East Regional Olympic Team Trials Qualifier ends with 18 individual champions
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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
04/19/2004
Brockport, N.Y. - 18 more wrestlers qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Wrestling following the East Regional Olympic Team Trials Qualifier, April 17-18. The Olympic Team Trials are slated to be held May 21-23 in Indianapolis, Ind. Champions from the East Regional qualified themselves for that event, which will decide the final U.S. Olympic Team. In men's freestyle, Andy Hrovat (New York AC) won the title at 84 kg/185 lbs. He won all five of his matches, and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. Two-time U.S. National Team member Jason Kutz (U.S. Army) won all four his matches to earn the gold medal at 60 kg/132 lbs. Winning the title at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. was Dawid Rechul (New York AC). Also winning men's freestyle titles were college stars Mark McKnight (Angry Fish) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Jeff Ratliff (Ohio International WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Bryce Hasseman (Huskie WC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Pat Cummins (Penn State) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Ratliff and Cummins were both NCAA All-Americans. Ron Muir (Sunkist Kids) was named the Greco-Roman Most Outstanding Wrestler after outscoring his three opponents 22-1 en route to the 66 kg/145.5 lbs. title. Winning the title at 74 kg/163 lbs. was Mike Ellsworth (Harvey Twisters), who was competing with a broken rib which he suffered at the U.S. National Championships just one week ago. Ellsworth won three matches on his way to the title, two of them by technical superiority. Neal Rodak (U.S. Navy) also dominated his weight class, placing first at 55 kg/121 lbs. Rodak outscored his two opponents 22-1. U.S. Olympic Education Center student R.C. Johnson (New York AC) qualified for the Olympic Trials after winning the gold medal at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Also capturing Greco-Roman crowns were Jeremy McLean (U.S. Marine Corps) at 60 kg/132 lbs., James Meyer (Minnesota Storm) at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Al Sankey (U.S. Marine Corps) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. In women's freestyle action, U.S. National Team member Grace Magnussen (Dave Schultz WC) was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler after capturing the gold medal at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Magnussen won both of her matches on her way to the title. Also winning their weight classes to qualify for the Olympic Team Trials in women's freestyle were Miriam Jenkins (U.S. Marine Corps) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Courtney Martell (Vermont) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Stefanie Shaw (Connecticut) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. The final chance for wrestlers to qualify for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Wrestling will be at the South Regional Olympic Team Trials Qualifier in Kenner, La., April 22-24. All three Olympic styles, men's and women's freestyle and Greco-Roman, will compete at the final regional.