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Pacific SportsBlogOkinawa-based sports reporter Dave Ornauer on military-related sports in the Far East. |
Yokota, Seoul look strong in wrestling openers
Posted December 3rd, 2007 by Dave OrnauerQuite a nice start to the season for Far East wrestling champions, past and present.
Robert D. Edgren's Andrew Blankenship and Kevin McDonald, the latter a 2006 168-pound gold medalist, won gold at 180 and 215 pounds, while defending Far East champ David Heitstuman of E.J. King (141) and Justin Stokes of Seoul American (168) showed they still "got it."
And note the 135-pound winner of the Edgren tournament, Craig Bell. Though he represents E.J. King, he's a quintessential "the few, the proud, the Samurai" story -- the lone wrestler at Matthew C. Perry High School at Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station.
As teams, Yokota and Seoul American seized the early edge, but as Yokota coach Brian Kitts says, it's way too early to tell. So many teams and wrestlers will get better as the season progresses.
Stay tuned.
was it andrew or his brother
was it andrew or his brother matt who won 2006 fareast..
It was Matt
You're right; it was Matt. Andrew can join him this year. :)
2 for Zama
Don't forget to mention the two surprise golds by Zama.