Whether you refer to it by it’s new moniker, ‘Junior Nationals,’ or still FILA Juniors, this event often whets the appetite for those interested in a glimpse of what our Junior World Team may look like.

Junior Greco will be wrestled in its entirety on Thursday while Junior FS starts on Friday and has semi’s through conclusion on Saturday.

Winners here will sit in the best-of-three finals at the World Team Trials in Madison, Wisconsin, in June.

A few of our typical Junior stars - Joey McKenna, Aaron Pico, Anthony Valencia, and Kyle Snyder, all of whom medalled at Worlds last year - will compete at the Senior Level during US Open Week. But expect to see them, and others, wrestle Juniors at The Trials.

Those four anchored a monster Team USA last summer in Croatia at Junior Worlds. The U.S. were runners-up to Iran and had a whopping six medals in eight weights.
From that team, the U.S. loses just Adam Coon, Gabe Dean, and Thomas Gilman.

On to the weight class breakdowns...

50kg:
Last Year’s Final: Kirk Johansen (IL) tf. Michael Beck (MD)

Contenders:
Brandon Courtney, Sunkist Kids
Danny Vega, Tucson Cyclones
Liam Cronin, Servite, CA

Summary: Traditionally at 50KG, we don’t see the top contenders come to Vegas but instead opt straight to The Trials. Vega made Fargo finals in both styles the last two years, winning two FS stop signs. Courtney was 4th at FILA Cadets a year ago. I like Vega, who’s currently ranked 5th in the country.

Prediction: Vega over Courtney

Who Could Appear in Madison: In addition to the returning World Team Member (Jabari Moody), it’s likely we’ll see two former Cadet WTM’s in Madison. Look for Devin Brown (PA) and Austin Gomez (IL) to join the mix there.


55kg:
Last Year’s Final: Nathan Tomasello (OH) dec. Stevan Micic (IN)

Contenders:
Anthony Bosco, Carolina WC
Austin Assad, Seasons FC
Ian Parker, St Johns, MI
Jack Mueller, Seasons FC
Ronnie Bresser, NWRTC
Stevan Micic, Chicago RTC
Nolan Hellickson, Ubasa WC
Tyrone Klump, Carolina WC

Summary: Micic, a 2013 Cadet WTM, had a fine showing in his first year at JR’s last year. He lost in Vegas finals to Tomasello and to Gilman in the challenge tournament finals at The Trials. But the field also features three Fargo Champions in Rios, Assad, and Mueller, who won Fargo the last two years.

Prediction: Micic over Bresser

Who Could Appear in Madison: You’d suspect last year’s Cadet Runner-Up Nick Suriano (NJ) might head to The Trials. Also, Zeke Moisey (PA) hasn’t had a ton of freestyle under his belt, but with Sammy behind him, he’s an intriguing prospect. Also watch for Sean Russell (GA), last year’s Fargo Runner-Up and 2013 Fargo Champ Jered Cortez (IL).


60kg:
Last Year’s Final: Zane Richards (IL) tf. Matt Kolodzik (OH)

Contenders:
Gary Wayne Harding, Cowboy WC
Chase Zemenak, Husky WC
Justin Patrick, Young Guns
Kaid Brock, Pioneer WC
Kanen Storr, Leslie, MI
Lincoln Olson, Davison, MI
Luke Pletcher, Latrobe, PA
Nick Lee, Evansville, IN

Summary: Brock wrestled in the SR division of the U.S. Open last year and went 2-2. He then wrestled in JR’s at Madison and was True 2nd at 121. I like him as best combo of talent and experience in this field. Watch for Harding who had a solid season as a freshman for OK State. Nick Lee finished runner-up at Cadets last year and should be a factor. And then there’s Pletcher, who has been at the top of the pecking order everywhere he’s been, but who is making his first serious foray in FS.

Prediction: Brock over Pletcher

Who Could Appear in Madison: Returning World Silver Medalist Joey McKenna (NJ) could end up here at the JR Trials. Two-time Cadet World Team Member Tommy Thorn (MN) is a liklihood. Dom Forys (PA), who was 3rd at Fargo, Anthony Giraldo (NJ), and Cortez (IL) are other possibilities.


63kg: (Non World Weight)
Last Year’s Final: Joey McKenna (NJ) tf. Topher Carton (IA)


Contenders:
Matt Kolodzik, Blair Academy, NJ
Sean Cannon, Team Nevada
Tristan Moran, Cowboy Wrestling Club
William Koll, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club
Mike Magaldo, Cowboy WC
Tristan Moran, Cowboy WC
Zehlin Storr, Cliff Keen WC

Summary: Kolodzik should be the front-runner here. He was a runner-up at 60KG last year.

Prediction: Kolodzik over Magaldo


66kg:
Last Year’s Final: Aaron Pico (CA) dec. Zain Retherford (PA)

Contenders:
Griffin Parriott, Pinnacle
Noah Forrider, Bobcat Wrestling Club
Lucas Stewart, Campbell RTC
Uzo Owuama, Grand Canyon WC

Summary: It’s an oddly thin considering it’s a World weight and one that America is typically strong in. Parriott is just a Junior in high school. Forrider, a redshirt at Ohio U., and Stewart, who had some surprising wins as a Campbell redshirt, should be the leaders of the pack.

