Grapplers with NU Ties Set for Olympic Trials

Indianapolis, Ind. ? Six wrestlers with Nebraska ties are set to compete this weekend at U.S. Olympic Trials in hopes of representing the United States at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

 

Former Huskers Brad Vering and Justin Ruiz enter this weekend’s trials as the top seeds at the 84 kilos and 211.5 pound weight classes, respectively, in Greco-roman competition. Vering and Ruiz are both coming off first-place showings at the U.S. Nationals.

 

Vering considered by many to be the most consistent U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler the past few years has placed fifth at the last two World Championships and will be pushed by Jake Clark of Colorado Springs. While Ruiz will face stiff competition from Garrett Lowney of Kaukauna, Wis. In their last meeting in the U.S. National finals, Ruiz defeated Lowney based on Lowney receiving more passivity calls.

 

2000 Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner is seeded second after his second-place finish at the U.S. Nationals in Greco-Roman wrestling. Former national and U.S. National champion Tolly Thompson is seeded third in the heavyweight class, while current NU club coach Tony Davis qualified for the 145.5 pound weight class.

 

Two-time Olympic trial finalist and volunteer assistant coach Erik Akin qualified because he was injured during the U.S. Nationals and was added to the trials because he was a past U.S. team member.

 

The Olympic trials run May 21-23 with the finals scheduled for May 23 beginning at 10 a.m.