News - American Pankration

USA World Team Trials Qualifier in Oahu, Hawaii

Jeff Funicello, 202.5 Weight Class - Gold
Jeff Paulson, 176 Weight Class - Silver
Danny Kessler, 136.5 Weight Class - Gold

Patterson, Dolmo claim Beach World Team Trials titles in Rochester

2007 World Beach bronze medalist Carlos Dolmo (Bronx, N.Y./Blast Double NY) won the Over 85 kg/187.5 pound title, while Binghamton University wrestler Nate Patterson (Ontario, N.Y./Team Cook) claimed the title at Below 85 kg (187.5 lbs).

The top three placewinners at the U.S. Beach World Team Trials in each weight class earn a spot on the U.S. team which will compete in Durres, Albania, Sept. 20.

Dolmo won both of his matches by 2-0 shutouts, including a victory in the championship match over Mike Carroll (Lake Winola, Pa./Avalanche). Dolmo had defeated Carroll 2-1 in the U.S. Nationals finals on Saturday in the 302-pound division.

Dolmo plans to attend the World Beach Championships for the third time. He was third at the 2007 Beach Worlds, and fifth at the 2006 Beach Worlds.

“I remember last year,” said Dolmo. “I want to win the gold and bring it back to the USA. We’ve never had a Beach World champion. I want to be the first to accomplish that.”

Dolmo was pleased with his wrestling performance on both Saturday and Sunday. He has been wrestling on the beach for four seasons, competing in the first Beach events held in his native New York back in 2005.

“I wrestled well. I kept good position,” said Dolmo “My finals opponent was taller and bigger than me. I had to stay patient, find an opening and exploit that opening.”

Patterson, who will be entering his senior year at Binghamton, also had a strong weekend of wrestling. He won his first U.S. Beach national title on Saturday, claiming the 171-pound title.

Today, Patterson won three matches to capture the World Team Trials title. In the finals, he defeated 2007 World bronze medalist Jeff Funicello (Gilbert, Ariz./American Pankration) in a 1-1 referee’s decision. Funicello was the 187-pound national champion on Saturday.

“I came and watched last year, and it looked like fun,” said Patterson. “I came to try it out this year. Coming in, I wasn’t aware of all the rules, but I picked it up quickly. It is a blast doing this.”

Patterson defeated two other talented Beach wrestlers on Sunday. He stopped 2007 U.S. Beach Nationals champion Neil Cook (Rochester, N.Y./Team Titan) in quarterfinals, 2-0, then defeated 2006 World Beach bronze medalist Ray Downey (Babylon, N.Y./Razor WC) in the semifinals, 2-0.

“I had some tough guys,” said Patterson. “I didn’t change my style. I don’t do much upperbody wrestling. I tried to shoot and score like that.”

Patterson has been third at the CAA Championships twice in his career, and returns for his final season of college wrestling in the fall.

Earning spots on the U.S. World Beach Team with victories in their bronze medal matches were Trevor Chinn (Canandaigua, N.Y./Team Titan) at the Below 85 kg (187.5 lbs.) division and Matt Mahon (Rochester, N.Y./Apex WC) at the Above 85 kg (187.5 lbs.) division.

Chinn stopped Michael Proulx (Bath, Maine/unattached) in the bronze-medal match, 2-1. Chinn was second at the 2008 U.S. Beach Nationals at 171 pounds and was a U.S. Beach Nationals champion in 2006. Chinn competes for Lehigh University.

Mahon scored a 37-second pin over 2008 U.S. Beach Nationals champion Corey Waite (Team Cook) in the bronze medal match. Mahon was third at the 2007 U.S. Beach Nationals on Saturday at 302 pounds.

The first National Beach High School Duals was held on Sunday, featuring club teams of high school wrestlers. Claiming the team title, and the championship belt, was Team Titan/Worldwide, with a 4-0 record. The Beach Nuts placed second and the Cheeburger Cheeburger Team placed third. This event was a great success, and is expected to grow in future years.

