Getting Geeked for the Trials

The World/Olympic Trials for Men's Freestyle is an event that is tough to beat on the Wrestling calendar. It's an all-star tournament of sorts that annually produces incredible match-ups and its share of surprises with a lot of high-level wrestling for the fan to watch. Outside of being disappointed in the location choice, I'm incredibly excited to see how the eight weight classes shake out. 

57 kg may be the most exciting weight as it once again appears to wide open. Since Henry Cejudo won the 2008 Olympic Gold, USA has had 7 different representatives. Only Tony Ramos has had the spot more than once (he had it in 2014 & 2015). Last year, Ramos infamously lost the Olympic spot to teammate Daniel Dennis and basically drove home and packed his bags after calling out Iowa's treatment of him in a press conference. Now out of North Carolina, Ramos came back and won the US Open by surviving 3 very close matches, 2 of those wins on criteria. He benefits from being in the seat, but probably no better clue than any of us have as to who will face him. 

Nahshon Garrett has been right on Ramos' heels without being able to close him out. Part of me hopes Garrett gets over the hump here and takes on world as the US has not scored a 57 kg medal since Cejudo. However, many others factor in here. Nico Megaludis and Tyler Graff were not at the US Open having qualified at the invitationals. Nico keeps progressing and Graff is one of the most dangerous par terre Freestyle guys we have. A couple guys coming off the college season in Thomas Gilman and Nathan Tomasello add to the intrigue. There's even danger in Jesse Delgado and Alan Waters lurking. 

Eventually, I think Graff is our guy in the best 2 of 3 for the spot, but matches early and often in this bracket will go a number of ways. 

57 kg/125.5 lbs.
’17 U.S. Open champion advances to Trials finals series – Tony Ramos, Chapel Hill, N.C. (Sunkist Kids WC) 
World Team Trials Tournament qualifiers
’16 Olympian – Daniel Dennis, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
’16 Bill Farrell highest U.S. medalist – Nico Megaludis, State College, Pa. (Titan Mercury WC/Nittany Lion WC)
’17 Dave Schultz highest U.S. medalist – Tyler Graff, New Brunswick, N.J. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 NCAA Division I champion – Darian Cruz, Allentown, Pa. (Lehigh)
’17 U.S. Open runner-up – Nahshon Garrett, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
’17 U.S. Open third place – Nathan Tomasello, Parma, Ohio (Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC)
’17 U.S. Open fourth place – Frank Perrelli, Charlottesville, Va. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open fifth place – Zach Sanders, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
’17 U.S. Open sixth place – Alan Waters, Columbia, Mo. (Titan Mercury WC/Missouri WF)
’17 U.S. Open seventh place – Jesse Delgado, Savoy, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 Last Chance Trials Qualifier highest placer – Thomas Gilman, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)

Logan Stieber finally got his first world team spot with the non-Olympic weights last fall and didn't disappoint, going overseas to win a World Championship in some of the most exciting matches you'll ever see. His great positioning combined with creative and effective top offense, makes him tough to end a match with more points than what he totaled. 

If there is a challenge for him here, it is Kendric Maple. Maple had a disappointing senior season when he went up from his dominant 141 spot. The idea he weighs in at 61 kg is shocking and provides a lengthy, strong, and fast set of difficulties. I don't think people should be picking Maple over Stieber, but assuming Stieber just cruises is probably not going to end up accurate. 

61 kg/134 lbs. 
’16 World medalist advances to Trials Finals series – Logan Stieber, Columbus, Ohio (Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC)
World Team Trials Tournament qualifiers
’17 Dave Schultz highest U.S. medalist – Kanen Storr, Mason, Mich. (Titan Mercury WC/Cyclone RTC)
’17 NCAA Division I champion – Cory Clark, Pleasant Hill, Iowa (Iowa)
’17 U.S. Open champion – Kendric Maple, West Lafayette, Ind. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open runner-up – Brandon Wright, Indianapolis, Ind. (RNO/IPWA)
’17 U.S. Open third place – Josh Kindig, Durham, N.C. (Sunkist Kids/Tar Heel WC)
’17 U.S. Open fourth place – Cody Brewer, Evanston, Ill. (Titan Mercury WC/Chicago RTC)
’17 U.S. Open fifth place – Seth Gross, Rosemount, Minn. (Jackrabbit WC)
’17 U.S. Open sixth place – Joe Colon, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open seventh place – Chris Dardanes, Minneapolis, Minn. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 Last Chance Trials Qualifier highest placer – Jayson Ness, Bloomington, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Last year, Frank Molinaro came from the 9-seed to win the Olympic Trials. He got battle tested in both last chance qualifiers, the World Cup, and the Olympics where he was seconds from knocking off Chamizo for bronze. This year, Molinaro will have to go through another deep challenge tournament bracket as Jordan Oliver edged him in the US Open finals. Oliver has never cracked through to be a World/Olympic team member but will sit out this year to the best 2 of 3 finals for the first time. 

