Feb. 1, 2010

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Illinois assistant wrestling coach and former three-time All-American Mike Poeta defeated 2009 World Team member Trent Paulson 3-0, 5-2 at the U.S. World Cup Wrestle-Offs at the U.S. Olympic Training Center on Jan. 22. Poeta likely will face Paulson's brother, Travis, on Feb. 17 for the spot on the U.S. World Cup team at 74 kg/163 lbs.

"Wrestling in the World Cup will be a huge accomplishment for me, right up there with anything I've done," Poeta said. "Whether or not I have to wrestle Travis, I have to earn my way onto the team."

Poeta will compete in the Cerro Pelado Granma international freestyle tournament in Havana, Cuba, on Feb. 19. Should he make the U.S. World Cup team, the World Cup for freestyle is March 6-7 in Mahachkala, Russia.