U.S. BEACH WORLD TEAM TRIALS
At Rochester, N.Y., July 6, 2008

Under 85 kg/187.5 lbs.
1st - Nate Patterson (Ontario, N.Y./Team Cook) dec. Jeff Funicello (Gilbert, Ariz./American Pankration), 1-1, referee’s decision
3rd - Trevor Chinn (Canandaigua, N.Y./Team Titan) dec. Michael Proulx (Bath, Maine/unattached), 2-1
5th – Neil Cook (Rochester, N.Y./Team Titan) dec. Ray Downey (Babylon, N.Y./Razor WC), 2-1.

Over 85 kg/187.5 lbs.
1st - Carlos Dolmo (Bronx, N.Y./Blast Double NY) dec. Mike Carroll (Lake Winola, Pa./Avalanche), 2-0
3rd - Matt Mahon (Rochester, N.Y./Apex WC) pin Corey Waite (Johnson City, N.Y./Team Cook), 0:37

World medalists Funicello, Dolmo win U.S. Beach Nationals titles in Rochester

Jeff Funicello (Gilbert, Ariz./American Pankration) captured the 187-pound title and Carlos Dolmo (Bronx, N.Y./Blast Double NY) won the 302-pound class, adding national titles to their World medals from last summer.

Funicello won three matches, including a 2-1 victory over 2007 U.S. Beach Nationals champion Neil Cook (Rochester, N.Y./Team Titan) in the championship match.

Dolmo also won three bouts, including a 2-1 win over runner-up Mike Carroll (Lake Winola, Pa./Avalanche) in the finals. Dolmo won his second straight U.S. Beach Nationals title.

The top three placewinners in each Senior weight class earn a spot in Sunday’s U.S. Beach World Team Trials, which will also be held at Ontario Beach Park. There are two weight classes in the U.S. World Team Trials, Below 85 kg (187.5 lbs) and Above 85 kg (187.5 lbs.).

The top three placewinners at the U.S. Beach World Team Trials earn a spot on the U.S. team which will compete in Durres, Albania, Sept. 20.

Eight U.S. Beach National champions were crowned on the Senior level. One of the most impressive performances was at 171 pounds, when Nate Patterson (Ontario, N.Y./Team Cook) captured the gold medal. Patterson won all three matches, including victories over a pair of 2007 Beach National champions. Patterson defeated last year’s 176-pound champion Ray Downey (Babylon, N.Y./Razor WC), 1-0, and pinned last year’s 165-pound champion Trevor Chinn (Canandaigua, N.Y./Team Titan) in 1:45.

Chinn placed second and Downey placed third in the weight class, also qualifying for Sunday’s World Team Trials. Chinn defeated Downey in their matchup by referee’s decision in a scoreless match.

Other individual champions on the Senior level were Christopher Nakis (Rochester, N.Y./Rush Henrietta) at 139-pounds, Kevin Sackett (Webster, N.Y/Team Titan) at 158 pounds, David Bates (Tarrytown, N.Y./unattached) at 181 pounds, Josh Patterson (Ontario, N.Y./Team Cook) at 197 pounds and Corey Waite (Johnson City, N.Y./Team Cook) at 207 pounds.

A pair of women champions were determined on the Senior level, Anne Dinshah (Erie, Pa./Raging Raisins) at 102.1 pounds and Tanya Kusse (Webster, N.Y./Team Titan) at 132 pounds.

National titles were also determined on the Schoolboy, Cadet, Junior and Veterans levels.

Joe Bonaldi (Rochester, N.Y./Team Titan) claimed the 140-pound title in the Cadet division, winning a Cadet Beach National title for the second straight year. Bonaldi also won the 140-pound gold last year.

Also winning a Cadet National title at 103 pounds was Nick Cegleski (Rochester, N.Y./Team Titan). Cegelski was a Schoolboy Beach National champion last year at 100 pounds.

