Army Wrestling Team Dominates Armed Forces Championships

Courtesy Photo | Army Capt. Eric Albarracin (right) wrestles for a gold medal in the 55-kilogram/121-pound freestyle division of the 2005 Armed Forces Wrestling Championships at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Photo by Tim Hipps  

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

04.06.2005

Courtesy Story

Defense.gov         

All-Army wrestlers won 38 of 42 individual matches and captured the Greco-Roman and freestyle team titles in the 2005 Armed Forces Wrestling Championships March 31 and April 1 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center here.

All told, the soldiers won 10 gold and four silver medals. "I would say that's pretty close to dominating, but we've still got a lot of work to do," said All-Army coach Staff Sgt. Shon Lewis.

Army Staff Sgt. Dremiel Byers led the way by winning gold in both disciplines of the 120-kilogram/264.5-pound weight class. Byers, the 2002 Greco-Roman heavyweight world champion who wrestled freestyle for the first time since 1997 here, won six matches by a cumulative score of 45-0.

"He's the anchor of our team, and he takes on that role with great pride and great dignity," Lewis said.

In Greco-Roman competition, Army wrestlers Capt. Neil Rodak, Sgts. Glenn Garrison and Jess Hargrave and Byers won their respective weight classes. Staff Sgts. Duaine Martin andKeith Sieracki and Sgt. Albert Sankey won silver medals.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Hey, Marine Corps Cpl. Jacob Clark and Air Force Capt. Phil Johnston won Greco gold medals.

In freestyle, Capt. Eric Albarracin, Martin, Sgt. Oscar Wood, Spc. James Henderson of Fort Bragg, N.C., Sankey and Byers won their divisions. First Lt. Lantz Schwabenbauer of Fort Drum, N.Y., took a silver medal.

With the exceptions of Henderson, Schwabenbauer and Rodak, a former member of the All-Navy team stationed at Salt Lake City, all of the Army medal winners are stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. The Marines' Clark, a seven-time Armed Forces champion, won the only freestyle gold medal that eluded the soldiers by defeating Schwabenbauer, 6-0, 1-0.

In round-robin team competition, the All-Army Greco-Roman squad defeated Navy, 22-0; Air Force, 21-7; and the Marine Corps, 19-7. In freestyle, Army prevailed 21-4 over Air Force; 26-3 over Navy; and 20-5 against the Marines.

The Marine Corps finished second in Greco-Roman team competition, followed by Air Force and Navy. In freestyle, Air Force finished second, followed by the Marines and Navy.

Gold medalists in the Armed Forces Championships qualified to represent the United States in the 2005 Counseil du Sport Militaire (International Military Sports Council) Wrestling Championships Aug. 24 through 27 in Lithuania. The All-Army team's near-term sights, however, are set on the 2005 U.S. National Wrestling Championships April 29 and 30 at Las Vegas.

"We go into this tournament as a steppingstone to get to where we're trying to go, which is the World Championships (Sept. 26 to 28 at Budapest, Hungary)," Lewis said.

All-Air Force coach Rich Estrella, one of four Greco-Roman coaches for Team USA's World Championships squad, said he's impressed with Lewis' accomplishments since taking the helm of the All-Army team in 2001.

"For them, it's never a matter of rebuilding; all they do is reload," Estrella said. "They've got a very solid team and a very deep program."

(Tim Hipps is a writer for the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center.)

2005 Armed Forces Wrestling Championships At U.S. Olympic Training Center - Colorado Springs, Colo. March 31-April 1

Greco-Roman Team standings: 1. U.S. Army 3-0; 2. U.S. Marine Corps 2-1; 3. U.S. Air Force 1-2; 4. U.S. Navy 0-3. Individual standings

55 kg/121 lbs: 1. Neil Rodak (Army); 2. Jared Moreland (Air Force); 3. Wesley Hartman (Marine Corps); 4. Tracy Garrett (Navy).

60 kg/132 lbs: 1. Jacob Hey (Air Force); 2. Duaine Martin (Army); 3. Justin Cannon (Marine Corps); 4. Alejandro Delapena (Navy).

66 kg/145.5 lbs: 1. Glen Garrison (Army); 2. Kelly Pederson (Marine Corps); 3. Anthony Doerr (Navy); 4. Ryan Montanez (Air Force).

74 kg/163 lbs: 1. Jess Hargrave (Army); 2. Royce Johnson (Air Force); 3. Carson Bernard (Marine Corps); 4. Peter Butville (Navy).