Prediction: Parriott over Forrider

Who Could Appear in Madison: Returning World Silver Aaron Pico (CA) will likely be the guy here unless he were to make the SR team. 2013 Fargo Champ Seth Gross (MN) would be a contender. And Fargo Runner-Up Brock Zacherl would be an interesting addition. Personally, I’d like to see some of the out-going HS Seniors join the fray: Kemerer( PA), Thomsen (IA), and Stroker (IA).


70kg: (Non World Weight)
Last Year’s Final: Logan Massa (MI) tf. Ryan Blees (ND)

Contenders:
Alec Pantaleo, Cliff Keen WC
Gary Dinmore, Rhino WC
Jack Clark, Carolina WC
Jake Ryan, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club
Jonce Blaylock, Cowboy Wrestling Club
Micah Jordan, Ohio RTC

Summary: Another weight that is not contested at Worlds (or Trials) but there is certainly intrigue here. Pantaleo had a fantastic season at Michigan and beat Cadet World Champ Mason Manville at Junior Duals last year. Jack Clark has always been a solid freestyler. And then there’s Jordan, who came out of HS as one of the best in the country, but who has virtually no freestyle experience.

Prediction: Pantaleo over Clark


74kg:
Last Year’s Final: Anthony Valencia (CA) dec. Isaiah Martinez (CA)

Contenders:
Austin Reese, Bobcat Wrestling Club
Logan Massa, St. Johns, MI
Mark Hall, Apple Valley, MN
Brett Bye, Legends of Gold
Chance Marstellar, Cowboy Wrestling Club
Joe Smith, Cowboy Wrestling Club
John Jay Chavez, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club

Summary: Unbelievably loaded and full of intrigue. Cadet World Champ Mark Hall is back at 74kg, as is Marsteller, who was on 5th in 2012 at Cadet Worlds. Logan Massa, who won a title in Vegas last year, and Jo Jo Smith should also be high on the pecking ladder. Chavez (ID), a GR specialist, has made multiple World Teams, including both styles on the 2013 Cadet Team.

Prediction: Hall over Marsteller

Who Could Appear in Madison: Anthony Valencia (CA) will likely be in Juniors come trials time. And Chandler Rogers, who is wrestling 79kg in Vegas, will probably drop. Mason Manville (VA) is also a possibility. We should also see Fox Baldwin (FL).



79kg: (Non World Weight)
Last Year’s Final: Pete Renda (PA) tf. Brian Harvey (IN)

Contenders:
Chandler Rogers, Cowboy WC
Ben Harvey, Indiana
Dakota Sizemore, Bobcat WC
Drew Garcia, Finger Lakes WC
Kyle Bateman, Clackamas WC
Dom Scalise, PA
Jacobi Jones, CSU-Pueblo

Summary: Rogers comes in as a heavy favorite in a thin-ish non world weight.

Prediction: Rogers over Bateman


84kg:
Last Year’s Final: Ricky Robertson (IL) dec. Tim Dudley (SC)

Contenders:
Corey Griego, Northwest RTC
Mitch Sliga, Wild Wild West Wrestling Club
Wyatt Koelling, Team Utah
Ryder Newman, OTC

Summary: Sliga was 5th in the World at Cadets in 2012 and has won a bevy of Fargo titles. He’ll be the leader here. I have a sneaking suspicion that Griego, who I was a big fan of in HS, makes a run.

Prediction: Sliga over Griego

Who Could Appear in Madison: Robertson, who won here last year, is still a Junior. Expect him to be at The Trials. Zahid Valencia (CA) and Myles Martin (NJ) are possibilities. I’d like to see Nick Reenan (TX) but he’s probably a little light for this weight at the moment.


96kg:
Last Year’s Final: Kyle Snyder (MD) tf. Kevin Beazley (MI)

Contenders:
Christian Colucci, LVAC
Chip Ness, Carolina Wrestling Club
Preston Weigel, Cowboy WC
Robert Enmon, Brandon, FL

Summary: Like 66kg, and for a spot in the World Team Trials Finals, this weight is oddly thin. Chip Ness is a known commodity that I think most people would take as the guy here. But 1) he doesn’t have much (if any) FS under his belt and 2) Weigel might be the best kid you’ve never heard of.

Prediction: Weigel over Ness

Who Could Appear in Madison: We’re almost assured that Snyder will be there. Former Cadet WTM Lance Benick (MN) and Fargo Champ Bobby Steveson (MN) are interestingly possibilities from the HS ranks, along with Sammy Colbray (OR). I’d also like to see Derek White (OK) and Marcus Harrington (IA) in the mix.


120kg:
Last Year’s Final: Adam Coon (MI) tf. Garrett Ryan (AZ)


Contenders:
Jesse Webb, Bobcat WC
Tate Orndorff, Pindog WC
Jeramy Sweany, Titan Mercury
Jake Scanlan, Iowa

Summary: The departure of double Junior World Medalist Adam Coon leaves the U.S. desperately needing a replacement at HWT. But this group is rather thin and inexperienced. The most talented of the group (Sweany, CA) hasn’t had much freestyle under his belt and could be undersized. Orndorff (WA) is a fine prospect, but he’s the youngest of the group.

Prediction: Sweany over Orndorff

Who Could Appear in Madison: I’d love to see Penn State’s Nick Nevills (CA) in the mix in Madison. And if Sam Stoll (MN) is still eligible, he’d be a great contender. Jordan Wood (PA) is a Cadet World finalist and remains eligible for the Cadet level. But a move to Juniors might be what the U.S. needs.