Thomas Gilman, Forrest Molinari, and Kayla Miracle of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club competed in the Dan Kolov in Ruse, Bulgaria on February 28-March 2. This tournament was in the UWW Ranking Series where results will factor into seeds at the 2019 World Freestyle Championships in Kazakhstan in September.
After a first round loss, Forrest Molinari wrestled back to capture the bronze at 65 kg. Molinari defeated Maya Nelson of the USA 6-3 for the Bronze. Molinari is currently ranked #2 in the World at 65 kg.
Thomas Gilman dropped a 6-5 decision to Georgi Vangelov of Bulgaria in the first round. Gilman scored a takedown with less than ten seconds to go but it was not enough. Gilman was eliminated from the tournament when Vangelov was defeated the next round.
Kayla Miracle defeated 2018 World Bronze medalist (62 kg) Mallory Velte (USA) by Fall in the first round. Miracle then dropped a 2-2 match on criteria to 2018 World Bronze medalist (59 kg) Xingru Pei of China. After Pei lost, Miracle was eliminated from the tournament. This was a good showing for Miracle. Velte defeated Miracle 2-1 in matches at Final X to make the 2018 World Team. Miracle also came very close in the 2-2 Criteria loss to another reigning World Bronze medalist.
The Hawkeye Wrestling Club will be competing at the 2019 U.S. Open in Las Vegas on April 25-27.
Thomas Gilman – 57 kg
Loss Georgi Vangelov (Bulgaria), 6-5
Eliminated from the tournament with a Vangelov loss.
Forrest Molinari – 65 kg
65 kg/143 lbs. – Forrest Molinari (Iowa City, Iowa/TMWC/Hawkeye WC)
Loss Henna Johansson (Sweden)
Bronze Medal bout: WIN over Maya Nelson (USA), 6-3
Kayla Miracle – 62 kg
WIN by Fall over Mallory Velte (USA
Loss to Xingru Pei (China), 2-2
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
