2002 University Nationals and FILA Cadet Nationals set for May 2-5 at Northwestern University in Eva
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Jaimie McNab (USA Wrestling)
04/30/2002
This year's University National Championships and FILA Cadet Nationals are set for Welsh-Ryan McGaw Hall at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., May 2-5, 2002. Many of the top young wrestlers in the nation on the youth and college levels are expected to compete. The men's division of the University Nationals will feature the top 18-24 year old athletes in the nation, whose class has graduated high school. These participants will be competing in the Olympic styles of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Many of the athletes on the University level are also accomplished competitors on the Senior level. The competition will feature the seven new FILA weight classes at the Senior level plus 110 pounds. Some of the Greco-Roman champions who are eligible to return include John Sommer of Washington, Nathan Piasecki of Wisconsin, Chris Williams of Michigan, Darnell Lollis of Illinois, Mike Mathers of Oregon, Jake Clark of Minnesota, Brian Kraemer of Minnesota and Andy Bowlby of Oregon. Freestyle champions back are Bowlby, plus Sal Gonzales of California, T.J. Hill of Colorado, Chris Fleeger of Pennsylvania, Ryan Berger of Illinois, Joe Heskett of Ohio, Andy Hrovat of Ohio and Michael Dixon of Indiana. All may be competing at a new weight class this year. For the fifth straight year, USA Wrestling will host a women's division at the University National Championships. The University age group has changed this year for women, and now includes all athletes who are 17-24 years old. Some of the best high school wrestlers are now able to challenge the college athletes. All six champions from last year are eligible to return. They include Clarissa Chun of Hawaii, Jenny Wong of Minnesota, Tina George of Ohio, Erin Tomeo of Pennsylvania, Toccara Montgomery of Ohio and Iris Smith of Georgia. However, this year, the competition will be at the seven new FILA international weights for women and the athletes may be at a different weight. The champions at the 2002 Women's University Nationals and men's Greco-Roman University Nationals will be eligible to compete in the 2002 Senior World Team Trials in St. Paul, Minn. on June 21-23. The champions for all of the University divisions will qualify to compete in the University World Championships in Edmonton, Canada on June 21-25. The top 15-17 year-old male wrestlers in the nation will compete in freestyle and Greco-Roman at the FILA Cadet Nationals. This is a qualifying event for a partially subsidized international tour. The returning FILA Cadet champions in Greco-Roman include Paul Donahoe of Michigan (92.5), Gabriel Mooney of Minnesota (101.5), Pat Brownson of Illinois (187.25) and Grant Miller of Illinois (220). Returning freestyle champions include Donahoe, plus Pat Barrentine of Ohio (220). The men's Greco-Roman competition will begin on Thursday, May 2, with sessions at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and continues on Friday, May 3, with the concluding session at 9:00 a.m. The men's freestyle competition will begin on Friday, May 3, with one session at 6:00 p.m. and continue on Saturday, May 4, with sessions beginning at 9:00 a.m. The freestyle portion will conclude on Sunday, May 5 with the final session getting underway at 9:00 a.m. The women's freestyle competition will begin on Saturday, May 4, with the first session at 9:00 and conclude on Sunday, May 5, with a session at 9:00 a.m. For more information, contact Event Director Tony Ersland of Northwestern University at 847-491-4637.