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Insider: Junior World Team Trials Preview
Willie Saylor, Editor
USA Wrestling has done a great job at fostering the developmental programs at the Cadet and Junior levels in recent years. As a result, more interest and exposure has been gained at those levels.
Some of the best Junior level wrestlers in the country will wrestling in Oklahoma State’s historic Gallgher-Iba Arena on Sunday, the last day of the World Team Trials weekend. In the field are 14 former World Team Members.
On the line is a spot on the 2013 team and chance for a medal at Junior Worlds in Serbia this summer. The group represents high school seniors and young college athletes. In the field are
50KG
Sitting in the Finals: Adrian Cordova, CO - 2012 JR World Team Member
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Ethan Lizak, PA - 2x PA State Champ
Nolan Hellickson, IA - Western Juniors Champ
Tirso Lara, CA - USAW Folk Champ
Doyle Trout, NE - Fila JR Runner-Up
Commentary:
Cordova is the incumbent Team Member at this weight. He also won Fila JR’s beating Trout in the finals. He has by far the most extensive freestyle resume.
That being said, I’ll take Ethan Lizak here. He’ll be a good size for the weight now, and I like his talent, especially with two-point takedowns.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Lizak, PA 2. Cordova, CO 3. Trout, NE 4. Hellickson, IA
55KG
Sitting in the Finals: Thomas Gilman, NE - Returning JR Runner-Up, 2011 Cadet World Team Member, Fargo National Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Jordan Wigger, SC - Fargo AA
Nathan Tomasello, OH - Returning 4th, Fargo Champ
Tommy Thorn, MN - 2x Cadet World Team Member
Dylan Peters, IA - Fargo AA
Commentary:
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to see Thorn. He was scheduled to appear at FILA JR’s, but a storm in Minnesota blocked his flight. He and Tomasello are the high school half a really talent quartet. The other half is the college guys in Peters and Gilman.
Gilman is talented and extremely FS-savvy. He’s coming off a good showing at University’s. He’ll sit in the finals via his Vegas title he earned with a close one over Tomasello.
Who will meet him? Good question. Tomasello and Thorn both have the experience and talent. Peters has already had a year in a college room. My first inclination is to go with that experience. But in the end, I just can’t discount Tomasello’s toughness.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Gilman, IA 2. Tomasello, OH 3. Peters, IA 4. Thorn, MN
60KG
Sitting in the Finals: Ben Whitford, MI - Fargo National Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Anthony Ashnault, NJ - Fargo AA
Hayden Tuma, ID - Fargo AA
Jamel Hudson, NY
Joey McKenna, NJ - 2013 Cadet World Team Member
Sam Brancale, MN - Fargo AA
Zane Richards, IL - Fargo Runner-Up
Brian Crutchmer, OK - Fargo AA
Earl Hall, FL - 2013 Junior World Team Member
Joey Ward, OH
Joey Palmer, WA - Fargo Runner-Up
Mark Grey, NJ - 2011 JR World Team 5th
Tim Lambert, MI - Fargo AA
Commentary:
Such a loaded weight. Whitford ran through the field in Vegas in what was one of the best performances I’ve seen in a long time. From that bracket, Mason Beckman and Jimmy Gulibon are gone, but it gains McKenna, who comes down from 138, and Zane Richards.
In Vegas, unfortunately, Whitford and Grey met in the first round. Tuma and Crutchmer split matches. Tuma beat Ashnault.
Hall is the wild card. He didn’t win FILA JR’s last year but came back to win the trials. After a somewhat disappointing Vegas, will he rebound again?
