Wrestler Douglas Qualifies Again

Eight-time U.S. champion Melvin Douglas, who took seventh at the Atlanta Olympics, was the only Olympic wrestler to make the U.S. team Saturday in the championship rounds of the U.S. trials at Dallas.

Douglas, 36, of Mesa, Ariz., scored a 10-0 technical fall over the U.S. Army’s Dominic Black, who sprained his left knee during the match and defaulted.

Another member of the 1996 Olympic team still has a chance to advance. Les Gutches, the U.S. 187.25-pound freestyle champion, received an extension on his championship series until a time and date to be determined against Charles Burton, who defeated Lee Fullhart.

Two-time Olympian Matt Ghaffari failed in his quest for a third consecutive appearance, losing a referee’s decision after a 2-2 overtime tie with Rulon Gardner, who prevailed, 2-1, with another referee’s decision in the overtime finale.

Brandon Slay won the 167.5-pound freestyle division. He beat challenger Brian Dolph, 5-2 and 3-1, in the best-of-three championship series.

Five-time Armed Forces champion Steven Mays of the U.S. Navy was the first competitor to advance to the Olympics, sweeping his series with U.S. champion Brandon Paulson in the 119-pound Greco-Roman division.

Keith Sieracki of the U.S. Army defeated Matt Lindland two matches to one to earn the 167.5-pound Greco-Roman spot.

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Cindy Gentry worked as an official in the shooting events in the 1996 Atlanta Games. But she earned a trip to Sydney by winning the women’s trap title--and lone spot on the U.S. team--at the USA Shooting National Championships and Final Olympic Team Selection Match at Atlanta.

“This was really something to come back four years later and make the Olympic team,” she said.

Lance Bade and Josh Lakatos qualified for the men’s trap spots, repeating what turned out to be their medal-winning appearances from 1996. Lakatos won the silver and Bade the bronze at those Games.