Junior World Trials Fallout

- by Brock Hite

The hype surrounding team USA should be significant as they head to Salvador da Bahia, Brazil in August. Team USA finished second at the 2014 championships, and there is no reason to believe this year’s team can’t equal or improve upon that finish. Coach Slay shares his thoughts here.

MFS - 50 KG
1st Place - Spencer Lee of Young Guns
2nd Place - Brandon Courtney of Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club
3rd Place - Jabari Moody of Harvey Twisters WC
4th Place - Liam Cronin of Servite

1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Spencer Lee (Young Guns) won by tech fall over Brandon Courtney (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) (TF 10-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Jabari Moody (Harvey Twisters WC) won by tech fall over Liam Cronin (Servite) (TF 12-2)

Challenge Tournament Prediction:
1. Spencer Lee
2. Jabari Moody
3. Devin Brown

Lee was dominant throughout the day and showed why he was a Cadet World Champion in 2014. He was an easy pick . Courtney had a big win over 2014 Junior World Team member, Jabari, Moody, in the challenge semi-final. Moody scored on big four-point maneuvers while Courtney plugged away with two-point takedowns.  Brown was my pick for third and did not wrestle.

MFS - 50KG 2 of 3
1st Place - Spencer Lee of Young Guns
2nd Place - Danny Vega of Tucson Cyclones
Round 1
Round 1 - Spencer Lee (Young Guns) won by tech fall over Danny Vega (Tucson Cyclones) (TF 10-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Spencer Lee (Young Guns) won by tech fall over Danny Vega (Tucson Cyclones) (TF 10-0)
Round 3

Championship Series Prediction:
Spencer Lee over Danny Vega 2-0
Again, Spencer Lee is so talented and technically sound it was easy to pick the heavy favorite.

At the World Championships:
Using the cadet age group as a gauge you have to believe Lee is a serious title contender. Without knowing the field it is hard to predict a Gold medal, but are you going to pick against Spencer Lee at 50kg?

MFS - 55 KG
1st Place - Stevan Micic of Chicago Regional Training Cent
2nd Place - Jack Mueller of Dallas Dynamite
3rd Place - Darian Cruz of LVAC
4th Place - Ronnie Rios of NWRTC

1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Stevan Micic (Chicago Regional Training Cent) won by tech fall over Jack Mueller (Dallas Dynamite) (TF 10-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Darian Cruz (LVAC) won by decision over Ronnie Rios (NWRTC) (Dec 5-4)

Challenge Tournament Prediction:
1. Darian Cruz
2. Stevan Micic
3. Austin Gomez

Stevan Micic was wrestled at a much higher level than he did in Las Vegas. I took Cruz over him in the challenge tournament, but we never got to see that match-up. Jack Mueller used the counter exposure that I was concerned about in a possible match-up between Cruz and Fix. The late chest wraps went to review, but Mueller too out the 2014 NCAA All-American in the semi-finals. For the second straight weight class, my third place pick did not wrestle in the tournament.

MFS - 55KG 2 of 3
1st Place - Stevan Micic of Chicago Regional Training Cent
2nd Place - Daton Fix of Team Big
Round 1
Round 1 - Stevan Micic (Chicago Regional Training Cent) won by decision over Daton Fix (Team Big) (Dec 7-4)
Round 2
Round 2 - Stevan Micic (Chicago Regional Training Cent) won by decision over Daton Fix (Team Big) (Dec 10-4)
Round 3

Championship Series Prediction:
Darian Cruz over Daton Fix 2-1
Micic accomplished what I thought Cruz could do. He wrestled a more basic game plan than he did in Vegas and controlled both bouts. Coach Slay complimented him on the work he put in on his recent trip to Turkey.

At the World Championships:
Micic won a bronze in his trip to Turkey. He has Cadet World Championship experience competing in the 2013 Championships. I like Micic’s chances to wrestle in the bronze medal match and place 3^rd or 5^th.

MFS - 60 KG
1st Place - Brock Zacherl of Clarion Wrestling Club
2nd Place - Mitchell McKee of Minnesota Storm
3rd Place - Kaid Brock of Stillwater
4th Place - Colton Mccrystal of NWTC

1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Brock Zacherl (Clarion Wrestling Club) won by decision over Mitchell McKee (Minnesota Storm) (Dec 6-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Kaid Brock (Stillwater) won by decision over Colton McCrystal (NWTC) (Dec 11-8)

Challenge Tournament Prediction:
1. Brock Zacherl
2. Mitchell McKee
3. Matthew Kolodzik

Brock Zacherl continued his success following a third place finish at University Nationals. He has a great straight on spear single and transitions to it nicely when he misses double leg attempts. McKee and Brock didn’t disappoint in the semi-final. McKee scored in a big flurry and was victorious by technical fall. My third place pick was not in the bracket once again. Kolodzik wrestled up at 66kg.

