The ESPNU channel in the U.S. will be airing both the Greco-Roman and men’s freestyle wrestling finals from the 2008 U.S. National Wrestling Championships this week.
The Greco finals will air Wednesday, May 14, beginning at 10 PM EDT. The men’s freestyle finals will air Thursday, May 15, also beginning at 10 PM EDT. Several replays are also scheduled.
ESPNU to air U.S. Nationals shows this week, with Greco-Roman on May 14 and freestyle on May 15
ESPN has notified USA Wrestling on the broadcast schedule plans for two complete shows from the 2008 Las Vegas/ASICS United States National Wrestling Championships this year to be aired on ESPNU.
ESPNU will broadcast a 90-minute show from the championship finals of the men’s freestyle competition.
ESPNU will also broadcast a different 90-minute show featuring the championship finals of the Greco-Roman competition.
The first airing of the U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals broadcast is tentatively set for Wednesday, May 14 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The first airing of the U.S. Freestyle Nationals broadcast is tentatively set for Thursday, May 15 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Check your local listings for the time and station in your area.
ESPNU has also tentatively scheduled four rebroadcasts of the wrestling shows.
The U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals will be rebroadcast on Friday, May 16 at 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time and on Saturday, June 21 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The U.S. Freestyle Nationals will be rebroadcast on Friday, May 16 at 4:30 a.m. Eastern Time and on Saturday, June 21 at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Serving as the play-by-play announcer for both U.S. Nationals shows is veteran broadcaster Van Stokes. Also on the broadcast team is Olympic and World champion Rulon Gardner, providing color commentary, as well as USA Wrestling National Teams Director Mitch Hull. Joe Miller will provide athlete interviews matside on each of the shows.
The nation’s best international wrestlers competed at the Las Vegas/ASICS United States National Wrestling Championships in all three styles in Las Vegas on April 24-26.
Champions from the U.S. Nationals earned the No. 1 seed at U.S. Olympic Team Trials in their style.
In freestyle, four of the U.S. Nationals champions earned a spot directly into the championship series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials: Doug Schwab of the Gator WC at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Mo Lawal of the Gator WC at 84 kg/185 lbs., Daniel Cormier of the Gator WC at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Tommy Rowlands of the Sunkist Kids at 120 kg/26.45 lbs.
In Greco-Roman, three of the champion a spot directly into the championship series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials: T.C. Dantzler of the New York AC at 74 kg/163 lbs., Justin Ruiz of the New York AC at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Dremiel Byers of the U.S. Army at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
All of the other U.S. Nationals champion will participate in the Challenge Tournament portion of the Olympic Trials.
ESPNU will be able to show most of the championship matches in their entirety. In addition, there will be interviews with the champions and other features.
Check local listings and visit TheMat.com for details of any schedule changes or additional airings.
Wednesday, May 14 – U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals, 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Thursday, May 15 – U.S. Freestyle Nationals, 10:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Friday, May 16 – U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals, 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Friday, May 16 – U.S. Freestyle Nationals, 4:30 a.m. Eastern Time
Saturday, June 21 – U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Saturday, June 21 – U.S. Freestyle Nationals, 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time
