Blair Triumvirate Named to 2008 World Cup Team

ESPOSITO, BACKES, MOCCO TO REPRESENT USA IN THE 2008 WORLD CUP FOR FREESTYLE WRESTLING IN RUSSIA

January 30, 2008: USA Wrestling, the governing body for international wrestling in the United States, today announced that three former Blair Academy wrestlers have been selected to wrestle in the prestigious World Cup for freestyle wrestling. The two-day event will take place on February 16-17 in Vladikavkaz, Russia.

The three athletes are (in alphabetical order):

Kurt Backes 96kg/211.5lbs.: multiple time national prep champion, cadet national champion, Dream Team member and Asics/Vaughn All-American. At Iowa State University, Backes was a two-time All-American and finished second in the 197 lbs. weight class at the 2007 NCAA Championships. Blair class of 2002.

Zack Esposito 66kg/145.5lbs: multiple time national prep champion, Dream Team member and Asics/Vaughn Jr. National champion for Blair Academy. At Oklahoma State University, Esposito was a three-time All-American and 2005 NCAA champion at 149 lbs. Blair class of 2002.

Steve Mocco 120kg/264.5lbs: four-time national prep champion, three-time Asics/Vaughn Jr. national champion, consensus high school wrestler of the year. Mocco competed for the University of Iowa and Oklahoma State University, where he was a four-time NCAA finalist and two-time NCAA champion. Blair class of 2001.

“This is what these three athletes worked for since they were young kids. They have accomplished their goals on every level…from midgets-to high school-to college…now they are testing their mettle on the world scene,” said Blair Head Coach Jeff Buxton. “I am proud to have been a part of their success as I know they have sacrificed so much to become the best.”

Vladikavkaz, Russia has further ties to Blair Academy as former Blair wrestlers Marat Tomaev and the late Alan Goussov hail from this Russian city of 315,000 known for its manufacturing of zinc and lead. Tomaev was a two-time national prep champion for the Bucs; Goussov was a national prep runner-up.

“Our kids look up to Blair alumni who have success on the next level. It gives them additional goals for which they can work towards. These three athletes (Backes, Esposito, Mocco) always take time out of their schedules to work with current Blair athletes and that makes me really happy,” said Jeff Buxton.

TEAM USA ROSTER FOR 2008 WORLD CUP FOR FREESTYLE WRESTLING:
55 kg/121 lbs. – Stephen Abas (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Nick Simmons (Corvallis, Ore./Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Nate Gallick (Chattanooga, Tenn./Sunkist Kids)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Zack Esposito (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jared Frayer (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Ben Askren (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Tyrone Lewis (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Kurt Backes (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Steve Mocco (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC)

Please direct all questions and comments to buxtoj@blair.edu.