Semifinals Set For 2002 University Freestyle Nationals and FILA Cadet Freestyle Nationals

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
05/04/2002


Evanston, Ill.- After a long day for many of the top amateur wrestlers in the nation, the semifinals for the 2002 University Freestyle Nationals and FILA Cadet Freestyle Nationals are set.    In University competition, all four returning champions advanced to the semifinals, though their roads were not as easy as they were in the early rounds.    At 60 kg, Chris Fleeger (OSWC) continued his mastery, posting his third consecutive technical fall shutout in the tournament. This time Fleeger coasted through Matt Sanchez (Dave Schultz WC) 10-0. The win sets up a marquee matchup in the semifinals against Shawn Bunch (Dave Schultz WC). Bunch moved on with an electrifying 12-4 win over Justin Spates (Missouri).    Spates suffered a cut on the back of his head in the first period, but was never able to recover, and the quicker and stronger Bunch scored on gut wrenches and tilts, while not giving up points when on bottom.    At 74 kg, Andy Hrovat (Cliff Keen WC) scored on a late gut wrench to pull out a victory against a hungry Eugene Harris (Oregon). Hrovat will now face Nathan Yetzer (Dave Schultz WC) in the semifinals.    At 120 kg, Andy Bowlby (Orange Crush), also will continue to defend his title after posting a 13-1 technical fall victory over Kevin Herron (Missouri). Bowlby will now meet up with NCAA All-American Kevin Hoy (Falcon WC).    The other returning champion, Sal Gonzalez (Fresno State), received a bye at 50 kg to advance.    At 55 kg, Nick Simmons (Michigan WC) also continued his shutout streak with a 10-0 technical fall over Chonci Houston (Chattanooga WC) to earn a trip to the semifinals. Simmons will face Terrance Clendenin (Lehigh WC) in the semifinals.    At 66 kg, Mark DiSalvo (VMI) also moved on, but with an injury default victory against Harry Lester (Cyclone WC). Lester was leading the match 5-1 in the second period when his knee locked up. He was unable to finish the match and is questionable for the remainder of the tournament.    Scott Owen (Northern Illinois) continued his impressive ride through the tournament as well, winning an 8-2 decision at 74 kg over Justin Giovinco (Pittsburgh WC). Owen will meet up with Kevin Stanley (Dave Schultz WC) in the semifinals.    At 84 kg, Damion Hahn (Minnesota Storm) escaped with a narrow 3-0 decision over Willie Parks (Northeast Elite WC). Hahn took control of the match in the first period and held on in the second period for the win. He will face Tony Gansen (Central Michigan), who also survived a scare, winning 10-9 over Clint Wattenberg (Cornell).    At 96 kg, Jon Trenge (Lehigh WC), an NCAA Finalist this season, also has shutout all of his opponents in advancing to the semifinals. Trenge advanced with a 10-0 technical fall victory over Matt Daddino (New York Athletic Club).    In FILA Cadet action, 46 kg Greco-Roman finalists Mike Bizzle (Oklahoma) and Nick Gallick (Arizona) are on a collision course to meet in the finals once again.    63 kg remains a loaded weight class as Alex Tsirtsis (Indiana), Brent Metcalf (Michigan) and Eric Tannenbaum (Illinois) all remain in the tournament.    Semifinal competition will get underway on Saturday evening at 6:30 pm (Central Time). Stay logged in to TheMat.com for complete coverage.    Semifinal Matchups - University Freestyle  50 kg  Tim Morris (Down East Stormers) vs. Skyler Wright (Unatt.)  Greg White (Mountaineer WC) vs. Sal Gonzalez (Fresno State)    55 kg  Nick Simmons (Michigan WC) vs. Terrance Clendenin (Lehigh WC)  Mike Silengo (Unatt.) vs. Kyle Ott (Unatt.)    60 kg  Chris Fleeger (OSWC) vs. Shawn Bunch (Dave Schultz WC)  Urijah Faber (Dave Schultz WC) vs. Cory Cooperman (Lehigh WC)    66 kg  John Giacche (Wildcat WC) vs. Mark DiSalvo (VMI)  Maxwell Shingara (U.S. Army) vs. Jeremy Spates (Missouri)    74 kg  Andy Hrovat (Cliff Keen WC) vs. Nathan Yetzer (Dave Schultz WC)  Derek Zinck (Lehigh WC) vs. Scott Owen (Northern Illinois)    84 kg  Damion Hahn (Minnesota Storm) vs. Tony Gansen (Central Michigan)  Jason Potter (Unatt.) vs. Chris Pendleton (Gator WC)    96 kg  Jon Trenge (Lehigh WC) vs. Anton Talamantes (Unatt.)  David Sandberg (Pittsburgh WC) vs. Chris Skretkowicz (New York Athletic Club)    120 kg  Andy Bowlby (Orange Crush) vs. Kevin Hoy (Falcon WC)  Joe Sahl (Lehigh WC) vs. Kellan Fluckiger (Sunkist Kids WC)      Semifinal Matchups - Fila Cadet Freestyle  42 kg  Matt Rosen (Virginia) vs. Aaron Hart (Ohio)  Henry Cejudo (Arizona) vs. Franklin Gomez (Puerto Rico)    46 kg  Mike Bizzle (Oklahoma) vs. Nick Fanthorpe (Illinois)  Nick Gallick (Arizona) vs. T.J. Sebolt (Iowa)    50 kg  Cesar Grajales (Florida) vs. Adam Gottschalk (Iowa)  Kyle Turnbull (West Virginia) vs. Tanner Gardner (Kansas)    54 kg  Dustin Schlatter (Ohio) vs. Travis Lang (North Dakota)  Angel Escobedo (Indiana) vs. Anthony Burke (Virginia)    58 kg  Angel Cejudo (Arizona) vs. Ryan Froese (Michigan)  Joe Gomez (Illinois) vs. Tim Ebenhoeh (Michigan)    63 kg  Alex Tsirtsis (Indiana) vs. Brent Metcalf (Michigan)  Eric Tannenbaum (Illinois) vs. Donald Ooton (Virginia)    69 kg  David Craig (Florida) vs. Jim Griffin (Illinois)  David Erwin (Ohio) vs. Nick Hayes (Iowa)    76 kg  Ajay Foreman (Virginia) vs. Nick Davis (Florida)  Tyrel Todd (Montana) vs. Jeremy Pederson (Minnesota)    85 kg  Jake Kallestad (Montana) vs. Chris Potter (Illinois)  Jared Rosholt (Idaho) vs. Joe Dennis (Ohio)    100 kg  Kyle Massey (Minnesota) vs. Matt Fields (Iowa)  Phil Swanson (Iowa) vs. Ryan Frost (Michigan)