New weights at the U.S. Nationals

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Jaimie McNab (USA Wrestling)
04/24/2002


What's all the buzz about at this year's Las Vegas 2002 United States National Championships? FILA, the international wrestling federation, changed the weight classes as of Jan. 1, 2002. These new classes will affect many athletes and is one of the main issues on everyone's mind.     The men lost one weight class, going from eight to seven. In the adjustment that followed, the lightest weight class was moved up to 121 pounds from 119 pounds and the heaviest class was lowered to 264.5 pounds from 286 pounds.    The wrestlers most affected by this change were the competitors in the middle weight divisions. More specifically, those who wrestled in the old 138.75-pound class and the 152 pound division have choices to make.    Those who were in the 138.75 pound class had to choose between moving down to 132 pounds, where they would face potentially smaller but quicker opponents, or moving up to the new 145.5 pound class, where they would grapple with potentially bigger opponents.    At the old 152 pound division, the athletes were caught between trying to bulk up to 163 pounds or cutting down 145.5 pounds.     In many cases, the choice was to go to 145.5 pounds, which makes the new weight loaded with talent and packed with both up-and-coming athletes as well as seasoned veterans.    Kevin Bracken of the New York AC is currently ranked No. 1 at the old 138.75-pound weight class in Greco-Roman and had to choose which weight to compete in. He selected the 145.5 pound division.     "It's really an exciting new weight to be at," Bracken said. "Especially with all the new guys coming down from the old 152 pound weight class, that will make things really interesting."     Although Bracken always got down to 138.75 for the big events, he often wrestled at 152 pounds at open tournaments or on tours. He is not afraid of going against the bigger athletes.     Mike Ellsworth of the Michigan WC is currently ranked No. 4 at the old 152 pound weight class in Greco-Roman and also chose to compete at 145.5 pounds. His highest national team fanking has been No. 2, but he hopes to be No. 1 at the new class.     "I have mixed feelings about the changes." Ellsworth says. "It's not the ideal weight for me.  It's a little lighter than I'd like to be but it's better than 152. I'm happy because it's a more suitable weight for my size, but it's tougher to make weight after being up at the old 152 pounds." says Ellsworth.      This brings up the issue of who will be able to perform at their peak because of the difference in the amount of weight an athlete would possibly have to cut.  Are there advantages for the guys going up or coming down?  Those athletes who chose to go up the weight class may not have to drop as much before competition but those athletes who are coming down are most likely going to be bigger.    "I'm hoping that the fact I'm cutting more weight than other guys won't make a difference," said Ellsworth. "I'm hoping that I won't lose much strength. We'll just have to wait and see."    "It will be interesting to compete against guys who are cutting a lot of weight compared to the guys who will be cutting less," Bracken says. "You just never know what's going to happen."    How does ultimately effect the careers of these nationally respected wrestlers in their view?     "I think I was one of the bigger guys at 63 kg so this is a really positive change for my career." Bracken says. "I won't be cutting as much weight as I used to so that will really help my wrestling. Nationals will be fun."    "I've felt very comfortable at this new weight while competing overseas, so I feel good about my chances at Nationals," said Ellsworth. "But like I said before, we'll just have to wait and see until Nationals are over."    Both have been U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athletes for a number of years, and worked out together often.  However, because they were in different weight classes, they didn't compete, rather working to help each other out. Now they will be competitors.    "That weight class, 66 kg, will be incredible in regards to quality of athletes converging to one class." Said National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser. "It will be a slugfest."     Fraser expects Marcel Cooper of the U.S. Marine Corps, Keith Wilson of the U.S. Army, Oscar Wood of the U.S. Army and Ellsworth, the top four athletes at 152 pounds, to come down. He also expects Bracken and Glenn Garrison of the U.S. Army, the top two wrestlers at 138.75 pounds to go up, along with No. 4 James Shillow of the U.S. Marine Corps.    With this kind of experience and talent pool at 66 kg, it is sure to be one of the most competitive weights at Nationals.