LAS VEGAS, NV - Equaling the highest performing finish by an undergrad at the US Senior Freestyle Nationals in the history of the University of Pennsylvania Wrestling program, Junior Doug Zapf placed third while working his way through a talented field of competition over the weekend. This marks the first time a Quaker placed in the top three was in 2001 when Yoshi Nakamura 'W02 took home the bronze medal.
 
"Doug continues to lead as a program pacesetter, providing an inspiring example for his teammates and our community," said Head Coach Roger Reina. "We are happy for Doug, and yet, not surprised based on his work ethic and commitment."
 
The US Senior Nationals is a qualifying tournament for the World Team Trials. The top seven place-winners at Senior Nationals have the opportunity to compete for a chance to represent the United States at the World Championships this Fall in Belgrade, Serbia. The top freestyle wrestlers in the country made their way to Las Vegas last week for the high-level competition.
 
Zapf, competing at 70kg, went 5-1 on the day, his only loss a 3-2 decision to Pan American Champion Alec Pantaleo from the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club. Along the way, he defeated NCAA Champion Anthony Ashnault, a graduate of Rutgers, and NCAA Finalist Sammy Sasso of Ohio State. 
 
Representing the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center(PRTC) at Senior Nationals along with Zapf were several of his teammates and Volunteer Assistant Coach Mark Hall. Hall is a resident athlete at the PRTC and had an outstanding performance while winning the championship at 86kg. 
 
"Mark has delivered exemplary performances competitively for the PRTC," says Reina, who is a founder of the PRTC, a leading regional Olympic Training center. "In his role as assistant coach, he just keeps getting better as a competitor and as a mentor while applying his incredible wrestling IQ."
 
Hall was nearly untouched in winning his second Senior National Championship at 86kg. Conceding just two points all weekend, he started the tournament with a pin followed by three consecutive tech-falls. "Takedown to turn was the key for Mark's dominance," said PRTC Head Coach Brandon Slay 'W98. "I'm very proud of his commitment to turning his opponents after every takedown." Hall outscored his opponents 36-2 on his journey towards winning gold.
 
Penn student-athletes Nick Incontrera (74kg) and Jake Hendricks (82kg Greco-Roman) also competed at Senior Nationals for the PRTC. Both went 3-2 at the tournament finishing out of medal contention. 
 
The U20 Freestyle Nationals were also contested this weekend in Las Vegas as part of the "US Open" for wrestling.  Penn Wrestling was represented by Kelly Dunnigan and Josh LaBarbera in the U20 division.
 
Dunnigan went 3-2 on the weekend and finished out of medal contention. LaBarbera competed in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. He went 2-2 and 0-2 respectively.
 
Next up for Penn Wrestling will be the U23 championships on June 3rd in Geneva, Ohio.

Penn Wrestling Results:
 
Senior Freestyle
 
Doug Zapf, 70kg
WIN Cameron Harrell, (Maryland), 11-3
WIN Anthony Ashnault, (Scarlet Knight WC), 6-2
WIN Michael Blockhus, (Gopher WC), 5-4
LOSS Alec Pantaleo, (Cliff Keen WC), 2-3
WIN Sammy Sasso, (Ohio RTC), 10-9
WIN Michael Blockhus, (Gopher WC), 4-1
 
Nick Incontrera, 79kg
LOSS Evan Wick, (Southern California RTC), 2-8
WIN Antonio Washington, Jr, (Bluff City WC), 10-0
WIN Quentin Perez, (California RTC), 16-15
WIN Jacen Peterson, (Mountain Man WC), 10-0
LOSS Alex Dieringer, (Cliff Keen WC), 0-11

Mark Hall, 86kg
WIN Gavin Kane, (Tar Heel WC), FALL
WIN Julien Broderson, (Iowa), 12-2
WIN Caden Steffen, (Mustang WC), 10-0
WIN Marcus Coleman, (Iowa), 10-0

Senior Greco-Roman
 
Jake Hendricks, 82kg
WIN Jamal Morris, (Cardinal Gibbons HS), 8-0
LOSS Tommy Brackett, (Tennessee), 4-9
WIN Javier Gomez, (Montwood HS), Injury
WIN Dracius McKee, (Spartan Mat Club), 10-1
LOSS Jacob Fisher, (Curby 3 Style WC), 0-9

U20 Freestyle
 
Kelly Dunnigan, 61kg
WIN Ethan Qureshi, (California), 8-4
WIN Alex Flerage, (Missouri), 10-0
LOSS Nic Bouzakis, (Pennsylvania), 0-10
WIN Cooper Birdwell, (Cowboy RTC), 4-2
LOSS Carter Bailey, (Lehigh Valley WC), 2-12

Josh LaBarbera, 86kg
WIN Luke Isaak, (Arizona), 10-0
WIN Chase Mielnik, (DMV RTC), 13-2
LOSS Gabe Sollars, (Maurer Coughlin WC), 2-13
LOSS Fernando Villaescusa, (Cyclone RTC), 0-13

U20 Greco-Roman
 
Josh LaBarbera, 86kg
LOSS Ryan Cody, (Greco-Roman Development), 0-9
LOSS Deanthony Parker, (Illinois), 1-7