Henson wins gold, Thompson silver, Lawrence bronze at Cerro Pelado Tournament in Cuba
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
Three U.S. wrestlers won medals during the first day of the Cerro Pelado Tournament held in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, on Feb. 24.
Sammie Henson (St. Louis, Mo./Sunkist Kids) won a gold medal at 55 kg/121 lbs. Tolly Thompson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) won a silver medal at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. and Jared Lawrence (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) won a bronze medal at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.,
Henson defeated Andy Moreno Gonzalez of Cuba in the finals, 3-1, 11-5. Henson was a 1998 World Champion and 2000 Olympic silver medalist.
His victories were against Mogomed Dgukaev of Russia, Yumir Fernandez of Cuba and Hector Camacho of Venezuela.
Thompson lost to 1998 World Champion Alexis Rodriguez of Cuba, 3-0, 6-0. Thompson was second in the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and was a 1998 U.S. Nationals champion.
Thompson’s wins were against Oleg Khorpiakov of Russia, Jaimie Cox of Canada and Ruslan Baisiev of Russia.
Lawrence defeated two-time U.S. World Team member Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) in the bronze medal match, 3-1, 3-1. Lawrence was second in the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Under the new international rules, two bronze medals are awarded in each weight class.
Three U.S. wrestlers were defeated in bronze-medal matches and placed fifth in their divisions: Bono, plus Jared Frayer (Cambridge, Mass./Dave Schultz WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Lee Fullhart (Blacksburg, Va./Gator WC) at 84 kg/185 lbs.
Three other weight divisions are being contested on Friday, Feb. 25: 60 kg/132 lbs., 74 kg/163 lbs. and 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Results will be posted when available.
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