Former Husker Jordan Burroughs seeking rare back-to-back golds

Olympic Wrestling Trials | Andrew Howe vs Jordan Burroughs, Match 2 | Full Match

RIO DE JANEIRO Jordan Burroughs chance of adding to his legacy has arrived.

The former Husker will try Friday to become the first freestyle wrestler since 1992 to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals.

Burroughs, the favorite in the 74-kilogram class (163 pounds), will face Augusto Midana of Guinea-Bissau in the first round. The quarterfinals and semifinals also will take place in the morning, while the medal round is slated to start at 2 p.m.

Burroughs was a two-time national champion for Nebraska. But since winning at the NCAAs in 2011, Burroughs has been virtually unstoppable on the international stage, winning world championships in 2011, 2013 and 2015 along with gold at the 2012 Olympics.

He breezed through the London Games, dropping one round and surrendering six points overall. He defeated Irans Sadegh Goudarzi 1-0, 1-0 to take gold.

I feel like Im a much better wrestler than I was four years ago, Burroughs said before leaving for Rio. Ive prepared in areas where I was weak in 2012. Its not going to be any easier (winning gold again). I just feel more prepared.

Nebraska coach Mark Manning is serving as a U.S. Olympic freestyle coach and as a personal coach to Burroughs.

Burroughs appearance marks the 11th time a former Husker wrestler has competed in the Olympics. Former Huskers have collected six medals, including golds from Burroughs four years ago and Rulon Gardner in 2000.

Former Loper seeks medal

UNK graduate and two-time NCAA Division II national champion Tervel Dlagnev wraps up his wrestling career Saturday by competing for the U.S. in the 125-kg (275 pounds) division.

Dlagnev will retire after this weekend as he has accepted an assistant coaching position at Ohio State.

Dlagnev is aiming to pick up his first Olympic medal. Four years ago, he won his first two matches before losing to the eventual gold-medal winner. Dlagnev finished fifth. He also finished with bronze at the 2009 and 2014 world championships.

Favorites in Dlagnevs weight class include Irans Komeil Ghasemi, Turkeys Taha Akgul, Azerbaijans Jamaladdin Magomedov and Russian Bilyal Makhov.

Maroulis first place is first for U.S.

It took a moment for Helen Maroulis accomplishment to sink in.

The American defeated Japans Saori Yoshida 4-1 in the 53-kilogram freestyle final to win the first gold medal for a U.S. womens wrestler and derail Yoshidas quest for a fourth straight gold. It evoked memories of Gardners victory over three-time gold medalist Aleksandr Karelin at the 2000 Olympics.

Maroulis celebrated Thursdays win by leaping into coach Valentin Kalikas arms, then running around the mat in a circle and gripping the American flag with both hands while it was draped over her back.

Yoshida was trying to become the second woman to win four Olympic golds in a single event across four Summer Games, and the second wrestler to win four Olympic golds.

Maroulis fell behind 1-0, but a takedown early in the second period gave her the lead for good.

Ive dreamed of this my whole life, Maroulis said. I put it on this pedestal.

Source: http://www.omaha.com/huskers/wrestling/former-husker-jordan-burroughs-seeking-rare-back-to-back-golds/article_d4686b72-7462-557e-ac64-253c8fed7370.html