USOEC dominates the 2003 Men’s FILA Junior Greco-Roman World National Championships in Chattanooga,
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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
04/04/2003
April 4, 2003 - Wrestlers from the United States Olympic Education Center (USOEC) in Marquette, Mich. won five of the eight weight classes at the 2003 Men's FILA Junior Greco-Roman World National Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn. today. Harry Lester (Marquette, Mich./USOEC/Sunkist Kids) was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler after dominating the field at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Lester recorded two pins and a technical superiority victory in his first three matches. He then defeated Zach Lamano (Marquette, Mich./USOEC/Gator WC) by a 4-1 score in the finals. Also winning title for the USOEC were Joseph Betterman (Marquette, Mich./USOEC) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Casey Lawson (Marquette, Mich./USOEC) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Bobby Fisher (Marquette, Mich./USOEC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Adam Haake (Marquette, Mich./USOEC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Betterman rolled through a tough bracket, defeating Luke Smith (Chippewa Falls, Wis./Gator WC), a 2002 Junior National runner-up, 8-4 in the semifinals before downing Cedar Grajales (Brandon, Fla.) 11-3 in the finals. Lawson, a Junior National runner-up last year, earned a first-period pin over Marco Lara (Long Beach, Calif./Tanstaa WC) for the title. The pin was Lawson's second of the tournament. Fisher won by default over his brother Jake Fisher (Marquette, Mich./USOEC). Haake, another rising star from the Greco-Roman program in Marquette, won by an 8-0 score in his final against Jeff Courtney (Farmont, W.V./Mountaineer WC). Haake raced out to an 8-0 lead in the first period, and held off an intense fight from Courtney from that point on. Two 2002 Junior National champions also competed in the finals of this event: J.D. Bergman (Oak Harbor, Ohio) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Cole Konrad (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Bergman was defeated by Ryan Halsey (Oceanside, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) 7-2. Halsey was an NCAA qualifier for Cal Poly in 2003. Konrad, who competes at the Univ. of Minnesota, pinned Cody Parker (Eugene, Ore./Oregon) in the second period to capture the individual crown. 2002 Junior Freestyle National Champion Paul Donahoe (Davison, Mich.) defeated Matthew Mora (La Mirada, Calif./Tanstaa WC) with a first-period pin to win the 50 kg/110 lbs. title. The USOEC team placed first in the team standings followed by the Minnesota Storm. All of the Greco-Roman champions were first time winners of this tournament. This is the second straight season that Chattanooga has hosted this popular USA Wrestling event. Only wrestlers born 1983-1985 are eligible to compete in this event. These athletes will be competing in the Olympic styles of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. The champion in each weight class qualifies for the 2003 Junior World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, August 22-29. Wrestlers who are the champions in both freestyle and Greco-Roman will be asked to choose one style to compete at the Junior World Championships. Men's freestyle competition begins at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.