Zadick vs. Bono and Downing vs. Marano Wrestle-Offs Set For Fargo, N.D., July 27
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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
07/16/2002
Two Special Wrestle-offs for the 2002 U.S. World Team will be competed on July 27 in Fargo, N.D. at the Fargodome during the ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet National Championships. In men's freestyle competition, U.S. Nationals champion Bill Zadick (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) will face 2002 World Team Trials champion Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) for the 63 kg/145.5 lbs. spot on the 2002 U.S. World Team. In a women's freestyle Special Wrestle-off, Katie Downing (Pendleton, Ind./UM-Morris), the 67 kg/147.5 lbs. World Team Trials champion, will face Kristie Marano (Albany, N.Y./ATWA), who was the World Team Trials runner-up at 63 kg/138.5 lbs. Both wrestle-offs will be a best two-out-of-three series to determine the 2002 U.S. World Team member. Zadick won the U.S. National Championships in April, but due to an injury, was unable to compete at the World Team Trials. Only the U.S. Nationals champion is allowed to request a delay to a finals series due to injury. Bono, a 2001 World Team member, won the Challenge Tournament and defeated Jamill Kelly (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) in a best two-out-of-three series at the World Team Trials. "USA Wrestling policy states that if a reigning national champion is injured and cannot compete at the World Team Trials, the wrestler may request a delay through the Sports Committee," stated Mitch Hull, USA Wrestling Director of National Teams. "Bill Zadick has followed all procedures and policies. A delay was granted by the Freestyle Sports Committee and the date and site were set for July 27 in Fargo." A new USA Wrestling rule approved by the Women's Sports Committee allows for additional women's wrestle-offs at the three non-Olympic weight classes (51 kg, 59 kg and 67 kg). The athletes that place second or third at the four Olympic weights (48 kg, 55 kg, 63 kg and 72 kg) are allowed to challenge the winners of the three non-Olympic weights for a spot on the U.S. Women's World team. Marano, a five-time World medalist, lost to Sara McMann (Lock Haven, Pa./Sunkist Kids) at the World Team Trials at an Olympic weight. Downing has never been a member of the World Team. She will have to battle through experience to gain her first spot this year. Marano was a World Champion in 2000 and boasts four World silver medals. Marano defeated Downing two matches to one, in the finals of the 2001 University Nationals. The first match in both Special Wrestle-Offs will begin at 9 am (Central Time). The second match will begin at 1 pm (Central Time) and the third match, if necessary, will be wrestled one hour following the conclusion of the second match.