MFS - 60KG 2 of 3
1st Place - Brock Zacherl of Clarion Wrestling Club
2nd Place - Gary Harding of Collinsville Cardinal Wrestling

Round 1
Round 1 - Brock Zacherl (Clarion Wrestling Club) won by tech fall over Gary Harding (Collinsville Cardinal Wrestlin) (TF 11-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Brock Zacherl (Clarion Wrestling Club) won by tech fall over Gary Harding (Collinsville Cardinal Wrestlin) (TF 10-0)
Round 3

Championship Series Prediction:
Brock Zacherl over Gary Wayne Harding 2-0
I had some reservations about picking Zacherl because of having to come through the challenge tournament, and a decent weight cut. He removed those immediately in the championship series first match. He was explosive from the opening whistle and dominated both matches.

At the World Championships:

Keep in mind Joey McKenna has a chance to challenge for this spot during the team camp at the end of the month. McKenna missed weight at 61kg and will have to change some things up if he wants to knock Zacherl off the World Team. McKenna back at this weight is an immediate title contender as he was the silver medalist at the 2014 Championships. I think Zacherl can win some bouts with his explosive leg attacks, but will have to transition into some turns on top if he wants to take a medal home from Brazil.

MFS - 66 KG
1st Place - Zain Retherford of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club
2nd Place - Vincenzo Joseph of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club
3rd Place - Anthony Ashnault of Scarlet Knights Wrestling Club
4th Place - Fredy Stroker of Minnesota Storm

1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Zain Retherford (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club) won by decision over Vincenzo Joseph (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club) (Dec 5-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Anthony Ashnault (Scarlet Knights Wrestling Club) won by decision over Fredy Stroker (Minnesota Storm) (Dec 7-6)

Challenge Tournament Prediction:
1. Zain Retherford
2. Anthony Ashnault
3. Vincenzo Joseph

Zain had to work through some bouts, but showed why he is our best 66kg age group wrestler not named Aaron Pico. I had Joseph and Ashnault flipped in the prediction. They met first round. Joseph confirmed his progress as he upended Ashnault and wrestle a really tough match against his future teammate, Retherford.

MFS - 66KG 2 of 3
1st Place - Aaron Pico of Titan Mercury Wrestling Club
2nd Place - Zain Retherford of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club
Round 1
Round 1 - Aaron Pico (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) won by decision over Zain Retherford (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club) (Dec 5-2)
Round 2
Round 2 - Aaron Pico (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) won by decision over Zain Retherford (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club) (Dec 6-2)
Round 3

Championship Series Prediction:
Aaron Pico over Zain Retherford 2-0
What Pico has accomplished in this rivalry is pretty amazing. He has dominated almost all six matches. That is not easy to do against someone of Retherford’s caliber.

At the World Championships:
Pico’s camp has a plan and they are committed to a Junior World Title this year. The Iranian Pico fell to in last year’s final has had a lot of success at 70kg on the senior level. I think we will see Pico put another World Title on his resume.

MFS - 74 KG
1st Place - Chance Marsteller of Titan Mercury Wrestling Club
2nd Place - Logan Massa of Cliff Keen Wrestling Club
3rd Place - Jason Nolf of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club
4th Place - Joe Smith of Titan Mercury Wrestling Club

1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Chance Marsteller (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) won by decision over Logan Massa (Cliff Keen Wrestling Club) (Dec 8-8)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Jason Nolf (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club) won by decision over Joe Smith (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) (Dec 12-7)

Challenge Tournament Prediction:
1. Jason Nolf
2. Logan Massa
3. Mason Manville

Loga Massa had a monster challenge tournament. Yes, I know he didn’t win. Well, ask Anndy Hrovat if he won. I am not going to touch the controversial call, but it doesn’t change that Massa bounced back in a big way after a disappointing Vegas. Nolf was a wildcard as he has limited freestyle experience, but imo is the best folkstyler of the group. Marsteller was in the group of Cowboy WC members that registered late, so he wasn’t in the predictions.

MFS - 74KG 2 of 3
1st Place - Mark Hall of Minnesota Strom
2nd Place - Chance Marsteller of Titan Mercury Wrestling Club

Round 1
Round 1 - Mark Hall (Minnesota Strom) won by tech fall over Chance Marsteller (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) (TF 10-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Mark Hall (Minnesota Strom) won by fall over Chance Marsteller (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) (Fall 3:44)
Round 3

Championship Series Prediction:
Mark Hall over Jason Nolf 2-1
I picked Nolf to take a bout from Hall. That will be the last time I pick against Hall until further notice. He came out in the first bout and wrestled his perfect match. He went from a low ankle takedown, and right into a leglace to finish the match quickly. Very impressive performance by Mark Hall.

At the World Championships:
Hall has been working a lot at the OTC and is very well prepared for international competition. I expect a medal at this weight class. I am not ready to commit to that medal being gold because the Junior World Championships are just that tough. 

