2017 Cadet/Junior National Championships

Junior Freestyle Lightweight Preview

Junior Freestyle Lightweight Preview

Let's dig into our lightweights and see what contenders we've got showing up this year.

Jul 12, 2017 by Ryan Holmes
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Who's got what it takes to make the big stage in Fargo? 

This year, like any other, is going to have some fantastic matches along with guys showing up in a big way to put themselves on the radar of who to watch. We've got a good deal of returning All-Americans and finalists who will be in the mix this year looking some glory under the bright lights of the Fargo Dome.

So let's dig into our lightweights and see what contenders we've got showing up this year.

Note: All names were pulled from registration or available team rosters.

WATCH FARGO LIVE!

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100

Contenders
No. 3 (at 106) Sam Latona, AL
No. 16 (at 106) Brenden Chaowanapibool, WA
Jacob Moran, IN
Andrew Chambal, MI
Wil Guida, NJ

Commentary: Returning finalists Sam Latona of Alabama is the real deal. He really announced his presence last year when he was a double Cadet finalist with a runner-up finish in Freestyle and title claiming performance in Greco. I like Latona to come out on top here this year. 

On the other side is the man who does it all, Brendan Chaowanapibool. He literally enters every tournament in Fargo that he possibly can. Last year he was a three-time All-American placing second in both Cadet and Junior Greco and seventh in Junior freestyle. That's some serious iron man type of stuff. 

The last guy, who I believe may get a rematch on the big stage against Latona, is Andrew Chambal. Chambal, who like Chaowanapibool will be wrestling in both division this weekend as well, was on the sour end of a 10-0 technical fall against Latona in the Cadet Greco finals a season ago. I could certainly see him make it back to the finals this year against Latona.

Holmes' picks:

1. Latona
2. Chambal
3. Chaowanapibool
4. Moran


106

Contenders
No. 8 (at 113) Brendon Garcia, CO
Aiden Evans, IA
Studd Morris, OK
Jarod Kadel, IA
Steele Dias, NV
Reese Fry, MI
Jaccob Cochran, FL

Commentary: This is a weight class that I expect some unknown guys to emerge. Brendon Garcia is the clear front-runner here. He is a returning Greco champ and Freestyle runner-up at 100lbs. 

Steele Dias came up short in freestyle last year and did not place but was a Greco All-American. Look for him to make some strides at this year's tournament. Like I said, this will be a weight where someone will have a good showing to prove they belong. Keep an eye out for Reese Fry or Aiden Evans.

Holmes' picks:

1. Garcia
2. Evans
3. Dias
4. Fry 


113

Contenders
No. 7 Aden Reeves, IA
No. 9 Kyle Biscoglia, IA
No. 11 Ben Kamali, MI
No. 16 (at 120) Matt Cardello - Ohio
No. 17 (at 120) Brandon Kaylor, WA
No. 18 Riley Weir, OK
Cevion Severado, MO
Cody Phippen, MO
Corey Gamet, MI
Dante Mininno, NJ
Jace Koelzer, KS
Logan Agin, OH
Matt Vinci, CA

Commentary: Ok, now we are really starting to pick up some speed. Here at 113 we've got some serious contenders and I'm looking forward to seeing how this one shakes out. 

Riley Weir had a really good showing at junior duals where he pinned Ben Kamali in the first period. He also took out No. 19 Anthony Clark (who is wrestling in the Cadet division). Kyle Biscoglia is returning this year after not placing last season. I would be surprised if he didn't claim AA status this year. 

Aden Reeves could steal the show here. He also had a nice showing at Junior Duals where he had one loss to Anthony Molton. Matt Cardello, a Navy commit is very tough and talented. He's got the ability to compete with the best guys. After not placing in the Cadet tournament in 2015, then placing third at UWW Cadet Freestyle Nationals with a win over Joey Melendez, I think Cardello could be the guy meeting Reeves for an epic battle. 

I also am looking at Brandon Kaylor to show up here as well. Kaylor wrestles with an attitude that makes him dangerous for just about anyone. Lastly, Junior World Team Trials finalist Cevion Severado, a third place finisher at 100lbs last year, is a serious problem. He will represent Team USA on the Greco Junior World Team this year and will be bringing that Greco background to the Freestyle mats this weekend. 

