All Returning Champions Still Alive After Quarterfinals Of 2002 University Nationals
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
05/02/2002
Evanston, Ill. - The 2002 University Nationals and FILA Cadet Nationals got underway Thursday morning with the first two rounds of action, taking the tournaments up to the semifinal session. The champion of the Greco-Roman University Nationals will earn an automatic bid to the U.S. World Team Trials in June. In University Greco-Roman action, there were no major upsets, and all returning champions still remain. At 60 kg, Nathan Piasecki (USOEC) returned to the semifinals with technical fall wins of 11-0 and 10-0. He will meet up with Matt Holt (Toro). Darnell Lollis (Northern Michigan), 60 kg, also coasted into the semifinals. He defeated Mark Rial (Cat WC), 14-4, and Orlando Perez (Orange Crush), 13-3 to set up a showdown with Kelly Pederson of the U.S. Marine Corps. At 84 kg, Mike Mathers (USOEC) used a 10-0 technical fall over Gerald Harris (Cleveland State), a first-period pin over Micah Houston (Orange Crush) and a 10-0 technical fall win over Josh McLay (Minnesota Storm) to make his return trip to the semifinals. He will face off against experienced Greco-Roman specialist Tom Ciezki (Wildcat WC) who squeaked into the semifinals with a 5-4 victory over Drew Hageman (Minnesota Storm). 120 kg Andy Bowlby (Orange Crush) moved into the semifinals with an 8-5 decision over J.R. Plienis (Unattached). In the FILA Cadet Greco-Roman action, Illinois leads all states by placing six wrestlers in the semifinals - James Kohlberg (46 kg), Jon Isacson (54 kg), Greg Lukanich (63 kg), De'Andre Nunn (76 kg), Pat Brownson (85 kg) and Grant Miller (100 kg). Michigan and Ohio have each placed five wrestlers in the semifinals. The semifinal round will begin at 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Thursday evening. Stay logged in to TheMat.com for complete coverage. Semifinal Matchups - University Greco-Roman 50 kg - Round Robin Trevor Person (U.S. Air Force) vs. Tim Morris (Down East Stormers) Trevor Person (U.S. Air Force) vs. Bowah Roberts (U.S. Marines) Tim Morris (Down East Stormers) vs. Bowah Roberts (U.S. Marines) 55 kg Joe Espinoza (USOEC) vs. Ed Harris (U.S. Marines) Jared Esala (Unattached) vs. Rudy Ruiz (Milwaukee Ringers) 60 kg Nate Piasecki (USOEC) vs. Matt Holt (Toro) Willie Madison (USOEC) vs. Matt Birner (U.S. Navy) 66 kg Darnell Lollis (Northern Michigan) vs. Kelly Pederson (U.S. Marines) Brett Lawrence (Minnesota Storm) vs. Carson Bernard (U.S. Marines) 74 kg Joseph Manzello (OEC) vs. John Paun (Northern Michigan/USOEC) Joseph Paun (Illinois) vs. Pat Cadwallader (Southern California) 84 kg Justin Millard (USOEC) vs. Jordan Holm (Cat Club) Tom Ciezki (Wildcat WC) vs. Mike Mathers (USOEC) 96 kg Eli Ross (Minnesota Storm) vs. Anthony Reynolds (Sunkist Kids WC) John Groundwater (U.S. Air Force) vs. R.C. Johnson (USOEC) 120 kg Paul Devlin (U.S. Army) vs. Gregory Wagner (Unattached) Andy Bowlby (Orange Crush) vs. Leroy Gardner (Minnesota Storm) Semifinal Matchups - Fila Cadet Greco-Roman 42 kg Henry Cejudo (Arizona) vs. Gere Jordan (Ohio) Adam Kimbrell (Georgia) vs. Mike Wilson (Ohio) 46 kg Mike Bizzle (Oklahoma) vs. Brian Barbiaux (Wisconsin) Nick Gallick (Arizona) vs. James Kohlberg (Illinois) 50 kg Tanner Gardner (Kansas) vs. Sean Conner (Idaho) Cesar Grajales (Florida) vs. Paul Donahoe (Michigan) 54 kg Eric Nartker (Michigan) vs. Travis Lang (North Dakota) Eric Metzler (Wisconsin) vs. Jon Isacson (Illinois) 58 kg Matt Stuart (New York) vs. Chas Franz (Ohio) Angel Cejudo (Arizona) vs. Ryan Froese (Michigan) 63 kg Greg Lukanich (Illinois) vs. Brent Metcalf (Michigan) Isaiah Britton (Pennsylvania) vs. Matt Kocher (Pennsylvania) 69 kg Rick Brownlee (Georgia) vs. Alex Piper (South Carolina) David Craig (Florida) vs. Nick Hayes (Iowa) 76 kg De'Andre Nunn (Illinois) vs. Nick Davis (Florida) Andy Lowther (Ohio) vs. Chris Hogus (Pennsylvania) 85 kg Pat Brownson (Illinois) vs. Jared Rosholt (Idaho) Nate Hough-Snee (Ohio) vs. Jared Boyer (Oklahoma) 100 kg Grant Miller (Illinois) vs. Ryan Frost (Michigan) Sam Ritter (Florida) vs. Phil Swanson (Iowa)