem, Pa./Lehigh Valley AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Kilgore won his NCAA crown for Kent State, while Rey won his for Lehigh. Both are members of Freestyle Team USA, after placing third at the 2013 U.S. World Team Trials.

Rounding out the U.S. team are Steve Mytych (Coplay, Pa./Lehigh Valley AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Chase Pami (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids/OTC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

Two top U.S. athletes who competed at the FILA Cadet World Championships, World champion Aaron Pico of California and team member Stefan Micic of Indiana, are on the tour to participate in the international training camps.

U.S. men’s freestyle roster
55 kg/121 lbs. – Steve Mytych, Coplay, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Jimmy Kennedy, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC/Cliff Keen WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Chase Pami, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids/OTC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Dustin Kilgore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids/OTC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Zack Rey, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
National Freestyle Coach – Zeke Jones, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – Valentin Kalika, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Medical – Barry Politi, Olive Branch, Miss.