Paul Kenny upsets World Champ Dominic Munaretto at U17 World Team Trials
U17
Christian Castillo and Zach Ryder repeat as U17 Freestyle World Team Trials Champs, Ben Davino defeats Jax Forrest, Arvin Khosravy repeats as titlist in Greco Roman
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The U17 World Team Wrestling Trials were held this weekend at South Point Arena in Las Vegas. The “Big Boys” waited for freestyle to make their appearance for the most part. The Greco Roman brackets were sprinkled with ranked grapplers, but the freestyle version of the weight classes was stacked.
Of the Olympic or International disciplines, Freestyle is the more popular. Greco Roman is something like the stepchild, it’s there, but most ignore it. Freestyle is also closer to the Folkstyle we see in high school wrestling and is the easier format to transition to.
This dichotomy can be seen in who reached the finals in each style. The Freestyle finals were loaded with blue chip, household names, while the Greco Roman field had a lot of guys that don’t fall into the rankings but excel as they are Greco Roman specialists.
The finals of the trials are done in a best of three format, with each match consisting of two periods that are two minutes each. This format is used for Freestyle and Greco Roman.
Only three wrestlers reached the finals in both tournaments, Dreshaun Ross (IA, No. 15 at 190) at 92 KG, Nicholas Sahakian (CA, No. 17 at 285) at 110 KG, and De’ Alcapon Veazy (IN, Honorable Mention at 175) at 80 KG. Ross and Sahakian won Greco titles but failed in their attempts to double down on championships. Veazy was a runner-up in both.
Ross made quick work of Aiden Cooley (TX) in his Greco final, posting identical 9-0 tech fall in 1:13 and 1:19. Sahakian also used two first period technical falls, 8-0 (:45) and 9-0 (1:27). In Greco Roman, an eight-point advantage is needed for a tech, compared to ten for freestyle.
Veazy won his first bout with Adam Waters (PA, No. 20 at 175) 6-0. Their second match was a nailbiter won by Waters, 1-1. In the rubber match, Waters posted his own 6-0 victory to claim the crown at 80 KG. This was the only matchup to go the distance in Greco, all the others were won in two straight.
Veazy dropped his freestyle final to defending champion, Zach Ryder (NY, No. 3 at 175), who is a World Bronze medalist. The first match was competitive, resulting in a 4-1 decision for Ryder. In the follow-up encounter, Ryder throttled Veazy with a 10-0 tech fall in 44 seconds.
Sahakian’s showdown with Sampson Stillwell (MO, No. 16 at 285) was the only bout of the freestyle slate to use all three engagements. In Greco Roman, Sahakian beat Stillwell, 9-6, in their semifinal.
Stillwell authored a quick 10-0 tech to open this encounter. Sahakian won the middle match 6-1 to force the tiebreaker, which was the closest battle the two had, with Stillwell gaining a late point for the 2-1 victory.
Ross appeared to be on the way to another championship run, jumping out to a 3-0 lead after the first period against Aeoden Sinclair (WI, No. 5 at 215). Sinclair did not fold, though, and he mounted a comeback that saw him win 3-3 on criteria. There would be no drama in the second meeting as Sinclair used a takedown to the back to pin Ross in the first frame, 1:08.
Arizona’s Christian Castillo (No. 3 at 113), a World Silver medalist, was the second repeat champ in U17 freestyle. Castillo (51 KG) swept Illinois’ Seth Mendoza (No. 6 at 113), 3-1 and 8-5.
Paul Kenny (New Jersey) made some noise at the National Freestyle Duals when he downed Aaron Seidel (PA, No. 5 at 113), 4-4 on criteria. The middle school grappler made a bigger splash in Saturday's 48 KG semis when he shocked the defending World Champ, Dominic Munaretto (IL, No. 1 at 106), 4-3.
Kenny kept the momentum going in the finals, taking out fellow middle schooler, Grey Burnett (Ohio). The initial match was tight, ending in a 5-3 edge for Kenny. As the second match got underway, Kenny came out strong, pushing the pace right away. That aggressiveness keyed a 7-2 win.
A World Silver medalist fell in the 60 KG final as Jax Forrest (PA, No. 3 at 132) was handed two one-sided defeats at the hands of Illinois’ Ben Davino (No. 2 at 132). The opener started out in Davino’s favor and ended with an 8-1 tally. The second was closer, but still easily in favor of Davino, 5-1.
California’s Brock Mantanona (No. 7 at 144) was seeded sixth at 65-kilos. To reach the gold medal match, Mantanona beat the No. 2 seed, Logan Paradice (TN), 9-3, and the three seed, Tyson Charmoli (MN, No. 24 at 138), 14-5. The two matches with Kollin Rath (PA, No. 5 at 144) in the finals were action packed.
