A trio of current University of Northern Iowa wrestlers earned trips to the Junior FILA World Team Trials May 23-24 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Panthers earned trips to the World Team Trials after placing in the top eight at the 2009 United States Nationals Freestyle tournament in Las Vegas on April 10-11.
Freshman Ryan Jauch (Crystal Lake, Ill.) placed third in the nation at 55 kg/121.25 lbs. Jauch won his final match by decision over Ladd Rupp (Perry Wrestling), 3-0, 3-0.
Sophomore Cruse Aarhus (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) took fifth-place honors in the 55 kg/121.25 lbs. bracket. Aarhus topped Jason Lara (Orange Crush Wrestling Club) in the fifth-place match, 2-2, 6-1.
Freshman Steven Fitzgerald (Fresno, Calif.) secured eighth place in the 60 kg/132.25 lbs. category. Fitzgerald dropped a 7-4, 8-2 decision to Anthony Valles (Cyclone WC).
Panther Wrestling Club coach Tervel Dlagnev tallied a second-place effort in the senior division.
Former Panther Moza Fay (Anamosa, Iowa) posted an undefeated mark in the qualifying tournament but was unable to place in the open division 74 kg/163 lbs. bracket.
