Gutches, Couture Win National Titles
April 1997 in Florida

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Les Gutches and Randy Couture won titles in the freestyle and Greco-Roman divisions, respectively, at the U.S. National Wrestling Championships in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the weekend of April 25-26. Gutches and Couture are both assistant wrestling coaches at Oregon State.

Gutches beat Kevin Jackson of Gilbert, Ariz., in a 1-1 overtime referees' decision to win the freestyle competition in the 187 1/4-pound class. The match was tied 1-1 after overtime; however, Jackson was behind on passivity calls 2-1, making Gutches the winner.

Couture, wrestling in the Greco-Roman competition in the 213 3/4-pound class, won by technical fall (11-1 score) in 2:34 over John Oostendorp of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Couture was selected as the Most Outstanding Wrestler in the Greco-Roman competition. He won all but one of his matches in the tournament by technical fall.
Chad Renner finished fifth at 167 freestlyle. Chad Flack and Oscar Wood both competed and won matches but did not place.

Report from Chicago 1997

The results from Chicago at the University Nationals are as follows:

Chad Flack at 213 Greco -- 3rd
Jim Kutz at 167 Greco -- 3rd
Mat Orndorff at hwt freestlye and greco -- 5th

Jim Kutz and Chad Flack both qualified to compete at the Concord Cup International Greco Roman tournament May 30 with thier placings at universities.


[OSU Wrestling 1997]
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