Ness’ dominant performance in Colorado Springs on Saturday clinched his spot in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Jayson Ness won the 65-kilogram title in freestyle at the Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Saturday, a victory that guarantees the former Gopher and 2010 NCAA champion a spot in the U.S. Olympic Team Trails this April.
Ness won the title in definitive fashion, allowing just one point throughout his four matches. Ness began his day with a pin at 1:47 of his first bout, before earning tech falls over fellow Gopher alum Nick Dardanes (12-1), Chase Pami (10-0) and, in the finals, Bernard Futrell (10-0).
Five other Gopher alums were in action on Friday and Saturday at the Olympic Training Center.
In Greco-Roman competition on Friday, Alec Ortiz placed third at 75 kilograms with a 3-1 effort. A semifinal loss to Corey Hope was the only hiccup for Ortiz on the day. Dylan Ness also wrestled Greco in the event, competing at 66 kilograms. Ness opened with a pair of victories before consecutive losses eliminated him from the field.
The freestylers took the mat on Saturday and the 65-kilogram bracket was rife with Gophers. Though he lost to Ness, Nick Dardanes put together a 3-2 tournament that included tech fall victories over both Jimenez Darnelio in the opening round and Michael Dunkum during wrestlebacks. Chris Dardanes also wrestled in the event but went winless. At 57 kilograms, Zach Sanders went 1-2 with an opening round tech fall before a pair of losses by decision.
Full match-by-match results for the six former Gophers in the field are below.
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Minnesota Match-by-Match Results:
Dave Schultz Memorial International Greco-Roman Results
66 kg Greco
Dylan Ness (2-2)
Champ Rnd 1: Dylan Ness tech fall Hector Castillo, 11-0
Quarters: Dylan Ness tech fall Jamel Johnson, 12-4
Semis: Alejandro Sancho dec Dylan Ness, 9-5
Cons Semis: Hayden Tuma tech fall Dylan Ness, 8-0
75 kg Greco
Alec Ortiz (3-1, 3rd Place)
Champ Rnd 1: Bye
Quarters: Alec Ortiz dec Jesse Porter, 6-2
Semis: Corey Hope tech fall Alec Ortiz, 10-0
Cons Semis: Alec Ortiz fall (5:10) Jefrin Mejia
3rd Place: Alec Ortiz dec Kamal Bey, 19-12
Dave Schultz Memorial International Freestyle Results
57 kg Freestyle
Zach Sanders (1-2)
Champ Rnd 1: Zach Sanders tech fall Reynhardt Louw, 10-0
Quarters: Stevan Micic dec Zach Sanders, 13-7
Round of 12: Ben Kjar dec Zach Sanders, 6-2
65 kg Freestyle
Jayson Ness
Champ Rnd 1: Jayson Ness fall (1:47) Michael Mitchell
Quarters: Jayson Ness tech fall Nick Dardanes, 12-1
Semis: Jayson Ness tech fall Chase Pami, 10-0
Finals: Jayson Ness tech fall Bernard Futrell, 10-0
Nick Dardanes (3-2)
Champ Rnd 1: Nick Dardanes tech fall Jimenez Darnelio, 10-0
Quarters: Jayson Ness tech fall Nick Dardanes, 12-1
Round of 12: Nick Dardanes forfeit Chris Dardanes
Cons Quarters: Nick Dardanes tech fall Michael Dunkum, 10-0
Cons Semis: Nazar Kulchytsky tech fall Nick Dardanes, 12-0
Chris Dardanes (0-2)
Champ Rnd 1: Dave Habat dec Chris Dardanes, 9-1
Cons Rnd 1: Bye
Round of 12: Nick Dardanes forfeit Chris Dardanes