Tim Hands of 5 Point Move explains what we learned from the U23 Greco-Roman tournament at Akron.

The U23 division for international wrestling, it has taken a little getting used to. Now in the midst of its third season with an actual World Championships at the end of the rainbow, the age-group is seen as a “tweener”, similar to how the non-Olympic weights are viewed. It goes sort of like this: U23 is not quite the Senior level, but it contains a lot of Seniors; it’s not the Junior level, though many Juniors across the globe have populated brackets at the first two U23 World events. 

In a way, U23 should be letter-perfect for the United States program since it is this very age range where the country’s perceived next generation of potential (or dare say, “probable”) World/Olympic medalists reside. But so far, snake eyes. We touched on this in the preview -- how it is a source of wonderment that the first two U23 Worlds came and went not only without a medal winner, no US athlete even managed to sniff a high-leverage opportunity to make the podium. 

That little factoid has proven all-too-difficult for the die-hards to digest. 

Two rosters, both featuring several wrestlers who were victorious on Friday afternoon, were unable to deliver a single, solitary medal-worthy performance. And the reason for its mention is not to revel in disappointment, nor is it to indict a program’s ability to develop youthful but capable Seniors. If anything, it’s the opposite. Because it would appear virtually undeniable that U23 is right in the US’ wheelhouse, and because the majority of these wrestlers have or had competed with a semblance of success previously, the lack of a positive result at the U23 level has been nothing short of confounding -- for athletes and coaches alike. 

Which is why our U23 preview began with the words “Could this be the year?” The first two editions of the World Championships did not go down smoothly for the USA Greco-Roman program, but the same problems still exist, namely securing the time and resources to hold U23 camps and coordinating those with what the other age groups are doing, as well as keeping the folkstylers who make the Team on track with a training schedule that keeps everyone happy once the summer eases into the fall. The timing does not do Greco many favors given that the college season is afoot right around when the U23 World Championships commence. Nothing you can do about that. 

But there is not a lot of room for excuses anymore, and maybe there doesn’t need to be. The best part is that the 2019 Trials managed to reveal a roster of athletes whom, by and large, possess World-caliber experience and skill, while also welcoming in a few newcomers who lit the place up with their attitudes and penchant for coming through in big matches against very solid opponents. 

That’s what a good Trials tournament should always do -- allow for a certain degree of continuation, embrace the idea of a clean slate, and pump the populous up with confidence that the payoff will be a big one. 

This could be the year. 

What We Learned From the 2019 U23 Greco Trials

How about Matt Finesilver?

The Duke grappler was not even thought of as a major contender at 87 kilograms, and what did he do? Downed three recent age-group Greco World Teamers en-route to the title. Of course, it wasn’t just what he did but how he did it. Finesilver flexed nasty hand-fighting skills complemented by a knack for brutal pummeling -- and even more vicious top work to get turns. He is a guy who gets it. Now the only question is what a summer’s worth of training might do. Going by Friday’s presentation, the sky might be the limit. Insanely impressive. 

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Omania’s fight surpasses his technique

Now a four-time World Team member counting Cadet, Junior, and his ascension to U23 on Friday, Peyton Omania (67 kg, MSU/CYC) holds more experience than most and has benefited from outstanding coaching dating back to grammar school. But in order to win the Trials, he had to run it back against Dom Demas (ORTC) in the semis and then defeat the reigning champ Nolan Baker (NIRTC) in what was one of the most entertaining series at U23 thus far. It’s not about the flash with Omania, but the substance. He responds hard in every exchange and never shuts it down late in matches. That he rose off the deck after a Baker headlock in Match 2 to seal it up in Match 3 speaks to his uncommon drive. 

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Miranda Needs Rivals

Before it was Taylor LaMont (60 kg, Sunkist), Dalton Roberts (NYAC/OTS) stood as Randon Miranda’s (NYAC) primary domestic antagonist, and that always seemed to bring a different level out of him. But after LaMont nipped Miranda for the National Team spot in Raleigh, the roles switched (though aided by Roberts’ decision to go up to 63. Miranda is normally a trap-setter who relies on overreaches and off-balanced moments from the opposition to pick up scores. But when you put a guy like LaMont in front of him, something different happens. Miranda’s attack, which included a whammer of a headlock in Match 3, made all the difference against the talented LaMont, and that is just the kind of attitude that could lead to a medal. 

Consistency Is the Key for Porter

Everyone wants to watch Jesse Porter (77 kg, NYAC/OTS) bomb his way to victory, so they naturally become concerned when that doesn’t happen, especially at the U23 Trials, where he has now won thrice. Ignore that noise. Porter was challenged by ‘17 Cadet World Teamer Jake Hendricks (PRTC), and again in the finals opposite Fritz Schierl (TMWC/Ohio RTC). Two tough, up-and-coming opponents, and each time Porter was able to lean on his experience to find ways to win. That’s what matches at the Worlds are often like, and Porter has been to that dance two years in a row. He’s learning what he needs to do, and while it isn’t always pretty, it is effective and consistent. 

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Stop Leaning Over Against Lenny Merkin

He’s done it before, he did it on Friday, and he’s most certainly going to keep doing it in near perpetuity. 72-kilogram champ Lenny Merkin (NJRTC) is short for his weight class, and works with his compact size by roping double overhooks and scanning for body attacks. His finals opponent, Britton Holmes (NMU/OTS) figured this out in Match 1, and was the recipient of an altogether crueler education in Match 2, as Merkin merk’ed a headlock to seal the deal. 

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