Niko comes up short in Olympic bid

Former Superior Spartan Niko Bogojevic ended his quest for a place on the U.S. Olympic team with a loss in the semifinals of the challenge tournament Saturday at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials in Iowa City, Iowa.

Bogojevic, who wrestled in the 120 kg Greco-Roman tournament, defeated fellow Minnesota Storm team member Jake Kettler in the opening round, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0. In the second round Bogojevic was defeated by Michigan State wrestler Steve Andrus, 2-0, 0-1, 0-1.

Andrus went on to defeat Tim Taylor in the challenge tournament finals and faced 37-year-old Dremiel Byers in the 120 kg finals.

Byers, who represented the U.S. in the 2008 Olympics, had a bye into the final round as the top contender in the division. He won the first two matches in the best-of-three final against Andrus to claim his place on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.

Tags: sports, superior, wrestling