by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling

It remains a busy time for U.S. Senior athletes in the three Olympic disciplines, as Team USA will be competing in major international tournaments in Turkey, Hungary, Ukraine, Belarus and Sweden. Over 75 different wrestlers will be competing for the United States on these five different tours.

First up is the Yasar Dogu International in Istanbul, Turkey, Feb. 5-7, where the USA will send a men’s freestyle delegation. Leading the team is 2012 Olympic champion and three-time World champion Jordan Burroughs of the Sunkist Kids at 74 kg/163 lbs., 2012 Olympic champion Jake Varner of the Nittany Lion WC at 97 kg/213 lbs. and 2015 World bronze medalist James Green of the Titan Mercury WC at 65 kg/143 lbs. Other past World team members on the trip are Angel Escobedo of the New York AC at 57 kg/125.5 lbs., Reece Humphrey of the New York AC at 65 kg/143 lbs., Ed Ruth of the Sunkist Kids at 86 kg/189 lbs. and Zach Rey of the Lehigh Valley AC at 125 kg/275 lbs.

That same weekend, many of the nation’s best Greco-Roman wrestlers will compete at the highly respected Hungarian Grand Prix in Szombethely, Hungary, Feb. 6-7. Two-time World bronze medalist Andy Bisek of the Minnesota Storm will wrestle at 75 kg/165 lbs., along with two-time Olympian Spenser Mango of the Army WCAP at 59 kg/130 lbs., 2012 Olympian Ellis Coleman of the Army WCAP at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and 2008 Olympian Ildar Hafizov of the Army WCAP at 59 kg/130 lbs. The team is loaded, with 10 past Olympians or U.S. World Team members on the trip. From the 2015 U.S. World Team are Mango, Bisek, Bryce Saddoris of the U.S. Marine Corps at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Jordan Holm of the Minnesota Storm at 85 kg/187 lbs., Patrick Martinez of the U.S. Army WCAP at 85 kg/187 lbs. and Caylor Williams of the U.S. Army WCAP at 98 kg/215 lbs.

There will be U.S. wrestlers in all three styles at the Outstanding Ukrainian Memorial International in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 13-14, but the vast majority of the team features men’s freestyle wrestlers. Past World Team members Humphrey and Rey are competing in this event, in addition to the tournament in Turkey. Past U.S. Open champions on the tour include Kellen Russell of the New York AC at 65 kg/143 lbs., David Taylor of the Nittany Lion WC at 86 kg/189 lbs. and Wynn Michalak of the Titan Mercury WC at 97 kg/213 lbs. Past Junior World medalists competing include Aaron Pico of the Titan Mercury WC at 65 kg/143 lbs. and Logan Stieber of the Titan Mercury WC at 65 kg/143 lbs. Also competing is past U.S. World Team member Victoria Anthony of the Titan Mercury WC at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. in women’s freestyle, and 2016 U.S. Open champion Geordan Speiller of the Florida Jets at 75 kg/165 lbs. in Greco-Roman.

Next up is the Alexander Medved International in Minsk, Belarus, Feb. 18-19. 2015 World champion Kyle Snyder of the Titan Mercury WC will wrestle at 97 kg/213 lbs. in men’s freestyle. Competing at this event, as well as at the Ukrainian event the week before, are Stieber, Pico and Russell, among others. 2012 Olympian Sam Hazewinkel of the Sunkist Kids is competing at 57 kg/125.5 lbs. Also competing is 2016 U.S. Open champion Kyle Dake of the Titan Mercury WC at 86 kg/189 lbs. There is one women’s freestyler on the trip, past U.S. World Team member Jessica Medina of the Sunkist Kids at 53 kg/116.5 lbs.

There will be one other international tournament during February which will feature top U.S. Senior athletes, the Pan American Championships in Frisco, Texas, Feb. 26-28. This annual continental championships features the nations in North, Central and South America. The U.S. lineups for the Pan American Championships will be announced separately.

One other Senior-level competition is on the February schedule, the Armed Forces Championships set for NAVAL BASE KITSAP in Washington state, which will be held Feb. 19-20. This is the annual championships between the four branches of the Armed Forces, and always an exciting high-level competition. It is also part of the #Road2IowaCity Trials Qualifiers event series, as the champions in the Greco-Roman division qualify for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling, which will be held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa, April 9-10. Roster information on the Armed Forces teams will be release when available.

YASAR DOGU INTERNATIONAL
At Istanbul, Turkey, Feb. 5-7
U.S. freestyle roster
57 kg/125.5 lbs – Angel Escobedo, Ames, Iowa (New York AC
65 kg/143 lbs. – Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC/Ohio RTC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – James Green, Lincoln, Neb. (Titan Mercury WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Dan Vallimont, Long Beach, N.Y. (New York AC/Blue and Gold WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Ed Ruth, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Deron Winn, Ames, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. - Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. - Scott Schiller, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
125 kg/275 lbs. - Zach Rey, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
125 kg/275 lbs. - Anthony Nelson, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
National Freestyle Coach – Bruce Burnett, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Assistant National Freestyle Coach – Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – Jeff Buxton, Easton, Pa.
Referee – Fidel Albelo, Miami, Fla.
Medical – Kristen Ivy

HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
At Szombethely, Hungary, Feb. 6-7
U.S. Greco-Roman roster
59 kg/130 lbs. – Spenser Mango, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Jesse Thielke, Germantown, Wis. (New York AC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Ildar Hafizov, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Bryce Saddoris, Sneads Ferry, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Ellis Coleman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Patrick Smith, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – RaVaughn Perkins, Omaha, Neb. (New York AC)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Andy Bisek, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm)
85 kg/187 lbs. – Jordan Holm, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
85 kg/187 lbs. – Patrick Martinez, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)
85 kg/187 lbs. – Jon Anderson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Caylor Williams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army WCAP)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Joe Rau, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
Team Leader – Assistant National Greco-Roman
Coach Momir Petkovic, Colorado Springs, Colo.National Greco-Roman
Coach – Matt Lindland, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – Shon Lewis, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – Matt Sambuco, Wappingers Falls, N.Y.
Referee – James Stinson, Sulphur, La.

