OU Wrestlers Impressive in Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Select University of Oklahoma freshmen wrestlers displayed impressive performances competing for Underdog Wrestling Club last weekend, April 9-11, at the FILA Junior National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev.

Highlighting the championships for Oklahoma was freshman Justin Forrest, as the Peculiar, Mo., native placed first in the 55 kg division. Forrest posted a 4-0 record, capped off with a 6-0, 4-1 best-of-three period win in the finals versus Demetrius Johnson of the Sunkist Kids. With the title, the Sooner freshman earned the No. 1 seed in the upcoming FILA World Team Trials held May 21-23 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Also on the mat for Oklahoma was Keldrick Hall, who took fourth at 96 kg with a 3-2 record. Erich Schmidtke placed fifth with a 5-2 record in the 84 kg division and Joe Bach scored a seventh place finish at 120 kg after a 3-2 showing.

At the U.S. Senior National Championships, Derek Peperas posted a 3-1 record in the first day of competition and qualified into the final day where he posted a 2-1 record at 74 kg. Shane Vernon and Eric Lapotsky each posted 2-1 records at 74 kg and 96 kg, respectively.

Additionally, Underdog Wrestling club coach David Bertolino also competed in the U.S. Senior National Championships, earning fourth place with a 6-3 mark against competition. With his performance, Bertolino qualified for the U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa, held May 30-31.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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