U.S. freestyle team set to compete in dual-meet event in Russia

and the rest of the World for that matter – have a long way to go to catch the powerful freestyle team from Russia.

The Russians turned in one of the most dominating performances in the history of the World Championships by crowning six champions at the 2007 World meet in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Members of the 2007 U.S. World Team will try to narrow the gap with the Russians when they compete in the CSKA Freestyle Open Team Cup dual matches on Dec. 1 in Moscow, Russia.

Teams from the U.S., Russia, Turkey, Cuba, Ukraine and Iran have been invited to take part in the dual-meet event.

“We’re looking to go over there and wrestle the way we’re capable of wrestling,” USA Wrestling National Coach Kevin Jackson said. “This will be a part of the piece of the puzzle for determining who is on our World Cup team. I’m expecting Russia to put their No. 1 team on the mat. It should be a great competition for our team.”

The U.S. finished fourth in the team race at the 2007 World Championships. Bronze medalist Daniel Cormier was the lone medalist for the U.S. team at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. American teammates Doug Schwab (66 kg/145.5 lbs.), Joe Heskett (74 kg/163 lbs.), Joe Williams (84 kg/185 lbs.) and Tommy Rowlands (120 kg/264.5 lbs.) each lost their bronze-medal matches and each placed fifth. Williams is a past two-time World bronze medalist.

Heskett retired from wrestling last month after undergoing surgery for a heart condition that was discovered shortly after he returned home from the Worlds. Heskett will be replaced in the U.S. lineup in Russia by 2007 World Team Trials runner-up Casey Cunningham and 2006 World bronze medalist Donny Pritzlaff at 74 kilos.

2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick (60 kg/132 lbs.) and 2007 Pan American Games gold medalist Henry Cejudo (55 kg/121 lbs.) complete the U.S. squad.

Russia boasts six reigning World champions in the seven freestyle weight classes. They include Besik Kudukhov at 55 kg/121 lbs., Mavlet Batirov at 60 kg/132 lbs., Makhach Murtazaliev at 74 kg/163 lbs., Georgy Ketoev at 84 kg/185 lbs., Khadshimourad Gatsalov at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Beylal Makhov at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Turkey’s Ramazan Shahin won the 2007 World title at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

Numerous World and Olympic medalists from the six nations are expected in this outstanding field.

U.S. men’s freestyle lineup
55 kg/121 lbs. – Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Joe Williams, Belvidere, Ill. (Sunkist Kids)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
Coaches – Kevin Jackson, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Terry Brands, C

and the rest of the World for that matter – have a long way to go to catch the powerful freestyle team from Russia.

The Russians turned in one of the most dominating performances in the history of the World Championships by crowning six champions at the 2007 World meet in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Members of the 2007 U.S. World Team will try to narrow the gap with the Russians when they compete in the CSKA Freestyle Open Team Cup dual matches on Dec. 1 in Moscow, Russia.

Teams from the U.S., Russia, Turkey, Cuba, Ukraine and Iran have been invited to take part in the dual-meet event.

“We’re looking to go over there and wrestle the way we’re capable of wrestling,” USA Wrestling National Coach Kevin Jackson said. “This will be a part of the piece of the puzzle for determining who is on our World Cup team. I’m expecting Russia to put their No. 1 team on the mat. It should be a great competition for our team.”

The U.S. finished fourth in the team race at the 2007 World Championships. Bronze medalist Daniel Cormier was the lone medalist for the U.S. team at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. American teammates Doug Schwab (66 kg/145.5 lbs.), Joe Heskett (74 kg/163 lbs.), Joe Williams (84 kg/185 lbs.) and Tommy Rowlands (120 kg/264.5 lbs.) each lost their bronze-medal matches and each placed fifth. Williams is a past two-time World bronze medalist.

Heskett retired from wrestling last month after undergoing surgery for a heart condition that was discovered shortly after he returned home from the Worlds. Heskett will be replaced in the U.S. lineup in Russia by 2007 World Team Trials runner-up Casey Cunningham and 2006 World bronze medalist Donny Pritzlaff at 74 kilos.

2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick (60 kg/132 lbs.) and 2007 Pan American Games gold medalist Henry Cejudo (55 kg/121 lbs.) complete the U.S. squad.

Russia boasts six reigning World champions in the seven freestyle weight classes. They include Besik Kudukhov at 55 kg/121 lbs., Mavlet Batirov at 60 kg/132 lbs., Makhach Murtazaliev at 74 kg/163 lbs., Georgy Ketoev at 84 kg/185 lbs., Khadshimourad Gatsalov at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Beylal Makhov at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Turkey’s Ramazan Shahin won the 2007 World title at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

Numerous World and Olympic medalists from the six nations are expected in this outstanding field.

U.S. men’s freestyle lineup
55 kg/121 lbs. – Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Casey Cunningham, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Joe Williams, Belvidere, Ill. (Sunkist Kids)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids)
Coaches – Kevin Jackson, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Terry Brands, C