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U.S. Olympic Team Trials

June 13-15, 2008 at Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

Thomas & Mack Arena
Schedule (Times are Pacific Time Zone)
Friday, June 13
Greco-Roman: 55kg, 60kg
Women's Freestyle: 48kg, 55kg, 63kg, 72kg
10 a.m. - Prelims - Semifinals
5 p.m. - Finals		 Saturday, June 14
Greco-Roman: 66kg, 74kg, 84kg
Freestyle: 55kg, 60kg, 66kg
10 a.m. - Prelims - Semifinals
5 p.m. - Finals		 Sunday, June 15
Greco-Roman: 96kg, 120kg
Freestyle: 74kg, 84kg, 96kg, 120kg
10 a.m. - Prelims - Semifinals
5 p.m. - Finals
Action Photos
Olympic Trials 2008 - Day 1 Action
Olympic Trials 2008 - Day 2 Action
Olympic Trials 2008 - Day 3 Action
2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Winners
Freestyle
55 KG/121 lbs: Henry Cejudo (Sunkist Kids)
*60 KG/132 lbs: Mike Zadick (Gator WC)
66 KG/145.5 lbs: Doug Schwab (Gator WC)
74 KG/163 lbs: Ben Askren (Sunkist Kids)
84 KG/185 lbs: Andy Hrovat (New York AC)
96 KG/211.5 lbs: Daniel Cormier (Gator WC)
120 KG/264.5 lbs: Steve Mocco (New York AC)		 Greco-Roman
55 KG/121 lbs: Spenser Mango (USOEC/Gator WC)
*60 KG/132 lbs: Joe Betterman (New York AC/USOEC)
66 KG/145.5 lbs: Jake Deitchler (MN Storm)
74 KG/163 lbs: TC Dantzler (Gator WC)
84 KG/185 lbs: Brad Vering (New York AC)
96 KG/211.5 lbs: Adam Wheeler (Gator WC)
120 KG/264.5 lbs: Dremiel Byers (U.S. Army)

 Women
48 KG/105.5 lbs: Clarissa Chun (Sunkist Kids)
55 KG/121 lbs: Marcie Van Dusen (Sunkist Kids)
63 KG/138.75 lbs: Randi Miller (Gator WC)
72 KG/158.5 lbs: Ali Bernard (Gator WC)
*The U.S. did not qualify at these weights to compete at the Olympics.
Event Coverage
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The Guillotine Notebook

Coverage of Minnesota wrestlers - live from the competition

U.S. Olympic Team Trials wrestling qualifiers, by state - themat.com

Sunday Sessions

Wrestlers from Minnesota competing today include:
Freestyle: #4 seed Damion Hahn (New York AC) received a first round bye and will face #5 seed Max Askren (Sunkist Kids) in the quarterfinals

Greco-Roman: In the first match of the day #1 seed R.C. Johnson (Sunkist Kids) beat #8 seed Daren Burns (Y.E.S. Greensboro) Dec 3-2,2-1. After giving up a takedown, Johnson got a reversal and a gut wrench to win the first period. In the second period Johnson got a push out point and won 2-1.

Greco-Roman: #6 seed Cole Konrad (MN Storm) topped #3 seed Erik Nye (Sunkist Kids). Konrad won the first coin flip and was able to defend and take the first period 1-1. Nye won the coin flip in the second period and defended to take the second period 1-1. Konrad won the third period coin flip and got a two point turn. Konrad won the third period 3-0 and the match Dec 1-1,1-1,3-0. Konrad will wrestle #2 Timothy Taylor (US Army) in the semifinals.

Greco-Roman: #7 seed Mark Simmonds (US Navy) lost to #2 Timothy Taylor (US Army). Taylor won both coin flips and the match Dec 1-1,1-1.

