Seven U.S. wrestlers win Junior International Festival in New Orleans, La.

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
06/21/1997


SEVEN U.S. WRESTLERS WIN GOLDS AT INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR FREESTYLE FESTIVAL IN NEW ORLEANS, LA., JUNE 21 

U.S. wrestlers claimed seven of the ten gold medals at the first International Junior Freestyle Festival, held in New Orleans, La., June 21.

Two wrestlers from the host state of Louisiana won titles: Leon Ngchee at 49 kg and Creighton Mullins at 53 kg.

Other U.S. champions were Witt Durden of Georgia at 56 kg, Larry Vasquez of California at 60 kg, Justin Crabbs of Kansas at 65 kg, Ethan Harris of Utah at 70 kg and Andy Varner of California at 76 kg.

A team from Russia claimed gold medals in the final three weight classes.

INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR FREESTYLE FESTIVAL at New Orleans, La., June 21

49 kg - 1st - Leon Ngchee (LA) pin David Wagner (LA), 3:00; 3rd - Zebadiah Hutchison (AK) won by tech. fall over Gene Bird (LA). 12-0

52 kg - 1st - Creighton Mullins (LA) pin Willie Madison (LA), 2:59; 3rd - Jason Armstrong (LA) won by tech. Fall over James Stinson (LA), 22-12

56 kg - 1st - Witt Durden (GA) dec. James Ferguson (NE), 11-3; 3rd - Josh Perrin (PA) dec. Zaur Degiyevic Bagaev (Russia)

60 kg - Larry Vasquez (CA) won by tech. fall over Roderick Ratcliff (LA), 10-0; 3rd - Mikel Schoonover (PA) pin Sean Adams (OK), 3:29

65 kg - 1st - Justin Crabbs (KS) pin Arthur Kirsch (LA), 0:44; 3rd - Alikhan Kharsier (Russia) won by tech. fall over Nick Hanson (LA), 10-0

70 kg - 1st - Ethan Harris (UT) dec. Nathan Vasquez (CA), 13-10; 3rd - Matt Orillion (LA) pin Nathan Eddings (LA), 3:02

76 kg - 1st - Andy Varner (CA) dec. Nate Ackerman (DC), 5-0; 3rd - Michael Gulotto (LA) pin Greg Ritter (LA), 1:48

83 kg - 1st - Akhmed Arsamakov (Russia) pin Jeffrey Green (LA), 0:50; 3rd - Brad Moss (LA)

90 kg - 1st - Akhmed Arsamakov (Russia) pin Chris Ripley (LA), 2:02

115 kg - 1st - Ali Umarov (Russia) pin John Accardo (LA), 0:15; 3rd - Keith Tomlinson (LA) pin Letcha Aliev (Russia), 3:11