June 18, 2008

WASHINGTON - American University volunteer assistant wrestling coach Brad Vering will represent the United States this summer at the Beijing Olympic Games as a member of the Greco-Roman wrestling team. Vering won the 84 kg/185 lbs. weight class at this past weekend's Olympic Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., to earn his second-consecutive appearance on the Olympic Team.

"Brad is in a position to compete for an Olympic gold medal in Beijing and his experience gained in Athens in 2004 can lead him to accomplish great success," head coach Mark Cody said. "We are thrilled for Brad and are proud that he has been an integral part of American University wrestling."

In the finals Vering defeated Aaron Sieracki in a best of three series to capture the title. Vering won the first match of the series 1-1, 7-0, and then defeated Sieracki 6-0, 3-0 to close out the tournament. Earlier in the day Vering won two matches without allowing a single point scored to advance to the finals.

Vering will enter the Beijing Games coming off his strongest year ever in international competition. Last summer at the 2007 World Championships Vering led the U.S. Greco-Roman Team to its first-ever gold medal. Individually Vering took the silver medal in his weight class and was the highest finishing member of the U.S. team in the tournament. Vering also won the 2007 Pan-American Games and was named the U.S. Olympic Committee's Male Wrestler of the Year. Vering also competed in the 2004 Olympic Games where he lost his only match and did not place.

Vering joined the AU coaching staff prior to the 2006-07 season and was Josh Glenn's training partner before Glenn won the 2007 197 lbs. National Championship. Cody was an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska from 1987-2000 and coached Vering as a member of the Cornhuskers wrestling team. Vering was a three-time All-American at Nebraska and the 2000 197 lbs. National Champion.