Rau wins spot on Greco World Team

RauWTT2014

Joe Rau, the 2013 NCAA Champion at 184 lbs. for Elmhurst, won five matches yesterday to secure a spot at 80kg on the US World Team in Greco-Roman. He will compete in the World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in September. He finished off the tournament with a two match sweep in the finals, winning a pair of 1-0 decisions over 2012 Olympian Ben Provisor in the finals. Rau has wrestled at 85kg and 96kg in the past, but made a tough cut to the non-Olympic weight of 80kg (176.4 lbs) a lighter weight than he wrestled at any point in college.

Round 1 – Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) decision over Patrick Martinez (Florida Jets) (Dec 4-2)
Quarterfinal – Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) decision over Jon Anderson (Army (WCAP)) (Dec 7-1)
Semifinal – Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) tech fall over Zak Benitz (Peacock Mat Club) (TF 10-1)
Finals Round 1 – Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) decision over Ben Provisor (NYAC) (Dec 1-0)
Finals Round 2 – Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) decision over Ben Provisor (NYAC) (Dec 1-0)

Match Video (requires FloPro): Quarters | Semis | Final 1 | Final 2

Anthony Bonaventura of Waynesburg also competed at 80kg, dropping both of his matches.