Cadet trials is going to be such an intense amount of fun with these absolutely loaded weight classes. While each class will feature its own level of excitement, there are a few weights where things can get particularly more heated.

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51kg: Joey Cruz vs Richie Figueroa

These Cali studs know how to put on a show and they are currently tied at 1-1 when they meet in the finals. Both those times came at FloNationals and the latest installment of the rivalry went to Cruz, who collected the winning takedown in the final seconds of the bout. This rematch could once again come to fruition in the finals, and if it does it will be in the best-of-three series for the spot on the world team. 

55kg: Robert Howard vs Jackson Burks vs Nic Bouzakis

First let’s talk rematch. Howard and Bouzakis met in the round of 16 last year and Howard hit a big four point throw that really opened things up on the way to a 9-3 win. This match could happen again in the early rounds since Bouzakis doesn’t have any separation criteria. I’d imagine this one would be full of action once again this year. With Howard and Bouzakis back in the mix as contenders, the guy who can come between their quest for a rematch is Fargo champ and top-ranked Oklahoma State commit Jackson Burks. Last year, Burks only wrestled Greco here and made the team. This year he’s going to be in the thick of things in one of the toughest classes at the tournament. 

60kg; Dominick Serrano vs Shayne Van Ness vs Jesse Mendez

Shayne Van Ness could be the biggest problem in this weight class. He hand fights really hard and has a pretty tough pace to keep up with. Serrano and Mendez are very similar. Both guys can methodically grind out a win like we saw Mendez do in the FloNational finals, and Serrano do in last year’s Fargo finals. I think with Van Ness being the type to come firing out of the gate and score early and often, he could cause some serious issues for the opposition here.

71kg: Alex Facundo vs Travis Mastrogiovanni vs Cael Valencia

So, we know that Facundo is the guy to beat here. But the two guys who could bring some action against him are Valencia and Travis Mastro. Cael is a bit more raw than the other guys. The matchup I’m looking forward to seeing here is Mastro vs Facundo. 

92kg: Kolby Franklin vs Noah Pettigrew

This will be a rematch of the Fargo finals last year where Pettigrew took the lead early and four point throw on the edge (which was challenged and lost by Franklin’s corner) stopped Franklin from making the comeback he was on the verge of as he cut the score to 6-5 after trailing 6-0. Ultimately, Pettigrew took the 12-7 win and the title, but this match was fun to watch and I’m betting that the rematch would be too.

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