PIROZZOLA AND PHELPS ADVANCE TO FINALSTwo U.S. wrestlers are among the top eight in their weight division and will participate advance to the finals on Saturday morning.
Mike Pirozzola (Levittown, Pa.) defeated Korea's Elnur Aslanov in the last second to score three points in the fifth round and advance to the finals in the 68 kg weight class.
Brandon Phelps (Cornell, Wis.) defeated Jozef Bienkowski of Poland in the 95 kg division and can finish as high as third.
All five U.S. team members won at least one match today.
"I am very happy with the team's performance today. To go five-for-five in the first round today and to win three matches by a technical fall or pin is very exciting," said head coach Cliff Laughlin (Idaho Falls, Idaho). "It is great to do that well against this type of competition."
The finals in both weight classes begin at 10 a.m. at the Trudovye Rezervy Sports Complex.
Second-Day Wrestling Results
45 kg Third Round Burke Barnes, Lake Stevens, Wash., won by fall Jhon Luis Nova Roca (BOL), 0:28. Fourth Round
Miroslav Dijun (UKR) def. Burke Barnes, Lake Stevens, Wash., 4-2.
52 kg
Third Round
Chris Rodrigues, Marietta, Ga., def. Rustam Moldovayer (KGZ), 13-1.
Second Round
Firas Refaee (SYR) def. Chris Rodrigues, Marietta, Ga., 8-6.
63 kg
Third Round
Mike Pirozzola, Levittown, Pa., def. DuSoo Lee (KOR), 10-0.
Second Round
Mike Pirozzola, Levittown, Pa., def. Elnur Aslanov (AZE), 7-6.
76 kg
Third Round
Matt Winterberg, Richland Center, Wis., won by fall Eder Villaneuva (ESP), 1:30
Second Round
Altai Ospangazigev (KAZ) won by fall Matt Winterberg, Richland Center, 0:33
95 kg
Second Round
Brandon Phelps, Cornell, Wis., won by fall Jozef Bienkowski (POL), 1:13