Mantanona’s 12-4 win in the first round seems a little misleading as the match felt closer than that, and it was until a late flurry led to a big move for the Californian. The sequel was more of a one-way affair with Mantanona posting an 8-1 win.
Vince Bouzakis (PA, No. 19 at 144) is a wrestler who enjoys moving around in weight. During the high school season, Bouzakis was as low as 138lbs and as high as 150lbs. Bouzakis won a PA state title at 145 and recently competed at 67 KG (148lbs) at the Elite 8 Duals.
For the trials, Bouzakis was up at 71 KG (156lbs) where he reached the finals before falling to Oklahoma’s Ladarion Lockett (No. 4 at 157). Their first match ended 3-3 with Lockett the winner. The second was close until the very end when Lockett exploded for a four point move to open up the scoring and win 7-2.
The 55 KG final was a star-studded affair with the fifth seeded Anthony Knox (NJ, No. 3 at 120) squaring off with the No. 3 seed, Ohio’s Marcus Blaze (No. 2 at 120). Bo Bassett (PA, No. 1 at 120) was the top seed here but was picked off by California’s Elijah Cortez (No. 24 at 120), 5-3, in the quarters. Bassett came back to take fourth place.
Knox dropped Cortez 5-2 in the semis and fourth seeded Jordyn Raney (KY, No. 8 at 120) in his quarter final bout. Blaze took out Jordyn’s brother, Jayden Raney (No. 8 at 113), who was the No. 2 seed, 5-2, in their semi-final. Both of their finals bouts were close with Blaze posting wins of 3-2 and 4-2.
The 45 KG title was claimed by Colorado’s Ignacio Villasenor with a 6-2 win followed by an 11-0 tech fall of Pennsylvania’s Kavin Muyleart. Villasenor upset Wisconsin’s Haakon Peterson (No. 3 at 106), 5-2, in the semis.
Circling back to the Greco tournament. At 51 KG, Hudson Loges (NE, No. 15 at 113) was the only No. 1 seed to win it all. Loges rolled to a 9-0 tech, then defeated second seeded Czar Quintanilla (WA), 9-3.
California’s Arvin Khosravy, who was the fifth seed, was the only repeat champion as he disposed of Colorado’s Leister Bowling IV, 7-2 and 4-1. Khosravy was fifth at last year’s Worlds.
55 KG provided some radical upsets. The big one was unranked Jackson Heslin, who is a former Pan Am Gold Medal winner in Greco, putting up a 10-0 tech fall in 1:21 over Bo Bassett. Bassett did not place, while Heslin landed in the fourth spot, dropping his bronze bout to California’s Isaiah Cortez, 5-0.
55 Kilos was won by Kentucky’s Jordyn Raney (No. 8 at 120), who pinned Heslin in the second period, 3:11, while losing 6-3 in the semis. The fourth seeded Raney dropped Elijah Cortez, 6-0 and 9-0, for the crown. Cortez, who was the seventh seed, downed the No. 2 seed, Jayden Raney, 8-0, in the quarters.
Pennsylvania’s Sam Herring is really breaking out this spring. After a series of big wins at the Elite 8 Duals and Ultimate Club Duals, Herring added the 60 KG title to his growing resume. Herring (No. 16 at 132) blanked Idaho’s Matthew Martino (HM at 132) by tech two-times, 10-0 and 9-0. Herring, the fourth seed, picked off top seeded Thomas Verrette (CO) by fall, 1:22, in the semis.
65 KG was an all-Colorado showdown with Billy Greenwood getting by Garrett Reece by scores of 8-5 and 5-4. The 48 KG title was won by Lincoln Sledzianowski (PA) by pin (1:31) and tech (8-0) over Kansas’ Ezekiel Witt.
Unseeded Henry Aslikyan (CA) won his two matches with Wisconsin’s Peterson by the same score, 7-4.
The champions in both styles will compete at the World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey from July 31st to August 6th.
