Win wouldn't have guaranteed spot in Beijing for Grajales

When Brandon wrestling phenom Eric Grajales failed to make weight Thursday to compete in the  55-kilogram/121 pounds Greco-Roman division at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials, his chances of making it to the Beijing Olympics took a severe blow. And not just because the competition was tougher in the 60-kilogram division, the class to which he moved.

Grajales went 0-2 Friday and was eliminated from the competition. But even if he had won the division title there is a good chance he might not have been able to compete in Beijing anyway. In fact, Grajales said Friday night he wasn't sure if he would have even made the trip to China. That's because, according to the official website of USA Wrestling (themat.com), the  U.S. has not qualified the 60-kilogram weight class for the Olympics (The U.S. does have an Olympic spot at 55 kilograms).

"There isn't a spot right now, but it's not done yet (at 60 kilograms)," Grajales said. "(The U.S.) could still get a wildcard (in that division) or a spot could open up if other teams have injuries."

Grajales, who as a junior at Brandon earned his third state title, went 58-0 and set a state-record with 53 pins, was disappointed in his results Friday, but tried to find the bright spot. "It was a good experience," he said. "And the next couple of years, this is probably the weight class I'll be wrestling at."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

[mattmat]

If you do a little more research, you will notice that a kid who graduated from high school this year is going to the Olympics. Don't limit the potential of kids. The Russians don't.

I am certainly not saying that there is not international competition in his future. I was actually just questioning the tone of the article, that appeared that he should be in the Olympics, when he is just a high school kid at this point.....

[douglaseagle]

You obviously have not ever seen Eric wrestle. The kid is an absolute and utterly astounding anomaly. He is a phenom. If he chooses to continue his pursuit of olympic gold, he will certainly achieve just that.

Isn't it a bit unrealistic to think that a kid who is still in high school can compete in the Olympics? It is wonderful that he qualifed to wrestle in the trials, but he has plenty of time to compete for the US in the future. I didn't realize this kid was so young....his Olympic dreams are still years away.