Craig Vitagliano » Terry Brands v. Kendall Cross, 1996 Olympic Trials, Match 1

hvolbeck was hit for stalling in the first period because he had the ankle trapped for 5 seconds and didn't do anything. don't complain about the refs just because a match didn't go your way, the refs tonight were great.

Brandon, Did you watch the other two matches? The second is last year's MOTW and the 3rd is here, with Brands spending much of it on his back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_nraJc77a0. I really should have posted my comment on the 2nd match but for some reason the site wouldn't let me.

anyway we could see Brands vs Fisher 96 trials?

I wouldn't call this match total domination by Brands; however, I will agree that Brands did a good job of putting himself in and staying in positions where he is strong and staying out of positions where Cross is strong. When he did get into some of the postions where Cross is strong, he did a good job of defending in this match. I don't think that you can say the same for matches 2 and 3 of this series.

Cross and Brands were both exceptional competitors with vastly different styles. I think that either would have been a strong representative for the US in the '96 Olympics.
To answer your question, this series was wrestled in one day.

More Terry Brands:

http://www.youtube.com/user/DonTony95#p/u/16/O1Bc1V4mnGo

Pretty much total domination by Brands in this initial match. Hatd to believe Cross was able to defeat him over the next two bouts. It is also interesting to see Brands falling to his knees and getting somewhat over-extended on several leg attacks, something that would come back to haunt him in match three in the final minute.

After watching Kendall Cross, I now believe a few things. Firstly, he is the farthest thing from a clone of John Smith. I used to read articles that Cross was called Gumby and wrestled a similar style to Smith but after watching him, aside from flexibility, he wrestles nothing like John Smith in my opinion. I also believe, much to my chagrin as I am a big Brands fan, that Cross was the more well rounded or "complete" wrestler and probably the better representative for the USA in the Olympics. Brands was a leg attacker with a straight ahead punishing style but Cross could throw and was the far superior mat wrestler on both top and bottom than Brands. I also believe that freestyle and the rules boded better for Cross' style than his opponent Brands. Just my thoughts on this epic series.
I did have one question Guru, was this series wrestled in one day or do they have one match per day in the finals of these World Team trials?

Hi Craig,

Love that you post these classics. First thing I do on thursday when I get on my computer is is check out the match you are posting for the week. I also appreciate your perspective on the individuals. Too bad for Brands. He is a more traditional and technical wrestler. But occassionally you get these type of wrestlers that you can do everything right and still lose. Cross and Lewis come to mind. I was wondering if you have any of the old legends from the 70's. Love that era because I have heard so much about them through my old high school coach/mentor, Jack Reinwand, national champ and Bronze medalist in the world championships in 1977. If you do, I would love to see anything you would be willing to post. Enjoy the holidays and hope you continue posting these great classics!!!

kinda like it all screwy.

Is the audio all messed up for anyone else?