Returning champions Novachkov, Grey unbeaten after day one of ASICS/Vaughan Junior Freestyle Nationals

Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
07/27/2006

FARGO, N.D. – The two returning champions in the field ended the first day of competition undefeated at the ASICS/Vaughan Junior National Freestyle Championships at the Fargodome Thursday.

2005 Junior National champions Boris Novachkov of California at 112 pounds and Mike Grey of New Jersey at 125 pounds finished the day with unblemished records.

Novachkov had three victories, including two technical falls. Novachkov was a Junior National double champion last year at 98 pounds, but has moved up in weight this year.

Grey won his first four matches, with a two decisions and two pins.Grey won his title at the same weight class last summer.

Four 2005 Junior National runners-up entered the tournament, looking to reach the finals again and take home a gold medal this year.

Returning Junior Nationals runners-up without a loss were Donte Butler of Missouri at 112 pounds, Shawn Jones of Idaho at 125 pounds, Adam Hall of Idaho at 152 pounds and Ryan Patrovich of New York at 171 pounds.

Three 2006 Junior National Greco-Roman champions were eliminated with two losses

Two-time Junior National Greco-Roman champion Jesse Robbins of Florida was eliminated in three rounds at 171 pounds. He was defeated in his second match, losing to A.J. Kissell of Wisconsin, 5-0, 1-1, 5-3. In the next round, he dropped an injury default to Brent Haynes of Missouri.

Robert Kellog of Iowa, the Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion at 152 pounds, lost a second round bout to Trinity Perkins of Nebraska, 6-0, 5-1, then was eliminated with a loss to Craig Kiltrick of Pennsylvania, 8-2, 2-2, 6-2.

Patrick Mahan of Minnesota, the Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion at 215, dropped his first match to Nick Bauman of Colorado, 1-1, 1-1, then was eliminated by Corey Johnson of Oklahoma, 0-1, 8-0, 3-1.

The second day of the ASICS/Vaughan Junior National Freestyle Championships will be held on Friday, with the championship rounds on Saturday.