The passion and optimism for USA Wrestling is glowing.

2017 was a banner year, with our Senior Men's freestyle team bringing back a World Team Title from Paris. With non-Olympic weights being expanded to 10 weight classes, American wrestling fans feel good about getting even more talent in our line-up, and they were proven right as 2018 kicked off with a World Cup title.

So while our Seniors are kicking butt and we're all hi-fiving, the questions we must ask is 1) how are we doing it, 2) can it last, 3) how long is it sustainable.

I've long posited that the reintroduction of Cadet Worlds, along with the infrastructure and developmental system USAW has instituted will be a major boon to our nation's success.

And it's working.

America's Cadet and Junior teams have been outstanding. Both teams earned Gold in 2017, with Cadets capturing seven medals in ten weights and the Juniors getting seven medals in the eight weigh classes, with six individuals reaching the finals.

And it's not a 1-year blip. Over the last 3 years, the Cadets have brought home 18 medals. The Juniors, 14. (Scroll to the bottom for recent JR Worlds Results).

By this Saturday, our 2018 Junior Team will be set. The talent is impressive. Their collective international experience, unprecedented. And the competition intense.

WATCH 2018 WORLD TEAM TRIALS LIVE ON FLO

57kg

Sitting in Finals: Brandon Courtney, AZ - UWW JR National Champion

Contenders:

Malik Heinselman, CO - JR Nationals Runner-Up

Paul Bianchi, WI - JR Nationals 3rd

Sidney Flores, CA - JR Nationals 5th

Ty Smith, NV - JR Nationals 6th

Rayvon Foley, MI - JR Nationals 7th

Gage Curry, PA - JR Nationals 8th

Patrick McKee, MN - 2017 Fargo Champ

Joey Melendez, IL - 2017 Fargo Runner-Up

Commentary: While there is still some uncertainty hanging in the air with Daton Fix, the weight class in Rochester is otherwise straightforward. 7 of the 8 placers from Vegas are here (just Gavin Teasdale (4th) is missing). Patrick McKee didn't place but should be a factor, and Joey Melendez is a threat that didn't compete in Vegas. 

Both Courtney and Heinselman impressed at JR Nationals, with Courtney showing that extra gear on reattacks. He's my pick to win it again, and from what I saw in Vegas, would make for a fine rep at Worlds a year after losing to Daton in the JR Trial finals.

Of course, Daton Fix is the returning Junior World Champion. He'll be wrestling seniors in Rochester and can request a special wrestle-off with the winner at a later date. 

Picks

Willie: 1. Courtney   2. Heinselman   3. Bianchi   4. McKee

Nomad: 1. Courtney  2. Heinselman  3. McKee  4. Flores

61kg

Sitting in Finals: Austin Gomez, IL - UWW JR National Champion

Contenders:

Jordan Decatur, OH - JR Nationals Runner-Up

Josh Saunders, MO - JR Nationals 3rd

Vitali Arajau, NY - JR Nationals 4th

McGwire Midkiff, IA - JR Nationals 5th

Gabe Tagg, OH - JR Nationals 6th

Jack Skudlarcyk, TX - JR Nationals 8th

Drew Mattin, OH - 2017 Fargo Champ

Nick Farro, NJ - 2017 JR Nationals 5th

Commentary: This weight has been nothing short of fire the last two years. Like Courtney at 57, Gomez lost (to Mitch McKee) in the finals at last year's JR Trials.

Vegas provided some interesting results, as Cadet World Teamer from 2017, Jordan Decatur teched 2016 Cadet World finalist Vitali Arujau in one semi, while Josh Saunders, who's still Cadet eligible, held a big lead on Gomez on the other side.

Gomez controlled the final against Decatur, and Saunders went on to beat Vitali for 3rd.

While nothing would truly be surprising, those four are the clear leaders of the pack. Saunders might be a nice pick, as his learning curve could provide for some quick (and minor) adjustments.

Because Gomez is sitting, it makes Decatur the de facto 1 seed. The importance there is that Arujau and Saunders will have to meet again in the semi. 

