U.S. National Championships

David Taylor earned 1st place at 74 kg (163 lbs.) at the U.S. Open National Championships. David had a superb tournament defeating Richard McCarty (Gator) by fall in 0:27, Jacob Butenhoff (Columbia Bason Wrestling) by fall in 0:23, Nestor Taffur (Princeton Amateur Wr) by technical fall 10-0, Tyler Caldwell (Sunkist Kids Wrestling) by technical fall 12-2 in the semi finals, and Andrew Howe (NYAC) by decision 2-0 in the finals .

Resident Athletes who placed were Jake Varner, 2nd at 97 kg/213 lbs., Frank Molinaro, 5th at 65 kg/143 lbs., and Eric Thompson, 7th at 125 kg/275 lbs.

Jake defeated Alfonso Hernandez (Titan Mercury) by decision 7-1, Paco Retana (Colorado Mesa Wrestling) by technical fall 10-0, Enock Francois (NYAC) by decision 3-0, JD Bergman (NYAC) by decision 2-2, before being upset in the finals by Kyle Snyder (Titan Mercury) 2-1.

In a weight class loaded with former NCAA Champions, Frank beat Michael Mitchel (NYAC) by fall 4:29, defeated Michael Stamp (Gator) by fall in 1:23, beat Jason Chamberlain (Titan Mercury) by decision 3-1, lost in the semi finals to Brent Metcalf (NYAC) by decision 4-2, lost in the consolation semi finals to Logan Stieber (Titan Mercury) 9-6, and won the 5th place bout over Jason Chamberlain by decision 4-1.

Eric beat Matthew Meuleners (Titan Mercury) by technical fall 12-2, lost to Tervel Dlagnev (Sunkist Kids) by 10-0, defeated Justin Grant (NYAC) by technical fall 10-0, lost to Dom Bradley (Sunkist Kids) 11-4, and won by injury default over Tony Nelson (Minnesota Storm) in the 7th place bout.

The top 5 finishers at this tournament qualified for the U.S. World Team Trials which will be held on June 12-14 in Madison, WI.

For more information on the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, please visit our website: www.nittanylionwrestlingclub.com.