Who will hit who if the U.S. Olympic Team Trials brackets go chalk? We’ll explore the potential match-ups from quarterfinals and delve into the history of their rivalries heading into the Trials.

Of course, there are monkey wrenches involved. These fields are so great that there will be upsets at every weight, and most likely in early rounds. The placements of the “additional qualifiers” are unknown at this point, and will ultimately be huge factors in the composition of the bracket, as well. So take this for what it is: just a little chalk talk.

57 kg/125.5 lbs
Top-Eight Rankings
1. Tony Ramos, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
2. Tyler Graff, New Brunswick, N.J. (New York AC)
3. Daniel Dennis, Iowa City, Iowa. (Titan Mercury WC)
4. Coleman Scott, Chapel Hill, N.C. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Erkin Tadzhimetov, Orem, Utah (New York AC)
6. Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
7. Joe Colon, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
8. Nathan Tomasello, Parma, Ohio (Titan Mercury WC)

Additional Qualifiers
Angel Escobedo, Ames, Iowa (New York AC)
Alan Waters, Columbia, Mo. (Missouri Wrestling Foundation)
Nico Megaludis, Murraysville, Pa. (Penn State/Nittany Lion WC)
Nahshon Garrett, Chico, Calif. (Cornell/Titan Mercury WC)

​The additional qualifiers are incredibly interesting. Nobody is feeling good about getting Nahshon, Megaludis, Waters, Blanc or Escobedo drawn into their side.  Given the evenness of this weight, there’s a strong likelihood that one, if not many, of these guys make deep runs. Let's not forget, it was Nico who gave Tony Ramos his toughest match of the 2014 trials, losing 1-0 off of a point that no longer exists (an "almost-takedown" was a thing we rewarded in wrestling matches, you guys).

Potential Quarters If Pre-Seeds Held:
#1 Tony Ramos vs #8 Nathan Tomasello
Tomasello and Ramos is a great “what if” match that we very well could see. It's no question that Tomasello can hang with Tony, but I could see him making a mistake that costs him against a relatively error-free Ramos.

#4 Coleman Scott vs #5 Erkin Tadzhimetov
These two locked up for third place at Senior Nationals this December, but Scott proved to be too much for Tadzhimetov in his 57kg debut. 

#3 Daniel Dennis vs #6 Sam Hazewinkel
Dennis v. Hazewinkel is a rematch for the two after 2015 Senior National finals, where Dennis made quick work of Haze, tech'ing him in just under a minute.

#2 Tyler Graff vs #7 Joe Colon
The Graff v. Colon quarterfinal is particularly interesting when you consider their college rivalry. Colon’s upper body work with his underhooks could be his path to keeping Graff off his legs. Colon must avoid Graff's flurries, where he can throw up six points in the blink of an eye. 

Potential Semifinals If Pre-Seeds Hold
#1 Tony Ramos vs #4 Coleman Scott
Ramos and Scott have never formally competed against each another, but they did wrestle last summer at an Olympic Training Camp, where Scott got the better of Ramos. That said, it was a during a camp and Coleman wasn't down to weight, but it’s still noteworthy.

#3 Daniel Dennis vs #2 Tyler Graff
Dennis and Graff met in the finals of the Bill Farrell Open, but it didn’t take long for Graff to wrap it up with a tech-lace in the first period.

Potential Finals If Pre-Seeds Held:
#1 Tony Ramos vs #2 Tyler Graff
This one has history that extends back to their college rivalry, where every match ended up separating them by either one or two points, but Graff was on the losing end each and every time. To my knowledge, the two have never met in freestyle.


65 kg/143 lbs
Top-Eight Rankings
1. Brent Metcalf, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC/Hawkeye WC)
2. James Green, Lincoln, Neb. (Titan Mercury WC)
3. Jordan Oliver, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
4. Jimmy Kennedy, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC/Cliff Keen WC)
5. Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC/Ohio RTC)
6. Logan Stieber, Columbus, Ohio (Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC)
7. Aaron Pico, Whittier, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
8. Kellen Russell, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC/Cliff Keen WC)

Additional Qualifiers
Frank Molinaro, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
Jason Chamberlain, Lincoln, Neb. (Titan Mercury WC)
Jayson Ness, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
Dean Heil, Brunswick, Ohio (Oklahoma State/Cowboy WC)
Zain Retherford, Benton, Pa. (Penn State/Nittany Lion WC)
BJ Futrell, Ann Arbor, MI, (Cliff Keen WC)

This group of additional qualifiers is also very tough, but I don’t see it having the power to penetrate through the top four or five like the previous group could.  That is largely a tribute to the incredible strength and consistency of this field, but Molinaro and Futrell are definitely the two with the most senior-level chops.