But I just can't pick anyone other than Gomez. He has a special ability to go get it and a full arsenal of freestyle tools including front head pinchers and the best par terre skills of the group.

Picks

Willie: 1. Gomez  2. Decatur   3. Arujau   4. Saunders

Nomad: 1. Gomez  2. Saunders  3. Decatur  4. Arujau

65kg

Sitting in Finals: Dom Demas, OH - UWW JR National Champion

Contenders:

Max Murin, PA - UWW JR Nationals Runner-Up

Andrew Alirez, CO - JR Nationals 3rd

Kaden Gfeller, OK - JR Nationals 4th

Kanen Storr, MI - JR Nationals 5th

Kendall Coleman, IL - JR Nationals 6th

Yahya Thomas, IL  - JR Nationals 7th

Michael Blockus, IA - JR Nationals 8th

Nick Lee, IN  - 2017 JR Nationals 5th

Chad Red, IN - 2017 University Nationals 8th

Ben Freeman, MI - 2017 Fargo Champ

Parker Filius, MT  - 2017 Fargo 3rd

Jakob Bergeland, MN  - 2017 Fargo 4th

Sammy Sasso, PA  - 2017 Fargo 5th

Jarod Verkleeren, PA - 2015 Cadet World Champion

Commentary: Absolutely loaded with talent. Everyone who is registered at the time of this writing is, deservedly, listed as a contender. Actually, at the time of this writing, the finalists, Demas and Murin, AREN'T registered. But let's assume they're in.

Demas put on a sterling display in Vegas with his big move ability. He did have a close, tense 6-3 bout with Gfeller in the semi's. Alirez, whose only lose came in the semi's to Murin, beat Gfeller for 3rd. 

Verkleeren comes down from 70kg.

This weight is really difficult to judge for a couple reasons. There's so much talent and parity. With so many athletes who weren't in this bracket, seeding will be crucial. And lastly, it's freestyle. There are gonna be surprises.

As much as I loved the breakout tourney for Murin, I think he's gonna run into somoe trouble he didn't see in Vegas. For instance, he was 1-1 with Alirez in the 2nd period before pulling away. I don't think Murin can exhaust a seasoned NCAA All American like Nick Lee or Chad Red the way he could Alirez, who is a high school junior. 

You also have X-factors in Sasso and Verkleeren, who is down at 65kg where I think he should be.

Picks

Willie: 1. Sasso   2. Demas   3. Verkleeren   4. Red

Nomad: 1. Sasso  2. Demas  3. Gfeller  4. Lee

70kg

Sitting in Finals: Austin O'Connor, IL - UWW JR National Champion

Contenders: 

Brady Berge, MN - JR Nationals Runner-Up  

Jacori Teemer, NY - JR Nationals 3rd

David Carr, OH - JR Nationals 4th

Brayton Lee, IN - JR Nationals 5th

Jaden Van Maanen, WI - JR Nationals 6th

Brock Mauller, MO - JR Nationals 7th

AJ Jaffe, IL  - JR Nationals 8th

Will Lewan, IL  - 2017 Fargo Champ

Peyton Robb, MN - 2017 Fargo 3rd

Commentary: There are three former world medalists in this weight and another that made a team. And the guy that won the weight isn't sitting in the finals. How's that for depth?

The top eight placewinners from Vegas head to Rochester along with Lewan, a Cadet World Champion last year, and Robb, who's only loss at Fargo last year was to Lewan, 7-4. 

O'Connor earned the right to sit in the finals and what a huge benefit that is being that there is so much talent here. Carr had a 4-0 lead on him with :30 left in the first period before Austin outscored him 6-1 the rest of the way.

The O'Connor-Berge final in Vegas was, frankly, boring. Berge scored a takedown in the first and O'Connor had one in the second and that was all the scoring to be had.

Teemer's only loss came to O'Connor, 6-4, and he teched Carr for 3rd.

If O'Connor had to wrestle through the mini tournament, I might be tempted to take someone other than him. His run was amazing in Vegas, beating Teemer, Carr, and Berge in succession. It isn't always pretty, but the kid just flat out knows how to win matches. 

