Tons of movement after the World Team Trials as we could be beginning to usher in the next era.  Young bucks Ed Ruth, Tony Ramos burst onto the scene fresh out of college and snagged their spots on the World Team.  A number of seasoned vets took steps back.  This left room for the young guys to slip in.  

The rankings in (parentheses) are the rankings from last week.


1. Jordan Burroughs (1)-Hail to the chief.

2. Jake Varner (2)-Looks as good as I’ve ever seen him. Effortless domination.

3. Tervel Dlagnev (3)-Reaching iconic status for USA Heavyweight.

4. David Taylor (5)-Please don’t view him as “always a bridesmaid.” He’s a huge part of what makes USA wrestling great.

5. Nick Marable (6)-Metcalf closing fast. Make it happen in Fargo.

6. Brent Metcalf (7)-Inching towards top 5 status after looking great at WTT’s.

7. Jimmy Kennedy (8)-Ed’s nipping at his heels now. Better get it done at Fargo.

8. Ed Ruth (15)-Remember in 2011 when an amazing college wrestler won NCAA’s then made a World Team? Could he do what Jordan did in 2011?

9. Keith Gavin (9)-So freaking close. Ultimate respect for the most under-the-radar guy in some time.

10. Coleman Scott (10)-Assume he was just fooling around at 65. He’ll be back home at 61 in July, and that’s what he’s truly judged on.

11. Clayton Foster (11)-If you think that was the best version of Clayton at WTT’s, I’d have to disagree. He gutted it out but that knee (or whatever it was) isn’t right.

12. Andrew Howe (12)-Was the only guy to get on the legs in the DT/Howe match. He’s right there.

13. Tony Ramos (Unranked)-Came in an underdog, but acted like the favorite the whole time. Was down 4-0 early to Mitcheff and never looked back.

14. Jordan Oliver (14)-Got it done against a guy he’s struggled with (Kellen). Really pushed Metcalf in match one. He put obvious time in that re-attack off of Metcalfs Hi-C.

15. Frank Molinaro (Unranked)-Wow. True 3rd. Never thought we’d see that so fast. He beat Kellen and Humphrey along the way. It was no fluke. 

16. Chris Perry (Unranked)-True 3rd in an amazing weight. Can’t wait for he and Ed to hit.

17. Zach Rey (Unranked)-One of the bigger (on two levels) surprises of the tournament as he made the finals in a field that contained Dom Bradley, Tyrell Fortune and Nick Gwiazdowski. Props.

18. Dustin Kilgore (Unranked)-Made the finals in a tournament that had JD Bergman and Wynn Michalak.

19. Matt McDonough (Unranked) Beat Nico, Sanders and Hutter. Could our best two 57KG guys be Hawkeyes?

20. Sam Hazewinkel(21)-Gave Tony a run, but fell short.  Wonder if he'd consider Greco again? 

*A number of guys fell out based on their performance at WTT's.  Kyle Dake came out because he won't be competing for some time now.  I wanted to make the initial list for overall the best guys.  From here on out it'll be the best guys who are currently competing.  Dake would obviously be in there if he were competing.