Team Titan won the Beach Belt Battle for the second straight year, winning the club title at the U.S. Beach Nationals. Team Titan had 13 individual champions in all the weight classes combined.

U.S. BEACH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Rochester, N.Y., July 5, 2008

Individual champions

Senior Men
139 - Christopher Nakis (Rochester, N.Y./Rush Henrietta)
158 - Kevin Sackett (Webster, N.Y/Team Titan)
171 – Nate Patterson (Ontario, N.Y./Team Cook)
181 - David Bates (Tarrytown, N.Y./unattached)
187 – Jeff Funicello (Gilbert, Ariz./American Pankration)
197 - Josh Patterson (Ontario, N.Y./Team Cook)
207 - Corey Waite (Johnson City, N.Y./Team Cook)
302 – Carlos Dolmo (Bronx, N.Y./Blast Double NY)

Senior Women
102 - Anne Dinshah (Erie, Pa./Raging Raisins)
132 - Tanya Kusse (Webster, N.Y./Team Titan)

Junior
129 – Adam Volo, Rochester, N.Y. (Team Titan)
148 – Tim Coughlin, Conesus, N.Y. (Team Titan)
161 – Josh Veltre, Rochester, N.Y. (Team Titan)
168 – John Velieri, Hilton, N.Y. (Chee Dynasty)
180 – Ethan Phillips, Sodus, N.Y. (Team Titan)
199 – Zack Shotwell, Rochester, N.Y. (Team Titan)
265 – Enzo Zagari, Rochester, N.Y. (Spencerport)

Cadet
103 – Nick Cegleski, Rochester, N.Y. (Team Titan)
125 – Chester Demaychick, Rochester, N.Y. (Gates Chili)
140 – Joe Bonaldi, Rochester, N.Y. (Team Titan)
149 – Alec Panipinto, Webster, N.Y. (Apex)
156 – Craig Scott, Lyons, N.Y. (Team Titan)
195 – Tim Jordan, Newark, Del. (unattached)

Schoolboy
95 – Benjamin Brooks, Rochester, N.Y. (Team Titan)
135 – Harlly Kusse, Webster, N.Y. (Webster)
140 – Josh Reed, Rochester, N.Y. (Webster)

Veterans
138 – Christopher Nakis, Rochester, N.Y. (Rush Henrietta)
186 – Joe Morone, Churchville, N.Y. (Team Titan)
252 – Jason Clarcq, Rochester, N.Y. (Team Titan)

Beach World medalist Funicello loves all styles of combat sports

Reference: Gary Abbott USA Wrestling, 07/01/2008,
http://www.TheMat.com.

You could safely call Jeff Funicello of the Sunkist Kids a veteran wrestler. When he competed in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Greco-Roman wrestling in Las Vegas a few weeks ago at the age of 37, it was the fourth time he had wrestled in an Olympic Trials. This is a man who loves to compete.

"It is always a great feeling," said Funicello about wrestling in the Olympic Trials. "It is always a rush and is very exciting. It was as exciting the fourth time as the first. It is an honor to be a part of it. The opportunity to attempt to be the guy at the Olympic Games is the pinnacle of your career. Knowing anything is possible is very exciting."

You could also call Funicello a combat sports junkie. Name the style of competition, and Funicello has tried in. In many cases, he also teaches it.

Last September, Funicello reached a personal life goal when he won a medal fot the United States at the World Championships. In the sand of Antalya, Turkey, Funicello won a bronze medal in the Under 84 kg/185 lbs. division at the World Beach Wrestling Championships.

In true Funicello style, wrestling on the Beach was not his only competition of the weekend. Funicello also entered the Grappling World Championships and the Sombo World Championships, all which were part of the World Wrestling Games in Antalya.

"I competed in all three styles at the Worlds last year," said Funicello. "Anytime you can compete under the flag of the United States is a great thing. To travel and be part of the USA team is an honor. I was also part of the first U.S. team competing in Grappling."

