Kyle Dake Takes Gold at the Cerro Pelado International in Cuba

This article is from 02/15/14

Kyle Dake's return to the mat yielded gold.

The four-time NCAA champion was sidelined after suffering an injury in Azerbaijan in late 2013, but he looked fully healed on Friday as he dominated his way to a championship at 74 kg/163 pounds at the Cerro Pelado International in Cuba.

Representing the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club and the Finger Lakes Wrestling Club, Dake began the freestyle event with two commanding victories over Canadians, beating Ryan Lue 12-2 and Cleo Ncube 10-0.  In the title match, he blanked Reinier Perez of Cuba by a 4-0 score.

Dake's former Big Red teammate, Frank Perrelli, also competed at the event, going 1-1.  He opened with a 10-0 victory over Chile's Andres Quispe before dropping a 3-1 decision to Zoheir Elouamque of France.

Former Long Island high school star Brandon Escobar nabbed fifth for Honduras, falling in the bronze medal bout to Steve Mytych of the United States.

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