MFS - 84 KG
1st Place - Chandler Rogers of Titan Mercury Wrestling Club
2nd Place - Jaden Bernstein of Navy-Marine Corps Mat Club
3rd Place - Riley Lefever of Titan Mercury Wrestling Club
4th Place - Richard Robertson of Wisconsin

1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Chandler Rogers (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) won by tech fall over Jaden Bernstein (Navy-Marine Corps Mat Club) (TF 10-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Riley Lefever (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) won by decision over Richard Robertson (Wisconsin) (Dec 8-6)

Challenge Tournament Prediction:
1. Ricky Robertson
2. Riley Lefever
3. Peter Renda

The story of the challenge tournament was the dominance of Chandler Rogers. This is probably an indicator that Rogers is headed to 184 to challenge Nolan Boyd for the Cowboys starting spot.  Rogers had a big throw to pin Lefever in the semi-final and dominated Bernstein in the final. Bernstein wrestled a great tournament and controlled a position battle against my pick, Robertson, in his semi-final. I totally whiffed on the picks here, but Rogers was not registered at press time.

MFS - 84KG 2 of 3
1st Place - Zahid Valencia of Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club
2nd Place - Chandler Rogers of Titan Mercury Wrestling Club

Round 1
Round 1 - Zahid Valencia (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) won by tech fall over Chandler Rogers (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) (TF 10-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Zahid Valencia (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) won by fall over Chandler Rogers (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) (Fall 2:49)
Round 3

Championship Series Prediction:
Zahid Valencia over Ricky Robertson 2-0
Zahid thoroughly impressed me. I thought he might have close matches in the final, he didn’t. He continues to progress along side his brother and will make an impact in the Sun Devil room right away.

At the World Championships:

Zahid won a gold medal in Turkey just a few weeks ago. Like Hall, I think he is ready to medal. I will predict he brings home a bronze.

MFS - 96 KG
1st Place - Jacob Seely of Northern Colorado Wrestling Cl
2nd Place - Ben Honis of FLWC/TMWC
3rd Place - Marcus Harrington of Iowa State
4th Place - Joseph Ariola of Buffalo RTC

1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Jacob Seely (Northern Colorado Wrestling Cl) won by decision over Ben Honis (FLWC/TMWC) (Dec 10-4)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Marcus Harrington (Iowa State) won by tech fall over Joseph Ariola (Buffalo RTC) (TF 15-4)

Challenge Tournament Prediction:
1. Marcus Harrington
2. Jacob Seely
3. Ben Honis

Ben Honis threw a big headlock to pin Harrington as he trailed by a large margin in the semi-final. He couldn’t make lightning strike twice as Seely defeated him in the challenge final.

MFS - 96KG 2 of 3
1st Place - Anthony Cassar of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club
2nd Place - Jacob Seely of Northern Colorado Wrestling Cl
Round 1
Round 1 - Anthony Cassar (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club) won by tech fall over Jacob Seely (Northern Colorado Wrestling Cl) (TF 12-2)
Round 2
Round 2 - Anthony Cassar (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club) won by tech fall over Jacob Seely (Northern Colorado Wrestling Cl) (TF 10-0)
Round 3

Championship Series Prediction:
Anthony Cassar over Marcus Harrington 2-1
Cassar won a crazy 15-14 match over Harrington in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Harrington was not able to schedule the rematches. Cassar Dominated in the championship series and should be expected to do big things for the Nittany Lions in the future.

At the World Championships:
Cassar has been on a serious trend upward. He will have a great experience at Junior Worlds, but I just can’t believe he is ready to be on the medal stand yet.  The crazy thing about this weight class is our best Junior level wrestler at this weight is the Senior World Team member.

MFS - 120 KG
1st Place - Jake Gunning of Buffalo RTC
2nd Place - Garrett Ryan of Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club
3rd Place - Matt Voss of Patriot Elite RTC
4th Place - Jacob Scanlan of OTC

1st Place Match
1st Place Match - Jake Gunning (Buffalo RTC) won by decision over Garrett Ryan (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) (Dec 5-0)
3rd Place Match
3rd Place Match - Matt Voss (Patriot Elite RTC) won by decision over Jacob Scanlan (OTC) (Dec 11-2)

Challenge Tournament Prediction:
1. Garrett Ryan
2. Jeramy Sweany
3. Jake Scanlan

Jake Gunning is showing good things out of Buffalo. Garrett Ryan has a lot of freestyle experience and Gunning dominated the positions to win the challenge bracket.

MFS - 120KG 2 of 3
1st Place - Nathan Butler of California RTC
2nd Place - Jake Gunning of Buffalo RTC
Round 1
Round 1 - Nathan Butler (California RTC) won by tech fall over Jake Gunning (Buffalo RTC) (TF 11-0)
Round 2
Round 2 - Nathan Butler (California RTC) won by tech fall over Jake Gunning (Buffalo RTC) (TF 11-0)
Round 3

Championship Series Prediction:
Nathan Butler over Garrett Ryan 2-1
Butler was dominating in the championship series. I wish we got to see him against Ryan to confirm if he has made the significant progress I think he has, or matchups came into play. Either way, Butler wrestled well.

At the World Championships:
120kg is always tough to predict at the world level. I think this will be an experience builder for Butler as he doesn’t have extensive World Team experience like some of the other competitors on our team.