He had one of his best athletic performances at the Beach Worlds last year, working through a field of tough competitors to earn the bronze medal.

"I had one of the only overtime matches over there, wrestling against the guy who won the gold medal," said Funicello. "Wrestling in the sand takes more out of you than other styles. It slows you down and zaps you. There was some great competition there. Going home with a medal, after all the years training for the Olympics, was rewarding. It was great to compete at a World competition."

The three styles Funicello did in Antalya aren't the only ones he does. He has done all the styles of wrestling, including folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle. When he was young, he competed in judo, boxing and did some competitive kick boxing. At his club in the Phoenix area called American Pankration, Funicello now helps train athletes in Mixed Martial Arts.

His core sport is wrestling. Funicello was a high school wrestler who did folkstyle, and went on to compete for Arizona State. He also did freestyle when he was younger. It wasn't until late in college that he ever tried Greco-Roman. Yet, even while he was concentrating on wrestling, he already had an interest in other combat sports.

"When I was in college, I started with the Mixed Martial Arts," said Funicello. "I started American Pankration in 1990, five years before the UFC. I was always involved with boxing and kick boxing. I started mixing it together. I did what the ancient Greeks did. Pankration was the highlight of the ancient Olympic Games. Now, with MMA, they re-invented the wheel and called it something else. I did it for cross-training for my wrestling. We were doing MMA way back then at our club."

In addition to practicing all of these skills, Funicello also became an instructor.

"I started teaching it. I had a core of all of the disciplines. I brought all these guys together who had experience in all of them. When I was young, my dad got my brothers and I involved in different disciplines. At the club, I had good submission guys, a few boxers, a few kick boxers. I brought them in together," said Funicello.

It does not surprise Funicello that wrestling has become a dominant force in today's Mixed Martial Arts community.

"We run workouts like a wrestling practice. That is why MMA took off once the wrestlers got involved. A lot of the MMA programs today are run like a college wrestling practice or training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. They are using the same training practices now as wrestling does," said Funicello.

It is Greco-Roman wrestling where Funicello has had his major impact on the national scene, prior to his success last year on the beach. In addition to competing in four Olympic Trials, Funicello has placed in a number of international Greco-Roman competitions around the world.

"I didn't do any Greco until after college," he said. "I ran into Coach Roman Wroclawski. He got me into it. It helped having a guy who knew Greco-Roman well out here in Phoenix," said Funicello.

You can attend national wrestling competitions in all styles and you will see Funicello there, along his wife Jennifer. His passion for combat is shared.

"She always comes with me. She helps me relax and has been a big supporter of mine. She is a big confidence booster," said Funicello. "She is a flight attendant. Often, she can hop on a plane to see me compete. We stick around and see the sites often. Like last year. Turkey isn't always a first vacation destination. We get to see things we might not see otherwise."

The Funicellos are excited about something new in their lives this year. They are expecting their first child in December.

Funicello has been active in many styles already this year. In addition to the Greco-Roman he did during the Olympic qualifying process and the Olympic Trials, he also entered an Olympic Regional in freestyle. He will be among the competitors at the Beach Nationals this weekend in Rochester, N.Y. Funicello will then go to Hawaii, to compete in one of the USA Wrestling Grappling Qualifying events. It is his goal to compete at both the Beach World Championship and the Grappling World Championships this year.

Funicello is not sure when he will stop competing, but knows he will never stay away from combat sports.

"Even if I just coach, I won't just blow the whistle. I'll mix it up with the guys," said Funicello. "I lead by example. No matter how much longer I compete, I will still be active in training."

However, right now, Funicello still has goals and dreams as an athlete. He is always looking for a good battle.

"I never made an Olympic team as a wrestler. That kept me going. I figured I'd do something. For me, it is all about getting out there in any of the combatives. I love one-on-one combat sports," said Funicello.

