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Posted on Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 5:02 p.m.

Michigan wrestler Kellen Russell gets 'wildcard' bid to Olympic Trials

By AnnArbor.com Staff

Michigan wrestler Kellen Russell received one of the final two freestyle wildcard selections for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials scheduled for April 21-22 in Iowa City, Iowa.

NCAA_Wrestling_Russell.jpg

Michigan's Kellen Russell competes in the NCAA Championships.

Associated Press

The fifth-year senior recently won his second straight NCAA title at 141 pounds and finished his career at Michigan with a 134-12 record. Russell will drop to 60 kilograms (132 pounds) for the trials, according to USA Wrestling.

Men’s freestyle wrestling had been awarded 10 wildcards for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and announced the first eight of them on March 25. Ed Ruth of Penn State earned the other wildcard announced Saturday.

MGoBlue.com reports that after graduating later this month, Russell plans to stay in Ann Arbor and train with the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Russell is one of four former Michigan wrestlers qualified for the Olympic Trials. Josh Churella and Tyrel Todd will compete in the 66-kilogram (145.5 pound) and 84-kilogram (185 pound) freestyle divisions, respectively. Joe Warren is expected to compete in the 60-kilogram (132 pound) Greco-Roman division.