2014 Greco World Team Trials

Greco Pound For Pound Rankings

Greco Pound For Pound Rankings

Jun 9, 2014 by Christian Pyles
Greco Pound For Pound Rankings
The wrestling world will turn their eyes to Daytona Beach this week as our Nation's best Greco guys will be battling for a spot on the World Team.  It all gets rolling Friday, June 13th. 

Here's my pound for pound rankings for USA Greco.  What do you think?  Who's too low?  Who's too high?  

1. Spenser Mango-Hard to find someone at any weight or any style who has had the domestic stranglehold on their weight like Spenser Mango. 6 straight World and Olympic Teams. Number 7 may be the toughest yet.

2. Robbie Smith-5th in the World last year, and looks next to unbeatable on the US front. Big personality to go along with his big time moves.

3. Justin Lester-As exciting and talented as anyone in the country. He’s been right there at the World level, but recently has fallen short of medaling. 

4. Jesse Thielke-Young but ready. Thielke brings an attitude and confidence necessary to take the spot from a guy like Mango.

5. Jordan Holm-He can do it all. He has been at it for a long, long time having made a University team in 2002! Going to be one of the tougher guys to unseat from a World Team at 85.

6. Andy Bisek-Phenomenal positioning and a great top game. Bisek can turn just about everybody.

7. Ellis Coleman-The Squirrel went flying at the US Open, but his undeniable talent and drive should have him ready for his rematch with Perkins.

8. Joe Betterman-Could be a bit low for Betterman, who lost to Mango by a total of 0 points at the US Open (Thanks Criteria!)

9. Kendrick Sanders-Up a few weights, but just as dangerous. The lack of par terre opportunities has not helped Sanders, but he is more than just a reverse lift.

10. RaVaughn Perkins-Climbing the ranks quickly, if he does what he did at the Open, he’ll be climbing even faster.

11. Geordan Speiller-Big moves, incredibly explosive, but a bit raw still. Had Bisek stuck in the Open but didn’t get the call. Can he finish the job at Daytona?

12. Ryan Mango-Going after big brothers spot. That could make for an awkward Thanksgiving. Regardless, Mango with limited Greco training was a hair away from making the World Team last year. He will be right there with the best 59’s.

13. Caylor Williams-Amazing high dive to a body lock, can be susceptible to big moves at times. Would LOVE to see him and JD Bergman go at it.

14. Jon Anderson-He’s been right there, but hasn’t been able to break onto the world team. He was right there with Bisek at the Open, but Andy’s aforementioned top game was the difference.

15. David Arendt Jr.-A legend. Served our country in Afghanistan for the Marine Corps. He won the US Open in 2013 but fell short against Smith at the trials.

16. Toby Erickson-Dominant at the University level, but right there with our best big guys. Will need to pack on some more size/strength to challenge a guy like Smith.

17. Josef Rau-Looked great at University’s taking out 2012 Olympian Ben Provisor.

18. Ben Provisor-Always dangerous and effective, but may not be the same guy now that he’s up in weight.

19. Sam Hazewinkel-Taking a bit of a wait and see approach. The transition should be seamless. How insane is it that a guy like Haze is a top 20 P4P in Freestyle and Greco?

20. Zach Nielsen-Quality depth guy who’s been knocking at the door for years. Ready to break through?