April 27, 2008

Dlagnev Finishes Third at U.S. Nationals

Beats Former 'Husker National Champ Thompson

     Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney senior heavyweight Tervel Dlagnev continues to make waves in freestyle competition as he finished third at the 2008 ASICS/U.S. Freestyle National Championships Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nev.

     Coming into the one-day tournament seeded sixth in the 264.5/120 kg bracket, Dlagnev (Arlington, Texas) posted a 5-1 mark and beat two higher seeded wrestlers.  Last April, he was fourth in this event.

      After a first round win over David Zabriske (3-1, 1-0), Iowa State’s starting heavyweight, Dlagnev lost to rival and former UNO standout Les Sigman (0-1, 1-0, 3-0).

      At the Sunkist Open in the fall, Dlagnev beat Sigman for the first time in competition.

      After the win over Dlagnev, the third-seeded Sigman lost to second-seed Steve Mocco in the semifinals and then to former Nebraska national champion Tolly Thompson in wrestlebacks. Sigman would bounce back from the losses and place fifth.

      Dlagnev got by K.C. Walsh (Bronco W.C.) in his first consolation match (6-0, 0-1, 3-0) and then rallied to beat Dom Bradley of the Sunkist Kids (0-1, 1-0, 5-0).

     The two-time Division II national champion then upset fourth-seed Patrick Cummins of the New York Athletic Club/ex-Penn State (3-0, 0-1, 1-0) to reach the third place bout.

      In the third place match, Dlagnev would square off against Thompson, seeded fifth and a veteran of international competition. The two have also trained together the past two years and will be assistant coaches for Northern Iowa next winter.

      Dlagnev, the “student”, would come away with a 1-0, 0-1, 3-0 victory.

      In the first place match, top-seeded Tommy Rowlands (Sunkist Kids/ex-Ohio State) beat Mocco, 3-0, 0-2, 1-0.

       Dlagnev’s next major freestyle event will be the U.S. Olympic Trials June 12-15 in Las Vegas. For more information, go to USA Wrestling's website (www.themat.com).