2017 Junior and Senior World Team Trials

Six Can't-Miss Matches From Lincoln

Six Can't-Miss Matches From Lincoln

When you have matchups such as Taylor/Cox, Molinaro/Retherford, and Dake/Burroughs, it's understandable that some incredible wrestling has gone widely unnoticed.

Jun 15, 2017 by Michael Malinconico
Six Can't-Miss Matches From Lincoln
Greatest. Trials. Ever. 

When you have matchups such as Taylor/Cox, Molinaro/Retherford, and Dake/Burroughs, it's understandable that some incredible wrestling has gone widely unnoticed. Any one of these six matches could have stood alone as a marquee matchup in most circumstances. 

Junior 60kg: Match 2 (Best-Of-3 Finals)
Austin Gomez, Gomez Wrestling Academy vs. Mitchell Mckee, Minnesota Storm
McKee may have won the war, but this battle went to Austin Gomez. This match is proof positive of how bright the freestyle wrestling future is in the USA. The first 11 points scored in this match would have amounted to exactly ZERO points on a folkstyle mat.



Senior 74kg: Challenge Tournament Finals
Kyle Dake, TMWC vs Alex Dieringer, TMWC
Dieringer has closed the gap considerably against Kyle Dake. This one wasn't the most high-scoring affair, but if you truly appreciate nuances of the sport like positional wrestling and situational tactics, this one is pure gold. Watch here. 

Junior 60kg: Challenge Tournament Semifinal 
Vitali Arujau, VHW vs. Jack Mueller, Cavalier Wrestling Club
If you'd like to take a glance at the future of USA Wrestling and hopefully a budding rivalry, look no further then the 9-6 shootout that went down in the 60kg challenge tournament semis between RSF jack Mueller from UVA and incoming Cornell freshman and Cadet world medalist Vito Arujau. Watch here. 

Senior 61kg Challenge Tournament Quarterfinal
Jayson Ness, Minnesota Storm vs. Cody Brewer, TMWC
I'm all in anytime Jayson Ness or Cody Brewer step onto a wrestling mat. Put them against each and you've got fireworks. These two hung 27 points on the board in the challenge tournament quarters.



Senior 57kg: Challenge Tournament Finals
Thomas Gilman, TMWC vs. Nathan Tomasello, TMWC
When the ref has to stop the action three seconds into a match and tell both athletes to watch how hard they club the head, you know you're in for a scrap. This was one that we all circled on the "possibility" bracket and crossed our fingers would materialize. It lived up to every expectation. Watch here. 

Junior 60kg: Match 3 (Best-Of-3 Finals) 
Austin Gomez, Gomez Wrestling Academy vs. Mitchell Mckee, Minnesota Storm
This epic three-match series had it all: sick technique, big throws, late lead changes, and just enough chippiness. How McKee managed to get off his back after that screw-lock throw is beyond me and to come back and win the match… amazing. Watch here.