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News | Feb. 21, 2020

Olympic Trials berths in Greco-Roman up for grabs at 2020 Armed Forces Championships

By Mr. Gary Abbott - USA Wrestling U.S. Armed Forces Sports

The 2020 Armed Forces Wrestling Championships are set for Naval Base Kitsap in Washington state, February 22-23

This event features Greco-Roman and freestyle teams from four branches of the U.S. military battling for team titles, and individual medals. Traditionally, some of the nation’s best international wrestlers have been members of U.S. military wrestling programs and have competed in this event.

The highest placed Senior U.S. Greco‐Roman athlete, per weight category, winning a gold or silver medal, who has yet to qualify, will qualify for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials ‐ Wrestling at Penn State in University Park, Pa., April 4-5. (The freestyle competition is not an Olympic Trials qualifier).

The 2019 Armed Forces Championships were held at Fort Bliss, Texas, where the U.S. Army won both the Greco-Roman and freestyle team titles, and continued their 18-year streak of capturing the team titles.

The competition features dual meets, where all four military teams compete against each other. The results of these dual meets determine the final team standings. Individual medalists are also recognized in each weight class, based upon the results at that weight class in the dual meets. 

Rosters from the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force have been submitted. In some cases, athletes may wrestle in both styles, or the team may present a different athlete in Greco-Roman than in freestyle. 

Two athletes who have competed in both the Senior World Championships and the Olympic Games are entered this year, Army wrestlers SGT Ellis Coleman and SPC Ildar Hafizov. Coleman competed in the 2012 Olympic Games for the USA, as well as the 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2019 World Championships. Hafizov, a 2017 and 2019 World Team member for the USA, competed in three other World Championships and the 2008 Olympic Games for Uzbekistan. This year, Hafizov is scheduled to compete in Greco-Roman, while Coleman is listed in men’s freestyle.

There were only two double champions at the 2019 Armed Forces Championships, winners in both the Greco-Roman and freestyle tournaments, SSG Max Nowry (U.S. Army) and SPC James Souza (U.S. Army). Nowry returns this year, but is only on the Army Greco-Roman roster at 55 kg (where he was fifth in the 2019 World Championships). Souza is not scheduled to compete.

Returning Armed Forces Greco-Roman champion expected to enter in Greco-Roman this year are Nowry, Hafizov, plus SGT Vladyslav Dombrovskiy (U.S. Army) at 77 kg, Sgt. John Stefanowicz (U.S. Marines) at 82 kg, Capt. Daniel Miller (U.S. Marines) at 97 kg and 1LT Toby Erickson (U.S. Army) at 130 kg. One of last year’s Greco-Roman champions, Ellis Coleman (U.S. Army) is only listed on the preliminary freestyle roster.

Returning Armed Forces freestyle champions expected to enter in freestyle again this year are SPC Leslie Fuenffinger (U.S. Army) at 61 kg, SPC Isaac Dukes (U.S. Army) at 70 kg, Capt. Payton Walsh (U.S. Marines) at 79 kg and SPC Jacob Mitchell (U.S. Army) at 125 kg. Four of the 2019 Armed Forces freestyle champions are initially listed as entering in Greco-Roman only this year: 2nd Lt. Jamel Johnson (U.S. Marines) at 67 kg (GR), 2LT Michael Hooker (U.S. Army) at 72 kg (GR), MAJ Jon Anderson (U.S. Army) at 87 kg (GR) and SGT Lucas Sheridan (U.S. Army) at 97 kg (GR).

There will be three women’s wrestling weight classes contested this year, as both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy have entries at 50 kg, 53 kg and 76 kg. Among the women entries is five-time U.S. Senior World Team member and 2007 Junior World champion SSG Whitney Conder at 50 kg.

The Greco-Roman competition will be held on Saturday, February 22 and the men’s and women’s freestyle will be held on Sunday, February 23. 

Many people enjoy watching the Armed Forces Championships, which are highly competitive, and where the athletes compete for honor and pride in their service branch. There is also a tremendous level of respect and camaraderie between these athletes, who are active duty members of the U.S. military serving their nation.

The event will be broadcast live by Trackwrestling, and it will be free for the public to enjoy. 

Click here for TrackWrestling free broadcast
https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/teamtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=584196132

