The U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off for the 60 kg/132 lbs. position on the U.S. Olympic Team in men’s freestyle wrestling will be held in New York City on Thursday, June 7.
The event will be held alongside the USA vs. Russia international freestyle dual meet set for Times Square in New York City, also on Thursday, June 7.
Three wrestlers will participate in the U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off:
· Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC)
· Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
· Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
The U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off became necessary because the United States had not yet qualified to compete at the London Olympic Games at 60 kg/132 lbs. in men’s freestyle prior to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling in Iowa City, Iowa, April 21-22.
According to the Olympic Trials Procedures for Men’s Freestyle Wrestling, USA Wrestling could hold athletes out of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in order to participate in Olympic Games Qualifying Events. Bunch and Humphrey were chosen to train for the Olympic Games Qualifiers.
Also according to the Olympic Trials Procedures, the winner of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the weight class would also become eligible for the Secondary Olympic Trials if the United States was able to qualify the weight class. Scott was the champion at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City.