I think it's Berge that gets there to meet him, beating the Teemer-Carr winner in the mini finals.

Picks

Willie: 1. O'Connor   2. Berge   3. Teemer   4. Carr

Nomad: 1. O'Connor  2. Carr  3. Berge  4. Teemer

74kg

Sitting in Finals: Jeremiah Moody - UWW JR National Champion

Contenders:

Dustin Plott, OK - JR National Runner-Up

Jarrett Jacques, MO - JR National 3rd

Kaleb Romero, OH - JR National 4th

Mekhi Lewis, NJ - JR National 5th

Hayden Hastings, WY - JR National 8th

Travis Wittlake, OR - JR National 7th (at 79)

Max Wohlabaugh, FL - 2017 Fargo 3rd

Commentary: Like 65kg, at the time of this writing the Vegas finalists are not yet registered. Let's again assume they will be.

Moody was a surprise, though not fluky, champion, and Plott, a high school sophomore, turned a lot of heads. Plott beat Tyler Dow (who is also not registered) to win his side of the bracket while Moody looked like a seasoned freestyler in beating Layne Van Anrooy, Brandon Dallavia, and freestyle newcomer, Mekhi Lewis.

Speaking of freestyle newcomers, Kaleb Romero had his struggles during the tournament, but overall, you have to be encouraged. He finished 4th and I'm very interested to see if both him and Lewis make big jumps now that they have some FS under their belts.

But the man to watch here is Travis Wittlake, who won Cadet Bronze in 2016 and made the team in 2017 only to get injured and see Aaron Brooks win world gold in his stead.

Wittlake wrestled 79kg in Vegas and was upset early by Matt Finesilver. He'd place 7th, losing to Trent Hidlay later. I like him to rebound here.

Picks

Willie: 1. Wittlake   2. Moody   3. Lewis  4. Jacques

Nomad: 1. Marinelli  2. Moody  3. Romero  4. Lewis

79kg

Sitting in Finals: Aaron Brooks, MD - UWW Junior National Champ

Contenders:

Mikey Labriola, PA - JR National Runner-Up

Beau Breske, WI - JR National 3rd

Matt Finesilver, CO - JR National 4th

Travis Stefanik, PA - JR National 5th

Trent Hidlay, PA - JR National 6th

Ethan Smith, PA - JR National 8th

Jacob Covaciu, IN - 2017 Junior National Champ

Commentary: 2017 Cadet World Champion Aaron Brooks headlines the field. And he looked fantastic in Vegas. He had a relatively close match with Breske in the semifinals (6-2), but otherwise posted lopsided victories.

Labriola, who very rarely wrestled freestyle before last month, showed some very good style savviness, including a good game on top. He scored the first takedown on Brooks, but when Brooks returned the favor and attempted a turn, it appeared Labriola tweaked something in his knee. Brooks went on for the tech. 

I think those three are your frontrunners with Covaciu a darkhorse. Last year, when this weight was a non-world one, he took the title in Vegas over Kaleb Young.

Picks

Willie: 1. Brooks   2. Labriola   3. Breske   4. Finesilver

Nomad: 1. Brooks  2. Labriola  3. Breske  4. Finesilver

86kg

Sitting in Finals: Louie Deprez, NY - UWW Junior National Champ

Contenders:

Nino Bonaccorsi, PA - UWW Junior Runner Up

Jelani Embree, MI - JR National Champ 3rd

Kordell Norfleet, IL - JR National Champ 4th

Max Lyon, IA - JR National Champ 5th

Cameron Caffey, IL - JR National Champ 6th

Myles Wilson, CO - JR National Champ 6th

Owen Webster, MN - 2016 Cadet World Team Member

Tyrell Gordon, IA - 2017 Fargo 5th

Commentary:  All Vegas placers are registered, with the exception of Michael Beard.

Deprez and Bonncorsi renewed their rivalry in Vegas with Deprez winning yet again. 

It was a crazy tournament for Deprez, who, before his 12-2 tech of Bonaccorsi in the finals won a controversial 7-6 match over Jackson Hemauer, beat Max Lyon 4-4 in the quarters, and won 13-13 over Norfleet in the semi's.