Holmes' picks

1. Reeves
2. Severado
3. Cardello
4. Kaylor

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120

Contenders
No. 1 Pat Glory, NJ
No. 2 Antonio Mininno, NJ
No. 6 Joey Melendez, IL
No. 8 Patrick McKee, MN
No. 9 Tommy Hoskins, OH
No. 10 Michael Colaicco, NJ
No. 13 Dylan D'emilio, OH
No. 14 Gabe Tagg, OH
No. 20 Joey Heilman, NJ
Dack Punke, IL
Rayvon Foley, MI
Rhett Golowenski, OK
Ridge Lovett, ID
Austin Franco, MI
Dominic La Joie, MI
Dylan Albrecht, IA
King Sandoval, MD
Nathan Rankin, TX
Kyle Burwick, ND

Commentary: And the competition level just went through the roof. Everywhere you look there will be a serious hammer hitting the mat. Before I even talk about the ranked guys here I want to highlight a few of the unranked starting with returning Cadet Freestyle runner-up Rayvon Foley. 

Foley's championship run was derailed in the finals when he lost 7-2 to Jason Holmes of Arizona. Next is Nate Rankin of Texas who is a returning eighth place finisher. Last year he and FloNational Champion Jaret Lane got into an intense match where the lead changed a few times until Lane took control to get the win 19-13. But Rankin is not a guy that should be overlooked at all after how tough he proved to be last year. Also, be on the look out for Ridge Lovett, a Cadet finalist in both style last year (1st -- GR/2nd -- FS). 

Now on to the ranked guys. Tagg did not place last year so he certainly will be comin' in hot looking to erase that bad memory. Glory doesn't have the best results when it comes to freestyle. That makes it tough to really pinpoint how well he will do. He did not place here a year ago and just this year he was tech falled by Carson Manville at the World Classic. Mininno doesn't really have any results in freestyle which makes it pretty hard to forecast what's coming from him, as well.

I feel like Dylan D'Emilio is going to have another great showing. He has been on the Fargo stage a few times and I can see it happening again. Last year he was a runner-up at 113 to Nic Aguilar. The other guys here that stick out are returning AAs Tommy Hoskins (8th) and Michael Colaiocco (6th) along with Joey Melendez and Dack Punke. 

I'm tired just listing all this tough contenders, I can't imagine the intensity we will witness in just a few days. 

P.S. -- Keep an eye out for Kyle Burwick. 

Holmes' picks:

1. Melendez
2. D'Emilio
3. Hoskins
4. Mininno


126

Contenders
No. 3 Alex Thomsen, IA
No. 10 Jakob Camacho, CT
Bryce West, IA
Jet Taylor, OK
Jevon Parrish, KS
Drew Mattin, MI
Maxwell Kauffman, AL
McGwire Mdkiff, IA
Paul Konrath, IN
Ramazan Attasauov, MA
Mario Ybarra, NE

Commentary: Alex Thomsen has dazzled us all in Fargo and he's also had some underwhelming performances in the Dome as well. Last year he was coming in hot after his runner-up finish the year before, but couldn't match that performance. This year will be a big year for the Nebraska commit as he looks to get back to the finals. 

However, making it back to the finals will not be easy for Thomsen. In his way will be returning runner-up Paul Konrath, multiple time AA Drew Mattin, returning sixth place finisher Jet Taylor, returning seventh place finisher Bryce West and Jakob Camacho, who will be looking to claim AA status after not placing a year ago. 

This weight is going to be tough with the amount of depth coming. 

Holmes' picks:

1. Konrath
2. Thomsen
3. Mattin
4. Taylor


132

Contenders
No. 7 (at 126) Andrew Alirez, CO
No. 10 Alex Cruz, WA
Addison Fogle, OH
Chase Zollmann, CA
Tyler Deen, CA
Dakota Galt, SD
Drew West, IA
Gable Fox, IA
Ethan Smiley, IN
Jackson Henson, WV
Riley Gurr, MT
Ronnie Pietro, OH
Legend Lamer, OR

Commentary: Another great crop here at 132. Cruz is a returning AA here along with Andrew Alirez who was third in Cadets last year. 

Chase Zollmann didn't place last year, but is a tough competitor with the capability of making the podium this year. Drew West also came up short of placing last year, but I'd keep my eye on him this weekend for sure. 

Ronnie Pietro, Jackson Henson and Riley Gurr add some good depth here. 

Holmes' picks:

1. Alirez
2. Cruz
3. Zollmann
4. West

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