U17 Men’s Freestyle World Team Trials Results
45 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Ignacio Villasenor (Pomona Elite) defeats Kavin Muyleart (American Dream WC), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Villasenor dec. Muyleart, 6-2
Bout 2 – Villasenor tech. fall Muyleart, 11-0
3rd – Henry Aslikyan (Birmingham Community Charter High School Wrestling) dec. Haakon Peterson (Askren Wrestling Academy), 2-1
5th – Cameron Sontz (Edge Wrestling) tech. fall Caleb Noble (Toss Em Up Wrestling Academy), 10-0
7th – Mac Crosson (Sebolt Wrestling Academy) tech. fall Liam Collins MN (Pinnacle Wrestling Club), 13-2
48 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Paul Kenny (New Jersey) defeats Grey Burnett (Perrysburg WC), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Kenny dec. Burnett, 5-3
Bout 2 – Kenny dec. Burnett, 7-2
3rd – Domenic Munaretto (Illinois) dec. Lincoln Sledzianowski (Pennsylvania), 4-2
5th – Ezekiel Witt (Junction City High School Wrestling) tech. fall Dominic Deputy (Pennsylvania), 19-8
7th – Eric Casula (Oklahoma) dec. Saxton Scott (Bonneville High School Wrestling), 6-4
51 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Christian Castillo (Thorobred WC) defeats Seth Mendoza (Region Wrestling Academy), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Castillo dec. Mendoza, 3-1
Bout 2 – Castillo dec. Mendoza, 8-5
3rd – Landon Sidun (Knights WC) dec. Ayden Smith (Lost Boys WC), 6-5
5th – Keanu Dillard (Steller Trained Wrestling) dec. Aydan Thomas (Cowboy WC), 2-0
7th – Cadell Lee (Integrity Wrestling Club) tech. fall Czar Quintanilla (Inland Northwest Wrestling Training Center), 11-0
55 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Marcus Blaze (Perrysburg WC) defeats Anthony Knox (Rhino Wrestling LLC), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Blaze dec. Knox, 3-2
Bout 2 – Blaze dec. Knox, 4-2
3rd – Isaiah Cortez (Gilroy High School Wrestling) dec. Bo Bassett (Bishop McCort High School Wrestling), 4-1
5th – Elijah Cortez (Gilroy High School Wrestling) forfeit Jayden Raney (Union County High School Wrestling)
7th – Edwin Sierra (Poway Wrestling) dec. Jackson Blum (Michigan), 9-6
60 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Benjamin Davino (St. Charles WC) defeats Jax Forrest (Bishop McCort), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Davino dec. Forrest, 5-1
Bout 2 – Davino dec. Forrest, 8-1
3rd – Cooper Hilton (Boom Ranch WC) dec. Sam Herring (Bishop McCort High School Wrestling), 4-2
5th – Landon Robideau (MN Elite WC) dec. Matthew Botello (Massachusetts), 5-4
7th – Jesse Grajeda (Sunkist Kids/Monster Garage) tech. fall Joshua Requena (Beat The Streets - Los Angeles), 10-0
65 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Brock Mantanona (Coachella Valley WC) defeats Kollin Rath (Steller Trained Wrestling), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Mantanona dec. Rath, 12-4
Bout 2 – Mantanona tech. fall Rath, 10-0
3rd – Gabriel Bouyssou (Mayo Quanchi WC) tech. fall Logan Paradice (The Storm Wrestling Center), 10-0
5th – Kane Naaktgeboren (Big Game WC) dec. Tyson Charmoli (Pinnacle WC), 10-4
7th – Gavin Linsman (Missouri) tech. fall Brock Weiss (M2 Training Center), 13-2
71 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Ladarion Lockett (Cowboy WC) defeats Vince Bouzakis (Pennsylvania), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Lockett dec. Bouzakis, 3-3
Bout 2 – Lockett dec. Bouzakis, 7-2
3rd – Kody Routledge (Dark Horse WC) dec. Kyler Knaack (Immortal Athletics WC), 9-1
5th – Christopher Crawford (KD Training Center) dec. Jake Stoffel (Askren Wrestling Academy), 9-2
7th – Claudio Torres (Spartan RTC FL) dec. Bode Marlow (Knights WC), 8-0
80 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Zack Ryder (M2 Training Center) defeats De'alcapon Veazy (Legends of Gold Wrestling), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Ryder dec. Veazy, 4-1
Bout 2 – Ryder tech. fall Veazy, 10-0
3rd – Adam Waters (Steller Trained Wrestling) dec. Bryce Burkett (Pinnacle WC), 1-1
5th – Jordan Chapman (New Jersey) dec. Brent Slade (Moen Wrestling Academy), 12-4
7th – Peter Snyder (McDonald Wrestling Academy) inj. def. Jarrel Miller Jr (Eagle Club)