It’s a real advantage to sit in the finals in a bracket this ridiculously deep. It’s going to be a grind to reach Whitford. In a one-match setting, I might lean Grey. But under the circumstances, Whiford should be the guy. Either way, I think we’re in good shape in Serbia.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Whitford, MI 2. Grey, NJ 3. Tuma, ID 4. Ashnault, NJ
66KG
Sitting in the Finals: Jason Tsirtsis, IN - Fargo National Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Anthony Collica, OH - Fargo National Champ
Chris Carton, NC
Cole Mendenhall, MT
Connor Ryan, IA
Gary Dinmore, NJ
Eric Hoffman, MD - Fargo AA
Jake Short, MN - Fargo AA
Logan Massa, MI - Fargo AA
Oliver Pierce, TX - Fargo AA
Zain Retherford PA - Cadet World Champion
Timmy Box, CA
Commentary:
This weight has a lot of national experience and freestyle savvy. Leading the way is Tsirtsis, who’s a serious medal threat on the World stage.
It’s a bit surprising to see some of the kids at this weight. Retherford is going to WAY small. Pierce, way big. Massa, who’s trajectory may have skyrocketed as much as anyone’s in the last 12 months, is sort of in between weights too.
There probably isn’t a bigger fan of Retherford’s talent and toughness than me. But I just don’t see any way he’ll be able to overcome the size difference. Of course, I said that last year when he wrestled Cadets at 138 instead of 127 and all he did was win a World Title.
There’s a wild card here also. Collica won a Fargo title last summer. And he’ll be wrestling in his future gym at OSU. But he took a surprising loss recently. What threat will he present? In a perfect world I could see him being a threat to anyone, including Tsirtsis.
Last but not least is Jake Short. He’s been in contention for national titles at every level. But I’m not so sure he has the offense to overcome the top guys here.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Tsirtsis, IN 2. Collica, OH 3. Pierce, TX 4. Retherford
74KG
Sitting in the Finals: Dylan Palacio, NY - Fargo All American
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
McCoy Newberg, TN
Micah Barnes, MN - Fargo Runner-Up
Nick Wanzek, MN - Fargo Runner-Up
Patrick Rhoads, MO
Zac Brunson, OR - Fargo Finalist
Taylor Massa, MI - 2011 Cadet World Team Member
Yoanse Mejias, FL - Fargo Runner-Up
Tommy Gannt, FL - FILA Placer
Logan Molina, NE
Dylan Reel, IL - Fargo AA
Brandon Kinglsey, MN - Fargo AA
Brian Realbuto, NY - Fargo AA
Isaiah Martinez, CA - Fargo Champ
Brad Dolezal, WI
Jordan Henrickson, CO - FILA Placer
Alex Dieringer, WI - 2012 JR World Team Member
Commentary:
A loaded weight class that could extrapolate in any number of ways. Palacio won in Vegas where former World Team Members Dieringer and Massa were absent.
Dieringer is slightly undersized, but he’s proven he can get the job done before. In 2011 he wrestled 145 during the season, won Fargo GR at 152, bumped up and won FS at 160 later in the week. He had an amazing performance at NCAA’s this year where he placed 3rd.
I really like Palacio’s progression. He has a whatever-it-takes grit and an unparalleled gas tank that will be a great asset with the six minute matches.
For me, the guy ‘in limbo’ here is I-Mar. Although the field is chock full of more seasoned contenders (including a guy like Micah Barnes who beat Jordan Blanton this year), I think Martinez is a legit threat. He has more talent than most and has been wrestling so well.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Dierenger, WI 2. Palacio, NY 3. Martinez, CA 4. Massa, WI
84KG
Sitting in the Finals: Victor Avery, MA - FILA JR. Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Alex Meyer, IA - Fargo AA
Brett Pfarr, MN - Fargo AA
Gabe Dean, MI - FILA Placer
Nikko Reyes, IL
Jesse Doyle, NC
Jordan Rogers, WA - 2011 Cadet World Team Member
Lelund Weatherspoon, MI - FILA Champ
Joey Davis, CA - JUCO Champ
Kyle Crutchmer, OK - Fargo Champ
Sammy Brooks - Cadet World Bronze Medalist
Tim Dudley, SC - Fargo AA
Commentary:
Perhaps no other weight in the competition offers so much depth and so little ‘fluff’. There are going to be wars in the first round.
