May 10, 2004

CLEVELAND - Senior Russ Davie finished second in the Greco-Roman 120kg bracket at the Pan-American Championships over the weekend in Guatemala. Joining him at the Championships was assistant coach Brian Keck, who took bronze in the freestyle bracket at 120 kg.

"It's always neat to go and compete overseas, especially when we're competing with the best in the world," Keck said. "It was almost like the finals of the heavyweight were CSU against Cuba."

Both Keck and Davie competed against Cuban wrestlers in the gold medal match. Davie picked up two wins early in the championship over Andres Ayub of Chile and Sergio Primera of Venezuela before falling in the gold medal match to Mijial Lopez of Cuba. Keck, meanwhile, won his first three matches, defeating Edgar Becerra of Venezuela, Yordany Hernandez of Guatemala and Winchel Negron of Puerto Rico before losing to the top-ranked freestyle wrestler in the world, Alexis Rodriguez of Cuba. In an unusual twist, however, Keck was awarded the bronze medal, while Hernandez of Guatemala was given the silver based on the tournament scoring procedures.

"This just provides more experience to the program, and it sends a message to the younger guys coming up that Cleveland State wrestlers can be given the chance to represent the country at an international event," Keck said.

Davie will next compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on May 21-23 in Indianapolis, Ind., for a spot on the Greco-Roman team at this summer's Olympic Games in Athens. Keck has also qualified for the trials but will not compete due to an injury.