Team USA’s two-year winning streak against Team Skåne Brottning came to an end on Wednesday in Klippan, Sweden with only three Americans managing to earn victories.
Spencer Woods (NYAC/OTS) cruised to an 8-0 technical superiority triumph against Erik Persson (TSB) at 77 kilograms, which represented the US’ first win of the dual following five straight defeats. Right after Woods got his hand raised, Sean Sesnan (60 kg, NMU/OTS) torqued Ruben Fodor (TSB) to his back with a front headlock that resulted in a pin. But before the ball could even get rolling, Algot Källman (77 kg, TSB) got past Nate Grimes (NMU/OTS) 4-0, essentially eliminating any chance for a USA comeback.
Tommy Brackett (NMU/OTS), who competed against Ludvig Gustavsson (TSB) at the listed category of 77 kilos, needed just over two minutes to come away with a tech. But from then on, TSB swept the remainder of the dual, eventually prevailing 35-17 (nine matches to three).
Following the annual friendly dual with Team Skåne Brottning, the US participated in a brief four-match series against Lithuania. Grimes — one of several athletes from the three teams to wrestle multiple matches — pasted Eimantas Vilimas (LTU) early in the first period for an 8-0 tech. Grimes was the lone US winner opposite Lithuania.
The dual meets are an important part of the United States program’s focus on emboldening young athletes with international experience. For a large percentage of the delegation each fall, this trip to Sweden represents the only opportunity of the calendar year for wrestlers to match up with foreign contemporaries.
More training is still on the docket for the Americans. They will remain in Klippan for practices with Team Skåne Brottning and Lithuania until tomorrow when they head to Västerås for the massive 2019 Malar Cupen.
Team Skåne Brottning — 9 USA — 3
55 kg: Noha Söderquist (TSB) def. Cael Kahle (USA) 8-0, TF
65 kg: Theo Jönsson (TSB) def. Nick Leonetti (USA) 8-0, TF
69 kg: Armando Molin (TSB) def. Logan Hatch (USA) 8-0, TF
65 kg: Fabian Frisk (TSB) def. Payton Jacobson (USA) 8-0, TF
67 kg: Max Shafenort (TSB) def. Brody Olsson (USA) 10-1, TF
77 kg: Spencer Woods (USA) def. Erik Persson (TSB) 8-0, TF
60 kg: Sean Sesnan (USA) def. Ruben Fodor (TSB) via fall
77 kg: Algot Källman (TSB) def. Nate Grimes (USA) 4-0
77 kg: Tommy Brackett def. Ludvig Gustavsson (TSB) 8-0, TF
82 kg: Alexander Johansson (TSB) def. Tommy Dantzler (USA) 8-0, TF
87 kg: Lukas Ahlgren (TSB) def. Timothy Eubanks (USA) 8-0, TF
51 kg: Pontus Ståhl (TSB) def. Cael Kahle (USA) 19-10, TF
Lithuania — 3 USA — 1
67 kg: Mindaugas Venckaitis (LTU) def. Logan Hatch (USA) 10-2, TF
67 kg: Vilius Savickas (LTU) def. Brody Olson (USA) 9-0, TF
72 kg: Nate Grimes (USA) def. Eimantas Vilimas (LTU) 8-0, TF
82 kg: Arminas Lygnugaris (LTU) def. Tommy Dantzler (USA) 9-1, TF
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