Many nationally ranked wrestlers (weight class and/or grade) populate the pre-registration field (note that there is additional on-site registration, so this list may be incomplete; in addition, weight classes are subject to change at registration). In addition, there are also wrestlers outside the rankings with excellent credentials and potential to thrive in this tournament.
The following is a survey of each weight class based on the early registration period, the deadline which was 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29.
42 Kilos:
Notable Wrestlers: Chris Cuccolo (New York), Louie Hayes (Illinois)
Commentary: Early registration lists a couple of notable wrestlers in Chris Cuccolo (New York), a 2011 Cadet National All-American in both styles, as well as 2012 Cadet folkstyle champion Louie Hayes, who was a USA Wrestling Schoolboy Triple Crown winner last year.
46 Kilos:
Notable Wrestlers: Kaid Brock (Oklahoma), Isaac Jimenez (Texas), Jordan Kutler (New Jersey), Mitchell McKee (Minnesota), and Miguel Silva (Illinois)
Commentary: National Prep champion Jordan Kutler (New Jersey) probably has the greatest high school credential of any wrestler in this field. However, four other wrestlers come into this tournament with a Cadet National finals appearance to their credit in one of the three styles. Jack Mueller (Texas) and Kaid Brock (Oklahoma) were runners-up in Cadet folkstyle this year, while Brock placed third in freestyle last summer; Mitchell McKee (Minnesota) was a Cadet folkstyle champion this spring, and won double titles at Schoolboy Nationals last summer; and Miguel Silva (Illinois) was a Cadet freestyle runner-up last summer.
50 Kilos:
Weight Class/Grade Ranked Wrestlers: Stevan Micic (Indiana), Tommy Thorn (Minnesota)
Grade Ranked Wrestler: Kyle Norstrem (Florida)
Other Notables: Austin Assad (Ohio), Anthony Cefolo (New Jersey), Ethan Koan (Missouri), Lincoln Olson (Michigan), and Skyler Petry (Minnesota)
Commentary: Two wrestlers in this weight class appeared in the end of season high school weight class rankings, both were Cadet National freestyle champions last summer, and each was also a medalist in the 46-kilo weight class of this tournament last year. Tommy Thorn (Minnesota) won the 46-kilo title last year, and was champion at 105 pounds in Cadet freestyle; while Stevan Micic (Indiana) was fifth here last year, and came home with the 98-pound Cadet National freestyle title during the summer. Austin Assad (Ohio) was runner-up to Micic in Fargo, while Cefolo, Norstrem, and Olson won state titles during the high school season.
54 Kilos:
Weight Class/Grade Ranked Wrestlers: Dylan Lucas (New Jersey), Joey McKenna (Florida), Fredy Stroker (Pennsylvania)
Weight Class Ranked Wrestlers: Zac Hall (Michigan), Jens Lantz (Wisconsin), Coy Ozias (Virginia)
Grade Ranked Wrestler: Brandon James (Indiana)
Other Notables: Josh Alber (Illinois), James Flint (Florida), Dalton Macri (Pennsylvania), Sebastian Pique (Illinois), and Mitch Rogaliner (Michigan)
Commentary: Lead figures in this weight class would appear to be Joey McKenna (New Jersey) and Dylan Lucas (Florida). McKenna beat Lucas, 6-4, 7-2 during the pool stages of this event last year in the 50-kilo classification. Both wrestlers are extremely accomplished in both Olympic styles with multiple Fargo and FILA Cadet National placements to their credit. Other wrestlers with Cadet or FILA Cadet freestyle All-American honors on their resume in this weight class include Josh Alber (Illinois), Zac Hall (Michigan), Brandon James (Indiana), Dalton Macri (Pennsylvania), Josh Newberg (Washington), and Sebastian Pique (Illinois)
58 Kilos:
Weight Class/Grade Ranked Wrestlers: Zain Retherford (Pennsylvania)
Other Notables: Andrew Crone (Wisconsin), Seth Gross (Minnesota), Logan Massa (Michigan), Mark Voss (Minnesota), and Logan Ryan (Iowa)
Commentary: Based on the early registration list, the strong early favorite in this weight class is 2010 Pennsylvania state champion Zain Retherford, a returning Cadet freestyle All-American, who was precluded from competing during the past high school season. Retherford was an NHSCA Junior National champion this past April, and is a three-time Super 32 Challenge placer. However, indications are that Retherford may move up a weight class to 63 kilos. Additionally in this weight are both finalists from the 112 pound weight class in last summer's Cadet National freestyle tournament, Seth Gross (Minnesota)and Andrew Crone (Wisconsin).
63 Kilos:
Weight Class/Grade Ranked Wrestlers: Anthony Ashnault (New Jersey), Jack Bass (Texas), Bryce Brill (Illinois), Jack Clark (New Jersey), and Dean Heil (Ohio)
Grade Ranked Wrestlers: Fox Baldwin (Florida), Tyler Berger (Oregon), Chris Garcia (Illinois), P.J. Klee (California), Grant Leeth (Missouri), Mason Manville (Minnesota), and Hayden Tuma (Idaho)
Other Notables: Tanner Bailey (Oklahoma), Kevin Kinney (Missouri), Geordan Martinez (Colorado), Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer (New York), and Cole Sladek (Minnesota)
Commentary: To put things mildly, there is an absolutely crazy level of talent in this weight class. Keeping in mind that only six wrestlers earn medals, the first batch of six wrestlers not getting a medal could easily be just as good as the group that does medal. Quite frankly, the second batch of six not medalling might be nipping on their heels too. There are six returning FILA Cadet medalists in this weight class: Bryce Brill (Illinois), Jack Clark (New Jersey), Dean Heil (Ohio), P.J. Klee (California), Hayden Tuma (Idaho), and Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer (New York). Wrestlers that have earned Cadet freestyle All-American honors in either or both of the last two summers (12 total) include Brill, Clark, Klee, Tuma, Anthony Ashnault (New Jersey), Jack Bass (Texas), Tyler Berger (Oregon), Grant Leeth (Missouri), Kevin Kinney (Missouri), Geordan Martinez (Colorado), Joseph Grable (Washington), and Cole Sladek (Minnesota). Additional notable wrestlers include FloNationals placers Fox Baldwin (Florida) and Mason Manville (Minnesota), as well as 2011 Cadet National folkstyle runner-up Tommy Forte (Indiana). Retherford may be added to this group, and indications are Bass may be competing at 69 kilos.
