Former IU wrestler places second at US World Team Trials

Former Hoosier and NCAA wrestling champion Angel Escobedo placed second Saturday in the 55-kilogram (121-pound) weight class at the 2013 United States World Team Trials in Stillwater, Okla.

Escobedo, now based out of Columbus, Ohio, and representing the New York Athletic Club, lost two consecutive matches in the best-of-three finals to former Lock Haven and Oklahoma State wrestler Obe Blanc, both by decision. Blanc defeated Escobedo in the finals of the same tournament in 2010.

By Saturday evening, he took to Twitter acknowledging the loss, writing, “I just want to be the best in the world. A loss won’t stop me from reaching that goal. Just thankful God let me compete today.”

Escobedo is IU’s most recent national champion in wrestling, taking the crown at 125 pounds as a sophomore in 2008. The  native of Griffith, Ind., was an All-American in each of his four seasons at IU and won the Big Ten title at his weight three times.

— Max McCombs