Taking Steps Toward Atlanta U.S. Olympic Trials Draw 10,153 For Friday’s Sessions

Kevin Jackson referred to the Old Testament after disabling each of his opponents in Friday’s U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling trials at the Arena.

Today, the 1992 Olympic gold medalist aspires to be a prophet.

Jackson cited the second book of Samuel after his fiery sermons on the mat left Jim Scherr and Royce Alger sidelined with what appeared to be torn left knee ligaments.

“I read a scripture and it said each one of my opponents will be wounded and won’t be able to continue,” the 180-pounder said.

Jackson was referring to 2 Samuel 22:38-39:

“I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.

“And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.”

To become a prophet - and, more important, to make the Olympic squad - Jackson must deliver on his vow to beat Les Gutches in today’s best-of-three finals. Gutches had earned a berth in the final by defeating Jackson for the 180.5-pound title at Nationals in April. “I’ll get him,” Jackson promised at the time.

Today’s Jackson-Gutches match - “war,” as Jackson dramatized - is among 10 battles that will determine who represents the U.S. next month in Atlanta. Sessions begin at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Other matchups include Kendall Cross-Terry Brands at 125.5; Tom Brands-John Fisher (136.5); Kenny Monday-Pat Smith (163); and Bruce Baumgartner-Tom Erikson (286).

Zeke Jones was among five No. 2 seeds to be eliminated during Friday’s mini-tournament, which drew 10,153 for two sessions.

Wrestling at 114.5, the 1992 silver medalist blew a 6-0 lead in the final minute against fourth-seeded Eric Akin, losing 7-6 in overtime. Jones filed an unsuccessful protest, claiming he’d scored first in OT.

Smith, a four-time NCAA champ, also survived a protest. The 163-pounder edged Sean Bormet 7-6 when he scored a two-point takedown that Bormet claimed occurred after time had expired.

“I’m sure he’s worked just as hard as I have and it’s upsetting to him, but that was clearly two for me,” Smith said. “I clearly won the match and I feel like I clearly dominated him. The only reason the match was (close) was because he didn’t open up and try to score, take any shots on me.”

Second-seeded 163-pounder Dan St. John re-injured his right ankle during a first-round victory over Sandpoint’s Zac Taylor and was forced to withdraw against Smith.

Erikson aggravated an elbow injury and was knocked woozy by third-seeded heavyweight Steven Neal, but escaped with a 5-2 decision.

“My head’s still ringing. I can’t see straight,” Erikson grumbled.

“He just described half the wrestlers,” quipped Greco-Roman heavyweight Matt Ghaffari, one of 5,151 on hand for the evening session.

Erikson, who admitted to looking past Neal to Baumgartner, led 4-0 when he became careless.

“I’m sitting there thinking about my elbow and I got caught standing straight in front of him,” Erikson explained. “And he just ran me over with that shot, and as I bailed and turned out, I hit my head. For about a minute, I didn’t know where I was.”

Erikson will have to be far sharper to survive against Baumgartner, the two-time gold medalist and Erikson’s personal nightmare.

“I stand in front of Bruce Baumgartner like that, I’m going to have more than a headache,” Erikson said. “I’m going to be flat on my back AND my head’s going to bounce off the mat. I got lucky - he’s a kid. Boom, I turn out, bang my head, just a little dizzy. Keep wrestling. Bruce isn’t going to make that mistake. He’s going to plant me.”

At 105.5, Kanamti Solomon decisioned two-time Olympian Tim Vanni 6-2 and will meet Rob Eiter.

The 35-year-old Vanni, who announced his retirement shortly after the loss, left the mat amid warm applause.

“Tonight was a true changing of the guard,” Vanni said. “I was well prepared.”

At 125.5, second-seeded Terry Brands needed just 1:01 to blank sixth-seeded Brad Penrith 10-0. Brands downplayed the victory in charactaristic fashion.

“Nothing’s paid off yet,” he said. “There’s still tomorrow. Being mini-tourament champ doesn’t mean anything.”

John Fisher advanced at 136.5, pinning unseeded Cary Kolat while trailing 3-2. His reward is a rematch with Tom Brands, who handled Fisher 6-2 at Nationals.

“I had (top-seeded 198-pounder) Melvin Douglas in my corner telling me to stay focused,” Fisher said.

Third-seeded Pat Santoro prevailed at 149.5, building a 9-0 lead and routing Lincoln McIlravy 12-4.

Sixth-seeded Mike Van Arsdale and unseeded Dan Chaid scored upsets at 198 and 220, respectively. Van Arsdale beat No. 4 Rex Holman 7-2 for the right to meet Douglas, while Chaid scored a 3-2 decision over No. 2 Kerry McCoy.

For brutality, no match could match the Jackson-Alger battle.

As Jackson put it, “Basically, I caught him in what’s called a leg lace, which is where you get the ankles tied together and you try to force him over. The move is such a tight move that if there’s any resistance at all … it’s kind of going bone against bone and it can definitely injure you.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 3 color photos

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TODAY’S FINALS Championship matchups with top seeds listed first. 105-1/2-Rob Eiter, Clarion, Pa., vs. Kanamti Solomon, New Castle, Del. 114-1/2-Lou Rosselli, Edinboro, Pa., vs. Eric Akin, Coralville, Iowa. 125-1/2-Kendall Cross, Raleigh, N.C. vs. Terry Brands, Iowa City, Iowa. 136-1/2-Tom Brands, Iowa City, vs. John Fisher, Ypsilanti, Mich. 149-1/2-Townsend Saunders, Phoenix, vs. Pat Santoro, Bethlehem, Pa. 163-Kenny Monday, Phoenix, vs. Pat Smith, Stillwater, Okla. 180-1/2-Les Gutches, Corvallis, Ore., vs. Kevin Jackson, Stillwater. 198-Melvin Douglas, Phoenix, vs. Mike Van Arsdale, Phoenix. 220-Kurt Angle, Pittsburgh, vs. Dan Chaid, San Jose, Calif. 286-Bruce Baumgartner, Cambridge Springs, Pa., vs. Tom Erikson, West Lafayette, Ind.