Greco-Roman: #1 R.C. Johnson (Sunkist Kids) defeated #4 Justin Millard (US Air Force) in the semifinals. In the first period Johnson got two gut wrenches for four points. Millard scored a two-point turn, Johnson reversed and scored three near-fall. Johnson took the first period 7-3. Johnson won the coin flip and the second period 1-1. Johnson moves to the challenge tournament finals with a Dec 7-3,1-1. Johnson will have #2 Adam Wheeler (Gator WC) in the finals.

Freestyle: #4 seed Damion Hahn (New York AC) beat #5 Max Askren (Sunkist Kids) in the quarterfinals. Hahn got a takedown to win the first period 1-0. Askren got a two point takdown and Hahn got a reversal and nearfall. Hahn added a two-point takedown for a 5-2 period win. Hahn took the match Dec 1-0,5-2. Hahn will wrestle #8 Sean Stender (Sunkist Kids) in the semifinals.

Greco-Roman: #6 Cole Konrad (MN Storm) lost to #2 Timothy Taylor (US Army) Dec 1-1,1-2 in the semifinals.Taylor won the coin flip and the first period 1-1. Taylor got a takedown in the first minute of the second period and won 2-1. Konrad moves to the consolation semifinals where he will face #4 Peter Kowalczuk (Sunkist Kids).

Greco-Roman: #7 Mark Simmonds (US Navy) beat #3 Erik Nye (Sunkist Kids) Dec 1-1,1-1,1-1 in the consolation quarterfinals.
Simmonds won the first period 1-1. Nye won the second period 1-1. Simmonds won the third period 1-1. Simmons will wrestle #5 David Arendt (US Marines) in the consolation semifinals.

Greco-Roman: #1 R.C. Johnson (Sunkist Kids) lost to #2 Adam Wheeler (Gator WC) Dec 1-1,1-1,1-1 in the challenge tournament finals. Johnson and Wheeler split coin flips in periods one and two. Wheeler took the first period 1-1 and Johnson took the second period 1-1. Wheeler got the third period coin flip and won 1-1.

Freestyle: #4 Damion Hahn (New York AC) topped #8 Sean Stender (Sunkist Kids) Dec 2-1,3-1 in the semifinals. Stender got on the board first with a takedown but it was waved off after a video review. Hahn was awarded two points for exposure after the review. Stender came back with a push out point. Hahn won the first period 2-1. Hahn tried an inside trip, but Stender defended and got a takedown. Hahn got a three point throw with two seconds left to pull out a 3-1 period win. "This is it, so you've got to give it all you've got" said Hahn. "This is the big one. Not a bad semifinal match." Hahn will wrestle #3 Kurt Backes (Sunkist Kids) in the challenge tournament finals. "I feel good. I'm healthy and I feel I'm the best guy at this weight."

Greco-Roman: #6 Cole Konrad (MN Storm) lost to #4 Peter Kowalczuk (NMU/USOEC) by first period fall 1:33 in the consolation semifinals. Konrad is eliminated from the tournament.

Greco-Roman: #7 Mark Simmonds (US Navy) lost to #5 David Arendt (US Marines) Dec 0-5,0-7 in the consolation semifinals. Arendt won the first period 5-0. Arendt got a takedown in the first minute of the second period. Arendt added three gut wrenches to win the period 7-0. Simmonds is eliminated from the tournament.

Freestyle: #4 Damion Hahn (New York AC) beat #3 Kurt Backes (Sunkist Kids) Dec 3-2,5-0 in the challenge tournament finals. Hahn scored two points on an exposure but Backes countered with a two-point exposure. Hahn got a takedown to take a 3-2 lead. Injury time for Backes (knee). Hahn took the first period 3-2. Early in the second period Hahn lifted Backes and got a five point throw to end the match with a win. Hahn will wrestler Daniel Cormier in the best of three series to make the Olympic team.

Freestyle 96 kg/211.5 lbs championship first match:
Daniel Cormier (Gator WC) over Damion Hahn (New York AC) Dec 6-1,6-0
Hahn scored first with a takedown. Cormier came back with a takedown and two tilts as time ran down to win the first period 6-1. Cormier got a late takedown with exposure for one and three points and a quick leg lace for two points to win the second period 6-0.

Freestyle 96 kg/211.5 lbs championship second match:
Daniel Cormier (Gator WC) over Damion Hahn (New York AC) Dec 1-0,1-0
Cormier scored first with a push out point. It was the only point of the period – Cormier  wins 1-0. In the second period with the score tied 1-1 Cormier got a takedown with six seconds left to win the period 1-0. "Ultimately you want to win," said Hahn. "The first match was a good match, but he got on top and was able to turn me. The second match I was moving better. I got in on his legs but I couldn't finish any of my attacks. This was the ultimate thing right here – to make that team and win a medal. It hurts, but you move on."

What's up next for Hahn? Who knows – Hahn has not made any decisions about his competitive wrestling future.

Saturday Sessions

Wrestlers from Minnesota competing today include:
Greco-Roman: #2 seed Jake Deitchler (Minnesota Storm) has a first round bye. He will wrestle #10 seed Shannon Slack (NYAC) in the quarterfinals.

Greco-Roman: #1 seed Andrew Bisek (MN Storm) has a first round bye. He will wrestle #9 seed Brandon McNab (US Army) in the quarterfinals.

Greco-Roman: #5 seed Jacob Clark (MN Storm) defeated #12 seed Jeff Funicello (Sunkist Kids) Dec 1-1,1-1 in the first round. Clark won both coin flips. Clark wil face #4 Aaron Sieracki (US Army) in the quarterfinals.

Greco-Roman: #9 seed Jeremy Pederson (U.S. Marines) lost to #8 seed John Wechter (Sunkist Kids) Dec 3-1,0-3,0-5. Pederson has a bye in the first round consolations.

Greco-Roman: #7 seed Zac Nielson (USOEC) topped #10 seed Abram Haddon (USOTC) Dec 5-2,2-1 in the first round. Nielson won the first period 5-2. He got a throw for three points from the top par-terre position. Haddon got a turn for two points from the top position and Nielson got a quick reversal. Nielson won the second period 2-1. Nielson will meet #2 Brad Vering (New York AC) in the quarterfinals.

Greco-Roman: #3 seed Chas Betts (MN Storm) has a first round bye. He will wrestle #6 seed Jake Plamann (Gator WC) in the quarterfinals.

Greco-Roman: #2 Jake Deitchler (MN Storm) defeated #10 Shannon Slack (NYAC) in the quarterfinals Dec 1-4,4-1,8-1. Deitchler will face #3 seed Harry Lester (Gator WC) in the semifinals. "It felt good to get that first win," said Deitchler. "My goal is to win this tournament just like any other tournament."

Greco-Roman: #1 Andrew Bisek (MN Storm) beat #9 Brandon McNab (US Army) in the quarterfinals Dec 1-1,1-1,4-0. Bisek will have #4 Cheney Haight (New York AC) in the semifinals.

Greco-Roman: #5 Jacob Clark (MN Storm) lost to #4 Aaron Sieracki (US Army) Dec 0-3,0-3 in the quarterfinals. Clark won the coin flip but Sieracki got a gut-wrench in the top par-terre to win the first period 3-0. The second period went the same way - Clark won the coin flip but Sieracki got a gut-wrench in the top par-terre to win the second period 3-0. Clark will have David Spangler (US Air Force) in the consolations.

Greco-Roman: #3 Chas Betts (MN Storm) beat #6 Jake Plamann (Gator WC) in the quarterfinals Dec 3-0,1-1. Betts got a gut-wrench to win the first period 3-0. Betts won the second period coin flip and took the period 1-1. Betts wil have #2 Brad Vering (New York AC) in the semifinals.

Greco-Roman: #7 Zac Nielson (USOEC) lost #2 Brad Vering (New York AC) Dec 0-4,0-6 in the quarterfinals. Vering got a takedown and a gut-wrench in the first period. Vering got a takedown and three guts in the second period. Nielson will wrestle #9 Jeremy Pederson (U.S. Marines) in the consolations.

Greco-Roman: #7 Zac Nielson (USOEC) topped #9 Jeremy Pederson (U.S. Marines) Dec 3-1,1-1,5-1 in the consolations. Pederson won the first period 3-1 with a two-point tilt. Nielson got a reversal. Nielson won the coin flip and the second period 1-1. In the final period, Pederson got a push out point. A reversal and exposure for Nielson. Nielson added a gut to win the period 5-1. Pederson is eliminated from the tournament. Nielson will wrestle Jake Plamann #6 (Gator WC) in the consolation quarterfinals. "It's been fun being out on the big stage and to wrestle in front of some people for a change," said Pederson, "plus Vegas is always a good time." Up next for Pederson – go back to Camp LeJune and be a Marine for a while until the next season rolls around.

Greco-Roman: #5 Jacob Clark (MN Storm) got his offense going against David Spangler (US Air Force) in the consolations. Clark won Dec 5-0,4-0. "You have to open up," said Clark. "That's what Dan [Chandler] and Brandon [Paulson] both told me from that last match. I didn't do anything. Maybe I'm relying on the coin toss too much – being I'm in Vegas. It's tough to lose any match, but losing here means you have to wait four more years for another chance. I didn't do enough to be on the Olympic team this year and that's something I've got to learn from. I'm stil young, my receding hairline may not show it, but I've still got another four – maybe eight years in me."

Greco-Roman: #2 Jake Deitchler (MN Storm) pulled off a big upset against Harry Lester (Gator WC) in the semifinals winning in dramatic fashion in the last ten seconds of the third period. Lester was up 2-1 in the final period, when Deitchler scored two points off of a reverse lift with time running down. Lester countered with a quick two points and Deitchler countered back with two points. The final outcome was a victory for Deitchler Dec 0-5,5-2,5-3. Jake will face Faruk Sahin (US Army) with the winner making the Olympic Team. "I wrestle hard six minutes, there's no pressue on me, I just have to go out there and give it everything I've got," said Deitchler after his big win. This was the first time these two have wrestled a match. "I've practiced with him before and he beat the crap out of me," said Deitchler. "My game plan now is to just keep wrestling hard. It's what I've been doing all year."

Greco-Roman: #1 Andrew Bisek (MN Storm) lost to #4 Cheney Haight (New York AC) Dec 1-1,4-1 in the semifinals. Bisek wil have #6 Jess Hargrave (US Army) in the consolation semifinals.

Greco-Roman: #7 Zac Nielson (USOEC) lost to Jake Plamann #6 (Gator WC) Dec 1-2,0-6 in the consolation quarterfinals. Nielson is eliminated from the tournament. "It's been an absolutely phenomenal experience," said Nielson. "I was so psyched to even be here. I've totally exceeded my expectations for the year. It's motivated me to do better. I totally feel like I've got a lot going for me right now. I'm glad I made the decision to go to the [US Olympic Education Center].

Next up for Nielson – the FILA Junior World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, from July 29 to Aug. 3. "I'm going for a medal. I really believe I can do it," said Nielson.

Greco-Roman: #5 Jacob Clark (MN Storm) beat #8 John Wechter (Sunkist Kids) Dec 1-1,2-1 in the consolation quarterfinals.

Greco-Roman: #3 Chas Betts (MN Storm) lost to #2 Brad Vering (New York AC) Dec 3-0,3-0 in the semifinals. Vering got a gut-wrench in each period. Betts and Jacob Clark will square off in the consolation semifinals.

Greco-Roman: #1 Andrew Bisek (MN Storm) lost to #6 Jess Hargrave (US Army) 0-6,5-1,3-3 in the consolation semifinals. Hargrave turned Bisek twice and won the first period 6-0. Bisek scored two points off a front lock and countered a turn attempt for two to take the second period 5-1. In the final period Bisek lost 3-3. Andrew is eliminated from the tournament. "It was a lot of fun," said Bisek. "I went to the Wold Team Trials last year and went 0-2. It was good to get a win here. I knew it would be really tough coming in just looking at the competitors. I had a little injury coming in but I feel I wrestled the best I could. Overall, I enjoyed the experience."

