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Canceled
World medallist Eggum, NCAA champ Schwab head US lineup
March 31, 2003
A formidable United States team will match up against the National Team of Cuba in a world-class international dual wrestling meet on Friday, April 11.
World silver medallist Brandon Eggum of Minnesota and former collegiate wrestling champion Doug Schwab of Iowa will head-up a Team USA roster that also includes four-time NCAA All-American Mike Mena of Iowa and two-time Iowa State All-American Zach Thompson.
The Taylor Center on the campus of Minnesota State University in Mankato will be the site of the event, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The Cuban team will travel to the Midwest after competing in the prestigious World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling in Boise, ID on April 4-5.
Gordy Morgan, head coach of the Minnesota Storm Wrestling Club, will lead the US contingent. He will be assisted by currently University of Minnesota Assistant Coach Mark Schwab.
"Cuba has some of the top individual wrestlers in the world, including three World champions. All true wrestling fans should not miss this event," said Morgan. "Cuba has a proud tradition and finished third as a team at the 2002 World Championships. The US team will also have many national and international medallists. It will be an extremely competitive event."
World champions for the Cubans include Rene Montero at 121 pounds (2002), Yoel Romero at 185.5 pounds (1999) and Alexis Rodriguez at 264.5 pounds (1998).
Minnesota State-Mankato wrestling coach Jim Makovsky and his Maverick wrestling program will host the meet.
"This is an unbelievable opportunity for area wrestling fans to see best in international wrestling," said Makovsky. "We hope to make this an annual event and look forward to tremendous local support to help make that happen."
Experienced US team shaping up
While three of the seven spots on the USA roster are yet to be filled, the team will feature some of the top freestyle wrestlers this country has to offer.
Former Golden Gopher Brandon Eggum will face Romero at 185.5 pounds. He was runner-up in the 2001 World Championships, champion of the 2002 Pan Americans and second in the 2003 Dave Schultz International. Eggum was a three-time NCAA All-American and is currently the strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater.
At 145.5 pounds will be Schwab. He is the defending Manitoba Open champion and placed second at the 2003 Dave Schultz. Schwab was also third at the New York Athletic Club Open and fourth at the US Nationals and World Team Trials in 2002. He is a native of Osage, IA and currently lives and trains in Minneapolis, MN.
Mena will go against the reigning World champ Montero at 121 pounds. He finished third at the Dave Schultz and fourth at the World Team Trials in 2002 and was an alternate on the 2002 Olympic team. He is currently an assistant wrestling coach at Indiana.
A former NCAA runner-up for the Cyclones, Thompson will fill the 211.5-pound slot versus Cuba. He finished third at the New York Athletic Club tournament and the World Team Trials in 2002. Thompson just finished his first year as an assistant coach at Iowa State.
Wrestling clinic on tap
Morgan will also conduct a wrestling clinic prior to the dual, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the clinic is free with a paid dual ticket. Tickets for the event are $10 and will only be available at the door. All seats are general admission.