Three Returning Champions Claim Crowns At 2002 Greco-Roman University Nationals; Metcalf Storms Thro

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
05/03/2002


Evanston, Ill.- The Greco-Roman portion of the 2002 University Nationals and FILA Cadet Nationals came to a close on Friday morning. The champions of Greco-Roman University Nationals will be eligible to compete in the 2002 Senior World Team Trials in St. Paul, Minn. on June 21-23.    84 kg Jordan Holm (Northfield, Minn./Cat Club) earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors after a 2-0 overtime decision over returning champion Mike Mathers (USOEC). Holm scored a point in the first period with a gut wrench, and then padded his lead at the start of overtime, as Mathers broke his hold in the clinch.    Other returning champions Nate Piasecki (Minocqua, Wis./USOEC), Darnell Lollis (Marquette, Mich./Northern Michigan) and Andy Bowlby (Newburg, Ore./Orange Crush), were able to come away with titles, though.    Piasecki (60 kg) and Lollis (66 kg) each won by technical fall used a throw and a series of gut wrenches to finish off Piasecki Willie Madison (Metairie, La./USOEC) in the first minute of his match.    Lollis wasn't too far behind, as he took care of Brett Lawrence (Sandpoint, Idaho/Minnesota Storm) in the first period as well, 11-0.    Bowlby (120 kg) squeaked out a close 3-2 decision over Paul Devlin (Ft. Carson, Col./U.S. Army). Bowlby scored two points in the second period, one on a gut-wrench, to come away with the win.    The 50 kg title was decided in round-robin fashion. Tim Morris (Pittsfield, Mass./Down East Stormers) used two technical falls to easily claim the title and a spot at the World Team Trials.    At 55 kg, Joe Espinoza (Stockton, Calif./USOEC) scored three points in the first period off a lateral throw to take an early lead. He never looked back, coasting to a 5-0 victory over Jared Esala (Stevens Point, Wis./Unatt.).    At 74 kg, Pat Cadwallader (Anaheim, Calif./S. California) came away with a 4-2 win over John Paun (Hastings, Minn./N. Mich./USOEC) while R.C. Johnson (Plymouth, Minn./USOEC) wasted no time in claiming his spot at the World Team Trials after pinning Eli Ross (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) in only 24 seconds.    At 120 kg, J.R. Plienis (Baltimore, Mary./Unatt.) made his return to the mat after nearly a two-year absence. He placed third with his only loss coming in the first round to Bowlby. It was Plienis' first action since the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.    In FILA Cadet Greco-Roman action, Brent Metcalf (Davison, Mich.) earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors after his technical fall over Isaiah Britton (Williamsport, Penn.) at 63 kg. Metcalf was never in trouble in the match, taking a 7-0 lead into the second period where he eventually earned the technical superiority.    The hottest match of the session took place at 46 kg, though, as Nick Gallick (Tucson, Ariz.) defeated Mike Bizzle (Tahlequah, Okla.), 6-1. Gallick is a returning Cadet National Champion, while Bizzle was a national runner-up last year at a higher weight.    Gallick controlled the match from the very first whistle, taking advantage of an early passivity call against Bizzle, who was in the bottom position for nearly 45 seconds straight at one point.    The state of Arizona also crowned the most champions. Along with Gallick, Henry Cejudo (42 kg) and Angel Cejudo (58 kg) also won individual titles.    Freestyle competition will begin at 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Friday evening. Stay logged in to TheMat.com for complete coverage.