Vegas Results

Story Published Monday, April 13th, 2009

ISU’s Jake Varner shut out his competition 27-0 at the U.S. Senior Nationals.

Varner Wins U.S. Senior Nationals
Courtesy: cyclones.com
Release: 04/11/2009

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Iowa State’s 2009 NCAA champion 197-pounder Jake Varner won the U.S. Senior Nationals 96-kilogram (211.5-pound) title Saturday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Varner, a three-time NCAA finalist for Iowa State, did not give up a point en route to his Senior-level title in freestyle. He defeated Eric Lapotsky by a score of 2-0, 5-0. He then dominated Micah Burak by technical fall, 6-0, 6-0. In the semifinals, Varner blanked Brand Halsey, 1-0, 3-0. In the final round, Varner stumped Kyle Cerminara, 2-0, 2-0.

Varner was the only collegiate wrestler with eligibility remaining to win a 2009 U.S. Senior freestyle title.

2009 ISU All-Americans Nick Gallick (60 kilograms,132.25 pounds) and Jon Reader (74 kilograms, 163 pounds) both placed fifth. Cyclone junior 157-pounder Cyler Sanderson took eighth at 74 kilograms.

Iowa State heavyweight David Zabriskie also competed in the event.

Individual champions in each weight class draw the top seed for the U.S. World Team Trials May 30-31. The top seven placewinners in each weight class qualify for the World Team Trials.

The 2009 USA Wrestling World Team Trials, presented by the U.S. Marines, will be hosted in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the Mid-America Center.

In the FILA Junior Nationals event, Cyclone redshirts Andrew Long (60 kilograms, 132.25 pounds), Chris Spangler (79 kilograms, 174 pounds) and Eric Thompson (120 kilograms, 264.5 pounds) placed second.

ISU’s Matt Brown (74 kilograms) and Kyle Simonson (96 kilograms) placed fifth and sixth, respectively. Cyclone Anthony Valles took seventh at 60 kilograms.

Former Cyclones Trent and Travis Paulson both won their weight classes as well. Trent beat Brent Metcalf in finals at 66kg and Travis beat Keith Gavin to claim the title at 74kg.

Also other former Cyclones that placed were Chris Bono placed 7th at 66kg, and David Bertolino took 4th at 84kg.

It was a big weekend for the Cyclones.

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