U.S. claims eight gold medals at Pan American Championships in Guatemala

<< Back to Articles
Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
03/22/2003


The United States won the team title in men's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman, and captured eight individual gold medals at the XVII Senior Pan American Wrestling Championships in Guatamala City, Guatemala, March 19-22.    The medals included four in men's freestyle, three in men's Greco-Roman and one in women's freestyle wrestling.    The men's freestyle champions were Jesus Wilson (Fayette, Iowa/Minnesota Storm) at 60 kg/132 lbs.; Lee Fullhart (Chattanooga, Tenn./Gator WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs., Dean Morrison (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Brian Keck, (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.    Winning gold medals in Greco-Roman were Jim Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 60 kg/132 lbs.; Kevin Bracken (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.     Byers, a 2002 World Champion, defeated young Cuban star Mijian Lopez of Cuba in the championship finals. Lopez exploded onto the international scene in February with impressive wins over Byers and 2000 Olympic champion Rulon Gardner.    The U.S. women's champion was Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.    This event is 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.    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 19-22, 2003  U.S. Men's Freestyle Team update  55 kg/121 lbs. - Tim Dernlan, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC) - 5th  60 kg/132 lbs. - Jesus Wilson, Fayette, Iowa (Minnesota Storm) - 1st  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Tony DeAnda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Excel) - 3rd  74 kg/163 lbs. - Kirk White, Boise, Idaho (Dave Schultz WC) - 2nd  84 kg/185 lbs. - Lee Fullhart, Chattanooga, Tenn. (Gator WC) - 1st  96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Dean Morrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) - 1st  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Brian Keck, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) - 1st  Coach: Dave Bennett (Colorado Springs, Colo.)    U.S. Greco-Roman Team update  55 kg/121 lbs. - Lindsay Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) - 2nd  60 kg/132 lbs. - Jim Gruenwald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) - 1st  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Kevin Bracken, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) - 1st  74 kg/163 lbs. - Darryl Christian, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC) - 6th  84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) - 2nd  96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Jason Loukides, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) - 2nd  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) - 1st  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) - 3rd  55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) - 2nd  63 kg/138.5 lbs. - Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) - 4th   72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Toccara Montgomery, Cleveland, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) -  - 1st  Coach: Terry Steiner (Colorado Springs, Colo.)    More complete results will be posted when available.