84 kg/185 lbs: 1. Jacob Clark (Marine Corps); 2. Keith Sieracki (Army); 3. David Spangler (Air Force); 4. Leon Rodriquez (Navy).

96 kg/211.5 lbs: 1. Phil Johnston (Air Force); 2. Albert Sankey (Army); 3. Jefferson Brink (Marine Corps); 4. Randy Gullick (Navy).

120 kg/264.5 lbs: 1. Dremiel Byers (Army); 2. Dan Hicks (Marine Corps); 3. Josh Feldman (Navy); 4. David Hunter (Air Force).

Session 1

Army 22, Navy 0 55 kg/121 lbs: Neil Rodak (Army) dec. Tracy Garrett (Navy), 6-0, 4-0. 60 kg/132 lbs: Duaine Martin (Army) dec. Alejandro Delapena (Navy), 3-0, 3-0; 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Glenn Garrison (Army) dec. Anthony Doerr (Navy), 2-0, 4-0; 74 kg/163 lbs: Jess Hargrave (Army) dec. Peter Butville (Navy), 3-0, 6-0; 84 kg/185 lbs: Keith Sieracki (Army) dec. Leon Rodriquez (Navy), 5-0, 3-0; 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Albert Sankey (Army) dec. Randy Gullick (Navy), 6-0, 6-0; 120 kg/264.5 lbs: Dremiel Byers (Army) dec. Josh Feldman (Navy), 4-0, 1-0.

Marines 14, Air Force 13 55 kg/121 lbs: Jared Moreland (Air Force) dec.Wesley Hartman (Marine Corps), 6-0, 7-1; 60 kg/132 lbs: Jacob Hey (Air Force) dec. Justin Cannon (Marine Corps), 3-0, 3-0; 66 kg/145.5 lbs: Kelly Pederson (Marine Corps) fall Ryan Montanez (Air Force), 1:45; 74 kg/163 lbs: Royce Johnson (Air Force) dec. Carson Bernard (Marine Corps), 0-6, 1-0, 2-0; 84 kg/185 lbs: Jacob Clark (Marine Corps) dec. David Spangler (Air Force), 7-0, 1-0; 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Philip Johnston (Air Force) dec. Jefferson Brink (Marine Corps), 6-0, 4-2; 120 kg/264.5 lbs: Dan Hicks (Marine Corps) dec. David Hunter (Air Force), 2-0, 1-0.

Session 2

Army 21, Air Force 7 55 kg/121 lbs: Neil Rodak (Army) dec. Jared Moreland (Air Force), 2-0, 2-4, 3-0; 60 kg/132 lbs: Jacob Hey (Air Force) dec. Duaine Martin (Army), 0-3, 1-0, 1-0; 66 kg/145.5 lbs: Glen Garrison (Army) by injury default Ryan Montanez (Air Force); 74 kg/163 lbs: Jess Hargrave (Army) fall Royce Johnson (Air Force); 84 kg/185 lbs: Keith Sieracki (Army) dec. David Spangler (Air Force); 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Philip Johnston (Air Force) dec. Albert Sankey (Army), 1-0, 3-0; 120 kg/264.5 lbs: Dremiel Byers (Army) dec. David Hunter (Air Force), 7-0, 6-0. Marine Corps 27, Navy 3

55 kg/121 lbs: Wesley Hartman (Marine Corps) fall Tracy Garrett (Navy), 5-3, 1:05; 60 kg/132 lbs: Justin Cannon (Marine Corps) dec. Alejandro Delapena (Navy), 4-2, 3-0; 66 kg/145.5 lbs: Kelly Pederson (Marine Corps) fall Anthony Doerr (Navy), 1-0, 1:14; 74 kg/163 lbs: Carson Bernard (Marine Corps) dec. Peter Butville (Navy), 1-1, 02, 3-0; 84 kg/185 lbs: Jacob Clark (Marine Corps) fall Leon Rodriquez (Navy), 00:11; 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Jefferson Brink (Marine Corps) dec. Randy Gullick (Navy), 3-2, 3-0; 120 kg/264.5 lbs: Dan Hicks (Marine Corps) dec. Josh Feldman (Navy), 1-0, 1-0.