92 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Aeoden Sinclair (Askren Wrestling Academy) defeats Dreshaun Ross (Sebolt Wrestling Academy), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Sinclair dec. Ross, 3-3
Bout 2 – Sinclair fall Ross, 1:08
3rd – Karson Tompkins (Warrior Trained Wrestling) dec. Jay Henderson (Sanderson Wrestling Academy), 10-10
5th – Aiden Cooley (Allen High School Wrestling) dec. Melvin Whitehead (Gold Rush Wrestling), 6-2
7th – Vincenzo Lavalle (Edge Wrestling) dec. Carson Gooley (Team Idaho WC), 10-5
110 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Sampson Stillwell (Kobra Kai Training) defeats Nicholas Sahakian (Sunkist Kids/Monster Garage), two matches to one
Bout 1 – Stillwell tech. fall Sahakian, 10-0
Bout 2 – Sahakian dec. Stillwell, 6-1
Bout 3 – Stillwell dec. Sahakian, 2-1
3rd – Rocco Dellagatta (New York AC) tech. fall Jacob Levy (Georgia), 11-0
5th – Kai Calcutt (Toss Em Up Wrestling Academy) fall Adam Farha (Poway High School Wrestling), 2:46
7th – Marko Ivanisevic (Izzy Style Wrestling) inj. def. Chase Baker (Takedown Express WC)
U17 Men’s Greco-Roman World Team Trials Results
45 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Henry Aslikyan (California) defeats Haakon Peterson (Wisconsin), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Aslikyan dec. Peterson, 7-4
Bout 2 – Aslikyan dec. Peterson, 7-4
3rd – Cameron Sontz (New Jersey) dec. Caleb Noble (Illinois), 6-1
5th – Liam Collins (Minnesota) tech. fall Jose Cordero (Tennessee), 8-0
7th – Cason Craft (Oklahoma) fall Gavin Pongsai (California), 2:48
48 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Lincoln Sledzianowski (Pennsylvania) defeats Ezekiel Witt (Kansas), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Sledzianowski fall Witt, 1:31
Bout 2 – Sledzianowski tech. fall Witt, 8-0
3rd – Grey Burnett (Ohio) dec. Eric Casula (Oklahoma), 3-0
5th – Isaiah Harrison (Colorado) fall Saxton Scott (Idaho), 1:56
7th – Cole Welte (Nebraska) tech. fall Max Francisco (Alaska), 9-0
51 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Hudson Loges (Nebraska) defeats Czar Quintanilla (Washington), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Loges tech. fall Quintanilla, 9-0
Bout 2 – Loges dec. Quintanilla, 9-3
3rd – Kody Tanimoto (Texas) tech. fall Boden Banta (Idaho), 11-3
5th – Jeremiah Wachsmuth (Oregon) dec. Brodie Christmas (Alabama), 4-2
7th – Titan Friederichs (Minnesota) tech. fall Revin Dickman (Indiana), 10-2
55 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Jordyn Raney (Kentucky) defeats Elijah Cortez (California), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Raney dec. Cortez, 6-0
Bout 2 – Raney tech. fall Cortez, 9-0
3rd – Isaiah Cortez (California) dec. Jackson Heslin (Connecticut), 5-0
5th – Isaac Hampton (Oregon) forfeit Jayden Raney (Kentucky)
7th – Edwin Sierra (California) dec. Timothy Koester (Iowa), 7-0
60 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Sam Herring (Pennsylvania) defeats Matthew Martino (Idaho), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Herring tech. fall Martino, 10-0
Bout 2 – Herring tech. fall Martino, 9-0
3rd – Thomas Verrette (Colorado) dec. Manuel Saldate (Nevada), 4-3
5th – Derek Barrows (Colorado) tech. fall Wyatt Medlin (Illinois), 9-0
7th – Kenton Cooke (Alaska) dec. Hoyt Hvass (Idaho), 7-6
65 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Billy Greenwood (Colorado) defeats Garrett Reece (Colorado), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Greenwood dec. Reece, 8-5
Bout 2 – Greenwood dec. Reece, 5-4
3rd – Gabriel Bouyssou (Rhode Island) tech. fall Colton Weiler (Wisconsin), 12-4
5th – Nathaniel Askew (Georgia) dec. Emil Necula (Georgia), 7-3
7th – Israel Acosta (Washington) tech. fall Gabriel Delgado (Nevada), 9-0
71 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Arvin Khosravy (California) defeats Leister Bowling IV (Colorado), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Khosravy dec. Bowling IV, 7-2
Bout 2 – Khosravy dec. Bowling IV, 4-1
3rd – Vince Bouzakis (Pennsylvania) dec. Aliaksandr Kikiniou (California), 4-2
5th – Hunter Sturgill (Tennessee) dec. Benjamin Smith (Maryland), 5-1
7th – Christopher Creason (Virginia) fall Bronson Baxter (Texas), 3:53
80 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Adam Waters (Pennsylvania) defeats De'alcapon Veazy (Indiana), two matches to one
