Below is a weight-by-weight preview of the men's freestyle competition at this year's U.S. World Team Trials.
55 kg: There is not clear frontrunner in this weight class. Obe Blanc was impressive at the U.S. Open, where he defeated returning U.S. World Team member Danny Felix in the semifinals before taking out recent college graduate Angel Escobedo in the finals. Felix has been a steady performer and put together a strong 2009 campaign, but at 36 years old, one has to wonder how many more runs he can make. Nick Simmons is huge at this weight class and has done very well against foreign competition, but had a disappointing fifth-place finish at the U.S. Open. Logan Stieber was sixth at the U.S. Open and many believe he's the future of this weight class.
Prediction: Nick Simmons over Obe Blanc
60 kg: The U.S. has struggled at World-level events at this weight class since Mike Zadick captured a silver medal at the 2006 World Championships. Shawn Bunch made his first U.S. World Team last year and is looking to get back on the team after winning the U.S. Open. Zadick, who won the Dave Schultz Memorial International this year, will be the No. 1 seed in the Challenge Tournament, but will have a tough road just to get another crack at Bunch. Nate Gallick, a 2005 University World champion, has battled injuries and missed the U.S. Open, but is expected to compete at the Trials. There are several young, rising stars in this weight class who should challenge, including Coleman Scott, Reece Humphrey, Drew Headlee, Matt Valenti, Tyler Graff, and Derek Moore.
Prediction: Nate Gallick over Shawn Bunch
66 kg: With last year's U.S. World Team member Trent Paulson moving up to 74 kg, Jared Frayer has emerged as the No. 1 man in this weight class after winning the U.S. Open. Frayer, who has been runner-up at the Trials twice, will be looking to make his first U.S. World Team at age 31. Josh Churella will be the top seed in the Challenge Tournament after finishing runner-up at the U.S. Open. Doug Schwab, who represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games, was third at the U.S. Open. Schwab is expected to compete in Council Bluffs, but has made the decision that this will be his final run after recently accepting the head coaching position at Northern Iowa. A couple more former Hawkeyes, Brent Metcalf and Joe Johnston, will be in the mix. Metcalf missed the U.S. Open, but earned a wildcard into the Trials. Johnston was fourth at the U.S. Open. Teyon Ware, Todd Meneely, and Angel Cejudo placed fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively at the U.S. Open and should figure into the mix.
Prediction: Jared Frayer over Brent Metcalf
74 kg: This is one of the deepest freestyle weight classes in the U.S. ... even with returning U.S. World Team member Dustin Schlatter not competing. Indications are that 2008 U.S. Olympian Ben Askren will compete at the Trials after missing the U.S. Open. Askren, who won the Dave Schultz Memorial International this year, is dividing his time between fighting, wrestling, and coaching. He will be fighting in the Bellator finals for a chance to earn $100,000 shortly after the Trials, so many wonder if Askren can win the Trials while not focusing strictly on wrestling. Andrew Howe, who captured an NCAA title as a true sophomore this past season at Wisconsin, looked very strong in winning the U.S. Open and earning OW honors, defeating both Paulson brothers en route to the title. Trent Paulson and Travis Paulson are strong, methodical wrestlers who will be wrestling in their hometown, which should prove to be an advantage for them. Mike Poeta, who was sixth at the U.S. Open, has put together a strong season, winning the Sunkist International Open and defeating Trent Paulson in a World Cup wrestle-off. Moza Fay, who was fifth at the U.S. Open, is another wrestle to watch at this weight class.
Prediction: Ben Askren over Andrew Howe
84 kg: World silver medalist Jake Herbert is the favorite to represent the U.S. at the World Championships again, but there are several wrestlers who have the potential to challenge for a spot on the U.S. World Team, including Bryce Hasseman, who has beaten Herbert in the past and been very competitive in his losses. Hassemen was runner-up to Herbert at last year's Trials and this year's U.S. Open. David Bertolino, who trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, placed third at the U.S. Open and is coming into his own as a freestyler. Rising star Chris Perry, who redshirted this past season at Oklahoma State, was fourth at the U.S. Open and comes from a very strong wrestling lineage. Keith Gavin moved up from 74 kg and was fifth at the U.S. Open. Quentin Wright, who recently won the University World Team Trials with a win over Mack Lewnes, is also expected to challenge.
Prediction: Jake Herbert over Bryce Hasseman
96 kg: J.D. Bergman surprised many by the way he handled returning U.S. World Team member Jake Varner in the finals of the U.S. Open. Bergman not only outscored Varner 7-1 in the finals of the U.S. Open, but failed to give up a single point en route to reaching the finals. Varner, who reached the quarterfinals at last year's World Championships, will be a strong favorite to come out of the Challenge Tournament. Pat Cummins, who dropped down from 120 kg, was third at the U.S. Open at this weight class. Others in this weight class that could figure into the mix include Brandon Halsey, Sonny Yohn, and Brent Jones.
Prediction: J.D. Bergman over Jake Varner
120 kg: Much like 74 kg, 120 kg is one of the deepest freestyle weight classes for the U.S. Les Sigman captured his first U.S. Open title with an impressive victory over World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev. Tommy Rowlands, a past U.S. World Team member, came out of retirement earlier this year after a two-year layoff and placed third at the U.S. Open. Blake Gillis and Aaron Anspach should also challenge. Steve Mocco, who represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games, is not expected to compete.
Prediction: Tommy Rowlands over Les Sigman
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now