Session 3

Air Force 18, Navy 10 55 kg/121 lbs: Jared Moreland (Air Force) dec. Tracy Garrett (Navy), 5-2, 6-0; 60 kg/132 lbs: Jacob Hey (Air Force) fall Alejandro Delapena, 4-3, 0:57; 66 kg/145.5 lbs: Anthony Doerr (Navy) WBI Ryan Montanez (Air Force); 74 kg/163 lbs: Royce Johnson (Air Force) dec. Peter Butville (Navy), 2-0, 0-1, 5-0; 84 kg/185 lbs: David Spangler (Air Force) dec. Leon Rodriquez (Navy), 5-2, 9-3; 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Philip Johnston (Air Force) dec. Randy Gullick (Navy), 5-0, 5-0; 120 kg/264.5 lbs: Josh Feldman (Navy) dec. David Hunter (Air Force), 3-0, 3-2.

Army 19, Marine Corps 7 55 kg/121 lbs: Neil Rodak (Army) dec. Wesley Hartman (Marine Corps), 2-0, 6-1; 60 kg/132 lbs: Duaine Martin (Army) dec. Justin Cannon (Marine Corps), 3-0, 1-0; 66 kg/145.5 lbs: Glen Garrison (Army) dec. Kelly Pederson (Marine Corps), 3-0, 4-0; 74 kg/163 lbs: Jess Hargrave (Army) dec. Carson Bernard (Marine Corps), 3-0, 3-3, 3-0; 84 kg/185 lbs: Jacob Clark (Marine Corps) dec. Keith Sieracki (Army), 0-1, 1-0, 1-0; 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Albert Sankey (Army) dec. Jefferson Brink (Marine Corps), 2-3, 1-0, 1-0; 120 kg/264.5 lbs: Dremiel Byers (Army) dec. Dan Hicks (Marine Corps), 3-0, 1-0. Freestyle

Team standings: 1. Army 3-0; 2. Air Force 2-1; 3. Marines 1-2; 4. Navy 0-4.

Individual standings 55 kg/121 lbs: 1. Eric Albarracin (Army); 2. Jared Moreland (Air Force); 3. Kam Chang (Marines); 4. Tracy Garrett (Navy). 60 kg/132 lbs: 1. Duaine Martin (Army); 2. Jacob Hey (Air Force); 3. Justin Cannon (Marines); 3. Alejandro Delapena (Navy). 66 kg/145 lbs: 1. Oscar Wood (Army); 2. Anthony Doerr (Navy); 3. Johnny Gunn (Air Force); 4. Joseph Zinkan (Marines). 74 kg/163 lbs: 1. James Henderson (Army); 2. Royce Johnson (Air Force); 3. Carson Bernard (Marines); 3. Peter Butville (Navy). 84 kg/185 lbs: 1. Jacob Clark (Marines); 2. Lantz Schwabenbauer (Army); 3. Walter Hoffman (Air Force); 4. Leon Rodriquez (Navy). 96 kg/211.5 lbs: 1. Albert Sankey (Army); 2. Justin Millard (Air Force); 3. Jeff Brink (Marines); 4. Michael Kono (Navy). 120 kg/264.5 lbs: 1. Dremiel Byers (Army); 2. Josh Feldman (Navy); 3. Travis Clark (Marines); 4. David Hunter (Air Force)

Session 1

Army 21, Air Force 4 55 kg/121 lbs: Eric Albarracin (Army) dec. Jared Moreland (Air Force), 1-0, 3-0; 60 kg/132 lbs: Duaine Martin (Army) dec. Jacob Hey (Air Force), 6-0, 0-2, 1-0; 66 kg/145.5 lbs: Oscar Wood (Army) dec. Johnny Gunn (Air Force), 7-0, 2-0; 74 kg/163 lbs: James Henderson (Army) dec. Royce Johnson (Air Force), 6-1, 2-1; 84 kg/185 lbs: Lantz Schwabenbauer (Army) dec. Walter Hoffman (Air Force), 5-0, 6-0; 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Albert Sankey (Army) dec. Justin Millard (Air Force), 6-2, 0-2, 1-0; 120 kg/264.5: Dremiel Byers (Army) dec. David Hunter (Air Force), 4-0, 7-0. Marine Corps 16, Navy 12

55 kg/121 lbs: Kam Chang (Marine Corps) dec. Tracy Garrett (Navy), 5-2, 2-0; 60 kg/132 lbs: Alejandro Delapena (Navy) dec. Justin Cannon (Marine Corps), 3-0, 1-0; 66 kg/145.5 lbs: Anthony Doerr (Navy) dec. Joseph Zinkan (Marine Corps), 5-0, 1-5, 7-1; 74 kg/163 lbs: Peter Butville (Navy) dec. Carson Bernard (Marine Corps), 3-1, 0-7, 2-1; 84 kg/185 lbs: Jacob Clark (Marine Corps) fall Leon Rodriquez (Navy), 1:30; 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Jeff Brink (Marine Corps) fall Michael Kono (Navy), 2-0, 1:59; 120 kg/264.5: Josh Feldman (Navy) dec. Travis Clark (Marine Corps), 2-1, 3-0.

