Nov 05

Talented U.S. freestyle wrestling team set for Chicago Cup at Wright College on November 15

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The United States will send a talented team of men's freestyle wrestlers to battle against Russia at the Chicago Cup, set for Sunday, Nov. 15.

The Chicago Cup is hosted in alliance with World Sport Chicago and features Team USA against other top teams from across the globe. The event will be held at Wright College, with competition starting at 2:00 p.m.

Three members of the 2009 U.S. World Team will be in the U.S. men's freestyle lineup at the Chicago Cup: Danny Felix (Morgantown, W.Va./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Trent Paulson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Tervel Dlagnev (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Competing in his U.S. Senior World Team, Dlagnev won a bronze medal at his weight class at the 2009 World Championships in Herning, Denmark. He was a University World Champion in 2008. Dlagnev won two NCAA Div. II national titles for Nebraska-Kearney.

In addition to making the U.S. World Team, Paulson was a 2009 U.S. Nationals champion. He was a 2007 NCAA Div. I champion competing for Iowa State.

Felix was the most experienced member of the 2009 U.S. World Team, reaching his first World Championships at the age of 35. He was an NCAA All-American for Arizona State.

Also competing at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. is 2008 U.S. Olympian Andy Hrovat (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC). Hrovat was also a member of the 2006 U.S. World Team. He was an NCAA All-American at Michigan.

The team will feature a second Paulson, as Trent's twin brother Travis will also wrestle for Team USA at 74 kg/163 lbs. Travis was also a 2009 U.S. Nationals champion, and is currently ranked No. 2 on Team USA. He was also an All-American for Iowa State.

Finalizing the U.S. team are two athletes who are currently ranked No. 3 at their respective weight classes on Team USA: Coleman Scott (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs and Carl Fronhofer (Hoboken, N.J./Sunkist Kids) at 84 kg/185 lbs. Scott was a 2008 NCAA Champion for Oklahoma State, while Fronhofer was a 2003 NCAA runner-up for Pittsburgh.

The U.S. team will be coached by USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones of Colorado Springs, Colo. along with Sean Bormet of Naperville, Ill. Bormet was the 2009 USA Wrestling Freestyle Coach of the Year, and operates the Overtime School of Wrestling in the Chicago area.

"This is a great opportunity for our National Team to get back on the mat after the World Championships and compete against a great opponent. Russia is the reigning World Champion team. We want to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity," said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones.

Tickets for the event are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Group rates are available but tickets will be limited. Pre-ordering is recommended.

Tickets can be pre-ordered via fax or e-mail. Visit http://www.worldsportchicago.org or e-mail wrestling@worldsportchicago.org to obtain a ticket order form for the 2009 Chicago Cup! Tickets will be available at the door only while supplies last, seating is limited and pre-sale is recommended.

Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. featuring technique sessions and autograph sessions.

Team USA has their hands full as the Russian squad is anticipated to feature many athletes with vast amounts of experience and success on the international scale. The Russian lineup will be announced shortly.

Wright College is located at 4300 N. Narragansett Ave, Chicago, IL 60634.

The event is expected to draw a large crowd. Seating for the event is limited so act fast and make plans to attend this annually and highly competitive dual meet between two of the top squads in the world.