Wrestling

• Roster
• ▪
• Schedule / Results
• ▪
• News
• ▪
• Archives

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Five U.S. wrestlers qualified for the finals, but University of Northern Iowa Wrestling Club coach Tervel Dlagnev emerged as the lone American champion in the men's freestyle division of the American Airlines New York Athletic Club International Open at the New York Athletic Club on Sunday.

Dlagnev (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids), a 2008 University World champion, upset 2008 U.S. Olympian Steve Mocco (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC) in the finals at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., by a 1-1, 0-2, 2-1 score. Dlagnev was named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.

Dlagnev won the first period, scoring the last point of the period in a 1-1 tie with a takedown. Mocco had two pushouts in the second period to knot the score. In the deciding third period, Mocco scored first, but Dlagnev scored the next point and added an insurance takedown when Mocco had to force the action.

"I was strategic. I was prepared for the hand fight fire. It worked well for me," said Dlagnev.

A two-time Div. II NCAA champion for the Univ. of Nebraska-Kearney and a native of Texas, Dlagnev has been training at the Univ. of Northern Iowa with 96 kg wrestler Sean Stender.

"This is nice. It is a stepping stone. The World Team Trials and the World Championships are still ahead of us. It shows that my training is going well and I am doing the right things. I will put it in the goody bag and go on. He is a good competitor and will make adjustments. But it is nice to know where I am at this time of the year," said Dlagnev.

Dlagnev has had close matches with Mocco in the past, but this time was able to break through with a clutch win.

"That was a huge win. Steve is a real World contender. For him to get the win in three periods against a World-class guy like Steve Mocco is a huge boost to his confidence," said Sunkist Kids coach Kevin Jackson. "This is a great matchup. It will aid both of these wrestlers in the long run."

Mocco was the only 2007 NYAC International Open champion who qualified for the finals, so it was a brand new set of champions this year.