There’s no denying the progression of Avery, who had a very solid collegiate campaign as well. He won the bracket in Vegas with many of these guys present, beating Crutchmer in three periods in the semi’s. Crutchmer would go on to pin Brooks in the 3rd place match.
The big gun who wasn’t present in Vegas was Jordan Rogers, the juggernaut who will be wrestling in his home gym.
Weatherspoon was the Vegas Champ at the non-sanctioned 174lb wt. class.
There are two real wild cards here, both from California, both with little limited FS experience, both with boatloads of athleticism: Reyes and Davis. They should be more than capable on their feet, Reyes with his textbook HI-C, Davis with a Burroughs-esque double, but how will their par terre defense be?
Willie’s Picks: 1. Rogers, WA 2. Avery, MA 3. Crutchmer, OK 4. Davis, CA
96KG
Sitting in the Finals: Kyle Snyder, MD - Fargo National Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Matt Meadows, OH
Austin Schafer, CA - FILA JR 3rd
Nathan Burak, CO - Fargo AA
Willie Miklus, IA - FILA JR Runner-Up
Commentary:
Small bracket here with just six entries. Snyder sits, making just 5 chasing the finals.
Snyder is a man child. Most in the field are a couple years older. That didn’t stop him from winning in Vegas where he beat Miklus in the finals.
The challenge for him here will come from the winner of Miklus and Burak, who just had a very solid year for the Hawkeyes. Snyder is a little dinged up, but he only has to win two bouts. And with the six minute bouts, I don’t see anyone matching his intensity for that duration.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Snyder, MD 2. Burak, CO 3. Miklus, IA 4. Meadows
120KG
Sitting in the Finals: Adam Coon, MI - Fila Jr. Runner-Up, 2011 Cadet World Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Garrett Ryan, AZ - Cadet World Team Member
Ross Larson, IA
Mickey Dougharity, OR - Fargo AA
Austin Marsden, IL - 2012 Junior World Team Member
Brooks Black, PA - Fargo AA
Mike Kroells, MN - Fargo AA
Wyatt Spears, OR - Fargo Cadet National Champion
Commentary:
The above list represents all of the entries. And what a great group they are.
Coon lost in the finals at Vegas to a Canadian (Amaveer Dhesi) who is ineligible to compete here.
Marsden beat Black in FILA Jr’s last year. Black beat Kroells at Fargo last year.
Watch out for Dougharity. He doesn’t get a lot of pub, but he will. He’s talented.
Larson, who was a multi-sport athlete in high school, has about zero freestyle experience. But he’s supremely athletic and training under Mark Cody, one of the premier upperweight coaches in America. He’s your wild card.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Marsden, IL 2. Coon, MI 3. Dougharity, OR 4. Black, PA
Last Year
2012 Best-of-Three Finals Results:
50KG: Adrian Cordova, CO def. Bobby Nachreiner, WI, 2-0
55KG: Joey Dance, VA def. Caleb Richardson, VA, 2-0
60KG: Earl Hall, FL def. Shelton Mack, PA, 2-0
66KG: Destin McCauley, SD def. Edwin Cooper, IL, 2-0
74KG: Alex Dieringer, WI def. Nick Moore, IA, 2-0
84KG: Pat Downey, MD def. Dwight Howes, CO, 2-0
96KG: Tanner Hall, ID def. Kyle Snyder, MD, 2-0
120KG: Austin Marsden, IL def. Connor Medbery, WI, 2-0
2012 Junior World Championship Results:
50KG: Adrian Cordova, 18th
55KG: Joey Dance, 11th
60KG: Earl Hall, 17th
66KG: Destin McCauley, 17th
74KG: Alex Dieringer, 12th
84KG: Pat Downey, Silver
96KG: Tanner Hall, 9th
120KG: Austin Marsden, 11th
Willie Saylor, Editor
USA Wrestling has done a great job at fostering the developmental programs at the Cadet and Junior levels in recent years. As a result, more interest and exposure has been gained at those levels.
