Tony Ramos of the Titan Mercury WC, shown at the 2015 World Championships, will compete at the World Wrestling Clubs Cup for the second straight year. Photo by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Titan Mercury Wrestling Club will be taking another loaded freestyle team to the World Wrestling Clubs Cup in Iran.

Titan Mercury will look to build on its second-place finish from 2014 when it competes in this year’s event on Nov. 26-27 in Mazadaran, Iran.

There is significant prize money involved in this dual-meet event with the winning team receiving $50,000. The second-place team will earn $30,000 with the third-place squad collecting $20,000.

The Titan Mercury/USA team is comprised of wrestlers from Titan Mercury, in addition to other American clubs.

“Iran is one of the World’s great meccas for wrestling – they absolutely love the sport there,” Titan Mercury Team Leader Wayne Boyd said. “The crowds were great last year and the Iranian people treated us like rock stars. This is a really competitive event with some great wrestlers involved. We’re looking forward to being a part of this great event once again.”

The Titan Mercury/USA team is led by Olympic gold medalist and World bronze medalist Jake Varner at 97 kg/213 lbs. Varner finished second to eventual World champion Kyle Snyder, who competes for Titan Mercury, at the 2015 World Team Trials.

The U.S. team also features two-time World Team member Tony Ramos, who went 4-1 in last year’s event in Iran. Ramos competes at 57 kg/125.5 lbs.

Past U.S. National Team member Andrew Howe went unbeaten in Iran last year, posting a 5-0 record at 74 kg/163 lbs.

The U.S. team also includes past World Team member Dustin Schlatter (74 kg/163 lbs.), 2015 World Team Trials runner-up Daniel Dennis (61 kg/134 lbs.), veteran Austin Trotman (86 kg/189 lbs.) and three-time NCAA All-American Bobby Telford (125 kg/275 lbs.).

Young Titan Mercury standout Aaron Pico was scheduled to compete in Iran at 65 kg/143 lbs., but will be unable to compete because of an injury. Pico, 19, a Cadet World champion and Junior World silver medalist, suffered a broken nose while placing third last weekend at the Bill Farrell International in New York City.

Boyd said Titan Mercury will use an athlete from a foreign country to replace Pico in Iran. Under rules of the event, the Titan Mercury/USA team can use up to two international wrestlers from a foreign country on their roster.

WORLD WRESTLING CLUBS CUP
Nov. 26-27, Mazadaran, Iran

Titan Mercury/USA Roster
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Tony Ramos, Iowa City, Iowa
61 kg/134 lbs. – Daniel Dennis, Iowa City, Iowa
65 kg/143 lbs. – International wrestler
70 kg/154 lbs. – Dustin Schlatter, Minneapolis, Minn.
74 kg/163 lbs. – Andrew Howe, Norman, Okla.
86 kg/189 lbs. – Austin Trotman, Lincoln, Neb.
97 kg/213 lbs. – Jake Varner, State College, Pa.
125 kg/275 lbs. – Bobby Telford, Iowa City, Iowa
Team Leader – Wayne Boyd, Palm Springs, Calif.
Translator – Hooman Tavakolian, New York, N.Y.
Coach – Royce Alger, Des Moines, Iowa
Assistant coach – Lee Schneiderman, Los Angeles, Calif.
Trainer – Bobby Reisz, West Des Moines, Iowa
Assistant Club Manager – Craig Sesker, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Referee – Cliff Ramos, Chicago, Ill.
USA Wrestling Executive Director – Rich Bender, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Club Sponsor – Frank Luntz

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