American Pankration Fighters Jeff Funicello, Dave Spangler, and Chelcy Campbell Qualify for the Olympic Trials

U.S. Wrestling Coach Wroclawski Jailed

U.S. Wrestling Coach Roman Wroclawski was arrested by the Polish government in November for what he said was retribution for a book he wrote censuring Communist Poland's treatment of its athletes. Basically, the Communist Polish government was, in a way, retaliating for the leaking of their secrets by Coach Wroclawski. Olympic hopefuls Jeff Funicello, Dave Spangler, and Chelcy Campbell are counting on their coach. Check out the link below for the full story.

Jeff Paulson & Sean Faris

2008 Northwest Regional Olympic Trials in Greco-Roman

American Pankration Fighting instructor, Dave Spangler, wins title at the Northwest Regional Olympic Trials in Greco-Roman
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
03/30/2008

BATTLE GROUND, Wash. – Five athletes who compete for wrestling teams within the U.S. military were among the seven athletes to qualify for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials with victories at the Northwest Regional Olympic Trials in Battleground, Wash. on March 30.

Three members of the U.S. Air Force team captured gold medals: Anthony Brooker, (Philadelphia, Pa./U.S. Air Force) at 55 kg/121 lbs., Justin Millard, Laceyville, Pa. (U.S. Air Force) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and David Spangler (Iowa City, Iowa/U.S. Air Force) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Brooker defeated Marty Eng (Newberg, Ore./Newberg WC), 0-3, 3-1, 3-1 in the finals. Millard needed three periods to defeat Robby Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 1-3, 6-0, 1-1 in the finals match. Spangler (Iowa City, Iowa/U.S. Air Force) stopped Nigel Bond (Hood River, Ore./Clackamas), 9-4, 4-1 to capture the gold.

Two members of the U.S. Army team won individual titles: Brandon McNab (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Brad Ahearn (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 84 kg/185 lbs.

McNab stopped unattached Nathaniel Augustson in the finals, 4-0,1-1. Ahearn scored a dominant technical fall over Derek Rottenberg (Red Bluff, Calif./Red Bluff Olympic Club, 7-0, 6-0.

The two other individual champions were Eric Stevenson (Newberg, Ore./Newberg WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Mike Ellsworth (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

Stevenson, who competed at Oregon State and was a top high school star in Oregon, beat Aaron Navarrete (Temecula, Calif./Titan Wrestling Club), 1-1, 4-1.

Ellsworth, a veteran who has been ranked as high as No. 2 on Greco-Roman Team in the past, scored a technical fall in the finals, shutting out Kyle Wirkuty (Portland, Ore./Clackamas), 6-0, 6-0.

NORTHWEST REGIONAL OLYMPIC TRIALS
At Battle Ground, Wash., March 30

Greco-Roman medal matches

55 kg/121 lbs
1st - Anthony Brooker, Philadelphia, Pa. (U.S. Air Force) dec. Marty Eng, Newberg, Ore. (Newberg WC), 0-3, 3-1, 3-1

60 kg/132 lbs.
1st - Eric Stevenson, Newberg, Ore. (Newberg WC) dec. Aaron Navarrete, Temecula, Calif. (Titan Wrestling Club), 1-1, 4-1
3rd - Jonathan Floresca (unattached) inj. dft. Anthony Hayes (unattached)

66 kg/145.5 lbs
1st - Mike Ellsworth, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) tech. fall Kyle Wirkuty, Portland, Ore. (Clackamas), 6-0, 6-0
3rd - Matt Holt, Ashland, OR (SOU) inj. dft. over Matthew Goodman, Cleveland N.C, (U.S. Marines), 5-0, inj.