Bout 1 – Veazy dec. Waters, 6-0
Bout 2 – Waters dec. Veazy, 1-1
Bout 3 – Waters dec. Veazy, 6-0
3rd – Aidan Squier (Connecticut) dec. Hudson Rogers (Idaho), 5-0
5th – Brent Slade (Iowa) dec. Bryce Burkett (Minnesota), 4-0
7th – Gavin Blondeaux (Nevada) tech. fall Damarion Ross (Iowa), 11-0
92 kgBest-of-three championship series
Dreshaun Ross (Iowa) defeats Aiden Cooley (Texas), two matches to none
Bout 1 –Ross tech. fall Cooley, 9-0
Bout 2 – Ross tech. fall Cooley, 9-0
3rd – Brennan Carey (Missouri) fall Cittadino Tuttle (Minnesota), 9-
5th – James Humphrey (Missouri) dec. Mason Ellis (Alabama), 6-2
7th – Jayden Tadeo-Gosal (California) tech. fall Jason Singer (Pennsylvania), 13-4
110 kg
Best-of-three championship series
Nicholas Sahakian (California) defeats Trayvn Boger (Utah), two matches to none
Bout 1 – Sahakian tech. fall Boger, 8-0
Bout 2 – Sahakian tech. fall Boger, 9-0
3rd – Sampson Stillwell (Missouri) dec. Kai Calcutt (Illinois), 19-14
5th – Ryan Miret (Florida) fall Chase Baker (Washington), 3:12
7th – Marko Ivanisevic (Illinois) dec. Cj Orchard (Oregon), 4-3
U20
Gabe Arnold upsets Rocco Welsh; Nic Bouzakis, Tyler Kasak, and Mitchell Mesenbrink win second straight crowns; Meyer Shapiro returns with title run
LAS VERGAS, NEVADA – The U20 US Open was held this weekend at South Point Arena in Las Vegas. The open was a tune-up for the U20 World Team Trials on June 2nd in Geneva, OH. Since this was not the trials, the finals were decided on a single match, no best of three scenarios.
The U20 division at the US Open is interesting since you have some high school age guys mixing it up with college grapplers. It makes for a challenging gauntlet, but some of the high schoolers were up for the challenge, with three winning freestyle titles and three winning Greco Roman crowns.
The three high school wrestlers who captured freestyle crowns were Luke Lilledahl (PA, No. 2 at 126), Gabe Arnold (IA, No. 4 at 175), and Camden McDanel (OH, No. 2 at 190).
At 57 KG, Lilledahl won a battle of World Champions versus Wyoming’s Jore Volk. Lilledahl was an U17 champ last year, and Volk was in the U20 division. Lilledahl used a sweet ankle pick to take an early 2-0 lead. A leg lift to a dump to start the second would put Lilledahl up 7-0. From there he cruised to a 10-4 win.
Arnold executed a mild upset of Rocco Welsh (PA, No. 1 at 175) in the 79 KG final. It was a low scoring chess match with Arnold gaining a late point for a 3-2 victory. Arnold was the No. 3 seed and beat Luca Augustine (PA) 8-1 in the semi-finals. Augustine surprised Michigan’s Josh Barr (No. 2 at 175), 10-2, in the early rounds of action.
McDanel (97 KG) had little trouble with his foe, Illinois’ Joey Braunagel taking a 7-0 lead in the first before putting a quick four on the board to start the second and tally the tech, 11-0. Braunagel also reached the Greco Roman finals. McDanel won an 8-2 semifinal meeting with Florida’s Sawyer Bartlet (No. 7 at 215).
In addition to Welsh, three other high schoolers captured silver medals, Iowa’s Kale Peterson (No. 17 at 126), Illinois’ Kannon Webster (No. 2 at 144), and Minnesota’s Max McEnelly (No. 3 at 190).
Peterson fell behind early to defending champ Nic Bouzakis (PA) at 61 KG, staring a 10-4 deficit in the face after the first period. Peterson hit a big four pointer to get back in the match at 10-8. The score would hold until Bouzakis added one later in the bout for the 11-8 final.
At 65 KG, Webster had his hands full with World Silver medalist Tyler Kasak (PA). Lots of points flew in this one, but Kasak was in the driver’s seat throughout, eventually ending it with a 15-7 margin.
McEnelly toed the line at 86 kilos with World silver medalist Bennett Berge (MN). The first frame was all Berge as he put three takedowns on the ledger for a 6-0 edge. McEnelly wasn’t going to roll over, though, and posted two takedowns of his own to get back in it before dropping a 7-4 decision. McEnelly defeated Brayden Thompson (OK), 3-1, in the semis.
Meyer Shapiro (MD) won a Cadet World Championship in 2021. In the 70 KG final, Shapiro fell behind in the first few moments after Antrell Taylor (MWC Wrestling Academy) secured an early takedown. After that, it was all Shapiro as he took control and shut down Taylor, putting a 7-2 win on the bracket.