2012 ARMED FORCES WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Naval Base Kitsap, Wash.

U.S. Army Roster 
Greco-Roman
55kg/121.2 lbs. – SSG Max Nowry (Fort Carson, Colo.)
60kg/132.2 lbs. – SPC Ildar Hafizov (Fort Carson, Colo.)
63kg/138.8 lbs. – SGT Ryan Mango (Fort Carson, Colo.)
67kg/147.7 lbs. – PVT Alejandro Sancho (Fort Carson, Colo)
72kg/158.7 lbs. – 2LT Michael Hooker (Fort Carson, Colo.)
77kg/169.7 lbs. – SGT Vladyslav Dombrovskiy (Fort Carson, Colo.)
82kg/180.7 lbs. – SPC Dillon Cowan (Colorado Army National Guard)
87kg/191.8 lbs. – MAJ Jon Anderson (West Point, N.Y.).
97kg/213.8 lbs. – SGT Lucas Sheridan (Fort Carson, Colo.)
130kg/286.6 lbs. – 1LT Toby Erickson (Fort Carson, Colo.)
Men’s Freestyle
57kg/125.6 lbs. – PFC Lillashawn Coleman (Fort Carson, Colo.)
61kg/134.4 lbs. – SPC Leslie Fuenffinger (Fort Carson, Colo.)
65kg/143.3 lbs. – SPC Ivan Lopouchanski (USAG Camp Humphreys, Korea)
70kg/154.3 lbs. – SGT Isaac Dukes (Fort Carson, Colo.)
74kg/163.1 lbs. – SGT Ellis Coleman (Fort Carson, Colo.)
79kg/174.1 lbs. – SPC Connor Myers (Fort Carson, Colo.)
86kg/189.5 lbs. – PFC Parker Ehn-Howland (Baumholder, Germany)
92kg/202.8 lbs. – SGT George Hooker (Michigan Army National Guard)
97kg/213.8 lbs. – SGT Versean Ponds (USAG Hawaii)
125kg/275.5 lbs. – SPC Jacob Mitchell (Fort Carson, Colo.)
Women’s Freestyle
50 kg/110 lbs. – SSG Whitney Conder (Fort Carson, Colo.)
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – SPC Samantha Klingel (Fort Carson, Colo.)
76 kg/167.5 lbs. – SPC Randyll Beltz (Fort Carson, Colo.)
Delegation
Greco-Roman Coach – Shon Lewis (Fort Carson, Colo.)
Greco-Roman Asst. Coach – Bruce Robinson (Fort Carson, Colo.) 
Freestyle Coach – SSG Spencer Mango (Fort Carson, Colo.)
Medical – Kyle Eckert (Fort Carson, Colo.)
Service Rep. – Claudia Berwager (Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.) 

U.S. Marine Corps Roster
Greco-Roman 
55kg/121.2 lbs. – Sgt Josh Medina (Camp Lejeune, N.C)
60kg/132.2 lbs. – Capt. Colton Rasche (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
63kg/138.8 lbs. – Sgt Xavier Johnson (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
67kg/147.7 lbs. – 1st Lt. Jamel Johnson (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
72kg/158.7 lbs. – Sgt. Raymond Bunker (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
77kg/169.7 lbs. – Capt. Payton Walsh (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
82kg/180.7 lbs. – SSgt. John Stefanowicz (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
87kg/191.8 lbs. – Sgt Vaughn Monreal Berner (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
97kg/213.8 lbs. – Capt. Daniel Miller (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
Men’s Freestyle
57kg/125.6 lbs. – Sgt Josh Medina (Camp Lejeune, N.C)
61kg/134.4 lbs. – Sgt Devin Hester (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
65kg/143.3 lbs. – LCpl. German Diaz (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
70kg/154.3 lbs. – Sgt. Raymond Bunker (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
74kg/163.1 lbs. – LCpl Ali Marciano (MCAS Miramar, Calif.)
79kg/174.1 lbs. – Capt. Payton Walsh (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
86kg/189.5 lbs. – 1stLt Terrence Zaleski (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
92kg/202.8 lbs.– Sgt Vaughn Monreal Berner (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
97kg/213.8 lbs. – Sgt Trent Osnes (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
Delegation
Coach – Jason Loukides (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)
Medical – Dana Johnston (Camp Lejeune, N.C.)

U.S. Navy Roster 
Greco-Roman Roster 
55kg/121.2 lbs. – CS3 Teron Woodson (USS George Washington)
60kg/132.2 lbs. – HM3 Bobby Raines (Naval Hospital Balboa)
67kg/147.7 lbs. – MC1 Cory Asato (USS Carl Vinson)
72kg/158.7 lbs. – MA2 Robert Yamashita (Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai)
77kg/169.7 lbs. – HM3 Justin Cox (Naval Hospital Guam)
82kg/180.7 lbs. – IC2 Austin Craig (Navy Recruiting District - Seattle)
87kg/191.8 lbs. – ND1 Kyle Fox (Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard)
97kg/213.8 lbs. – CTT1 Mark Saunders (IWTC Corry Station)
130kg/286.6 lbs. – MASN Reggie Willioms (Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific)
130kg/286.6 lbs. – OS2 Zachariah Manning (CSCSU Dam Neck)
Men’s Freestyle Roster 
57kg/125.6 lbs. – CS3 Teron Woodson (USS George Washington)
61kg/134.4 lbs. – HM3 Bobby Raines (Naval Hospital Balboa)
65kg/143.3 lbs. – CS3 Teron Woodson (USS George Washington)
70kg/154.3 lbs. – MA2 Robert Yamashita (Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai)
79kg/174.1 lbs. – HM3 Justin Cox (Naval Hospital Guam)
86kg/189.5 lbs. – IC2 Austin Craig (Navy Recruiting District - Seattle)
86kg/189.5 lbs.  - ND1 Kyle Fox (Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard)
97kg/213.8 lbs. – CTT1 Mark Saunders (IWTC Corry Station)
125kg/275.5 lbs. – MASN Reggie Willioms (Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific)
Women’s Freestyle
50 kg/110 lbs. – HN Mariam Gabra (Naval Hospital Balboa)
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – ABH3 Sydney Stephens (USS Carl Vinson)
76 kg/167.5 lbs. – AN Brianna Zamora (HSC-4)
Delegation
Coach – CPO Alejandro DeLaPena (Mobile Diving Salvage Unit One)
Service Rep. – MR Dave Meeks (JBSA Lackland, TX)

