Jake Deitchler storms into Greco-Roman finals at U.S. Nationals

ause you’re a senior in high school doesn’t mean you can’t make an Olympic Team in wrestling.

Just ask Jake Deitchler.

The 18-year-old prep senior from Ramsey, Minn., is serious about making the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman wrestling and he proved why early on Friday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The unseeded Deitchler stormed into the finals of the U.S. Nationals at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and now will face No. 1 seed Mark Rial in Friday night’s finals.

“I’m going to wrestle hard and give it all I’ve got,” Deitchler said. “I’m trying to put myself in position to make the Olympic Team. I’m going to do everything I possibly can to get there.”

The U.S. Nationals serve as the main qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, set for June 13-15 in Las Vegas.

Deitchler, a 2007 Junior Nationals champion in Greco-Roman, pinned No. 3 seed Faruk Sahin in the quarterfinals before downing No. 2 seed and 2007 World Team Trials runner-up Jacob Curby 1-1, 2-1, 2-1 in the semifinals.

“I have a great coach in Brandon Paulson and I prepared really hard for this tournament,” said Deitchler, a University of Minnesota recruit. “I’ve practiced with guys like Harry Lester and I’ve trained at the Olympic Training Center, so I’ve wrestled the best in the nation. That gives me a lot of confidence to know I’ve trained with guys at that level.”

Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist, is not competing this weekend at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Lester has already qualified for the Olympic Team Trials.

“Harry didn’t show up and this is an opportunity for me to make some noise,” Deitchler said. “I want to qualify for the Trials and go. I’m constantly trying to get better. I learn something new every day.”

The other six members of the 2007 U.S. squad that won the team title at the World Championships each advanced to the finals. That group includes World champion Dremiel Byers, World silver medalist Brad Vering, World bronze medalists Lindsey Durlacher and Justin Ruiz, and World Team members T.C. Dantzler and Joe Betterman.

U.S. NATIONALS GRECO-ROMAN FINALS

55 kg/121 lbs. – Lindsey Durlacher (New York AC) vs. Spenser Mango (Gator WC/USOEC)

60 kg/132 lbs. – Joe Betterman (New York AC/USOEC) vs. Jim Gruenwald (Sunkist Kids)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Mark Rial (Gator WC) vs. Jake Deitchler (Minnesota Storm)

74 kg/163 lbs. – T.C. Dantzler (Gator WC) vs. Andrew Bisek (Minnesota Storm)

84 kg/185 lbs. – Brad Vering (New York AC) vs. Brad Ahearn (U.S. Army)

96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Justin Ruiz (New York AC) vs. R.C. Johnson (Sunkist Kids)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Dremiel Byers (U.S. Army) vs. Ru

ause you’re a senior in high school doesn’t mean you can’t make an Olympic Team in wrestling.

Just ask Jake Deitchler.

The 18-year-old prep senior from Ramsey, Minn., is serious about making the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman wrestling and he proved why early on Friday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The unseeded Deitchler stormed into the finals of the U.S. Nationals at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and now will face No. 1 seed Mark Rial in Friday night’s finals.

“I’m going to wrestle hard and give it all I’ve got,” Deitchler said. “I’m trying to put myself in position to make the Olympic Team. I’m going to do everything I possibly can to get there.”

The U.S. Nationals serve as the main qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, set for June 13-15 in Las Vegas.

Deitchler, a 2007 Junior Nationals champion in Greco-Roman, pinned No. 3 seed Faruk Sahin in the quarterfinals before downing No. 2 seed and 2007 World Team Trials runner-up Jacob Curby 1-1, 2-1, 2-1 in the semifinals.

“I have a great coach in Brandon Paulson and I prepared really hard for this tournament,” said Deitchler, a University of Minnesota recruit. “I’ve practiced with guys like Harry Lester and I’ve trained at the Olympic Training Center, so I’ve wrestled the best in the nation. That gives me a lot of confidence to know I’ve trained with guys at that level.”

Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist, is not competing this weekend at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Lester has already qualified for the Olympic Team Trials.

“Harry didn’t show up and this is an opportunity for me to make some noise,” Deitchler said. “I want to qualify for the Trials and go. I’m constantly trying to get better. I learn something new every day.”

The other six members of the 2007 U.S. squad that won the team title at the World Championships each advanced to the finals. That group includes World champion Dremiel Byers, World silver medalist Brad Vering, World bronze medalists Lindsey Durlacher and Justin Ruiz, and World Team members T.C. Dantzler and Joe Betterman.

U.S. NATIONALS GRECO-ROMAN FINALS

55 kg/121 lbs. – Lindsey Durlacher (New York AC) vs. Spenser Mango (Gator WC/USOEC)

60 kg/132 lbs. – Joe Betterman (New York AC/USOEC) vs. Jim Gruenwald (Sunkist Kids)

66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Mark Rial (Gator WC) vs. Jake Deitchler (Minnesota Storm)

74 kg/163 lbs. – T.C. Dantzler (Gator WC) vs. Andrew Bisek (Minnesota Storm)

84 kg/185 lbs. – Brad Vering (New York AC) vs. Brad Ahearn (U.S. Army)

96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Justin Ruiz (New York AC) vs. R.C. Johnson (Sunkist Kids)

120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Dremiel Byers (U.S. Army) vs. Ru