Some of the best Junior level wrestlers in the country will wrestling in Oklahoma State’s historic Gallgher-Iba Arena on Sunday, the last day of the World Team Trials weekend. In the field are 14 former World Team Members.
On the line is a spot on the 2013 team and chance for a medal at Junior Worlds in Serbia this summer. The group represents high school seniors and young college athletes. In the field are
50KG
Sitting in the Finals: Adrian Cordova, CO - 2012 JR World Team Member
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Ethan Lizak, PA - 2x PA State Champ
Nolan Hellickson, IA - Western Juniors Champ
Tirso Lara, CA - USAW Folk Champ
Doyle Trout, NE - Fila JR Runner-Up
Commentary:
Cordova is the incumbent Team Member at this weight. He also won Fila JR’s beating Trout in the finals. He has by far the most extensive freestyle resume.
That being said, I’ll take Ethan Lizak here. He’ll be a good size for the weight now, and I like his talent, especially with two-point takedowns.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Lizak, PA 2. Cordova, CO 3. Trout, NE 4. Hellickson, IA
55KG
Sitting in the Finals: Thomas Gilman, NE - Returning JR Runner-Up, 2011 Cadet World Team Member, Fargo National Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Jordan Wigger, SC - Fargo AA
Nathan Tomasello, OH - Returning 4th, Fargo Champ
Tommy Thorn, MN - 2x Cadet World Team Member
Dylan Peters, IA - Fargo AA
Commentary:
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to see Thorn. He was scheduled to appear at FILA JR’s, but a storm in Minnesota blocked his flight. He and Tomasello are the high school half a really talent quartet. The other half is the college guys in Peters and Gilman.
Gilman is talented and extremely FS-savvy. He’s coming off a good showing at University’s. He’ll sit in the finals via his Vegas title he earned with a close one over Tomasello.
Who will meet him? Good question. Tomasello and Thorn both have the experience and talent. Peters has already had a year in a college room. My first inclination is to go with that experience. But in the end, I just can’t discount Tomasello’s toughness.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Gilman, IA 2. Tomasello, OH 3. Peters, IA 4. Thorn, MN
60KG
Sitting in the Finals: Ben Whitford, MI - Fargo National Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Anthony Ashnault, NJ - Fargo AA
Hayden Tuma, ID - Fargo AA
Jamel Hudson, NY
Joey McKenna, NJ - 2013 Cadet World Team Member
Sam Brancale, MN - Fargo AA
Zane Richards, IL - Fargo Runner-Up
Brian Crutchmer, OK - Fargo AA
Earl Hall, FL - 2013 Junior World Team Member
Joey Ward, OH
Joey Palmer, WA - Fargo Runner-Up
Mark Grey, NJ - 2011 JR World Team 5th
Tim Lambert, MI - Fargo AA
Commentary:
Such a loaded weight. Whitford ran through the field in Vegas in what was one of the best performances I’ve seen in a long time. From that bracket, Mason Beckman and Jimmy Gulibon are gone, but it gains McKenna, who comes down from 138, and Zane Richards.
In Vegas, unfortunately, Whitford and Grey met in the first round. Tuma and Crutchmer split matches. Tuma beat Ashnault.
Hall is the wild card. He didn’t win FILA JR’s last year but came back to win the trials. After a somewhat disappointing Vegas, will he rebound again?