No. 1 seed Mitchell Mesenbrink (WI) repeated as champ with a surprisingly easy dismantling of Hunter Garvin (IA), 16-6, at 74 KG. Garvin was the three seed and got by No. 2 seed Joe Sealey (PA, No. 1 at 165), 14-11, in the semis.
The weight classes in the U20 competition were slightly different in each division. Missouri’s Jack Darrah was the second wrestler to reach the finals in both styles in the U20 brackets. Darrah captured the freestyle gold at 92 KG with a 4-3 win over Arkansas’ Stephen Little.
In Greco Roman, Darrah competed at 87 KG where he was the runner-up to Wyatt Voelker (IA), by tech fall, 11-2. Darrah defeated Tate Naaktgeboren (IA, No. 7 at 190), 9-5, to reach the final.
The 125 KG freestyle title was won by Christian Carroll (OK), who rolled to a 13-2 tech of Iowa’s Bradley Hill.
Aden Attao (ID) repeated as titlist in Greco Roman with a 13-5 tech fall of Illinois’ Ryan Boersma at 130 KG. Attao won an U20 World Bronze in Greco last year. The 67 KG Greco title was captured by Jaden Skellenger (ID) 8-0 over Colorado’s Ivan Morris.
At 97 kilos, Florida’s Bartlet was in a close match with Braunagel, holding a 5-4 advantage when he decked his foe at the 1:33 mark of the first frame.
The two other repeat champs now compete on the college level, Max Black (CO) and Richard Fedalen (MD). Black captured the 60 KG class with an 8-0 tech of 2021 Cadet Greco Silver Medalist, Cory Land (AL).
Fedalen had to work harder than Black to gain his gold at 72 KG. The score was tied at two in the second period when Fedalen opened up on offense and put five on the board to take out Florida’s Brendan Abdon, 7-2. Interestingly, Abdon was the No. 1 seed and Fedalen was seeded second. Fedalen won a Pan Am Gold in Greco last summer.
55 KG had a bit of madness ensue as the final was won by sixth seeded Kenneth Crosby (CO) over fellow Coloradoan and eighth seeded Roberto Estrada, 8-0 in 42 seconds. Crosby pinned second seeded Davis Motyka (PA, No. 16 at 113) in 1:22 in the semifinals. In the quarters, Estrada downed top seeded Sefton Douglass, 7-3.
Pierson Manville (PA, No. 13 at 144) was the only other high school wrestler to reach these finals. Unfortunately, he fell to unseeded Landon Drury (CO) 9-4 in the finals. Manville was the top seed at 63 KG. Drury beat the third seed and seventh seed to reach the finals.
Drury’s win made it three straight titles for Colorado to kick off the gold medal matches.
The No. 4 seed at 77 KG, Derek Matthews (ID), teched No. 1 seed Hunter Garvin (IA), 14-5 in the semis, then needed just 21 seconds to roll to an 8-0 tech of Aydin McElhinney (ME) in the championship bout.
New York’s Michael Altomer won the 82 KG final with a 7-4 decision of Darion Johnson (WA).
U20 Men’s Freestyle Results
57 kg
1st – Luke Lilledahl (X-Calibur Athletics WC) dec. Jore Volk (Wyoming Wrestling RTC), 10-4
3rd – Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin RTC) tech. fall Brendan Mccrone (Ohio), 10-0 2:32
5th – Adrian Meza (Arizona) inj. def Cael Nasdeo (Central Pennsylvania RTC)
7th – Dominic Mendez (Righetti High School Wrestling) dec. Troy Hohman (Wolfpack WC), 12-6
61 kg
1st – Nic Bouzakis (Pennsylvania) dec. Kale Peterson (Sebolt Wrestling Academy), 11-8
3rd – Emilio Ysaguirre, Jr. (Arizona) dec. Markel Baker (George Mason), 8-0
5th – Jace Rhodes (Hawkeye WC) inj. def. Nasir Bailey (Harvey Twisters WC)
7th – Fernando Barreto (Pounders WX) inj. def. Cael Hughes OK (Cowboy WC)
65 kg
1st – Tyler Kasak (Pennsylvania) dec. Kannon Webster (Illinois), 15-7