OUTSTANDING UKRAINIAN MEMORIAL INTERNATIONAL
At Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 13-14
U.S. Men’s freestyle roster
65 kg/143 lbs. – Logan Stieber, Columbus, Ohio (Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC/Ohio RTC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Aaron Pico, Whittier, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Kellen Russell, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC/CKWC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – B.J. Futrell, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Titan Mercury WC/Cliff Keen WC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Nazar Kulchytskyy, Madison, Wis. (Titan Mercury WC/Wisconsin RTC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Adam Hall, Raleigh, N.C. (Titan Mercury WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Andrew Sorenson, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Panther WC RTC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – David Taylor, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Richard Perry, Washington, D.C. (NYAC/PWC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Deron Winn, Ames, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Dustin Kilgore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Wynn Michalak, Champaign, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Cayle Byers, Stillwater, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – J.T. Felix, Ann Arbor, Mich. (TMWC/CKWC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Zach Rey, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Connor Medbery, Loveland, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC)
National Freestyle Coach – Bruce Burnett, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – Jeff Buxton, Easton, Pa.
Coach – Valentin Kalika, Aliso Viejo, Calif.

U.S. Greco-Roman roster
75 kg/165 lbs. – Geordan Speiller, Oviedo, Fla. (Florida Jets)
Coach – J.D. Robbins, Oviedo, Fla.

U.S. women’s freestyle roster
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Victoria Anthony, Huntington Beach, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
Referee – Jason Salley, Carol Stream, Ill.
Medical – Ryan Palmer, Carthage, Mo.

ALEXANDER MEDVED INTERNATIONAL
At Minsk, Belarus, Feb. 18-19
U.S. Men’s Freestyle roster
57 kg/125.5 lbs – Frank Perrelli, Stillwater, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs – Jon Morrison, Stillwater, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs - Erkin Tadzhimetov, Orem, Utah (New York AC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs – Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Jordan Oliver, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Logan Stieber, Columbus, Ohio (Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Aaron Pico, Whittier, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Kellen Russell, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC/CKWC)
65 kg/143 lbs. – B.J. Futrell, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Titan Mercury WC/Cliff Keen WC)
65 kg/143 lbs – Frank Molinaro, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Adam Hall, Raleigh, N.C. (Titan Mercury WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Chris Perry, Stillwater, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC)
86 kg/189 lbs.– Kyle Dake, Ithaca, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Richard Perry, Washington, D.C. (NYAC/PWC)
97 kg/213 lbs. - Kyle Snyder, Woodbine, Md. (Titan Mercury WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Dustin Kilgore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Kyven Gadson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
97 kg/213 lbs. - Enock Francois, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Eric Thompson, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

Women’s freestyle roster
53 kg/116.5 lbs.– Jessica Medina, Champaign, Ill. (Sunkist Kids)
Assistant National Coach – Brandon Slay, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – Mark Perry, Champaign, Ill.
Coach – Valentin Kalika, Aliso Viejo, Calif.
Referee – Josh Grube, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Medical – Ryan Palmer, Carthage, Mo.
Videographer – Del Hawkins, Nashville, Tenn.

KLIPPAN LADY OPEN
At Klippan, Sweden, Feb. 19-21
U.S. Senior women’s freestyle roster
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Erin Golston, Lake In The Hills, Ill. (New York AC/OTC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Haley Augello, Lockport, Ill. (NYAC/OTC)
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Katherine Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (NYAC/OTC)
53 kg/116.5 lbs. - Sarah Hildebrandt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (NYAC/OTC)
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Michaela Hutchison, Lebanon, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC)
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Amy Fearnside, Jamestown, N.D. (Titan Mercury WC)
58 kg/128 lbs. – Kelsey Campbell, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
58 kg/128 lbs. - Randi Beltz, St. Louis, Mo. (Titan Mercury WC)
58 kg/128 lbs. – Trinity Griffin, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
58 kg/128 lbs. – Arian Carpio, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Jennifer Page, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Shai Mason, Jamestown, N.D. (Titan Mercury WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Mallory Velte, Sacramento, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Alexis Porter, Ballston Lake, N.Y. (NYAC/MWC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kayla Marano, Tulsa, Okla. (Gator OKCU RTC)
69 kg/152 lbs. - Brittney Roberts, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
69 kg/152 lbs. – Forrest Molinari, Benicia, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
75 kg/165 lbs. - Victoria Francis, Litchfield, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Kendall Reusing, Riverside, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)

U.S. Cadet women’s freestyle roster
43 kg/94.75 lbs. – Vayle Baker, Benton, Pa.
56 kg/123.25 lbs. – Michaela Beck, New York, N.Y.
60 kg/132 lbs. – Ashlynn Ortega, Pueblo, Colo.
60 kg/132 lbs. – Hanna Ramos, Kenosha, Wis.
60 kg/132 lbs. – Paige Amy, Clio, Mich.
60 kg/132 lbs. – Allicyn Schuster, LaVista, Neb.
Assistant National Women’s Coach – Emma Randall, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – Andrea Yamamoto, Richland, Wash.
Coach – Mike Duran, Baldwin Park, Calif. 
Medical – Jody Moore
Official – Garrett Pikul, Louisville, Ky.