125 kg/275 lbs.
Top-Eight Rankings
1. Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids/Ohio RTC)
2. Zach Rey, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
3. Nick Gwiazdowski, Delanson, N.Y. (New York AC/Wolfpack WC)
4. Dom Bradley, Blue Springs, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Tyrell Fortune, Tempe, Ariz. (Titan Mercury WC)
6. Bobby Telford, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
7. Anthony Nelson, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
8. Eric Thompson, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
Additional Qualifiers
Connor Medbery, Loveland, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC)
Justin Grant, Bloomsburg, Pa. (New York AC)
Matt Meuleners, Lincoln, Neb. (Titan Mercury WC)
Former University of Iowa standout and current Hawkeye Wrestling Club team member Bobby Telford qualified for the Olympic Team Trials after finishing third place at the Trials Qualifier. Telford competed at the prestigous Ivan Yarygin this past January where he finished fifth place at arguably the toughest international tournament on the circuit.
Telford will have some familiar faces at the trials with two former Big Ten rivals; Connor Medberry and Tony Nelson. Telford comes into the tournament ranked sixth by USA Wrestling. Based off pre-seeds he could face two-time NCAA champ Nick Gwiazdowski in the quaterfinals. This will be an intriguing matchup because Telford has been focusing on freestyle full-time and Gwiazowski is coming off a runner-up finish in New York City just last month.
Gwiazdowski though is no stranger to the trials finishing fourth the last three times. He also had a breakthrough tournament at the 2016 Bill Farrell where he defeated Dom Bradley. Can Telford use his experience internationally to defeat the Gwiz? Gwiazdowski has quick and explosive offense while Telford has precise leg attacks with great defense.
Former Grand View three-time NAIA National Champ has made his move to Happy Valley to train with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Thompson could see himself facing long time veteran, Tervel Dlagnev in the quarterfinals. Thompson has made gains since moving out east but he’ll have a tall order on his feet against Dlagnev.
Tervel Dlagnev if 100% healthy, he is the clear favorite to represent the United States once again. Dlagnev has represented the United States for over five years now. He was world bronce medalist in 2009, fifth in 2011, fifth at Olympics in 2012, bronze in 2012 and fifth in 2014. Due to injury Dlagnev was replaced by Zach Rey with the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club to represent the United States at the World Championships in Vegas.
Rey has had success at 125kg but he has been behind Dlagnev. Rey who was a 2011 NCAA champ for Lehigh has bronze medals from Medved and has been your Pan Am Champion multiple years.
This weight class has heavy hitters up and down the ranks but they’re all looking up at Tervel Dlagnev this weekend.
When do they wrestle? Get tickets!
Saturday, April 9
Men’s freestyle (65 kg and 125 kg)
Women’s freestyle (58 kg, 63 kg and 69 kg)
Greco-Roman (59 kg, 66 kg, 85 kg and 98 kg)
8:00 a.m. – Doors open to Carver-Hawkeye Arena
9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Preliminaries through Challenge Tournament finals
5:00 p.m. – Doors open to Carver-Hawkeye Arena
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Best two of three Championship Series
Sunday, April 10
Men’s freestyle (57 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 97 kg)
Women’s freestyle (48 kg, 53 kg, 75 kg)
Greco-Roman (75 kg and 130 kg)
8:00 a.m. – Doors open to Carver-Hawkeye Arena
9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Preliminaries through Challenge Tournament finals
5:00 p.m. – Doors open to Carver-Hawkeye Arena
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Best two of three Championship Series.