U.S. Air Force Roster
Greco-Roman Roster 
60kg/132.2 lbs. – SrA Cordney Chairs (Holloman AFB)
63kg/138.8 lbs. – A1C Cooper Hunt (Misawa AB, Japan)
63kg/138.8 lbs. – A1C Shadrach Zarwie (Ellsworth AFB)
67kg/147.7 lbs. – SSgt James Culp (Whiteman AFB)
72kg/158.7 lbs. – 2d Lt Dane Robbins (Kadena AFB) 
72kg/158.7 lbs. – A1C Logan Roth (Barksdale AFB)
77kg/169.7 lbs. – Capt Brandon Mueller (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
82kg/180.7 lbs. – 2d Lt John Hagey (Kirtland AFB)
82kg/180.7 lbs. – 2d Lt Alex Mossing (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
87kg/191.8 lbs. – SrA Justin Rau (Cannon AFB)
97kg/213.8 lbs. – SrA Diante Cooper (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
130kg/286.6 lbs. – Capt Karl Oeser (Hurlburt Field)
130kg/286.6 lbs. – A1C Dagen Kramer (Hill AFB)
Men’s Freestyle Roster 
57kg/125.6 lbs. – A1C Cooper Hunt (Misawa AB, Japan)
61kg/134.4 lbs. – SrA Cordney Chairs (Holloman AFB)
61kg/134.4 lbs. – A1C Shadrach Zarwie (Ellsworth AFB)
65kg/143.3 lbs. – A1C Joe Roberts (Tinker AFB)
70kg/154.3 lbs. – 2d Lt Dane Robbins (Kadena AFB)
70kg/154.3 lbs. – SSgt James Culp (Whiteman AFB)
74kg/163.1 lbs. – A1C Logan Roth (Barksdale AFB)
74kg/163.1 lbs. – 2d Lt Alex Mossing (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
79kg/174.1 lbs. – 2d Lt John Hagey (Kirtland AFB)
86kg/189.5 lbs. – SrA Brennan Giffin (Barksdale AFB)
92kg/202.8 lbs. – SrA Justin Rau (Cannon AFB)
97kg/213.8 lbs. – Capt Karl Oeser (Hurlburt Field)
125kg/275.5 lbs. – A1C Dagen Kramer (Hill AFB)
Delegation
Coach – Dustin Kilgore (U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.)
Medical – Lt Col Jerry McGinty (.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.)
Service Rep – TSgt Giselle Stone (JBSA-Lackland, Texas)

Event Schedule (PT) 

Saturday, February 22  (Greco-Roman Matches) 
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Opening Ceremonies 
11:00 a.m. –conclusion – Greco-Roman competition

Sunday February 23 (Freestyle Matches) 
11:00 a.m. – conclusion – Freestyle Matches

2019 Armed Forces Greco-Roman champions 
55kg/121.2 lbs.- SSG Max Nowry (U.S. Army)
60kg/132.2 lbs. – SPC Ildar Hafizov (U.S. Army)
63kg/138.8 lbs.– PVT Hayden Tuma (U.S. Army)
67kg/147.7 lbs.- SGT Ellis Coleman (U.S. Army)
72kg/158.7 lbs.– Sgt. Raymond Bunker (U.S. Marines)
77kg/169.7 lbs. – SGT Vladyslav Dombrovskiy (U.S. Army)
82kg/180.7 lbs. – Sgt. John Stefanowicz (U.S. Marines)
87kg/191.8 lbs. – SPC James Souza (U.S. Army)
97kg/213.8 lbs. – Capt. Daniel Miller (U.S. Marines)
130kg/286.6 lbs. – 2LT Toby Erickson (U.S. Army)

2019 Armed Forces Men’s Freestyle champions
57kg/125.6 lbs. – SSG Max Nowry (U.S. Army)
61kg/134.4 lbs. – SPC Leslie Fuenffinger (U.S. Army)
65kg/143.3 lbs. – 2nd Lt. Jamel Johnson (U.S. Marines) 
70kg/154.3 lbs. – SPC Isaac Dukes (U.S. Army)
74kg/163.1 lbs. –2LT Michael Hooker (U.S. Army)
79kg/174.1 lbs. – 1stLt Payton Walsh (U.S. Marines)
86kg/189.5 lbs. – MAJ Jon Anderson (U.S. Army)
92kg/202.8 lbs. – SPC James Souza (U.S. Army)
97kg/213.8 lbs. – SGT Lucas Sheridan (U.S. Army)
125kg/275.5 lbs.– SPC Jacob Mitchell (U.S. Army)