LAS VEGAS, Nev. — After dropping his first match of the tournament, CKWC athlete Jimmy Kennedy wrestled back to third place in the 60kg/132-pound division at the Olympic Trials Freestyle Qualifier on Saturday (Dec. 2) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. With his win in the placing bout, Kennedy earned a trip to the 2012 Olympic Trials.
Kennedy went 4-1 in the tournament, winning four straight matches in the consolation bracket after dropping his first-round match to Martin Berberyan, 3-2, 0-1, 3-3. Kennedy used a takedown to win the second period and even the score against Berberyan, a three-time Olympian for Armenia and world bronze medalist who recently earned his U.S. citizenship, and carried a two-point lead in the third before Berberyan used a takedown and two-point exposure to steal the match in the final 20 seconds.
The CKWC wrestler won the remainder of his matches in straight periods, including a 4-0, 4-0 decision against Drew Headlee in the third-place match. Kennedy scored on an early pushout and added a takedown and a two-point exposure to win the first frame then scored on a pair of takedowns and a pushout to claim the second.
Tyrel Todd also represented the CKWC at the freestyle qualifier, posting a 2-2 record at 84kg/185 pounds. Todd earned a quick pin in his first-round match before rallying to defeated former Missouri NCAA champion Max Askren, 2-3, 2-0, 3-0, in the quarterfinal round. Todd swept the final two frames, scoring two takedowns in the second and using an early takedown and a late pushout to claim the third.
Todd dropped his final two matches, including a 2-0, 1-0 decision to Bryce Hasseman after twice losing the ball grab in the consolation semifinals.
Kennedy and Todd are done with competition until the New Year, while fellow CKWC member Jake Herbert and Andrew Howe will close out the 2011 schedule next Sunday (Dec. 11) at the Olympic Test Event in London, England.
Jimmy Kennedy, 60kg/132 pounds
First Round – dec. by Martin Berberyan (SK Golden Boys), 3-2, 0-1, 3-3
Consolations – dec. Kyle Hutter (HRWA), 3-1, 3-0
Consolations – dec. Mark Bradley (Army), 3-3, 2-1
Consolations – dec. Andrew Hochstrasser (Bronco WC), 2-1, 5-0
Third Place – dec. Drew Headlee (Sunkist Kids), 4-0, 4-0
Finished in third place with a 4-1 record
Tyrel Todd, 8kg/185 pounds
First Round – pinned Cody Powers (Grey Ghost Wrestling), 0:19
Second Round – dec. Max Askren (NYAC), 2-3, 2-0, 3-0
Semifinals – dec. by Mack Lewnes (NYAC), 1-1, 2-2
Consolations – dec. by Bryce Hasseman (Gator Wrestling), 2-0, 1-0
Eliminated with a 2-2 record
For all USA Wrestling video from the Olympic Trials Freestyle Qualifier, visit TheMat.TV