That was Norfleet's only loss of the tournament as he defaulted to Embree for 3rd. 

So the seeds will likely be thus: Bonaccorsi the 1 up top with Lyon and Caffey. Embree and Norfleet down below. 

I'm taking a flier on Norfleet.

Picks

Willie: 1. Norfleet   2. DePrez   3. Bonaccorsi   4. Embree

Nomad: 1. DePrez  2. Bonaccorsi  3. Embree  4. Lyon

92kg

Sitting in Finals: Jacob Warner, IL - UWW Junior National Champ

Contenders: 

John Borst, VA - JR National Runner-Up

Jakob Woodley, PA - JR National 3rd

Jacob Raschka, WI - JR National 4th

Alex Hopkins, NY - JR National 5th

Danny Salas, CA - JR National 6th

Lucas Davison, IN - JR National 7th

Cade Belshay, CA - JR National 8th

Commentary: All eight Vegas placers are here and after seeing the destruction Warner laid to the field there, you can't take anyone but him. The 2016 Cadet World Bronze Medalist outscored his opponents 41-0 in four bouts. 

The seeds will have Borst up top and a Woodley-Raschka semi in the bottom half. Woodley beat Raschka 12-3 and Borst beat Woodley 3-2 in Vegas.

Picks

Willie: 1. Warner   2. Woodley   3. Borst   4. Raschka

Nomad: 1. Warner  2. Woodley  3. Borst  4. Raschka

97kg

Sitting in Finals: Greg Kerkvliet, MN - UWW JR Nationals Champ

Contenders:

Zach Elam, MO - JR Nationals Runner-Up

Quinn Miller, GA - JR Nationals 3rd

Hunter DeJong, IA - JR Nationals 5th

Cale Davidson, WY - JR Nationals 7th

Commentary: As of press time, only five entries were registered. Kerkvliet, the 2016 Cadet World Champion, might be why. Just like Warner at 92, Kerkvliet outscored his opponents 41-0.

I expect Jake Boyd (6th in Vegas) to sign up. None of the OU wrestlers, it seems, have registered yet.

Though it may be academic. Elam went pin-pin-tech (the tech being Boyd in the semi's) before losing to Kerkvliet.

If you're looking for a potential darkhorse to make the finals, try Quinn Miller, who lost in the first round and wrestled all the way back to 3rd, beating Boyd in the process.

Picks

Willie: 1. Kerkvliet   2. Elam   3. Miller  4. Boyd

Nomad: 1. Kerkvliet  2. Elam  3. Miller  4.  DeJong

125kg

Sitting in Finals: Gannon Gremmel, IA - UWW JR Nationals Champ

Contenders:

Brandon Metz, ND - JR Nationals Runner Up

Trent Hillger, MI - JR Nationals 3rd

Robert Winters, FL - JR Nationals 6th

Bobby Heald, NY - JR Nationals 7th

Christian Rebottaro, CA - JR Nationals 8th

Gable Steveson, MN - 2017 Junior World Champion

Anthony Cassioppi, IL - 2017 Fargo Champ

Max Darrah, MO - 2017 Fargo 8th

Commentary: So we have a dilemma. At 57kg, Daton is wrestling Seniors. But because he won a JR World medal last year, and because he placed top 3 at the US Open, he can request a wrestle off at a later date.

That's not the case for Gable, who took 4th at the US Open. (Please change this rule).

So Gable has opted to wrestle in both JR and SR trials this weekend. And he's the heavy favorite - ya know - being the returning JR Champion of Earth and all - to win this bracket.

Except for Hillger, all the other top contenders - Gremmel, Metz, and Cassioppi were in the Vegas bracket won by Gable last year. Gremmel didn't place. Cassioppi text Metz before Gable teched Cassioppi.

Picks

Willie: 1. Gable   2. Gremmel   3. Metz   4. Hilger

Nomad: 1. Gable  2. Gremmel  3. Cassioppi  4. Metz

Junior Worlds Table