Matches Set for ESPN2 broadcast of U.S. National Championships airing Sunday, June 23
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
06/12/2002
The broadcast lineup for the 2002 U.S. National Championships held in Las Vegas, Nev. April 25-27 has been announced. ESPN2 will broadcast the 60-minute show on Sunday, June 23 at 7 pm (EST). The 84 kg/185 lbs. freestyle final between Cael Sanderson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids WC) and Lee Fullhart (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) will be shown in its entirety. An interview with Sanderson, who became the first undefeated, four-time NCAA champion in March, is also included in the broadcast. Six other matches, three freestyle and three Greco-Roman, will also be shown. These six matches, which include matches featuring Olympians Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC), Brandon Paulson (Anoka, Minn./Minn. Storm), James Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids WC) and Kevin Bracken (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC). 2001 World Bronze Medalist Joe Williams (Coralville, Iowa/Sunkist Kids WC) will also be featured in his finals match. The U.S. National Championships are the main qualifier for the U.S. World Team Trials. The top seven placewinners at each weight qualify for the World Team Trials. The winner of the championship match at the U.S. Nationals receives an automatic bid to the finals of the World Team Trials and is a member of the U.S. National Team. The broadcast team of veteran play-by-play announcer Larry Nugent and 1996 Gold Medalist Kendall Cross will join Van Stokes in presenting the competition, interviews and color commentary. Finals matches to be broadcast are as follows: Men's Freestyle 55 kg/121 lbs. - Teague Moore, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC) vs. Jody Strittmatter, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC) 74 kg/163 lbs. - Joe Williams, Coralville, Iowa (Sunkist Kids WC) vs. Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids WC) 84 kg/185 lbs. - Cael Sanderson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids WC) vs. Lee Fullhart, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC) 120 kg/264.5 lbs - Kerry McCoy, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC) vs. Tolly Thompson, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) Men's Greco-Roman 55 kg/121 lbs. - Brandon Paulson, Anoka, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) vs. Lindsay Durlacher, Evanston, Ill. (Wildcat WC) 60 kg/132 lbs. - James Gruenwald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids WC) vs. Glenn Nieradka, Fort Carson, Colo., (U.S. Army) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Kevin Bracken, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) vs. Marcel Cooper, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps)