Simmons wins 1st career U.S. Senior National Freestyle Crown
Simmons and Churella brother tandems highlight 10 Michigan natives placing at US Nationals
4/12 - With the new Olympic cycle getting started, you can always
expect a new batch of young freestyle & greco stars to fill the US
Nationals in Las Vegas and this year was no different, with a large
contingency of the new up and coming stars in USA Wrestling
hailing from Michigan.
Leading the way was former 4x MSU All-American Nick Simmons,
who won the 121lb title National Championship with a 7-4, 7-1
finals win over Obe Blanc. The Williamston native has expierenced
a great deal of success on the international circuit since
graduating from Michigan State in 2007, however, this is his 1st
US Senior National Title. Simmons, who has been an World Team
alternate twice, will now enter the 2009 US World Team Trials next
month as the #1 seed at 55kg.
Nick's brother Andy, wrestling in his 2nd tournament since
returning from a 2-year hiatus, finished 4th at 60kg/132lbs. Andy
won his first two matches, including a 3-2, 1-0 win over 2008
NCAA Champion Coleman Scott in the quarterfinals before falling
1-0, 1-0 to former World Silver Medallist Mike Zadick in the
semifinals. He then lost his finals bout to Matt Valenti to finish
4th.
The Simmons brothers were not the only Michigan brother tandem
to place today as Josh and Ryan Churella both placed in the top 6
at 145lbs and 163lbs, respectively. Ryan made it to the semifinals at 163lbs before falling to eventual champion Travis Paulson of Iowa State. He then blanked 2009 NCAA Runner-Up Andrew Howe 3-0, 2-0 before losing to Minnesota NCAA Champion Dustin Schlatter in the consolation finals at 163lbs. Josh, meanwhile, lost to current University of Iowa assistant and former World Team Member Doug Schwab in the 145lb quarterfinals in three periods. He then won a couple consolation bouts before falling in three periods again, this time to #3 seed Brian Stith. Churella finished 6th at 66kg/145lbs.
Former Davison start Brent Metcalf was impressive in his first time on the
mat since the infamous NCAA finals defeat to Darrion Caldwell last month.
Metcalf stormed through his side of the bracket, knocking off #2 seed and
former World Team Member Chris Bono and #3 seed Brian Stith to advance
to the 145lb finals, where he fell to #1 seed and former Iowa State standout
Trent Paulson in three periods.
Metcalf's former Davison High School teammate and Iowa State sophomore
Jon Reader defeated NCAA Runner-Up Andrew Howe in his final match today
at 163lbs to finish 5th. Reader, a 2x All-American, fell in the 2nd round to
former Iowa State National Champ Travis Paulson and knocked curreny ISU
teammate Cyler Sanderson in the consolation bracket.
A trio of 2008 CMU grads earned all-american honors as well today, led by
Caro native Wynn Michalak who finished 3rd at 211lbs. Michalak was a
NCAA Runner-Up last year for the Chipps. All-Americans Brandon Sinnott
and Bubba Gritter each finished 6th at 185lbs and 264lbs, respectively.
Everyone who placed in the top 7 of their weight class today qualifies for
the 2009 US World Team Trials next month in Ames, Iowa.
Current University of Michigan heavyweight Eddie Phillips earned a spot in today's tournament via the qualification tournament yesterday and came away with all-american honors at 211lbs, finishing 8th.
US National Placers with Michigan ties:
55kg/121lbs - Nick Simmons (MSU/Williamston HS) - 1st
60kg/132lbs - Andy Simmons (MSU/Williamston HS) - 4th
66kg/145lbs - Brent Metcalf (Davison HS) - 2nd
66kg/145lbs - Josh Churella (Michigan/Novi HS) - 6th
74kg/163lbs - Ryan Churella (Michigan/Novi HS) - 4th
74kg/163lbs - Jon Reader (Davison HS) - 5th
84kg/185lbs - Brandon Sinnott (CMU/Allen Park HS) - 6th
96kg/211lbs - Wynn Michalak (CMU/Caro HS) - 3rd
96kg/211lbs - Eddie Phillips (Michigan/Lakewood HS) - 8th
120kg/264lbs - Bubba Gritter (CMU/Grandville HS) - 6th
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