Central Michigan University Athletics
Former CMU Wrestler Takes Second At USA Wrestling Nationals
4/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
April 28, 2002
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Former Central Michigan University wrestling National Champion and current assistant coach Casey Cunningham took second at the USA Wrestling National Championships held in Las Vegas, Nev., last weekend.
The Fulton native entered the competition seeded seventh in the freestyle division at 74 kg. He cruised to the finals, winning by technical fall or pin in each of his matches. In the quarterfinals, he pinned second-ranked Donny Pritzlaff and, in the semifinals, he defeated third-seeded Ramico Blackmon by technical fall, 13-3.
Cunningham met the defending World Bronze medalist, Joe Williams, who was also named the 2001 Freestyle "Wrestler of the Year." Williams got the best of Cunningham, 9-1, and was named the tournaments "Outstanding Wrestler."
Chippewa westler Tony Gansen (Belle Plain, Minn. /Sr.) also competed, going 3-2 before being eliminated in the consolation round.
The second-place finish earns Cunningham a spot at the World Team Trials in St. Paul, Minn., on June 20-23.
MatchesFirst Round: Cunningham tech. fall Robert Vargas - 10-0Second Round: Cunningham tech. fall Russell Branson - 10-0Third Round: Cunningham tech. fall Brad Hopper - 10-0Quarterfinals: Cunningham pin #2 Donny Pritzlaff - 2:39Semifinals: Cunningham tech. fall #3 Ramico Blackmon - 13-3Finals: Joe Williams d. Cunningham - 9-1
