By Chris Kaftan
Media Director
SOFIA, Bulgaria - Andrew Patterson opened the wrestling competition for the United States with a match in the 66kg weight class against Bulgaria’s Plamen Donchev. In his first international competition, Patterson lost, 7-0.
“Andrew had a tough match, but he wrestled well,” head coach Thad Ferguson said. “I expect him to do better in freestyle competition on Thursday.”
Patterson, 18, started training in Greco-Roman wrestling just five months ago. For a grappler who is used to wrestling folkstyle – the American high school style of wrestling - Greco-Roman is a whole other ball game.
“It is a big learning curve for Andrew, going from high school folkstyle to international competition,” Ferguson said.
Patterson wrestles again at 2 p.m. (7 a.m. ET) Thursday in the freestyle wrestling competition at CSKA Stadium.
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