THE 1999 U.S. NATIONAL WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO LAS VEGAS, NEV. AT THE CONVENTION CENTER, APRIL 30-MAY 1The best amateur wrestlers in the United States, competing in freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's freestyle wrestling, will participate for the 1999 U.S. National Wrestling Championships at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., April 30-May 1.
Held alongside the United States National Championships will be the West Junior Regional Championships, which is expected to feature many of the best high school wrestlers from around the nation, April 28-30.
The U.S. National Wrestling Championships is one of the most exciting amateur sports events of the year, and will include a number of Olympic and World medalists. This will be the 10th time that Las Vegas has served as the host for the U.S. National Wrestling Championships, most recently in 1996.
In freestyle, top competitors will include 1998 World Champion Sammie Henson (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids) at 119 pounds, and 1998 World bronze medalists Cary Kolat (Bellefonte, Pa./Dave Schultz WC) at 138.75 pounds and Lincoln McIlravy (Iowa City, Iowa/Gateway) at 152 pounds. In addition, 1997 World Champion Les Gutches (Corvallis, Ore./Sunkist Kids) will attempt to win his fourth straight U.S. Nationals title.
The Greco-Roman field should include 1998 World silver medalist Matt Ghaffari (Avon Lake, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 286 pounds, as well as world place winners Matt Lindland (Lincoln, Neb./Sunkist Kids) at 167.5 pounds and Quincey Clark (New Brighton, Minn./Minn. Storm) at 213.75 pounds. In addition, 1995 World Champion Dennis Hall (Plover, Wis./Sunkist Kids) will compete, attempting to defend his streak of seven straight U.S. National titles.
The 1999 women's competition should feature all three 1998 World medalists from the United States: gold medalist Tricia Saunders (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) at 101.25 pounds, silver medalist Kristie Stenglein (Albany, N.Y./ATWA) and bronze medalist Sandra Bacher (San Jose, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) at 149.75 pounds.
The tournament begins on Friday, April 30, with freestyle and Greco-Roman sessions at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The Women's competition begins at 6:00 p.m on Friday. Session times on Saturday, May 1 will be at 1:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., with the gold-medal finals set for 4:00 p.m. For information on ticket packages, contact the Las Vegas Organizing Committee at 702-361-5017.
Kicking off the week will be the Third Annual Dave Schultz Wrestling Foundation Golf Classic, which will be held at the Wild Horse Golf Club, just minutes away from the strip, on Thursday, April 29. This scramble tournament will begin with brunch at 11:30 a.m., followed by tee off at 1:00 p.m. For more information on the DSWF Golf Classic, contact Karen Reina at 610-941-3641.
Defending U.S. Nationals champions
Freestyle: 119 - Sammie Henson, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids); 127.75 - Tony Purler, Clarion, Pa. (Sunkist Kids) 137.75 - Shawn Charles, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids); 152 - Lincoln McIlravy, Iowa City, Iowa (Gateway WC); 167.5 - Steve Marianetti, Urbana, Ill. (New York AC); 187.25 - Les Gutches, Corvallis, Ore. (Sunkist Kids); 213.75 - Melvin Douglas, Mesa, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids); 286 - Tolly Thompson, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)
Greco-Roman: 119 - Shawn Sheldon, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC); 127.25 - Dennis Hall, Plover, Wis. (Sunkist Kids); 137.75 - Shon Lewis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC); 152 - Chris Saba, Colorado Springs, Colo. (NYAC); 167.5 - Matt Lindland, Lincoln, Neb.(Sunkist Kids); 187.25 - Dan Niebuhr, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids); 213.75 - Jason Klohs, Maple Grove, Minn. (Minn. Storm); 286 - Matt Ghaffari, Avon Lake, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
Women: 101.25 - Tricia Saunders , Phoenix, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids); 112.25 - Jackie Berube, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Wildcat WC); 123.25 - Stephanie Murata, Minden, Nev. (Sunkist Kids); 136.5 - Jimi Dawn Hornbuckle, Poteau, Okla. (Dave Schultz WC); 149.75 - Lauren Wolfe, Okemos, Mich. (Michigan WC); 165.25 - Kristie Stenglein, Albany, N.Y. (ATWA).