Grajales fifth at U.S. Nationals; qualifies for U.S. Olympic Team Trials

Brandon wrestler Eric Grajales continues to impress -- and add to his growing legacy as one of the best grapplers this area has ever produced. On Friday in Las Vegas, the high school junior placed fifth in the 121-pound Senior Men's Greco-Roman division at the U.S. Nationals, and by doing so qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The top seven in each category moved on. You can find Grajales' bracket from the event HERE.

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials take place June 12-15 in Las Vegas and will determine what athletes will travel to compete at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Grajales won his first two matches to advance to the quarterfinals, then lost to eventual champion Spenser Mango, forcing him into the consolation bracket, where he won three of four matches to earn a spot at the trials. His technical fall win over Jimmy Chase clinched the fifth-place finish.

Grajales' success at the national level surprises few. This past season at Brandon, he won his third state championship (at 130 pounds), finished 58-0 and set a state record for pins in a season with 53 (the old record was 43). For his efforts, Grajales was named the Times' Wrestler of the Year (story HERE). Most of the top college wrestling programs are recruiting him.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA & KEITH NIEBUHR