Jackson Advances In U.S. Wrestling

Sat., May 31, 1997

Associated Press

Kevin Jackson, a 1992 Olympic champion, and Townsend Saunders, a 1996 silver medalist, were among the winners Friday night in the Las Vegas USA Freestyle World Team Trials.

Winners in the eight weight classes advance to the championships today against the 1997 U.S. Nationals champions in a best-2-of-3 series. Today’s winners will represent the United States in the world championships in Russia, beginning Aug. 29.

Jackson won the 187-1/4-pound class by edging Dean Morrison 1-0 in overtime by referee’s decision. Jackson was the 180-1/2-pound Olympic gold medalist at Barcelona, Spain, and also won world titles in 1991 and 1995.

Jackson will face 1996 Olympian Les Gutches today. Gutches beat Jackson in the 1996 Olympic Trials and in the finals of the last two U.S. Nationals events.

Saunders, silver medalist at 149-1/2 pounds in last year’s Olympics at Atlanta, won 4-1 over Kenny Ramsey at 152 pounds. Saunders will wrestle 1997 U.S. Nationals champion Lincoln McIlravy on today.

In other matches, Sam Henson (119) beat Eric Akin 3-0 in overtime to advance against Zeke Jones; Tony Purler (127-1/2) pinned Chris Bollin with 2 seconds left in the match and will wrestle Terry Brands; John Fisher (138-3/4) edged Shawn Charles 6-4 and will meet Cary Kolat; J.J. McGrew (213-3/4) beat Joel Sharratt 4-3 to advance opposite Melvin Douglas; and Tolly Thompson beat Justin Greenlee 7-0 in the super heavyweight category to earn a berth against Tom Erikson.

Rob Koll (167-1/2) beat Brian Dolph 3-1 and will meet Steve Marianetti. Dan St. John was unable to compete this weekend due to injury and will face the winner of the Koll-Marianetti series later this summer for a berth in the worlds.

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Jackson Advances In U.S. Wrestling

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

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Rob Curley

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