Potential Quarters If Pre-Seeds Held
#1 Brent Metcalf vs #8 Kellen Russell
We saw this one a few years back in the Trials finals at 66kg. It was all Brent in that one, and neither have had results that would lend you to believe it could go any differently this time.

#4 Jimmy Kennedy vs #5 Reece Humphrey
Last time we saw this matchup, Kennedy ended up taking it in a 9-0 domination. This rivalry goes back to their days at 60 and 61kg. The move up has benefited Kennedy far more, it seems.

#3 Jordan Oliver vs #6 Logan Stieber
It’s been all Oliver in this freestyle rivalry, but Logan has been a formidable opponent in every match. They most recently met in the Bill Farrell Open finals, where Oliver needed to mount a comeback, and did just that.

Farrell Final:

2015 World Team Trials:
#2 James Green vs #7 Aaron Pico
Another "holy smokes!" match-up with two super stars hitting in the quarterfinals. Pico (a senior in high school) competes well against senior-level guys, but hasn’t been able to notch an elite win against the USA’s best. That's why it makes sense to favor the world bronze medalist.

Potential Semi’s If Pre-Seeds Held
#1 Brent Metcalf vs #4 Jimmy Kennedy
There’s been plenty of chatter about this one. Kennedy, a dynamite athlete with an ever-growing arsenal of defense and mat savvy, will make it a difficult semifinal for Metcalf. In fact, it could be the toughest match of the Trials.

#2 James Green vs #3 Jordan Oliver
Since Green has primarily wrestled at 70kg, I don't these two have met on the mat, yet. Green’s re-attacks could set up well against an offensive Oliver, but if he sits back, the takedowns could be very hard to come by.  

Potential Final If Pre-Seeds Held
#1 Brent Metcalf vs #2 James Green
Ever since Green won bronze in Las Vegas, the discussion has been about this hypothetical match-up. Green struggled at the Pan Am Championships, which gives me some pause about his ability to get to Metcalf, much less beat him. However, I can’t forget Green was third at the U.S. Open, and three months later, third on Earth, so it’s important to not overreact to his results.

74 kg/163 lbs
Top-Eight Rankings
1. Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)
2. Andrew Howe, Norman, Okla. (New York AC)
3. Chris Perry, Stillwater, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC)
4. Dan Vallimont, Long Beach, N.Y. (New York AC/Blue and Gold WC)
5. Kevin LeValley, Lewisburg, Pa. (Buffalo Valley RTC)
6. Nick Marable, Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids)
7. Logan Massa, St. Johns, Mich. (New York AC/Cliff Keen WC)
8. Adam Hall, Raleigh, N.C. (Titan Mercury WC)

Additional Qualifiers
Quinton Godley, Raleigh, N.C. (Titan Mercury WC)
Isaiah Martinez, Lemoore, Calif. (Illinois/Titan Mercury WC)
Alex Dieringer, Port Washington, Wis. (Oklahoma State/Cowboy WC)

There’s one nightmare of an additional qualifier, and that’s Dieringer. He has the goods to go with everyone in this bracket outside of Burroughs. I’m extremely curious to see if they will find a way to seed him, since you don't want him anywhere near Howe or Perry early. I’ll bet a shiny penny that Dieringer will wind up in the quarterfinals somehow.

Recall that Jordan Burroughs will be sitting in the finals, so he’s not a part of this chalk discussion. All roads here lead to Burroughs.

Potential Quarters If Pre-Seeds Held:
#2 Andrew Howe vs Quinton Godley
This is a guess. I don’t see any way Howe could go down here, but Godley has been a consistent placer at the senior level.

#5 Kevin LeValley vs #6 Nick Marable
It’s odd to see Marable this low. I think this will be a low-scoring bout, but LeValley will struggle to get to his 2-on-1 against the incredibly stingy Marable.

#3 Chris Perry vs #8 Adam Hall
Perry all but beat Howe in December, so I don't think he'll struggle with Adam Hall, who is likely better suited for 70kg.

#4 Dan Vallimont vs #7 Logan Massa
Massa is a super-freak, but Vallimont has been red-hot. It's very hard to pick against Vallimont here given his size and experience level, but Massa can get to legs against just about anyone, so he’ll have his spots.

Potential Semis If Pre-Seeds Held:
#2 Andrew Howe vs #5 Kevin LeValley
Personally, I think this will wind up being Marable/Howe, but that’s irrelevant for Chalk Talk! Howe is the man here -- it's almost unquestionable.

#3 Chris Perry vs #4 Dan Vallimont
Howe tech'ed Valmont, and Perry went toe-to-toe with Howe, so it seems sure that Perry will make it to the challenge finals.

Potential Challenge Finals If Pre-Seeds Hold
#2 Andrew Howe vs #3 Chris Perry
I think I like Perry in this rematch based on his ability to make adjustments (and he’ll be better adjusted to 74kg, I believe).  HOWEver, Howe may be the guy with the best shot at beating Burroughs in this bunch. I can't wait to see this one again.  