It’s a real advantage to sit in the finals in a bracket this ridiculously deep. It’s going to be a grind to reach Whitford. In a one-match setting, I might lean Grey. But under the circumstances, Whiford should be the guy. Either way, I think we’re in good shape in Serbia.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Whitford, MI 2. Grey, NJ 3. Tuma, ID 4. Ashnault, NJ
66KG
Sitting in the Finals: Jason Tsirtsis, IN - Fargo National Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Anthony Collica, OH - Fargo National Champ
Chris Carton, NC
Cole Mendenhall, MT
Connor Ryan, IA
Gary Dinmore, NJ
Eric Hoffman, MD - Fargo AA
Jake Short, MN - Fargo AA
Logan Massa, MI - Fargo AA
Oliver Pierce, TX - Fargo AA
Zain Retherford PA - Cadet World Champion
Timmy Box, CA
Commentary:
This weight has a lot of national experience and freestyle savvy. Leading the way is Tsirtsis, who’s a serious medal threat on the World stage.
It’s a bit surprising to see some of the kids at this weight. Retherford is going to WAY small. Pierce, way big. Massa, who’s trajectory may have skyrocketed as much as anyone’s in the last 12 months, is sort of in between weights too.
There probably isn’t a bigger fan of Retherford’s talent and toughness than me. But I just don’t see any way he’ll be able to overcome the size difference. Of course, I said that last year when he wrestled Cadets at 138 instead of 127 and all he did was win a World Title.
There’s a wild card here also. Collica won a Fargo title last summer. And he’ll be wrestling in his future gym at OSU. But he took a surprising loss recently. What threat will he present? In a perfect world I could see him being a threat to anyone, including Tsirtsis.
Last but not least is Jake Short. He’s been in contention for national titles at every level. But I’m not so sure he has the offense to overcome the top guys here.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Tsirtsis, IN 2. Collica, OH 3. Pierce, TX 4. Retherford
74KG
Sitting in the Finals: Dylan Palacio, NY - Fargo All American
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
McCoy Newberg, TN
Micah Barnes, MN - Fargo Runner-Up
Nick Wanzek, MN - Fargo Runner-Up
Patrick Rhoads, MO
Zac Brunson, OR - Fargo Finalist
Taylor Massa, MI - 2011 Cadet World Team Member
Yoanse Mejias, FL - Fargo Runner-Up
Tommy Gannt, FL - FILA Placer
Logan Molina, NE
Dylan Reel, IL - Fargo AA
Brandon Kinglsey, MN - Fargo AA
Brian Realbuto, NY - Fargo AA
Isaiah Martinez, CA - Fargo Champ
Brad Dolezal, WI
Jordan Henrickson, CO - FILA Placer
Alex Dieringer, WI - 2012 JR World Team Member
Commentary:
A loaded weight class that could extrapolate in any number of ways. Palacio won in Vegas where former World Team Members Dieringer and Massa were absent.
Dieringer is slightly undersized, but he’s proven he can get the job done before. In 2011 he wrestled 145 during the season, won Fargo GR at 152, bumped up and won FS at 160 later in the week. He had an amazing performance at NCAA’s this year where he placed 3rd.
I really like Palacio’s progression. He has a whatever-it-takes grit and an unparalleled gas tank that will be a great asset with the six minute matches.
For me, the guy ‘in limbo’ here is I-Mar. Although the field is chock full of more seasoned contenders (including a guy like Micah Barnes who beat Jordan Blanton this year), I think Martinez is a legit threat. He has more talent than most and has been wrestling so well.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Dierenger, WI 2. Palacio, NY 3. Martinez, CA 4. Massa, WI
84KG
Sitting in the Finals: Victor Avery, MA - FILA JR. Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Alex Meyer, IA - Fargo AA
Brett Pfarr, MN - Fargo AA
Gabe Dean, MI - FILA Placer
Nikko Reyes, IL
Jesse Doyle, NC
Jordan Rogers, WA - 2011 Cadet World Team Member
Lelund Weatherspoon, MI - FILA Champ
Joey Davis, CA - JUCO Champ
Kyle Crutchmer, OK - Fargo Champ
Sammy Brooks - Cadet World Bronze Medalist
Tim Dudley, SC - Fargo AA
Commentary:
Perhaps no other weight in the competition offers so much depth and so little ‘fluff’. There are going to be wars in the first round.
