May 14, 2002

Cleveland State wrestlers Rocco (121 lb.) and Phil (132 lb.) Mansueto have qualified for the 2002 U.S. World Wrestling Freestyle Team Trials to be held in St. Paul, Minn. The champions from each weight class will represent the United States in the 2002 World Championships of Wrestling in Tehran, Iran.

Rocco earned the honor by finishing sixth in the 2002 Senior National Championships at 121 lbs. In order to meet the Trials' qualifications, wrestlers must have placed within the top seven in each weight class in the Championships.

Phil earned a spot in the Trials thanks to his finish at the Northeast Regionals, despite coming in second in the 132 lb. weight class standings. However, since class winner Marat Tomaev is not a U.S. citizen, Phil was selected over him to wrestle in St. Paul.

In all, the field will consist of up to 200 of the nation's best freestyle, Greco-Roman and women wrestlers, including numerous World and Olympic medalists.

Twin brothers from Middletown, N.Y., the Mansuetos were both NCAA qualifiers this year.

The tournament features a two-day Challenge Tournament, to be held on June 21-22, and a Championship Finals series, which consists of a best-of-three series to be held on June 23.