Olympian McIlravy to coach Team USA in Feud at the Falls freestyle dual in Sioux Falls
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Tim Tushla ()
01/24/2003
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Olympic bronze medallist Lincoln McIlravy will coach Team USA in the Feud at the Falls international freestyle wrestling dual in Sioux Falls on Wednesday, Feb. 12. McIlravy is originally from Philip, SD, where he was a five-time state high school champion before winning three NCAA titles at the University of Iowa. At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, McIlravy earned a bronze medal in 152-pound freestyle competition. He also won silver and bronze medals at the World Championships in 1999 and 1998 respectively. "It's a great honor to come back to South Dakota to coach this team," said McIlravy, who recently announced he is coming out of retirement to continue his quest for Olympic gold. "I have loved my job as Resident Freestyle Coach for USA Wrestling and I'm looking forward to getting a big dual meet win as coach before my competitive schedule resumes." McIlravy will be surrounded by familiar faces at the event in the Elmen Center on the campus of Augustana College. Fellow Hawkeye national champion Doug Schwab will compete for Team USA at 145 pounds. Schwab is the defending Manitoba Open champion and placed third at the New York Athletic Club Open and fourth at the US Nationals and World Team Trials in 2002. He is a native of Osage, IA and currently lives and trains in Minneapolis, MN. Heavyweight Brian Keck has been training under McIlravy's guidance at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Keck, originally from Columbus, OH, finished second at both the Sunkist Open and NYAC Open and third at the US Open and Dave Schultz International in 2002. He is currently ranked third in the US. McIlravy will lead the US team against the same Belarus national team that will compete at the Dave Schultz International Tournament on Feb. 8-9 in Colorado Springs. Already announced Schwab and Keck join two other outstanding US wrestlers previously committed to compete in the event. Two-time NCAA champion Donny Pritzlaff of Wisconsin will compete at 163 pounds. Pritzlaff is the defending Dave Schultz International champ and placed third at the 2002 World Team Trials. Pritzlaff still lives and trains in Madison, WI. Ryan Tobin, a native of Brandon, SD and three-time All-American at the University of Nebraska will compete at 211.5 pounds. Tobin won the 2002 Clansman Open in Canada and took third at both the Deglane Challenge in France and the New York Athletic Club tournament last year. He currently trains at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Clinic set McIlravy will also present a clinic prior to the dual, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the clinic is free with a paid admission to the event. Tickets for the event are $10 and will be available only at the door. All seats are general admission.