These two hit in Las Vegas this December:

Potential Two-out-of-Three Finals If Pre-Seeds Hold
#1 Jordan Burroughs vs #2 Andrew Howe
In 2011, this looked like the beginning of a long rivalry. Burroughs hasn’t stopped winning world titles and since 2012, and it’s been tough for Howe to make it back to the finals against Burroughs. We'll potentially see this one again.  

Here’s a look back at some of their previous match ups:


86 kg/189 lbs
Top-Eight Rankings
1. Jake Herbert, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC/Cliff Keen WC)
2. Kyle Dake, Ithaca, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC)
3. David Taylor, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
4. Keith Gavin, Charlottesville, Va. (Titan Mercury WC)
5. Ed Ruth, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
6. Jon Reader, Brookings, S.D. (Sunkist Kids)
7. Richard Perry, Philadelphia, Pa. (New York AC/Penn WC)
8. Clayton Foster, Laramie, Wyo. (GRIT Athletics /Wyoming RTC)

Additional Qualifiers
Tyler Caldwell, Stillwater, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
Austin Trotman, San Gabriel, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
Myles Martin, Penns Grove, N.J. (Ohio State/Titan Mercury WC)
Gabe Dean, Lowell, Mich. (Cornell/Titan Mercury WC)
J’Den Cox, Columbia, Mo. (Missouri/Missouri Wrestling Foundation)
Deron Winn, Ames, IA (Cyclone WC/Titan Mercury WC)

I doubt we'll see either Martin or Dean here -- both said they wouldn't attend -- but Winn and Cox are very interesting in this mix. The latter will be enormous at this weight, so I'm curious how his freestyle development has progressed since wrestling at the trials two years ago.

Potential Quarters If Pre-Seeds Hold
#1 Jake Herbert vs #8 Clayton Foster
If Clayton is clicking, boy that’s a scary round one. Foster has notched elite-, world-level wins during his time at the senior level, and is as tough to take down as anyone at this weight. Herbert is the man, but Foster is dangerous.

#4 Keith Gavin vs #5 Ed Ruth
There’s a lot of history here, and much of it has gone Ruth’s way. He hasn’t looked as great as he did his first year out of college, but regardless, he is a favorite against a proven Gavin.

#3 David Taylor vs #6 Jon Reader
Reader has been knocking at the door for a few years at this weight, and nearly beat Ruth a year ago at the World Team Trials. Meanwhile, Taylor has been adjusting to 86kg, and has looked pretty tough doing so.

#2 Kyle Dake vs #7 Richard Perry
I'm not aware of any history between these two, but Taylor tech'ed Perry 11-0 this December. Conventional wisdom says Dake will have little issue, but Perry is a full-grown monster at this weight.

Potential Semifinals If Pre-Seeds Hold
#1 Jake Herbert vs #4 Keith Gavin
Many will expect Ruth/Herbert here. If that happens, it makes sense to favor Jake based on their last three meetings. If it’s Gavin, it’s still an edge to Herbert.  The biggest threat on this side of the bracket for Jake is Clayton Foster.

#2 Kyle Dake vs #3 David Taylor
Have these two met? Is it Taylor's time? I won’t predict it until I see it.

Potential Finals If Seeds Hold:
#1 Jake Herbert vs #2 Kyle Dake
This one beats the heck out of me. While we’ve all heard the tales of practice room matches with Herbert, there’s little reason to use that information in prognosticating this match-up. I will say that while size could be a factor in some matches for Dake, I don’t think it will be a huge issue in this meeting based on Herbert’s style.

97 kg/213 lbs
Top-Eight Rankings
1. Kyle Snyder, Woodbine, Md. (Titan Mercury WC)
2. Jake Varner, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
3. J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC/Ohio RTC)
4. Dustin Kilgore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Cayle Byers, Stillwater, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC)
6. Wynn Michalak, Champaign, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC)
7. Kyven Gadson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
8. Scott Schiller, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Additional Qualifiers
Micah Burak, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC)
Jeffery Felix, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Titan Mercury WC/Cliff Keen WC)
Enock Francois, Ithaca, N.Y. (New York AC)
Kallen Kleinschmidt, Team OTC

This weight isn’t quite as deep as others, so I’d be relatively surprised to see any of the additional qualifiers make a substantial dent in the 97kg hierarchy. Also, recall that Kyle Snyder will sit out by virtue of being a returning world champion.

Potential Quarterfinals Based On Pre-Seeds
#2 Jake Varner vs Micah Burak
Varner looks as good as ever. A coach told me that the last time he saw Jake Varner wrestling this well, he won the Olympics. So there’s that. Varner should move on regardless of who he faces.