Bisek's plans for the summer include coaching Minnesota wrestlers at the Junior Duals and Junior Nationals. He hopes to continue working towards the Olypmics in 2012.

Greco-Roman: #3 Chas Betts (MN Storm) defeated #5 Jacob Clark (MN Storm) Dec 1-1,1-1,1-1 in the consolation semifinals. Betts won the first and third period coin flips. Clark is eliminated from the tournament. Betts will meet #6 Jake Plamann (Gator WC) for third place. Betts beat Plamann in the quarterfinals.

Greco-Roman 66 kg/145.5 lbs championship first match:
Jake Deitchler (MN Storm) over Faruk Sahin (US Army) Dec 0-5,7-4,1-1
Sahin got a five point throw from the top par-terre position to win the first period. Three point throw for Deitchler to start the second period. Sahin scored a point on a reversal. Deitchler won the coin flip. Sahin reversed and got a one-point turn. Reversal for two for Deitchler takes the second period 7-4. Deitchler won the coin flip in the third period. Deitchler wins the period 1-1 and the first match Dec 0-5,7-4,1-1.

Greco-Roman 84 kg/185 lbs third place match:
Jake Plamann (Gator WC) over Chas Betts (MN Storm) Dec 0-3,2-1,1-1
Betts won the first period 3-0 with a two-point gut wrench. Plamann got a takedown in the first minute of the second period and won 2-1. Plamann won the coin flip in the third period and got the 1-1 win. Plamann won the match Dec 0-3,2-1,1-1. "I'm pretty disappointed overall that I didn't win this thing," said Betts. "In my mind I had a realistic shot but then I lost to Vering. We've wrestled five or six times and I've never beat him. I thought I could do it today. I'm pretty disappointed in myself." Winning the third place match would have put Betts on the U.S. National Team which provides a monthly stipend and some other benefits as well.

What's in store for Betts – the University World Championships in Greece in July. "I start training for that. No breaks in this sport," said Betts.

Greco-Roman 66 kg/145.5 lbs championship second match:
Jake Deitchler (MN Storm) over Faruk Sahin (US Army) Dec 2-3,7-5,3-1
Sahin won the coin flip and got a gut for one point and a gut for two points. Deitchler came back with a turn for two points but it wasn't enough. Sahin won the first period 3-2. Sahin got a three point takedown and a two point turn in the first minute of the second period. Deitchler got a one point reversal and three points off a lift. Deitchler got a two point turn to win the second period 7-5. Sahin won the coin flip in the third. Deitchler got a two point turn as time ran down in the final thirty seconds. Deitchler won the final period 3-1 and the match. Deitchler earned a trip to the China Olympics on his second match win Dec 2-3,7-5,3-1. "I haven't had pressure this whole tournament which has been great for me," said Deitchler "I was excited and I just wrestled hard." Deitchler was down 5-0 in the second period and he came back to win it 7-5. "When I need to score to win I give it everything I've got to explode to turn this guy. It's like the difference between life and death for me basically."

2008 Olympian Jake Deitchler

Friday Sessions

Wrestlers from Minnesota competing today include:
Women Freestyle: #7 seed Cheylnne Pringle (MN Storm) defeated #10 Kelsey Campbell (Sunkist Kids) Dec 1-2,1-1,1-1. Pringle will face #2 seed Sally Roberts in the quarterfinals.

Women Freestyle: #1 seed Jenny Wong (Sunkist Kids) defeated K. Fulp-Allen (New York AC) Dec 1-0,1-0 in the first round. Wong will wrestle #8 seed Leigh Jaynes (US Army) in the quarterfinals.

Greco-Roman: #7 seed Donovan DePatto (US Marines) defeated #10 Noah Blankenship (US Marines) Dec 3-0,1-1 in first round competition. DePatto will meet #2 Glenn Garrison (US Army) in the quarterfinals.

