The lone wrestler who received an automatic berth into the finals but failed to make the U.S. World Team was Chris Bono at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Bono lost a tight three-match series to rival Doug Schwab, who entered the Challenge Tournament as the No. 5 seed.
The other freestyle champions were Henry Cejudo (55 kg/121 lbs), Joe Williams (84 kg/185 lbs), and Tommy Rowlands (120 kg/264.5 lbs). Cejudo and Rowlands became first-time U.S. World Team Trials champions.
Cejudo, who became the first high school wrestler ever to win U.S. Nationals in 2006, dropped the opening period of the first match to No. 3 seed Matt Azevedo, but cruised the rest of the way and won in two straight matches.
The 26-year-old Rowlands, who won his first U.S. Nationals title in April, took care of longtime rival Steve Mocco in two straight matches.
Williams, who moved up this year from 74 kg/163 lbs, made his sixth U.S. World Team with an exciting, three-match victory over 2006 U.S. World Team Trials member Andy Hrovat.
On the Greco-Roman side, Joe Warren (60 kg/132 lbs), Harry Lester (66 kg/145.5 lbs), and Justin Ruiz (96 kg/211.5 lbs) repeated as U.S. World Team Trials champions.
Warren, a 2006 World champion, completely dominated rising USOEC star Joe Betterman in two straight matches. Warren used his aggressive, attacking style to outscore Betterman 21-3 in the two matches.
Lester, like Warren, completely dominated his finals opponent, Jacob Curby. The 23-year-old Lester, who earned a World bronze medal in 2006, registered a first-period pin in the opening match, and then followed it up with a shutout (7-0, 7-0) to take the series and make his third straight U.S. World Team.
Ruiz, who won a World bronze medal in 2005, defeated a familiar opponent in Adam Wheeler in two straight matches. Both matches went all three periods, but Ruiz proved to be too much for Wheeler.
In the women's competition, Stephanie Murata (48 kg/105.5 lbs), Marcie Van Dusen (55 kg/121 lbs), and Sara McMann (63 kg/138.75 lbs) were crowned champions.
Audio Interviews
Joe Warren
Harry Lester
Justin Ruiz
Tommy Rowlands
Doug Schwab
Joe Williams
Brackets
Day 1 Recap
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