2020-21 Domestic Rankings - Greco-Roman

77 Kilograms

With both the Last Chance Qualifier and US Olympic Trials right around the corner, Five Point Move’s United States Greco-Roman rankings have been updated following the three events that transpired this winter: Grand Prix Zagreb Open (CRO), Olympic Preparation Tournament (HUN), and the Matteo Pellicone “Ranking Series” event (ITA), which unfolded last week and aired live right here on FLO. 

Points are responsible for the majority of movement witnessed in our pre-Olympic Team Trials rankings, as several US athletes have recently come away with tournament placings necessitating increased totals. But -- a few wrestlers now appear in different weight categories from which they were listed prior. One weight class in particular receives an infusion of two wrestlers capable of altering the narrative al by themselves. 

For a full list of point values as well as a more in-depth explanation of how our ranking system works, please view this article. 

Note: athletes who are injured, suspended, or have been inactive are still rank-eligible, though ranking decisions are assessed on a case-by-case basis pertaining to both the individual and their respective weight category.

Two minor changes -- and two big changes --  are available at 77 kilograms. Again, points have increased. This time it is two-time World Teamer/’19 Pan-Am Games gold Patrick Smith (Minnesota Storm, world #6), whose tally jumps from 373.67 to 389.67 thanks to his fifth in Italy; and Peyton Walsh (Marines, world #5), who goes from 90.6 to 106.6 for the same reason. 

A pair of weight class fluctuations, one confirmed and the other not just yet, result in significant movement. ‘19 World Team member John Stefanowicz (Marines) was originally listed at #5 for 77. That is no longer the case. It is now two consecutive tournaments where Stefanowicz has gone 87 -- and three of his past six events. He has not dipped below 80/82 since February of 2016, when he weighed 75 kilos for Armed Forces. Stefanowicz is said to not be completely sold on one weight over the other, and it would not be unreasonable to see him at 77 in Fort Worth. But given his most recent rash of activity as well as the timing, 87 seems like a safer bet. 

Spencer Woods, “The Alaskan Assassin” (Army/WCAP), has indeed confirmed that he is now a full-fledged 87-kilogram competitor. Stefanowicz’s removal at #5 and Woods being dashed from the #10 spot means, among other things, that three-time Open champ Kendrick Sanders (NYAC/NTS) fits well in the top-5, where many observers felt he had always belonged. Naturally, everyone below also climbs one spot. Although Morrow has never competed above 71 kg, he gets the #13 rung of the ladder over others due mainly to point values and intangibles. Brandon Mueller of the Air Force and Ryan Epps (Minnesota Storm) both nudge into the top-15 as a byproduct of the relative last-minute schism in this weight class. 

For questions and feedback, contact Tim Hands of 5 Point Move vis email (info@fivepointmove.com) and Twitter (@5PtMove).