U.S. qualifies to compete in all 18 wrestling weight classes at the 2003 Pan American Games with sol

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
03/21/2003


The USA Wrestling coaching staff has reported that the United States has qualified to compete in all 18 weight classes to be contested at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic this summer.    The XVII Senior Pan American Wrestling Championships are taking place this weekend in Guatamala City, Guatemala. This event will serve as a qualifier for the Pan American Games in all three styles of international wrestling    Countries must have a wrestler place within the top eight of a weight class in order to be able to compete at that weight class in the Pan American Games. Never before has there been a qualifying event for the Pan American Games, making this an event of considerable importance.    As of Friday afternoon, all 18 American wrestlers participating in the competion in Guatemala have advanced to the level that has clinched a U.S. participant in the top eight of their weight class.    The tournament has not yet completed. Final results will be posted when received from U.S. coaches    The XIV Pan American Games are to be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic August 1-17, 2003. The U.S. has qualified a full team of competitors in wrestling for this event.    Pan American Championships  Guatemala City, Guatemala  As of March 21, 2003  U.S. Men's Freestyle Team update  55 kg/121 lbs. - Tim Dernlan, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC) - placed fifth, with two wins by pin and a loss to Mikhail Japaridze of Canada  60 kg/132 lbs. - Jesus Wilson, Fayette, Iowa (Minnesota Storm) - has qualified for the semifinals, including a win over the Cuban opponent  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Tony DeAnda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Excel) - has qualified for the quarterfinals  74 kg/163 lbs. - Kirk White, Boise, Idaho (Dave Schultz WC) - has qualified for the semifinals  84 kg/185 lbs. - Lee Fullhart, Chattanooga, Tenn. (Gator WC) - has qualified for the semifinals, including a victory over the Cuban athlete  96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Dean Morrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) - has qualified for the semifinals  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Brian Keck, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) - has qualified for the finals, including a win over the Cuban opponent  Coach: Dave Bennett (Colorado Springs, Colo.)    U.S. Greco-Roman Team update  55 kg/121 lbs. - Lindsay Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) - has qualified for semifinals  60 kg/132 lbs. - Jim Gruenwald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) - has qualified for semifinals  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Kevin Bracken, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) - has qualified for semifinals  74 kg/163 lbs. - Darryl Christian, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC) - finished sixth, with a win and a loss in his pool  84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) - has qualified for the semifinals  96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Jason Loukides, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) - has qualified for the semifinals  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) - - has qualified for the semifinals  Coach: Steve Fraser (Colorado Springs, Colo.)     U.S. Women's Freestyle Team  48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC) - placed third, losing only to Lindsey Belisle of Canada  55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) - has qualified for the finals  63 kg/138.5 lbs. - Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) - placed fourth, with two losses to Mabel Fonseca of Puerto Rico  72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Toccara Montgomery, Cleveland, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) -  - has qualified for the finals  Coach: Terry Steiner (Colorado Springs, Colo.)