Below is a weight-by-weight breakdown with predictions for the dual.
96 kg: Justin Ruiz (U.S.) vs. Mohammed Abdel Fatah (Egypt)
Ruiz, a 2005 World bronze medalist, returned to the international circuit last season and ended up finished fifth at the 2010 World Championships. So far this year, he has finished third at the Nikola Petrov International, second at the Grand Prix of Slovenia and fifth at the Dave Schultz Memorial. The former Nebraska Cornhusker was a two-time All-American in college. Fatah claimed a world championship in 2006 and has represented Egypt in a pair of Olympic Games. Last year, he moved up to 96kg and won gold medals at the Mediterranean Games and African Championships.
Bottom Line: Fatah is clearly one of the most talented members of the international team. However, Ruiz has been one of the most consistent Greco-Roman wrestlers for the U.S. and has continued to look strong this season.
Prediction: Ruiz dec. Fatah
60 kg: Derek Moore (U.S.) vs. Franklin Gomez (Puerto Rico)
This is battle of NCAA champions. Moore won a title for UC Davis in 2007, and Gomez captured his championship in 2009 while wrestling at Michigan State. This season, Moore, a member of the U.S Army World Class Athlete Program, has placed second at the Sunkist Kids International and fifth at the Alexander Medved Invitational. In 2010, Gomez won bronze at the Central American and Caribbean Games and then represented Puerto Rico in the 2010 World Championships. In February, the former Spartan placed third at the Dave Schultz Memorial.
Bottom Line: Gomez has always been stronger in freestyle than in folkstyle. At the Schultz, he defeated U.S. regulars Coleman Scott and Reece Humphrey. Moore will certainly be facing an up-hill battle.
Prediction: Gomez dec. Moore
74 kg: Ryan Morningstar (U.S.) vs. Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov (Uzbekistan)
Morningstar, a two-time All-American for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has surprised many with his early success on the freestyle circuit. Already this season, he has picked up silver medals at the NYAC International Open and Dave Schultz Memorial. Abdurakhmanov holds the distinction as the first EIWA champion in American University history. He earned All-American honors while wrestling for the Eagles in 2006. In 2009, he focused on MMA and split a pair of fights. Last November, Abdurakhmanov defeated Nick Marable as a last-minute replacement in the USA vs. Russia dual meet. He also finished fifth at the Dave Schultz Memorial this season.
Bottom Line: Morningstar’s defensive style has translated well to freestyle. Abdurakhmanov has the edge in freestyle experience. However, he is returning from a long layoff and finished behind Morningstar at the Schultz.
Prediction: Morningstar dec. Abdurakhmanov
84 kg: Keith Gavin (U.S) vs. Jaime Espinal (Puerto Rico)
In 2010, Gavin won the challenge tournament at the World Team Trials, but ultimately came up short in the “best of three matches” final against Jake Herbert. This season, the 2008 NCAA champion for Pittsburgh has won silver at the Dave Schultz Memorial and bronze at the Cerro Pelado International. Espinal represented Puerto Rico in the 2010 World Championships after finishing second at the Pan American Games and first at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games.
Bottom Line: Gavin and Espinal both wrestled Atsushi Matsumoto of Japan at the Schultz. Gavin defeated Matsumoto (3-1, 4-2) in the semifinals. Matsumoto defeated Espinal (3-1, 7-0) in the third place match.
Prediction: Gavin dec. Espinal
96 kg: Wynn Michalak (U.S.) vs. Israel Silva (Mexico)
Michalak, an NCAA runner-up in 2008 for Central Michigan, recently placed second at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International. Also this season, he finished fourth at the NYAC International Open and took a bronze at the Sunkist Kids International. Silva was a member of the 2009 Mexican World Team and wrestled as a collegiate at UT-Chattanooga. Earlier this season, he finished third at the Dave Schultz Memorial.
Bottom Line: Last October, Michalak defeated Silva (0-1, 3-0, 3-0) at the Sunkist Kids International.
Prediction: Michalak dec. Silva
66 kg: Brent Metcalf (U.S.) vs. Heinrich Barnes (South Africa)
Metcalf, the 2008 Dan Hodge Trophy winner, was a two-time champion and three-time finalist for the Iowa Hawkeyes. After leading the Hawkeyes to a national title in 2010, he finished the year by representing the U.S. in the World Championships. This season, he has won Silver at the Takhti Cup, Bronze at the Cerro Pelado International and fifth at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix. Barnes, a 2009 All-American at Oregon State, finished seventh at the 2010 World Championships. Earlier this year he took fifth at the Dave Schultz Memorial.
Bottom Line: In the second round of the 2009 NCAA tournament, Metcalf pinned Barnes in 3:47. This rematch under freestyle rules should have a similar result.
Prediction: Metcalf dec. Barnes
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