Women Freestyle: #7 Cheylnne Pringle (MN Storm) lost to #2 Sally Roberts (Gator WC) Dec 3-0,4-0 in the quarterfinals. Pringle will face #14 Sharon Jacobson (Gator WC) in the consolations.

Women Freestyle: #1 Jenny Wong (Sunkist Kids) lost to #8 seed Leigh Jaynes (US Army) Dec 1-0,1-0 in the quarterfinals. Wong will wrestle #6 Shyla Iokia (USOEC) in the consolations.

Greco-Roman: #7 Donovan DePatto (US Marines) lost to #2 Glenn Garrison (US Army) Dec 1-1,2-1,1-1 in the quarterfinals. Garrison won the coin flip in the third period allowing him to score last when DePatto wasn't able to score from the top par-terre position. "I was hoping I could get a takedown when we were on our feet so I wouldn't have to rely on the coin flip," said DePatto. "I wasn't sure if I could hang with him. It was fun." DePatto will wrestle #9 Chad Vandiver (Unattached) in the consolations.

Women Freestyle: #7 Cheylnne Pringle (MN Storm) lost to #14 Sharon Jacobson (Gator WC) in the consolations Dec 6-0,3-1 and is eliminated from the tournament.

Women Freestyle: #1 Jenny Wong (Sunkist Kids) lost to #6 Shyla Iokia (USOEC) Dec 1-0,1-0 in the consolations and is eliminated from the tournament.

Greco-Roman: #7 Donovan DePatto (US Marines) topped #9 Chad Vandiver (Unattached) in the consolations Dec 3-0,1-1. DePatto was awarded two points in the first period when Vandiver was penalized for his second false-start. The other points scored were defensive par-terre down position points. DePatto will meet #5 Willie Madison (Gator WC) in the consolation quarterfinals.

Greco-Roman: #7 Donovan DePatto (US Marines) defeated #5 Willie Madison (Gator WC) in the consolation quarterfinals 1-1,1-1,1-1. He will now face #4 Jeremiah Davis (US Army) in the consolation semifinals.

Greco-Roman: #7 Donovan DePatto (US Marines) lost to #4 Jeremiah Davis (US Army) in the consolation semifinals Dec 1-1,3-0 and is eliminated from the tournament.

Up next for Depato is to take some time off and do some fishing before he resumes training for the World Military Wrestling Championships, September 1-8, in Split, Croatia.

Women Freestyle 76 kg/163 lbs championship first match:
Ali Bernard (Gator WC) over Katie Downing (Sunkist Kids) Dec 2-0,2-2,1-0
Bernard won the first period 2-0 with a two point tilt off of the clinch. Downing won the second period 2-2 off a tilt by Bernard and a counter by Downing. Bernard won the third period 1-0 with a takedown from the clinch. Bernard won the first match Dec 2-0,2-2,1-0.

Women Freestyle 76 kg/163 lbs championship second match:
Ali Bernard (Gator WC) over Katie Downing (Sunkist Kids) Dec 3-2,1-4,1-0
Bernard scored first with a takedown. She added a tilt for two nearfall before Downing got a reversal. Downing added a takedown near the end. Bernard won the first period 3-2. Downing scored three points in the second period off a headlock. Downing got a takedown to lead 4-0. Bernard added a late takedown. Downing won the second period 4-1. Bernard got a pushout point with two seconds left to win the third period 1-0. Bernard won the second match Dec 3-2,1-4,1-0. Bernard makes the U.S. Olympic Team.

“I’ve dreamt about it,” said Bernard. “I just go out and wrestle as hard as I can. I feel like I’ve worked hard for it. I’m really pumped but also a littled stunned and lacking oxygen from that headlock. I was thinking I’m not going to get pinned – I’d rather choke out and die first. I just always keep going and whatever happens, happens. I feel great.”

2008 Olympian Ali Bernard