LAS VEGAS, NV -- University of Iowa Assistant Wrestling Coach Doug Schwab earned a spot on the 2008 United States Olympic Freestyle Wrestling team by winning the 145.5-pound bracket at the Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, NV, last weekend. Schwab defeated former Hawkeye Bill Zadick in the championship match (1-0, 1-0; 1-0, 1-1, 2-1) to earn his first Olympic berth. In all, 10 wrestlers with ties to the University of Iowa competed at the three-day tournament.

"There were some tough times," explained Schwab about his development as a wrestler. "I came out for the U.S. Nationals five or six times, and I was fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh. Not until last year did I really have my break through. I always believed in hard work. Now it's just confidence. I can feel it out there. I'm just a more confident wrestler."

Iowa strength and conditioning coach Mike Zadick also won the 132-pound tournament bracket, but since the United States did not qualify that weight class for the Olympics he will have to wait for a wild card berth, which could be announced later this week. Zadick defeated Shawn Bunch of Gator Wrestling Club in the finals (3-1, 1-0; 0-3, 0-3; 0-2, 3-0, 1-0).

The rest of the freestyle Olympic squad includes Henry Cejudo (121), Ben Askren (163), Andy Hrovat (185), Daniel Cormier (211.5) and former Hawkeye Steve Mocco (264.5).

Hawkeye sophomore Brent Metcalf went 2-2 at the tournament, competing at 145.5. Former Hawkeyes Joe Williams (185, 1-2), Joe Johnston (145.5, 0-2), Eric Luedke (163, 0-2) and Lee Fullhart (185, 0-2) all competed in the freestyle tournament. Former Hawkeye David Spangler went 0-2 at 185 in the Greco-Roman competition.

The wrestling events for the 29th Olympic Games will be held August 12-21 at the China Agricultural University Gymnasium in Beijing.

U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Freestyle Championship Results
132 - Mike Zadick (Gator WC) dec. Shawn Bunch (Gator WC), 3-1, 1-0
132 - Shawn Bunch (Gator WC) dec. Mike Zadick (Gator WC), 3-0, 3-0
132 - Mike Zadick (Gator WC) dec. Shawn Bunch (Gator WC), 0-2, 3-0, 1-0

145.5 - Doug Schwab (Gator WC) dec. Bill Zadick (Gator WC), 1-0, 1-0
145.5 - Doug Schwab (Gator WC) dec. Bill Zadick (Gator WC), 1-0, 1-1, 2-1

264.5 - Steve Mocco (New York AC) dec. Tommy Rowlands (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1-0
264.5 - Tommy Rowlands (Sunkist Kids) dec. Steve Mocco (New York AC), 3-0, 1-0
264.5 - Steve Mocco (New York AC) dec. Tommy Rowlands (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 2-0

U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Freestyle Challenge Results
132 - Mike Zadick (Gator WC) dec. Michael Lightner (Sunkist Kids), 1-0, 1-0
132 - Mike Zadick (Gator WC) dec. Coleman Scott (Gator WC), 0-1, 1-0, 6-0

145.5 - Bill Zadick (Gator WC) dec. Joe Johnston (Hawkeye WC), 4-1, 2-0
145.5 - Bill Zadick (Gator WC) dec. Brent Metcalf (Gator WC), 1-0, 4-2
145.5 - Bill Zadick (Gator WC) dec. Chris Bono (Sunkist Kids), 0-1, 1-1, 3-0
145.5 - Zach Roberson (Sunkist Kids) dec. Joe Johnston (Hawkeye WC), 2-0, 3-0
145.5 - Brent Metcalf (Gator WC) dec. Jerrod Sanders (Wolfpack WC), 1-0, 1-2, 2-0
145.5 - Brent Metcalf (Gator WC) dec. Trent Paulson (Sunkist Kids), 0-3, 2-0, 2-0
145.5 - Jared Frayer (Gator WC) dec. Brent Metcalf (Gator WC), 6-0, 0-6, 1-0

163 - Keith Gavin (New York AC) dec. Eric Luedke (Hawkeye WC), 0-1, 6-0, 3-1
163 - Donny Pritzlaf (New York AC) TF Eric Luedke (Hawkeye WC), 7-0, 0-1, 7-0

185 - Chris Pendleton (Gator WC) dec. Lee Fullhart (Gator WC), 3-0, 4-2
185 - Tyrel Todd (New York AC) won by FF over Lee Fullhart (Gator WC)
185 - Joe Williams (Sunkist Kids) dec. B.J. Padden (Sunkist Kids), 4-1, 3-1
185 - Andy Hrovat (New York AC) dec. Joe Williams (Sunkist Kids), 3-0, 3-0
185 - Tyrel Todd (New York AC) won by injury over Joe Williams (Sunkist Kids)

U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Greco Roman Challenge Results
185 - Jake Plamann (Gator WC) pinned David Spangler (U.S. Air Force), 1:22
185 - Jacob Clark (Minnesota Storm) dec. David Spangler (U.S. Air Force), 5-0, 4-0

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