There’s no denying the progression of Avery, who had a very solid collegiate campaign as well. He won the bracket in Vegas with many of these guys present, beating Crutchmer in three periods in the semi’s. Crutchmer would go on to pin Brooks in the 3rd place match.
The big gun who wasn’t present in Vegas was Jordan Rogers, the juggernaut who will be wrestling in his home gym.
Weatherspoon was the Vegas Champ at the non-sanctioned 174lb wt. class.
There are two real wild cards here, both from California, both with little limited FS experience, both with boatloads of athleticism: Reyes and Davis. They should be more than capable on their feet, Reyes with his textbook HI-C, Davis with a Burroughs-esque double, but how will their par terre defense be?
Willie’s Picks: 1. Rogers, WA 2. Avery, MA 3. Crutchmer, OK 4. Davis, CA
96KG
Sitting in the Finals: Kyle Snyder, MD - Fargo National Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Matt Meadows, OH
Austin Schafer, CA - FILA JR 3rd
Nathan Burak, CO - Fargo AA
Willie Miklus, IA - FILA JR Runner-Up
Commentary:
Small bracket here with just six entries. Snyder sits, making just 5 chasing the finals.
Snyder is a man child. Most in the field are a couple years older. That didn’t stop him from winning in Vegas where he beat Miklus in the finals.
The challenge for him here will come from the winner of Miklus and Burak, who just had a very solid year for the Hawkeyes. Snyder is a little dinged up, but he only has to win two bouts. And with the six minute bouts, I don’t see anyone matching his intensity for that duration.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Snyder, MD 2. Burak, CO 3. Miklus, IA 4. Meadows
120KG
Sitting in the Finals: Adam Coon, MI - Fila Jr. Runner-Up, 2011 Cadet World Champion
Challenge Tournament Contenders:
Garrett Ryan, AZ - Cadet World Team Member
Ross Larson, IA
Mickey Dougharity, OR - Fargo AA
Austin Marsden, IL - 2012 Junior World Team Member
Brooks Black, PA - Fargo AA
Mike Kroells, MN - Fargo AA
Wyatt Spears, OR - Fargo Cadet National Champion
Commentary:
The above list represents all of the entries. And what a great group they are.
Coon lost in the finals at Vegas to a Canadian (Amaveer Dhesi) who is ineligible to compete here.
Marsden beat Black in FILA Jr’s last year. Black beat Kroells at Fargo last year.
Watch out for Dougharity. He doesn’t get a lot of pub, but he will. He’s talented.
Larson, who was a multi-sport athlete in high school, has about zero freestyle experience. But he’s supremely athletic and training under Mark Cody, one of the premier upperweight coaches in America. He’s your wild card.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Marsden, IL 2. Coon, MI 3. Dougharity, OR 4. Black, PA
Last Year
2012 Best-of-Three Finals Results:
50KG: Adrian Cordova, CO def. Bobby Nachreiner, WI, 2-0
55KG: Joey Dance, VA def. Caleb Richardson, VA, 2-0
60KG: Earl Hall, FL def. Shelton Mack, PA, 2-0
66KG: Destin McCauley, SD def. Edwin Cooper, IL, 2-0
74KG: Alex Dieringer, WI def. Nick Moore, IA, 2-0
84KG: Pat Downey, MD def. Dwight Howes, CO, 2-0
96KG: Tanner Hall, ID def. Kyle Snyder, MD, 2-0
120KG: Austin Marsden, IL def. Connor Medbery, WI, 2-0
2012 Junior World Championship Results:
50KG: Adrian Cordova, 18th
55KG: Joey Dance, 11th
60KG: Earl Hall, 17th
66KG: Destin McCauley, 17th
74KG: Alex Dieringer, 12th
84KG: Pat Downey, Silver
96KG: Tanner Hall, 9th
120KG: Austin Marsden, 11th