Morrison Heads To Olympic Trials
April 13, 2004
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Former West Virginia University NCAA champion Dean Morrison finished second in the Freestyle competition at the U.S. Nationals last weekend, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Morrison, the 1994 NCAA champion at 177-pounds for WVU, placed second at 96 KG/211.5-pounds. Morrison represented the New York Athletic Club while earning a bid to the U.S. Olympic Trials. The top eight placers automatically qualified for the Olympic Trials, set for Indianapolis, Ind., May 21-23.
“All of the wrestlers represented West Virginia University proudly,” says WVU assistant and Olympic Freestyle coach Zeke Jones. “Their goal of representing the United States in the Olympic games is still a work in progress. Dean Morrison’s effort at the U.S. Open again puts him in a position to make the U.S. Olympic team.”
Two-time NCAA champion Greg Jones posted a 3-2 record for the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club at 84 KG/185-pounds. Jones reached the final round of 12 with his only losses to Lee Fullhart, who won the weight class, and Clint Wattenberg who placed sixth.
Alumni Casey Brewster and Joe Carr also wrestled for the Sunkist Kids.
Carr, one of seven Mountaineers with 100-plus career wins, posted a 1-2 record at 66 KG/145.5-pounds.
Brewster, who recently completed his WVU career with an NCAA tournament appearance, lost two matches in gaining experience at 60 KG/132-pounds.
Dominic Black, a 1991 All-American at West Virginia, now competes for the U.S. Army. Black, a past U.S. World Team member, finished 3-2 at 96 KG/211.5-pounds.
Highlights of the U.S. Nationals freestyle wrestling will air on ESPN2 on Friday, May 21, at 10 p.m., the same day as the opening of the Olympic Trials.
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