With so many highly-talented and credentialed Cadet wrestlers all in one place there are so many potential match-ups looming that are sure to keep us entertained the entire weekend.
But I’ve narrowed it down to just five match-ups/weight classes to keep your eye on this weekend in Akron. We’ve got a great deal of Fargo champs, returning placers and just enough newcomers to have the perfect recipe for recklessness.
So let’s take a look at the potential must-see Cadet freestyle matches.
Neither one of them has lost a match over the last two years at the tournament as the both were double champs last year. Roman Bravo-Young also won in both styles in 2014, as well.
Raimo put on an absolute show against Alex Thomsen last year in the Freestyle finals of Fargo and has one of the deadliest headlocks besides being an all-around amazing attacker. RBY brings pretty impeccable defense to the table and can scramble his way out of just about anything. I think this could be a very high scoring match with both guys leaving the mat pretty exhausted.
In the end, I think Bravo-Young won’t have enough bullets in the gun to rattle Raimo. Nonetheless, it’s going to be exciting.
The match to see here will be between Arujau and Sasso. Both won Fargo titles last year with Arujau being the runner-up to Yianni here last year, as well. But if Sasso can control the positions of the match he should have the advantage. However, Vito is a better freestyle wrestler.
Final note at this weight: Beau Barlett is making his debut. He could make things interesting.
Warner has the edge in this match-up because he’s got more Freestyle experience and frankly I just feel like he’s going to win the spot. But Beard will make it interesting. He may not be the favorite, but it wouldn’t be crazy if he ended up with his hand raised at the end.
Also, look out for Cohlton Schultz. He was able to collect a few takedowns against Steveson in the Fargo finals last year and can certainly go with him. I’d imagine that Schultz and Adams would hit early with the winner getting Steveson in the final. So I guess in a way there’s a bit of a three-headed monster here. No matter what, the match between Schultz and Adams will be good as well as the match between Steveson and whoever comes out on the bottom half (Schultz or Adams).
But I’ve narrowed it down to just five match-ups/weight classes to keep your eye on this weekend in Akron. We’ve got a great deal of Fargo champs, returning placers and just enough newcomers to have the perfect recipe for recklessness.
So let’s take a look at the potential must-see Cadet freestyle matches.
54KG: Nick Raimo vs Roman Bravo-Young
Between these two there are six Fargo titles.Neither one of them has lost a match over the last two years at the tournament as the both were double champs last year. Roman Bravo-Young also won in both styles in 2014, as well.
Raimo put on an absolute show against Alex Thomsen last year in the Freestyle finals of Fargo and has one of the deadliest headlocks besides being an all-around amazing attacker. RBY brings pretty impeccable defense to the table and can scramble his way out of just about anything. I think this could be a very high scoring match with both guys leaving the mat pretty exhausted.
In the end, I think Bravo-Young won’t have enough bullets in the gun to rattle Raimo. Nonetheless, it’s going to be exciting.
58kg: Sammy Sasso vs Vito Arujau
Before I get to the feature match, I’ve got to talk about Alex Thomsen. He’s like lightening in a bottle; extremely hard to contain and could strike at any moment.The match to see here will be between Arujau and Sasso. Both won Fargo titles last year with Arujau being the runner-up to Yianni here last year, as well. But if Sasso can control the positions of the match he should have the advantage. However, Vito is a better freestyle wrestler.
Final note at this weight: Beau Barlett is making his debut. He could make things interesting.
69kg: David Carr vs Julian Ramirez
Carr is the returning runner-up so he will surely be looking to get over the hump after taking a loss to Brady Berge in the finals. Ramirez may be young, but he is legit. He can definitely scrap. Can he knock off the former #1-ranked wrestler in the country? Maybe? But after coming up short in the finals last season at this weight it’s surely Carr’s to lose. But the match is going to be intense.85kg: Michael Beard vs Jacob Warner
Like Willie said in his preview, Beard is a great folkstyler. But one thing is for sure, he can wrestle and battle with the best of them. He will definitely need to bring his A-game to beat Warner, who won in both styles last year in Fargo .Warner has the edge in this match-up because he’s got more Freestyle experience and frankly I just feel like he’s going to win the spot. But Beard will make it interesting. He may not be the favorite, but it wouldn’t be crazy if he ended up with his hand raised at the end.
100kg: Gable Steveson vs Noah Adams or Cohlton Schultz
Not many have been able to test the returning Cadet World Champ, Gable Steveson. He’s one tall task to manage. The question mark here is Noah Adams. He’s had a great finish to his folkstyle season, but he’s a bit undersized for the weight.Also, look out for Cohlton Schultz. He was able to collect a few takedowns against Steveson in the Fargo finals last year and can certainly go with him. I’d imagine that Schultz and Adams would hit early with the winner getting Steveson in the final. So I guess in a way there’s a bit of a three-headed monster here. No matter what, the match between Schultz and Adams will be good as well as the match between Steveson and whoever comes out on the bottom half (Schultz or Adams).