74 kg/163 lbs.
1st - Brandon McNab, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Nathaniel Augustson, (unattached), 4-0,1-1
3rd - Trevor Hall, Brush Prairie, Wash. (Dave Schultz WC) won by forfeit over Jason Robbins, Oviedo, Fla. (Sunkist Kids)

84 kg/185 lbs
1st - Brad Ahearn, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) tech. fall Derek Rottenberg, Red Bluff, Calif. (Red Bluff Olympic Club), 7-0, 6-0
3rd - Mike Tade (unattached) pin M.T. Ayers, Kennewick, WA (Tri Cities Wrestling Club), 7-0, 1:34

96 kg/211.5 lbs
1st - Justin Millard, Laceyville, Pa. (U.S. Air Force) dec. Robby Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 1-3, 6-0, 1-1

120 kg/264.5 lbs
1st - David Spangler, Iowa City, Iowa (U.S. Air Force) dec. Nigel Bond, Hood River, Ore. (Clackamas), 9-4, 4-1
3rd - Ken Lester, Oviedo, Fla. (Sunkist Kids) pin James Dixson (unattached), 1:23

For complete results, visit:
http://www.themat.com/results.php?page=display_results_style&ResultID=101026

"Congratulations to Jeff Funicello & Scott Garcia on their World Bronze Medals in Turkey!"

Jeff Funicello, Gym Partner & Master Instructor, was 1 of 4 to gain a Bronze medal Beach Wrestling World Championships for US as Teammate Scott Garcia, APFighting Judo & Sombo Instructor, was 1 of only 4 to also earn a Bronze medal in the Sombo World Championships for United States. Congratulations guys!

Read about Jeff Funicello

Read about Scott Garcia

Gray Maynard vs. UFC Newcomer Joe Veres at UFC Fight Night 11

Joe Veres, of American Pankration Training center, will fight Grey Maynard, a semifinalist on The Ultimate Fighter 5 who ultimately lost to Nate Diaz, at UFC fight night 11, on September 19th, 2007.

The two-time high school state qualifier and three-time NCAA Division II All-American is a former teacher who will soon begin studying for his Ph.D.

In his most recent fight, Veres picked up a TKO win over Ray Robinson at the February 2007 Rage in the Cage 91 event.

UFC Fight Night 11 takes place at The Palms Las Vegas and airs on Spike TV. It will likely serve as the lead-in for the upcoming welterweights-only season of The Ultimate Fighter. This sixth installment of the reality series will feature current UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra and former champ Matt Hughes as coaches.

For the latest UFC Fight Night 11 fight card, check out the UFC Rumors section of UFCjunkie.com.

Mario O Francis - MMA Boxing Trainer

We are excited to announce the newest addition to our staff, Boxing Coach Mario O' Francis, currently coaching boxing at APFighting every Monday evening, as well as private lessons!

You can find out more about Coach O below but to summarize, he trained Roy Jones Jr. for over 10 years and has trained Hasim Rahman, Loui Devalle, Ray Mercer, Al Cole, Charles Murray, and more. Coach O has also worked with numerous celebrities and was recently featured in the movie The System Within (http://www.thesystemwithin.com/ - you can see him in the trailer).

Coach Mario O Francis (trainer of champions) Summarized Resume

Coach O is interested in providing boxing training services to MMA and boxing champions. You can reach Coach O at (850) 501-5581 and you can view more information about Coach O by visiting http://www.muaythaiandboxing.com/web4.html. I've included some photos of Coach O below. Thank you for your time.

We're OPEN!! Come Check it OUT!

Click on the pictures below to see a close-up view.

Congratulations to SOKOUDJOU "AFRICAN ASSASSIN" & DAN "HEAVY HANDS" HENDERSON in their victories in Pride 33!

Dan now is the only fighter ever to Hold two weight class titles in Pride Fighting Championships!" Look forward to seeing these guys & a few others at our Grand Opening in Early March!

Click on the pictures below to see a close-up view.

Jeff & Dan training for Pride 33!!!

In subsequence & support of Dangerous DAN Henderson on his next fight, February 24th in Las Vegas, against Wanderlei….we're offering tickets for those who presign yearly memberships with American Pankration Fighting!! Come join us & help support our fellow fighter & Team Quest! Please call or contact us for further details