Challenging Molinaro will be some usual suspects, but many fans will want to see the 2017 Hodge winner and (now former) wrestling room partner Zain Retherford make his way into the fray. Jimmy Kennedy won the 2016 US Open and has a lot of freestyle experience. An injury last year prevented him from full strength at the Olympic Trials. There are some saying he'll go 70 kg instead though. 

I think Molinaro bounces back and takes this thing 2 to 1 over Oliver, but they should all be close matches. 

65 kg/143 lbs.
’17 U.S. Open champion advances to Trials finals series – Jordan Oliver, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
World Team Trials Tournament qualifiers
’16 Olympian – Frank Molinaro, State College, Pa. (Titan Mercury WC/Nittany Lion WC)
’16 Bill Farrell highest U.S. medalist – Bernard Futrell, Philadelphia, Pa. (Titan Mercury WC/Pennsylvania RTC)
’17 Dave Schultz highest U.S. medalist – Evan Henderson, Chapel Hill, N.C. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 NCAA Division I champion – Dean Heil, Brunswick, Ohio (Oklahoma State)
’17 U.S. Open third place – Zain Retherford, Benton, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
’17 U.S. Open fourth place – Jimmy Kennedy, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC/Cliff Keen WC)
’17 U.S. Open sixth place – Kellen Russell, Chelsea, Mich. (New York AC/Cliff Keen WC)
’17 U.S. Open seventh place – Nick Dardanes, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC) 
’17 Last Chance Trials Qualifier highest placer – Mario Mason, Moorestown, N.J. (Lehigh Valley WC)

Only James Green, Jordan Burroughs, and Kyle Snyder have the opportunity to make (at least) their third straight world team. Green will hope to in front of his home crowd and then head to Paris to get his second medal on the world stage. Maybe former nemesis Jayson Ness makes it through to make him slay a dragon from the past, but it's tough to imagine anyone really being able to unseat him. He's been that good. 

70 kg/154 lbs.
’17 U.S. Open champion advances to Trials finals series – James Green, Lincoln, Neb. (Titan Mercury WC)
World Team Trials Tournament qualifiers
’17 NCAA Division I champion – Jason Nolf, Yatesboro, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
’17 U.S. Open runner-up – Nazar Kulchytskyy, Madison, Wis. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open third place – Chase Pami, Philadelphia, Pa. (Sunkist Kids/Pennsylvania RTC)
’17 U.S. Open fifth place – Alec Pantaleo, Canton, Mich. (Michigan RTC)
’17 U.S. Open sixth place – Jason Chamberlain, Fresno, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open seventh place – Tommy Gantt, Raleigh, N.C. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 Last Chance Trials Qualifier highest placer – Dylan Ness, Bloomington, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

2010 was the last time we had a World/Olympic team without Jordan Burroughs on it. It's the longest streak since Bruce Baumgartner's unthinkable 15-year came to an end in 1996. All great things come to an end, and many wonder if this is the year. A healthy Kyle Dake looks ready to finally break through. Dake likes to be defensive but it has never worked on Burroughs who's well-timed shots have made him the legend that he is. Dake will likely have to open up and take it to the champ to finally dethrone him. However, Burroughs has the best re-shots in history making it quite the conundrum. 

Dake lost the series to Burroughs in 2013 & 2015, while losing the series to Cox last year at 86 kg making it his 4th try to get through. It won't be without competition. Alex Dieringer continues to improve and make strides with impressive showings. Young wild cards like IMar will add to the mix to create some interesting matches before we may get to see if the King keeps his throne. 

My prediction? If you're going to shoot the king, make sure you don't miss. Burroughs will win the series and make his 7th straight team. 

74 kg/163 lbs.
’17 U.S. Open champion advances to Trials finals series – Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)
World Team Trials Tournament qualifiers
’16 Bill Farrell highest U.S. medalist – Alex Dieringer, Stillwater, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 Dave Schultz highest U.S. medalist – Kevin LeValley, Lewisburg, Pa. (Buffalo Valley RTC)
’17 NCAA Division I champion – Vincenzo Joseph, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
’17 NCAA Division I champion – Mark Hall, Apple Valley, Minn. (Nittany Lion WC)
’17 U.S. Open runner-up – Kyle Dake, Ithaca, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open fourth place – Anthony Valencia, Bellflower, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) 
’17 U.S. Open fifth place – Chris Perry, Stillwater, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open seventh place – Chance Marsteller, New Park, Pa. (Dark Knights)
’17 Last Chance Trials Qualifier highest placer – Isaiah Martinez, Leemore, Calif. (Illinois RTC)

While the abdication of Burroughs is the top story, David Taylor vs J'Den Cox is quick to roll off wrestling fans' tongues as they talk about this event. Taylor has grown into the weight and knocked off gold medalists at the World Cup. His agility and attacks at this weight looks to make him an immediate World medal threat. 

