2003 U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals preview at 60 kg/132 lbs.

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
05/01/2003


Jim Gruenwald of the Sunkist Kids has been No. 1 at his weight class for three years, including a sixth place finish at the 2000 Olympics. He was also a placewinner at both the 2001 and 2002 World Championships. He is seeking his first World medal. Gruenwald has faced all of the world's top competitors and been very competitive, winning numerous medals of all color. He has yet to win a U.S.Nationals title, placing second many times. Based upon his tremendous performance in other events, it makes sense that Gruenwald should win at the U.S. Nationals, too. (One year, he was awarded a gold medal at nationals, but had it switched to silver due to a protest procedure). Perhaps, this will be the year that Gruenwald gets his stop sign trophy.    Last year, with the reshuffling of division by FILA, Glenn Nieradka of the U.S. Army made a move down to this new weight class. He won the U.S. Nationals title, winning the Outstanding Wrestler award. His victims in that event included past World champion Dennis Hall, as well as Gruenwald. Nieradka has won the U.S. Nationals twice now. However, at the World Team Trials, Gruenwald beat Nieradka for the U.S. team spot.     One of the greatest U.S. Greco-Roman champions ever, Dennis Hall of the Sunkist Kids, continues to pursue his wrestling dream. Winner of a World gold, Olympic silver and World bronze, he also won 10 straight U.S. Nationals titles until Nieradka broke his streak last year. Hall and Gruenwald have a career-long rivalry, going back to high school days, but with Nieradka in the mix, there is no guarantee the two will meet this year. Hall is known as a fierce competitor always in excellent shape, and few have his experience to deal with pressure.    Two talented young athletes have the potential to battle for a spot in the national finals, Jacob Hey of the U.S. Air Force and Joe Warren of the Michigan WC. Both have international experience, and both do very well against other U.S. athletes. Their problem is finding the way to beat Gruenwald, Hall and Nieradka, who have moved to a higher level than the rest of the division.    Casey Stauffer, Nathan Piasecki of the USOEC and Matt Birner of the U.S. Navy are among the newcomers who placed at last year's U.S. Nationals and are looking to move up the ladder. Harry Lester, now of the USOEC, was also a placewinner at this division last year in Las Vegas, but is projected to wrestle at a higher weight class. Josh Fox of Colorado is a veteran who has also been competitive in the past. Willie Madison of the USOEC was the 2003 University Nationals champion at this division, followed by Nate Gallick of the Cyclone WC.    2002 U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals results at 60 kg/132 lbs.  1st -Glenn Nieradka, Fort Carson, Colo., (U.S. Army) dec. James Gruenwald, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 4-2, ot, 6:18  3rd -Dennis Hall, Plover, Wis. (Sunkist Kids) pin Joe Warren, Grand Rapids, Mich., (New York AC), 0:36  5th - Jacob Hey, Colorado Springs, Colo., (U.S. Air Force) pin Harry Lester, Ames, Iowa, (Sunkist Kids), 2:22  7th - Nathan Piasecki, Marquette, Mich. (Gator WC) won by tech. fall over Matt Birner, Mexico, Ind. (U.S. Navy), 11-0