Former Husker Captures Silver at Worlds

Former Husker wrestler Brad Vering captured the silver medal Tuesday night at the 2007 World Championships in <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Baku, Azerbaijan. Vering, competing at 84 kilograms (185 pounds) in the Greco-Roman division, rolled off five straight wins before losing 4-0, 4-0 in the finals to 2004 Olympic champion Aleksey Mishin of Russia. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Vering, an NCAA Champion at 197 pounds at Nebraska in 2000, has competed in four World Championships since leaving Lincoln. He placed fifth in 2002 and 2003 before failing to place in 2005. He also qualified for the 2004 Olympics, but did not place. He finished third at the 2006 U.S. World Team Trials before winning titles at the 2007 U.S. Nationals and U.S. World Team Trials.

 

Justin Ruiz, another former Husker, competed at 96 kilograms (211.5 pounds) in Greco-Roman for the U.S., but fell short of a medal. He lost in the second round, but received a chance to wrestle back for a bronze medal. However, Ruiz, who won a bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships, lost in his first wrestleback match and was eliminated. Ruiz was a two-time All-American at Nebraska in 2002 and 2003.

 

The country of Azerbaijan, where the World Championships are being held, is a full 10 time zones ahead of Lincoln. The country is located north of Iran and east of Armenia.