While the U20s were crowing their 10 World Team members yesterday, the U23s were just getting started. With the large bracket sizes, they only wrestled through the round of 16 yesterday. The action starts Sunday morning at 10 am Eastern with quarterfinals and will wrestle all the way through the best of three finals!

Here is a look at the five matches I’m hoping go down. Brackets for all-day 1 results and potential day 2 matches can be found on FloArena.

65 kg: Beau Bartlett vs Ridge Lovett

Round: Finals

This match is far from guaranteed to happen, both with three freestyle experience of both of these guys, it will be excellent if it does. Beau Bartlett would have to get past Dylan D’Emillio and then the winner of Clay Carlson and Josh Saunders. Ridge Lovett will have to get past the winner of Sammy Alvarez and Cole Matthews. Both semis will be excellent as well. If Bartlett can make it and even just compete well against Lovett, it shows he can be a force at 141 lbs next NCAA season.

70 kg: Ed Scott vs Yahya Thomas

Round: Finals

This would be a rematch from this year’s senior US Open where the two wrestled an extremely boring 2-1 match with all three points coming from passivity. So, why do I want to see it again, especially in a two of three series? I don’t think we’ll see a repeat of this. While Thomas is as sound positionally as they come, Scott normally is a high pace goer. Hopefully, the two would open up a bit more and put some points on the board knowing it’s ok to lose a match. If not, we get an extremely technical chess match. Win-win imo.

74 kg: Peyton Robb vs Patrick Kennedy

Round: Semifinals

While Hawkeye fans aren’t happy about the departure of Alex Marinelli, they are excited about the arrival of Patrick Kennedy in the starting lineup. And for good reason. Kennedy was one of the top recruits coming out of high school and has looked solid while competing for the Hawks in redshirt. Last year, Kennedy took 3rd at this tournament, losing to Michael O’Malley at 79 kg. Peyton Robb did not lose at this tournament last year. In addition to being an NCAA All-American, he is the defending U23 74 kg World Teamer.

79 kg: Cael Valencia vs Dustin Plott

Round: Semifinals

#8 on the 2021 Big Board, Cael Valencia, vs #11 on the 2020 Big Board, Dustin Plott. Plott has put two solid seasons together at Oklahoma State, taking 6th place at NCAAs this past season, but Valencia is a young gunslinger who can pose problems. These outside shots can also get Valencia in trouble sometimes, especially against tough competition like Plott. Is Valencia ready to step up and contend for a spot on the NCAA podium next season for Arizona State?

86 kg: Trent Hidlay vs Abe Assad

Round: Finals

Trent Hidlay had a bit of a scare in the round of 16 with Minnesota’s Michial Foy, trailing for most of the match but pulling it out at the end to win 9-7. Hidlay would be a heavy favorite in this match as he beat Assad 6-0 in their dual this year and 8-0 at the 2019 UWW Junior Nationals.

Watch the two's freestyle match below.

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

125 kg: Anthony Cassioppi vs Lucas Davison

Round: Finals

This would be a rematch of last year’s U23 finals where Cassioppi won in three matches. It was an odd series with Cassioppi winning the first match by fall, Davison winning the second 13-5 in match two, and Cassioppi taking match three 14-4. It’s rare to see swings like that in a three-match series at any weight, let alone heavy. Cassioppi went on to win gold at the U23 World Championships, so the winner has a good shot at bringing home some hardware once again.

Watch the two's three-match series from last year's U23 WTT finals below.

Match 1

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Match 2

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Match 3

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In