#5 Cayle Byers vs #6 Wynn Michalak
Byers won the Bill Farrell Open, which is the rationale for this seed. However, Michalak defeated Byers as recently as last World Team Trials. This is a definite toss-up.

#3 JD Bergman vs #8 Scott Schiller
A well-established guy at this weight class, Bergman can be vulnerable to upsets, but it seems Schiller lacks the necessary size to pull it off.

#4 Dustin Kilgore vs #7 Kyven Gadson
The Gadson seed is particularly interesting, considering he was an 11-1 winner in December. So is Kilgore a holding seed, or do we count on Gadson duplicating a previous performance? That’s the question right now.

Potential Semifinals If Pre-Seeds Hold
#2 Jake Varner vs #5 Cayle Byers
There's little reason to think Byers could pull the upset here against Varner, who will have the advantage in nearly every facet. I couldn’t find a record of these two ever wrestling.

#3 JD Bergman vs #4 Dustin Kilgore
Four years ago, Kilgore pulled the upset at the Olympic Trials in three periods (old rules). Most recently, Bergman pinned Kilgore for true third. Based on recent trends, it seems Bergman is a more consistent performer.  


Potential Challenge Finals If Pre-Seeds Hold
#2 Jake Varner vs #3 JD Bergman
Every time I watch these two scrap, I wonder how many more times we’ll see them go at it. For a time, Bergman was Varner’s Achilles' heel. Though Varner has found ways to beat Bergman, it’s been tough sledding every time for the Olympic champion. They most recently met at the U.S. Open in 2015, where Varner won on a late score. 

Potential Best Two-of-Three Finals If Pre-Seeds Hold
#1 Kyle Snyder vs #2 Jake Varner
We know that Snyder will be there, but the question is, who will meet him? We have three matches between these two that suggest Kyle is on another level.  While Varner hasn’t knocked Snyder off, their common opponents suggest the two are closer now than ever. We could see this one go to three matches.

125 kg/275 lbs
Top-Eight Rankings
1. Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids/Ohio RTC)
2. Zach Rey, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
3. Nick Gwiazdowski, Delanson, N.Y. (New York AC/Wolfpack WC)
4. Dom Bradley, Blue Springs, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)
5. Tyrell Fortune, Tempe, Ariz. (Titan Mercury WC)
6. Bobby Telford, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
7. Anthony Nelson, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
8. Eric Thompson, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)

Additional Qualifiers
Connor Medbery, Loveland, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC)
Justin Grant, Bloomsburg, Pa. (New York AC)
Matt Meuleners, Lincoln, Neb. (Titan Mercury WC)
Blaize Cabell, (Panther Wrestling Club)

Grant and Medberry are interesting wrinkles in the additional qualifier list, but they will struggle to break through the upper echelon of this weight.  

Potential Quarterfinals If Pre-Seeds Hold
#1 Tervel Dlagnev vs #8 Eric Thompson
For the first time in a few years, we’ll see Tervel navigate the entire challenge tournament, as well as the two-out-of-three finals if he wants to make his second Olympic Team. The grizzled vet’s first hurdle will likely be Thompson, who will struggle to push Tervel.  

#4 Dom Bradley vs #5 Tyrell Fortune
It's always a nip-and-tuck affair when these two lock horns -- they had an epic conclusion to their U.S. Open bout in 2015.  

#3 Nick Gwiazdowski vs #6 Bobby Telford
Telford has been getting some quality international experience wrestling overseas, but he’ll still be a bit outmatched by Gwiazdowski, who has been plugging his way toward the top of the ladder the last few years.

#2 Zach Rey vs #7 Anthony Nelson
This one's a NCAA finals rematch from a few years back, when Nelson unseated Rey, the returning NCAA champion. The scales will be tipped for their freestyle meeting as Rey has performed consistently at the senior level.

Potential Semifinals If Pre-Seeds Hold:
#1 Tervel Dlagnev vs #4 Dom Bradley
It’s been a few years, but Bradley has shown it can be done. He took out Dlagnev at the 2013 U.S. Open final; however, he hasn't been able to match that win since. If Dlagnev is healthy, he'll likely best Bradley, but don't count him out -- he's proven himself as one of two guys with the goods to beat Dlagnev.


#2 Zach Rey vs #3 Nick Gwiazdowski
Gwiazdowski's leg attacks put him in peril against Rey, whose defense is among the best in this weight. Gwiazdowski will have to have made adjustments in his finishing and attacks to take out Rey.

Potential Finals If Pre-Seeds Held:
#1 Tervel Dlagnev vs #2 Zach Rey
We saw a hobbled Dlagnev find a way to beat Rey at the trials last year, though Dlagnev did take a loss in the process. I’m curious to see how fatigued Dlagnev might be after going through the entire challenge tournament before having to do the best two-of-three finals.