Several current Gopher wrestlers and incoming recruit Jake Deitchler (Ramsey, Minn.) were among those who competed last weekend at the 2008 U.S. National Championships and FILA Junior Nationals in Las Vegas, Nev.

Deitchler entered the Greco-Roman U.S. Nationals tournament unseeded but advanced all the way to the finals before losing to top-seeded Mark Rial. Deitchler’s performance earned him the right to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials next month.

Deitchler also finished atop the 66 kg/145.5 lbs bracket in the Greco-Roman portion at FILA Junior Nationals, which concluded last Wednesday.

“I’m going to wrestle hard and give it all I’ve got,” Deitchler said. “I’m trying to put myself in position to make the Olympic Team. I’m going to do everything I possibly can to get there.”

Deitchler will compete for the chance to make the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Greco-Roman wrestling June 13-15 in Las Vegas.

Several current Gophers competed and placed at FILA Junior Greco-Roman Nationals last week, including Joe Murphy (fifth at 63 kg/132.25 lbs), Joe Grygelko (fifth at 70 kg/154.25 lbs), Kaleb Young (first at 79 kg/174 lbs), Brandon Sitch (third at 79 kg/174 lbs) and Brent Eidenschenk (second at 84 kg/185 lbs).

In addition, four Gophers placed in the Freestyle portion at FILA Junior Nationals, including Zach Sanders (second at 55 kg/121.25 lbs), Sitch (sixth at 79 kg/174 lbs), Sonny Yohn (fifth at 84 kg/185 lbs) and Ben Berhow (second at 120 kg/264.5 lbs). The FILA Freestyle competition took place Saturday in Las Vegas.

Sanders lost a tight 1-0, 1-0 finals match to Logan Steiber of EBW in Pennsylvania, who was later named the Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament. Berhow was forced to injury default in his finals match against Dom Bradley of MO Elite.