3rd – Jesse Mendez (Titan Mercury WC) tech. fall Cole Brooks (OkTTC), 12-0 2:35
5th – Vince Cornella (Spartan Combat RTC) dec. Pierson Manville (M2 Training Center), 14-4 3:46
7th – Dylan Chappell (Buffalo Valley RTC) inj. def. Jayden Scott (New York)
70 kg
1st – Meyer Shapiro (Spartan Combat RTC) dec. Antrell Taylor (MWC Wrestling Academy), 7-2
3rd – Paniro Johnson (Pennsylvania) dec. Daniel Cardenas (Colorado), 5-0
5th – John Wiley (Oklahoma RTC) tech. fall Ryder Downey (Panther WC RTC), 12-1 2:22
7th – Jackson Arrington (Wolfpack WC) forfeit Nicco Ruiz (Sunkist Kids/Monster Garage)
74 kg
1st – Mitchell Mesenbrink (Askren Wrestling Academy) tech. fall Hunter Garvin (Iowa), 17-6
3rd – Joseph Sealey (Pennsylvania) tech. fall Nick Fea (New York), 14-4 4:27
5th – Aiden Riggins (Iowa) dec. Matthew Bianchi (Arkansas RTC), 8-4
7th – Kyle Dutton (Arkansas RTC) dec. Kamdyn Munro (Regional Training Center South), 14-7
79 kg
1st – Gabriel Arnold (Level Up Wrestling Center) dec. Rocco Welsh (Young Guns WC), 2-2
3rd – Luca Augustine (Pittsburgh WC) dec. Lucas Condon (Poway High School Wrestling), 8-2
5th – Joshua Barr (Team Donahoe Wrestling Club) dec. Noah Mulvaney (Askren Wrestling Academy), 16-10
7th – Jared Simma (Panther Wrestling Club RTC) tech. fall Ethan Riddle (Askren Wrestling Academy), 12-1 1:35
86 kg
1st – Bennett Berge (Jackrabbit WC) dec. Max McEnelly (Waconia WC), 7-4
3rd – Brayden Thompson (Cowboy RTC) dec. Wyatt Voelker (Panther WC RTC), 3-2
5th – Connor Mirasola (Askren Wrestling Academy) dec. Clayton Whiting (Tiger Style WC), 9-2
7th – Tate Naaktgeboren (Big Game Wrestling Club) fall Justin Rademacher (All-Phase Wrestling Club), 5:36
92 kg
1st – Jack Darrah (Missouri) dec. Stephen Little (Arkansas RTC), 4-3
3rd – Mac Stout (Pittsburgh Wrestling Club) tech. fall Gavin Nelson (Minnesota), 13-2
5th – Cole Mirasola (Askren Wrestling Academy) dec. Gabe Sollars (Indiana RTC), 11-9
7th – Jack Wehmeyer (New York City RTC) dec. Carson Floyd (Boone RTC), 8-1
97 kg
1st – Camden McDaniel (Ohio) tech. fall Joey Braunagel (Illinois RTC/Illini WC), 11-0
3rd – Sawyer Bartelt (Gladiator Wrestling) dec. Colden Dorfman (Cavalier Wrestling Club), 8-8
5th – Steven Burrell Jr. (New York) dec. Ben Kawczynski (Askren Wrestling Academy), 10-7
7th – Max Ramberg (Viking RTC) inj. def. Liam Heikkila (Colorado Mesa Wrestling Club)
125 kg
1st – Christian Carroll (Cowboy RTC) tech. fall Bradley Hill (Hawkeye WC), 12-2
3rd – Carter Neves (Ohio) dec. Juan Mora (Bison Wrestling Club), 6-2
5th – Nathan Taylor (Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club) forfeit Harley Andrews (Tuttle Wrestling Club), 0-0
7th – Chase Horne (Wolfpack Wrestling Club) tech. fall Ethan Vergara (Florida), 12-2
U20 Men’s Greco-Roman Results
55 KG
1st — Kenneth Crosby CO (NMU-National Training Center) tech fall Roberto Estrada CO (Western Colorado Wrestling Club), 8-0 0:42
3rd — Anthony Ruzic IL (Illinois) dec. Zachary Silvis MN (Pinnacle Wrestling Club), 3-2
5th — Elyle Francisco AK (Anchorage Youth Wrestling Academy) tech fall Davis Motyka PA (XCalibur Athletics), 10-1 4:00
7th — Tyler Klein WI (Wisconsin) dec. Blake Gioimo IA (Big Game Wrestling Club), 10-3
60 KG
1st — Max Black CO (NMU-National Training Center) tech fall Cory Land AL (Panther Wrestling Club RTC), 8-0 2:51
3rd — Zan Fugitt MO (Nixa High School Wrestling) tech fall Rhett Peak OK (Cowboy Wrestling Club), 9-0 3:57
5th — Teegan Vasquez MT (Kalispell Wrestling Club) tech fall Ruben Calderon TX (Cy-Select Wrestling, Inc.), 8-0 1:33
