Zadick, Mocco Win National Titles

April 13, 2009

LAS VEGAS, NV — Iowa Hawkeye volunteer assistant wrestling coach Mike Zadick and former Hawkeye heavyweight Steve Mocco won men’s freestyle titles at the 2009 ASICS U.S. Senior National Championships last weekend in Las Vegas, NV. Four other current or former Hawkeyes placed in the top seven of their respective weight classes, earning automatic bids to the 2009 World Team Trials, which are set for May 30-31 in Council Bluffs, IA.

Zadick earned his first U.S. Senior National title with a 1-2, 2-0, 2-0 victory over Shawn Bunch of the Gator WC in the 60 kg/132-pound finals. Mocco also earned his first U.S. Senior National title with a 1-0, 2-2, 1-0 win over Tervel Dlagnev of Sunkist Kids at 120 kg/264.5 pounds.

Hawkeye junior Brent Metcalf placed second at 66 kg/145.5 pounds, losing a 0-1, 3-0, 3-0 bout to Sunkist Kids’ Trent Paulson. Former Hawkeye Eric Luedke also finished second at 84 kg/185 pounds to Jake Herbert of the New York AC. Herbert was named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler. Hawkeye Assistant Coach Doug Schwab placed fourth and Iowa strength and conditioning coach Jared Frayer placed fifth at 66 kg/145.5 pounds.

Three Hawkeyes also posted placewinning finishes at the FILA Junior National Men’s Freestyle tournament in Las Vegas. Freshmen Matt McDonough and Nate Moore placed third and fifth, respectively, at 60 kg/132.25 pounds, while redshirt freshman Brodie Ambrose placed fifth at 96kg/211.5 pounds.

The World Team Trials, which will be held at the Council Bluffs Mid-America Center, will determine who will represent the United States at the 2009 World Wrestling Championships in Herning, Denmark, Sept. 21-27.

ASICS U.S. SENIOR NATIONAL MEN’S FREESTYLE RESULTS
60 kg/132 lbs.
1st place – Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC) dec. Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC), 1-2, 2-0, 2-0

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
1st place – Trent Paulson, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Brent Metcalf, Davison, (Gator WC), 0-1,3-0,3-0
3rd place – Brian Stith, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Doug Schwab, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC), 1-0, 1-0
5th place – Jared Frayer, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Gator WC) dec. Josh Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), 1-0,2-2

84 kg/185 lbs.
1st place – Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC) dec. Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC), 7-0, 1-3, 1-0

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
1st place – Steve Mocco, Coralville, Iowa (New York AC) dec. Tervel Dlagnev, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 2-2, 1-0

FILA JUNIOR NATIONAL MEN’S FREESTYLE RESULTS
60 kg/132.25 lbs.
3rd Place – Matt McDonough (Hawkeye Wrestling Club) won by pin over Nick Dardanes (Overtime) (Pin 1-1,1:37)
5th Place – Tony Ramos (Izzy Style) won by decision over Nate Moore (Hawkeye Wrestling Club) (Dec 2-0,1-0)

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
5th Place – Brodie Ambrose (Hawkeye WC) won by decision over Kyle Simonson (Cyclone WC) (Dec 1-0,1-0)