OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Two former Iowa State wrestlers earned spots on the U.S. freestyle wrestling team that will compete at the World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey in September. A total of four former Cyclones placed among top four placewinners at their respective weight classes. The U.S. World Team Trials were held in the Cox Convention Center.
Cael Sanderson, who won four NCAA titles at Iowa State, completed a comeback to competitive wrestling by earning a two-match sweep of former World silver medalist Jake Herbert in the 84 kg (185 lbs.) weight class. With the final wins over Herbert, Sanderson earned a spot on the world team.
A total of 12 former Iowa State wrestlers have earned 21 spots in the U.S. World since 1970.
Jake Varner, a four-time finalist in his time as a Cyclone, joins Sanderson on the U.S. World Team after two-match sweep of Chad Hanke at 96 kg (211.5 lbs.). As a 2011 U.S. Open champion, all Varner needed simply to best Chad in a best of three match-up, which he did while not being scored upon in that showdown.
Former Cyclone national champions
Trent Paulson (74 kg) and
Jon Reader (84 kg) both had strong showings but ultimately fell short of their goals of making the U.S. World Team. Paulson finished third in a very difficult challenge tournament and fourth overall. Reader, who has made huge strides since this time last year, defeated Penn State's 184-pound national champion Quentin Wright before falling to Cael Sanderson and former Pittsburgh national champion Keith Gavin en route to a fifth-place finish.
Former All-American
Nick Fanthorpe and NCAA champion
David Zabriskie both fell short of placing in the challenge tournament.
RESULTS: 2011 U.S. World Team Trials
Cael Sanderson - 84 kg (185 pounds) – First Place
W-D, Raymond Jordan (Sunkist Kids), 4-0, 0-1, 2-0
W-F, Chris Pendleton (Gator WC), 3-1, 1:03
W-D,
Jon Reader (Cyclone WC), 4-1, 1-0
W-D, Jake Herbert (NYAC), 4-1, 2-0
W-D, Jake Herbert (NYAC), 5-2, 2-0
Jake Varner - 96 kg (211.5 pounds) – First Place
W-D, Chad Hanke (NWRTC), 3-0, 2-0
W-D, Chad Hanke (NWRTC), 3-0, 2-0
Trent Paulson - 74 kg (163 pounds) – Fourth Place
W-D, Zach Toal (Missouri WF), 3-0, 5-2
W-TF, Tyler Caldwell (Sunkist Kids), 5-0, 7-0
L-D, Nick Marable (Sunkist Kids), 3-1, 1-3, 1-1
W-F, Ryan Morningstar (NYAC), 1:49
W-D, Kirk White (Bronco WC), 4-0, 1-0
Jon Reader - 84 kg (185 pounds) – Fifth Place
W-F, Brandon Sinnott (Gator WC), 1:05
W-D, Mack Lewnes (NYAC), 6-0, 6-2
W-D, Quentin Wright (Nittany Lion WC), 1-0, 2-1
L-D, Cael Sanderson (Nittany Lion WC), 1-4, 0-1
L-D, Keith Gavin (Lehigh Valley WC), 1-2, 0-2
Nick Fanthorpe - 60 kg (132 pounds)
W-D, Tyler Clark (Hawkeye WC), 5-1, 2-1
L-D, Coleman Scott (Gator WC), 0-1, 0-1
L-D, Derek Moore (U.S. Army), 0-1, 0-1
David Zabriskie - 96 kg (211.5 pounds)
L-TF, Brandon Halsey (Sunkist Kids), 1-7, 2-6
L-D, Luke Lofthouse (Hawkeye WC), 3-1, 1-3, 1-2