After several months of training at home in University City, Philadelphia, PA, as well as the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, our athletes finally got to shine at the 1st Olympic Trials Qualifier, The Bill Farrell International. With that said, the field was very tough having top ranked wrestlers from USA and International senior levels entered in at each weight class. Dan Mitcheff 57 KG, Canaan Bethea 86 KG, and Richard Perry 86 KG all made their debuts representing the PRTC.

Starting the PRTC off at 57kg Dan Mitcheff had an impressive day. First match 6-0 win against Canada. Second match 10-0 tech against Mark McKnight. Third match Danny ends up getting caught on his back against Ali Nasser of USA. He goes on to wrestle back and beat Alan Walters 7-0, then 10-0 tech against Frank Perrelli before losing 12-2 to Dan Dennis who placed 3rd.

Next Canaan Bethea our recent signee from UPenn (Finished 7th at University Nationals) not only makes his debut at the international level but receives a bye in the first round. He then unfortunately gets paired against his training partner Richard Perry who knows him all to well and gives Canaan his first loss. Canaan wrestling tough in his second match gets caught in a gut wrench that ended the match for him. Canaan is young and has a bright future ahead of him!

Richard Perry nearly had a perfect day. He opens up with a 10-0 tech against Andrew Sorenson. Next match he wrestled Bethea. Perry then avenges a loss from last years Nationals by defeating Ryan Loder which sends him to the Semis. Perry loses a one-point heart breaker which had the room on their feet to top ranked Ed Ruth. The match went back and forth with questionable calls that ultimately cost Perry the loss. Despite his loss, Perry stayed focused and rallied to win two tough matches earning himself a bronze medal!!!

All in all it was a strong showing and lets us know what we need to do to put ourselves in a position to get on the this year’s Olympic Team. Next stop US NATIONALS in LAS VEGAS! #PRTC