Retherford Golden at Cadet World's
Willie Saylor, Editor
After a disappointing performance on Day I of the 2012 Cadet World Championships, the US freestyle team had a strong second day that saw three wrestlers reach a medal bout.
Highlighting Team USA was a Cadet World Title from Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa) at 63kg. Retherford beat Russian, Supian Nurmagomedov, 0-1, 4-3, 2-1, in the finals.
Chance Marsteller (Kennard Dale, Pa) reached the semifinals before defaulting out of the tournament. While wrestling his Ukrainian opponent, Marsteller dislocated his elbow while defending a gut wrench. He also defaulted in the Bronze medal match, putting him 5th at the weight.
Also reaching the Bronze medal bout on Wednesday was Garrett Ryan (Horizon, AZ) at 100kg. Ryan won his first match against Poland. He lost his quarterfinal vs. Russia, but was pulled back in to repechage when the Russian reached the finals. Ryan won his first wrestleback match against Georgia, then lost to Yunus Dede of Turkey in the Bronze match and finishing 5th as well.
Collectively, Team USA went 10-6 on Day II. It was a marked improvement on a disastrous first day in which we went just 2-7. Mitch Sliga (Fishers, IN) was the only wrestler to win a bout on Day I. He finished 5th at 85kgs.
Cadet World’s were held last year for the first time in 13 years. Retherford’s World Title gave the US a champ for the second straight year, backing up Adam Coon’s 100kg Gold medal performance in 2011.
Overall, the US finished 8th in the team standings.
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Ranking
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Team
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Points
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1
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77
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2
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74
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3
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60
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4
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56
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5
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39
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6
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|
35
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||
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7
|
|
32
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||
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8
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|
31
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Team USA Results
Day I:
42kg: Andrew Nieman (OK), 0-1
50kg: Tommy Thorn (MN), 0-1
58kg: Seth Gross (MN), 0-1
69kg: Jack Bass (TX), 0-2
85kg: Mitch Sliga (IN), 2-2; 5th
Day II:
46kg: Mitchell McKee (MN), 0-1
54kg: Joey McKenna (NJ), 2-1
63kg: Zain Retherford (PA), 4-0; Gold
76kg: Chance Marsteller (PA), 2-2; 5th
100kg: Garrett Ryan (AZ), 2-2; 5th