Session 2

Army 26, Navy 3 55 kg/121 lbs: Eric Albarracin (Army) dec. Tracy Garrett (Navy), 8-0, 7-0; 60 kg/132 lbs: Duaine Martin (Army) dec. Alejandro Delapena (Navy), 6-3, 7-0; 66 kg/145.5 lbs: Oscar Wood (Army) fall Anthony Doerr (Navy), 1:01; 74 kg/163 lbs: James Henderson (Army) dec. Peter Butville (Navy), 5-3, 5-0; 84 kg/185 lbs: Lantz Schwabenbauer (Army) dec. Leon Rodriquez (Navy), 6-0, 8-1; 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Albert Sankey (Army) dec. Michael Kono (Navy), 7-0, 6-0; 120 kg/264.5 lbs: Dremiel Byers (Army) dec. Josh Feldman (Navy), 6-0, 2-0. Air Force 15, Marine Corps 13

55 kg/121 lbs: Jared Moreland (Air Force) dec. Kam Chang (Marine Corps), 2-0, 0-1, 4-1; 60 kg/132 lbs: Jacob Hey (Air Force) dec. Justin Cannon (Marine Corps), 6-0, 1-1; 66 kg/ 145.5 lbs: Johnny Gunn (Air Force) dec. Joseph Zinkan (Marine Corps), 3-0, 4-2; 74 kg/163 lbs: Carson Bernard (Marine Corps) dec. Royce Johnson (Air Force), 2-1, 3-0; 84 kg/185 lbs: Jacob Clark (Marine Corps) dec. Walter Hoffman (Air Force), 6-0, 6-0; 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Justin Millard (Air Force) dec. Jeff Brink (Marine Corps), 6-0, 6-0; 120 kg/264.5 lbs: Travis Clark (Marine Corps) dec. David Hunter (Air Force), 4-1, 3-1.

Session 3

Army 20, Marines 5 55 kg/121 lbs: Eric Albarracin (Army) dec. Kam Chang (Marines), 3-1, 6-0; 60 kg/132 lbs: Duane Martin (Army) dec. Justin Cannon (Marines), 3-1, 2-1; 66 kg/145.5 lbs: Oscar Wood (Army) fall Joseph Zinkan (Marines), 4-0, 1:32; 74 kg/163 lbs: James Henderson (Army) dec. Carson Bernard (Marines), 4-0, 6-0; 84 kg/185 lbs: Jacob Clark (Marines) dec. Lantz Shwabenbauer (Army), 6-0, 1-0; 94 kg/211.5 lbs. - Albert Sankey (Army) dec. Justin Millard (Marines), 5-0, 5-0; 120 kg/264.5 lbs: Dremiel Byers (Army) dec. Travis Clark (Marines), 3-0, 1-0.

Air Force 24, Navy 10 55 kg/121 lbs: Jared Moreland (Air Force) fall Tracy Garrett (Navy), 7-0, 0:13; 60 kg/132 lbs: Jacob Hey (Air Force) fall Alejandro Delapena (Navy), 1-0, 3-2, 1:34; 66 kg/145.5 lbs: Anthony Doerr (Navy) fall Johnny Gunn (Air Force), 1-2, 0:26; 74 kg/163 lbs: Royce Johnson (Air Force) fall Peter Butville (Navy), 6-3, 1:40; 84 kg/185 lbs: Walter Hoffman (Air Force) fall Leon Rodriquez (Navy), 1:35; 96 kg/211.5 lbs: Justin Millard (Air Force) dec. Michael Kono (Navy), 6-0, 7-0; 120 kg/264.5 lbs: Josh Feldman (Navy) fall David Hunter (Air Force), 1-0, 3-2.

Story by Tim Hipps, Special to American Forces Press Service

• Date Taken: 04.06.2005
• Date Posted: 07.04.2025 01:12
• Story ID: 531524
• Location: WASHINGTON, US