U.S. to compete in Yarygin Tournament in Russia, July 20-22

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Jason Owens (USA Wrestling)
07/17/2001


The United States has sent three wrestlers to compete in the respected Ivan Yarygin International Tournament to be held in Krasnoyarsk, Russia from July 20-22.      Aaron Simpson (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) will compete at 85 kg, T.J. Hill (Colorodo Springs, Colo. /Lion's Den) will compete at 54 kg and Michael Eierman (Chicago, Ill./New York AC) will compete at 63 kg as the United States will face top wrestlers from Russia and around the world. The team  will be led by coach Edward Giese of Chicago.      USA Wrestling National Coach Kevin Jackson chose Giese based on his experience with U.S. freestyle wrestling.     "He's definitely been devoted to freestyle and USA Wrestling," Jackson said. "He has coached several international tours."     Simpson and Hill competed in the U.S. World Team Trials in Cincinnati, Ohio and both finished in the top five of their respective weight classes. Simpson finished third in the trials while Hill finished in fifth place among the United States' best wrestlers.     The tournament is named for the late Russian wrestling great Ivan Yarygin who was an Olympic and World Champion. It is consistently one of the toughest international tournaments as Russia's best wrestlers show up to take on the world.       Jackson said the tournament can serve as a litmus test for the U.S. wrestlers as they enter a hostile wrestling environment away from home.     "If they can win there, they can win anywhere," Jackson said. "We can do well if we wrestle smart. It's hard to wrestle in those conditions- against Russians in Russia. We can have medals out of all three of those guys."       The U.S. wrestlers will arrive in Russia on July 18 to prepare for the tournament and adjust to the time change and rigors of travel.