However, what has J'Den Cox done to have lost anyone's faith? Cox had an incredible 18-months capping off an undefeated NCAA season in a loaded weight,  winning the Olympic Trials (by beating Jake Herbert, Keith Gavin, and Kyle Dake), qualifying the weight for the Olympics a week later in Mongolia, 4-0 at the World Cup, Olympic Bronze after losing oddly on criteria with much confusion in the semi-finals, and winning another NCAA title. 

I think David Taylor would be a World Gold Medal threat this fall, but J'Den beats him here two matches to none. Our poll has people thinking 66% to 34% Taylor right now, so I am not having the popular opinion here. 

86 kg/189 lbs.
’16 Olympic medalist advances to Trials Finals series– J’den Cox, Columbia, Mo. (Titan Mercury WC/Missouri WF)
World Team Trials Tournament qualifiers
’16 Bill Farrell highest U.S.  medalist – Austin Trotman, Lincoln, Neb. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 Dave Schultz highest U.S. medalist – Josh Asper, Annapolis, M.D. (Navy-Marines Corps Mat Club)
’17 NCAA Division I champion – Bo Nickal, Allen, Texas (Nittany Lion WC)
’17 U.S. Open champion – David Taylor, State College, Pa. (Titan Mercury WC/Nittany Lion WC)
’17 U.S. Open runner-up – Richard Perry, Philadelphia, Pa. (New York AC/Pennsylvania RTC)
’17 U.S. Open third place – Nick Heflin, Bordentown, N.J. (Princeton WC)
’17 U.S. Open fifth place – Patrick Downey III, Baltimore, Md. (Unattached)
’17 U.S. Open sixth place – Kyle Crutchmer, Tulsa, Okla. (Titan Mercury WC/Cowboy WC)
’17 U.S. Open seventh place – Gabe Dean, Ithaca, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 Last Chance Trials Qualifier highest placer – Joe Rau, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Kyle Snyder's last loss on American soil is Kyven Gadson, who just won the US Open. Odds are long Gadson can challenge him, but that does make this somewhat interesting. 

97 kg/213 lbs.
’16 Olympic medalist advances to Trials Finals series – Kyle Snyder, Woodbine, Md. (Titan Mercury WC)
World Team Trials Tournament qualifiers
’16 Bill Farrell highest U.S. medalist – Dustin Kilgore, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
’17 Dave Schultz highest U.S. medalist – Kyven Gadson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
’17 U.S. Open runner-up – Micah Burak, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open third place – Nathan Burak, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open fourth place – Nikko Reyes, Fresno, Calif. (Valley RTC)
’17 U.S. Open fifth place – Ty Walz, Cleveland, Ohio (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open sixth place – Kallen Kleinschmidt, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
’17 U.S. Open seventh place – Matt Williams, Apple Valley, Calif. (Road Runner WC)
’17 Last Chance Trials Qualifier highest placer – Hayden Zillmer, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)

Dlagnev is retired leaving Nick Gwiazdowski to take the mantle and run with it. However, Zach Rey and Dom Bradley have a lot of veteran experience to make this a tough challenge. Gwiz looked awesome at the US Open and has had some big wins this year. I think he gets the job done and is a serious medal contender in Paris. 

125 kg/275 lbs.
’17 U.S. Open champion advances to Trials finals series – Nick Gwiazdowski, Raleigh, N.C. (Titan Mercury WC)
World Team Trials Tournament qualifiers
’16 Olympian – Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids/Ohio RTC)
’16 Bill Farrell highest U.S. medalist – Tony Nelson, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
’17 Dave Schultz highest U.S. medalist – Dom Bradley, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
’17 U.S. Open runner-up – Zachery Rey, Northampton, Pa. (Lehigh Valley WC)
’17 U.S. Open fourth place – Bobby Telford, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC)
’17 U.S. Open sixth place – Justin Grant, Easton, Pa. (New York AC)
’17 U.S. Open seventh place – Nathan Butler, Leavenworth, Kan. (Stanford-California RTC)
’17 Last Chance Trials Qualifier highest placer – Blaize Cabell, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Valley RTC)