7th — Gable Porter IA (Powerhouse Wrestling Club) tech fall Anthony Aniciete NV (Nevada), 10-2 1:42
63 KG
1st — Landon Drury CO (Betterman Elite Wrestling) dec. Pierson Manville PA (M2 Training Center), 9-4
3rd — Colton Parduhn AK (Interior Grappling Academy) tech fall Ayson Rice SD (Legends of Gold), 9-0 1:27
5th — Paul Kelly CA (Poway High School Wrestling) tech fall Nash Singleton OR (Beaver Dam Wrestling RTC), 12-4 2:52
7th — Zachary Marrero CO (Colorado Top Team Wrestling Club) forfeit Otto Black CO (Colorado Top Team Wrestling Club)
67 KG
1st — Jadon Skellenger ID (Team Idaho Wrestling Club) tech fall Ivan Morris CO (Black Fox Wrestling Academy), 8-0 1:27
3rd — Gunnar Hamre WI (Combat W.C. School of Wrestling) tech fall Charlie Dill NY (Curby 3 Style Wrestling Club), 9-0 2:32
5th — Braden Stauffenberg IL (Illinois) tech fall Noah Rice PA (Lancaster Alliance Wrestling Club (LAW)), 8-0 5:08
7th — Christopher Martino ID (Idaho) tech fall Daniel Zepeda CA (Gilroy High School Wrestling), 11-2 2:48
72 KG
1st — Richard Fedalen MD (New York City RTC) dec. Brendon Abdon FL (Florida), 7-2
3rd — Arvin Khosravy CA (California) tech fall Jeremy Paradice GA (The Storm Wrestling Center), 10-0 4:33
5th — Tyler Antoniak NE (MWC Wrestling Academy) dec. Dylan Whitt IA (Viking Wrestling Club (IA)), 10-9
7th — Joe Antonio CA (St. John Bosco High School Wrestling) tech fall Aaron Dobbs WI (NMU-National Training Center), 8-0 1:11
77 KG
1st — Derek Matthews ID (Northern Colorado Wrestling Club) tech fall Aydin Rix mcelhinney ME (Northern Colorado Wrestling Club), 8-0 0:21
3rd — Adrian Artsisheuskiy NY (New York) tech fall Hunter Garvin IA (Iowa), 14-6 4:34
5th — Lars Michaelson WA (Nwwc) injury default Jake Prudek CA (California)
7th — Gaetano Console IL (Illinois) no contest Cj Hamblin WA (Beaver Dam Wrestling RTC), 0-0
82 KG
1st — Michael Altomer NY (NMU-National Training Center) dec. Darion Johnson WA (Mustang Wrestling Club), 4-1
3rd — Jared Stricker WI (Wisconsin) tech fall Franklin Ordonez-fernandez FL (Southwest Miami High School Wrestling), 9-0 1:35
5th — Codei Khawaja MI (Michigan) tech fall Arian Khosravy CA (California), 13-5 4:07
7th — Kasey Ross IA (Sarbacker Wrestling Academy) tech fall Blake Jouret KS (Beaver Wrestling Club), 10-1 2:39
87 KG
1st — Wyatt Voelker IA (Panther Wrestling Club RTC) tech fall Jack Darrah MO (Missouri), 11-2 4:12
3rd — Tate Naaktgeboren IA (Big Game Wrestling Club) dec. Branson Britten TX (Northern Colorado Wrestling Club), 6-2
5th — Jarrett Stoner TX (Rockwall Training Center) injury default Hunter Sonnenberg WA (FordDynastyWrestlingClub)
7th — Talmage Carman UT (Mustang Wrestling Club) tech fall Jakob Gilfoil PA (Pennsylvania), 3-1 6:00
97 KG
1st — Sawyer Bartelt FL (Gladiator Wrestling) fall Joey Braunagel IL (Illinois RTC/Illini WC), 5-4 1:33
3rd — Max Ramberg WI (Viking RTC) fall Jackson Dewald IA (MWC Wrestling Academy), 4-0 0:27
5th — Damion Schunke SD (Legends of Gold) tech fall Asher Ruchti OR (Beaver Dam Wrestling RTC), 11-3 2:40
7th — Sage Harrison CO (Western Colorado Wrestling Club) tech fall Ibrahim Ameer MO (Missouri), 8-0 2:15
130 KG
1st — Aden Attao ID (Suples Wrestling Club) tech fall Ryan Boersma IL (Tiger Style Wrestling Club), 13-5 5:26
3rd — Keith Miley AR (Arkansas RTC) fall Matthew Moore CO (Colorado), 4-0 0:34
5th — Alex Semenenko NY (New York) injury default Soren Pirhoun VA (Virginia)
7th — Cameron Groncki NY (Curby 3 Style Wrestling Club) tech fall Shilo Jones ID (Team Idaho Wrestling Club), 12-1 3:51
