randy.cruz@me.com May 8, 2011- LVAC Athletes Steve Mocco and Keith Gavin both made the finals at the 2011 Pan Am Championships in Rionegro, Columbia. Mocco upended his Cuban opponent in the finals 1-0, 2-0 in dominant fashion. The Cuban didn’t come close to scoring as Steve controlled his opponent as well as the mat, after pinning in his first 3 bouts.
Keith Gavin was not as fortunate in a rather wild finals bout against the Venezuelan. His opponent was on a hot streak as he beat the Cuban and other talented guys en route to the finals. In the first period Keith got pushed out to lose, 0-1. In the second he was up 3-0 (on a 3pt throw) which was then challenged, turning the score to 2-3. He then rallied to win the period 5-3. In the final period he was taken down near the end to lose 1-1. In international rules he who scores second wins if the score is tied. Keith’s bout results:
WIN Daniel Roca (Peru), 2-0, 6-0
WIN Alejandro Gallardo (Mexico), 6-0, 6-0
WIN Jeff Adamson (Canada), 4-2, 4-0
LOSS Jose Diaz (Venezuela), 0-1, 6-3, 1-1
The US Team faired fairly well and, while I can’t comment on each match, here is how everybody finished.
55 kg Sam Hazewinkel—2nd (lost to Cuban in finals)
60 kg Mike Zadick—dnp (Lost to Cuban rd 1 who did not make the finals)
66 kg Teyon Ware—2nd (lost to Cuban in finals)
74 kg Nick Marable—Champion (defeated Cuban in finals)
84 kg Keith Gavin—2nd (Lost to Venezuala in finals)
96 kg Dan Erekson—5th (was injured in the bronze medal match)
120 kg Steve Mocco—Champion (beat the Cuban in the finals)
All in all, a good trip. Headed out early in the morning with a lot of long layovers. Be back in Bethlehem at 11:10 pm tomorrow evening. See Ya! Kutz
