CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- UTC Head Wrestling Coach Chris Bono claimed his
third consecutive U.S. Freestyle National Championship Saturday night at
the 2007 U.S. National Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Bono, who entered the tournament seeded fourth in the 145.5 pound
division, has now won four overall U.S. Freestyle titles.  He receives
an automatic bid to the U.S. Olympic Trials on June 9 and 10 in Las
Vegas.

 

As a seeded wrestler, Bono did not have to go through the preliminary
qualifying matches.  He defeated Joe Johnston, 3-0, 1-1 and Zack
Esposito, 1-1, 0-1, 3-1 to get to the semifinals.  In the semis, Bono
got past top-seeded Jared Lawrence, 3-0, 0-3, 1-0 before beating
second-seeded Jared Frayer, 2-6, 3-1, 1-0 for the title.

 

Six UTC wrestlers also competed at the Nationals with each of them
providing good showings.

 

Two-time All-America Matt Keller won four matches at 132.25 pounds to
advance to the championship round before an injury ended his run.  Josh
Keefe went 1-2 in the same bracket.

 

All-America Michael Keefe and Joey Knox wrestled in the same bracket as
Bono.  Both wrestlers compiled impressive 3-2 marks.

 

Seth Garvin went 2-2 at 163 pounds, and former wrestler and current UTC
assistant coach Israel Silva won three matches after losing his initial
match and ended up 3-2.

 

 

Jeff Romero

Assistant Athletics Director

for Media Relations

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

615 McCallie Ave.

Chattanooga, TN  37403

W:  423-425-5292

C:   423-503-8815

 


* UTCSTAFF home page:  http://raven.utc.edu/archives/utcstaff.html *
* unsubscribe:  mailto:[log in to unmask]  *
*   subscribe:  mailto:[log in to unmask]    *