for immediate release: May 21, 1998A team of U.S. Greco-Roman athletes defeated a team of athletes from Mexico and France 12-8 in a World Dual meet, held in Concord, Calif., May 20.
The dual meet was held prior to the 1998 Concord Cup, an annual Greco-Roman International Tournament, that was held at Mt. Diablo Valley High School in Concord, Calif., May 22-24.
Leading the U.S. team was 1996 Olympian David Zuniga (New Brighton, Minn./Minn. Storm) at 152 pounds.
Zuniga, a two-time U.S. World Team member, scored a 4-2 decision over Christian Flyer of France. Zuniga, who competed at the Univ. of Minnesota, placed third in the 1998 U.S. Nationals.
The U.S. received wins from the Sieracki brothers, Keith and Aaron, at 167.5 pounds.
Keith, who is a 1996 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, scored a 3-0 decision over Mohamed Ellhadad of France. Keith was a 1996 U.S. National champion. He is stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo. and competes for the U.S. Army.
Aaron, the 1998 University Nationals champion, gained a 3-2 decision over Rudolfo Hernandez of Mexico to close out the dual meet for the U.S. He is a 1998 Armed Forces champion and was a runner-up in the 1997 Winter Classic in Colorado Springs, Colo. He is stationed at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. and competes for the U.S. Air Force.
Gaining the first win for the U.S. was Glenn Nieradka (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 138.75 pounds.
Nieradka, who placed third in 1998 U.S. Nationals, won a 0-0 referees decision over Thierry Bastieau of France. He is the 1998 Armed Forces champion and was a 1995 NCAA All-American for Oregon State Univ.
USA vs. France/Mexico World Dual Meet
Concord, Calif., May 20
USA, 12 - Mexico/France, 8
54 kg/119 lbs. - Salah Belguidoum, France won by referees decision over Steven Mays, Pensacola, Fla. (U.S. Navy) 1-0, ot, 8:00
58 kg/127.75 lbs. - Djamel Ainaud, France dec. Jacob Hey, 4-0
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Glenn Nieradka, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) won by ref. dec. over Thierry Bastieau, France, 0-0, ot, 8:00
69 kg/152 lbs. - David Zuniga, New Brighton, Minn. dec. Christian Flyer, France, 4-2
76 kg/167.5 lbs. - Keith Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Mohamed Ellhadad, France, 3-0
76 kg/167.5 lbs. - Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Air Force) dec. Rudolfo Hernandez, Mexico, 3-2