2003 U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals preview at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
05/02/2003


2000 Olympian Kevin Bracken of the New York AC moved up to this new weight class in 2002, and has been the No. 1 man ever since. A past World Cup champion, Bracken has the experience and tools to win at the international level, but still seeks his first World medal. He was one of the athletes who gained weight when the divisions were adjusted, and seems to have had no problems against others who were once larger in size. Bracken has maintained the edge over a large field of talented challengers in the USA, and will need to remain sharp to continue ruling this deep division. When wrestling well, Bracken can wrack up points quickly, but he also has the ability to win the close bouts.    Young U.S. Marines star James Shillow climbed to a No. 2 national ranking, with a career-best performance at the World Team Trials. Shillow has also reached a U.S. Nationals finals in the past. He emerged quickly through the University and FILA Junior levels, and seems to get better every season.    Another U.S. Marine Corps star, Marcel Cooper, a 2001 U.S. World Team member, is a threat to take it all. Cooper placed second to Bracken at last year's nationals, then claimed the No. 3 Team USA rank in the World Team Trials. Cooper is an athlete who has paid his dues, placing at many national and international events on his way up the ladder.     Among those with experience and ability to challenge high in the standings are Mike Ellsworth of the Michigan WC, Oscar Wood of the U.S. Army, Steve Woods of the U.S. Air Force, Glenn Garrison of the U.S. Army and Keith Wilson of the U.S. Army. All have been ranked high on the Greco-Roman scene in the past, and all are very tough when they are wrestling well. Ellsworth is a bit streaky, but has beaten World and Olympic medalists in the past when he gets his rhythm going. Each of these wrestlers could make it through the field to the U.S. Nationals finals, with a shot at grasping the No. 1 spot for the first time.    A group of young athletes, led by Darnell Lollis and Harry Lester of the USOEC, are seeking to break up this veteran logjam at the top of this division and make a transition to the future. Lollis has thrived in USA Wrestling's resident programs, spending time in both Colorado Springs, Colo. and Marquette, Mich. Lester left the folkstyle college scene at Iowa State to join the USOEC Greco-Roman University program. Lester captured the 2003 University Nationals title, beating talented USOEC teammate Zach Lamano in the finals.    An athlete to watch, should he compete down at this weight class, is Cory Posey of the New York AC. Posey has paid his dues, from age-group levels to the Senior level, and has always been a talented Greco-Roman specialist. Because of the depth at this division, it would not be surprising to see a few young athletes crack into the All-American rounds in Las Vegas. Right now, the bulls-eye target is on Kevin Bracken, who has shown no signs of releasing his grip on the division yet.    2002 U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals results at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.  1st - Kevin Bracken, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. Marcel Cooper, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps), 4-1  3rd - Steve Woods, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) dec. Glenn Garrison, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army), 3-0, ot  5th - Oscar Wood, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. James Shillow, Fredricksburg, Va. (U.S. Marine Corps), 3-1  7th - Keith Wilson, Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Mike Ellsworth, Colorado Spings, Colo. (Michigan WC), 5-0