69 Kilos:
Weight Class/Grade Ranked Wrestlers: Mark Hall (Minnesota), Dylan Milonas (New Jersey), and Bo Nickal (Texas)
Grade Ranked Wrestler: Paden Bailey (Oklahoma)
Other Notables: Ryan Blees (North Dakota), Colston DiBlasi (Missouri), Grant Lamont (Utah), Logan Marcicki (Michigan), and Xavier Montalvo (Illinois)
Commentary: A trio of wrestlers lead the way in this weight class, including Cadet National freestyle champion Dylan Milonas (New Jersey). Others in this group are Cadet National folkstyle champion Bo Nickal (Texas), a Cadet National double All-American last year, and two-time Minnesota state champion Mark Hall (Minnesota). An additional three wrestlers were also Cadet National double All-Americans last summer -- Ryan Blees (North Dakota), Grant Lamont (Utah), and Logan Marcicki (Michigan); Lamont was also a placer in this event last year at 63 kilos.
76 Kilos:
Weight Class/Grade Ranked Wrestlers: Zach Beard (Oklahoma), Chance Marsteller (Pennsylvania), Eric Morris (Pennsylvania), Chandler Rogers (Washington), and Johnny Sebastian (New Jersey)
Grade Ranked Wrestler: Andrew Garcia (Michigan)
Other Notables: Jordan Cooks (Michigan), Nick Corba (Ohio), Tyler McLean (Washington), Ryder Newman (Nevada), and Jake Stilling (Wisconsin)
Commentary: Though two-time Cadet National freestyle champion Chance Marsteller (Pennsylvania) is going to get virtually all the limelight and ink in this weight class, there is a lot of talent here. For those living under some sort of cave, Marsteller is the No. 1 wrestler in the Class of 2014, finished the year No. 1 at 160 pounds, and is a two-time undefeated state champion. Also present in this weight class is fellow Cadet National freestyle champion Zach Beard (Oklahoma); the excellent Eric Morris (Pennsylvania), a two-time Cadet freestyle All-American and National Prep champion this past year; state champion Johnny Sebastian (New Jersey), who was also runner-up at the Beast of the East during this past season; and Chandler Rogers (Washington), who was a double All-American (third freestyle, first Greco) as a first-year Cadet last summer. The above five wrestlers are joined in the field by three other Cadet double All Americans Andrew Garcia (Michigan), Ryder Newman (Nevada), and Jake Stilling (Wisconsin).
85 Kilos:
Weight Class/Grade Ranked Wrestlers: Mitch Sliga (Indiana)
Grade Ranked Wrestler: Lance Benick (Minnesota)
Other Notables: Troy Hembury (Pennsylvania), Ray O'Donnell (Pennsylvania), Ricky Robertson (Illinois), and Parker Vonegidy (North Carolina)
Commentary: Clearly leading the way here is two-time Cadet National double All-American Mitch Sliga (Indiana). He was also fifth in this weight class last year at the FILA Cadet level, and had a high school state title this past year to go with two previous third-place finishes. Joining Sliga as a Cadet National freestyle champion in this weight class is Ricky Robertson (Illinois), who also finished second to Morris in Cadet Greco-Roman last summer. Just a first-year Cadet, Lance Benick (Minnesota) already has a folkstyle national title to his credit. Other returning Cadet All-Americans include double medalists Ray O'Donnell (Pennsylvania), a champion in Greco-Roman, and Troy Hembury (Pennsylvania); while Parker Vonegidy (North Carolina) was runner-up to Robertson in freestyle.
100 Kilos:
Notable Wrestler: Josh Lehner (Ohio)
Commentary: Josh Lehner (Ohio) is the favorite among the early registrants. During the past scholastic season, he was a Walsh Ironman placer and won a state title with all four of his victories in Columbus coming by technical fall. He was also third in Cadet Greco-Roman last summer.
125 Kilos:
Weight Class/Grade Ranked Wrestlers: Michael Johnson Jr. (Pennsylvania)
Weight Class Ranked Wrestler: Nathan Butler (Kansas)
Other Notable: Wesley Bernard (Indiana)
Commentary: Leading the way is Cadet National double All-American Michael Johnson Jr. (Pennsylvania), who was a National Prep runner-up during his freshman season of high school. Also present in this weight class is two-time state champion Nathan Butler (Kansas), who was third in Junior folkstyle this spring and a Cadet Greco-Roman third place finisher last summer; as well as Cadet National double All-American Wesley Bernard (Indiana).
Note: InterMat will provide coverage of the freestyle tournament throughout the weekend, including a recap after the event's completion on Sunday evening as well as select updates on Twitter (@JLowe_intermat) throughout the competition.
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