May 21, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Spartan sophomore Franklin Gomez is set to compete in the University World Team Trials for freestyle wrestling on May 22-24 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Gomez finished second at 132 pounds at this year's University National Championships.

"This is a terrific opportunity for Franklin to get some high level wrestling competition," said MSU head coach Tom Minkel. "He is certainly in the mix with the best young wrestlers in the country."

The week will start with a training camp on Thursday (May 22) and conclude with the FILA Junior and University World Team Trials competition on Friday and Saturday (May 23-24). The winners in each weight class will earn a spot on the FILA Junior and University World Teams, and will compete at the World University Championships in Tessaloniki, Greece on July 9-13.

Champions of the University Nationals from the seven University World Championship weights also earn a bye to the finals of University World Team Trials, with the highest finisher from University Nationals getting an automatic berth if the champion isn't in attendance.

Gomez wrestled at 133 pounds for the Spartans this season (2007-08), and after taking the Big Ten title, he claimed third place at the NCAA Championships in March.

Full University World trials information, including schedules and participating wrestlers, can be found at www.themat.com