Document text
Gutches wins gold; U.S. rips Cuba The Associated Press WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Les Gutches had a little less excitement Wednesday but posted similar results in winning one of six U.S. gold medals in wrestling at the Pan American Games. The former South Medford High and Oregon State standout got into a shoving match with Cuban rival Yoel Romero in one of three wins on Tuesday. In Wednesday's final, Gutches let his wrestling talents do all the talking as he controlled the action for a 6-1 win at 85 kilos over Gary Holmes of Canada. The 1997 World Champion notched a three-point takedown with exposure early in the second period to gain the upper hand and post his fourth win against no losses at the international tournament. The Americans got the best of the Cubans five times in freestyle wrestling. U.S. gold medalists were Cary Kolat at 63 kilograms; Lincoln McIlravy at 69 kilos; Joe Williams at 76; Dominic Black at 97; and Stephen Neal at 130. Neal beat world champion Alexis Rodriguez, rallying from a 6-1 deficit to win 8-7 on a takedown with 20 seconds left. In other Pan Am action, Marcus Jensen's three-run homer sparked a five-run ninth as the U.S. team stunned Cuba 10-5 in the pool round. It was the Americans' first victory over the world power in a major competition in 12 years. "Right now the guys are finally understanding the importance of these games. Each one is so critical. This is the way baseball should be played on a regular basis," Jensen said after the U.S. clinched a berth in the quarterfinals of the nine-team tournament. The victory also soothed some of the pain from an opening 7-6 loss to Canada, a game the Americans led 6-3 in the 11th inning. And it showed the United States has as good a shot as anyone to make the baseball finals here, which would secure a berth in the 2000 Olympics. The Americans and Cubans are both 2-1 in the four-game pool series, with the quarterfinals set for Saturday. Canada leads the group with a 3-0 mark after beating Mexico 3-1. Canada passed Cuba for total medals, but trails the United States by 41. The Americans have 43 golds, 42 silvers and 28 bronzes for 113. Canada has 21 gold medals and 72 overall, while Cuba has 26 golds and 67 overall. Defections and ejections were the story elsewhere. Two more Cubans -- softball coach Jose Mendez and a shooter -- have sought asylum in Canada, according to sources close to the Cuban team. They left the delegation earlier this week, said the sources, who would not provide the shooter's name. They were the third and fourth Cubans to seek asylum at the games. Pistol shooter Abel Juncosa Reyes asked for asylum before the games got started. Reporter Lisette Cepero of Radio Rebelde also has sought to defect. Soccer turned ugly when police had to rush in to rescue referee Rich Grady, who ejected four Guatemalans and both coaches in Canada's 2-1 victory. Several players from Guatemala rushed toward a retreating Grady following the final ejection. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.