U.S. Greco-Roman World TeamSeven of the eight wrestlers are returning World Team members.
The U.S. Open finals in April determined the winner of the first match in the best-of-three series.
The opening match saw returning World bronze medalist Andy Bisek earn a quick 8-0 technical fall over Dillon Cowan to make his fourth U.S. World Team. Bisek used an arm drag and then scored off multiple gut wrenches to finish the match in the first period.
Bisek said his match in Ithaca was just another match in his training and preparation for the World Championships in Las Vegas.
"I don't really feel like I did any kind of peaking for this," said Bisek. "It's just part of my training. It's like, 'OK, I'm going to Ithaca and have a match.' Every day I'll have some matches in practice … It's just like that. The end goal for right now is Vegas for sure. That's where I'm looking. I'm not trying to overlook anything. But the goal definitely is Vegas."
Justin Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist, made his eighth U.S. World Team after beating Pat Smith 8-2. The 31-year-old Lester raced out to a 5-0 lead after he scored a takedown and two pushouts. (Smith unsuccessfully challenged one, which resulted in a point for Lester.) Smith scored a takedown in the second period to cut the deficit to 5-2. Lester, though, would add a late pushout and takedown for the six-point victory.
"Now it's time to put in the work and get ready for September," said Lester, who is a member of the Army World Class Athlete Program. "I think I'm there."
Spenser Mango defeated Jesse Thielke to earn a spot on the U.S. World Team at 59 kilos (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Mango, a two-time Olympian, edged Jesse Thielke 4-3 at 59 kilos to make his sixth U.S. World Team. In the first period Mango scored a takedown, which was followed up with a two-point throw, which gave him a 4-0 lead. Thielke, a 2013 U.S. World Team member, inched closer after scoring off a pushout and takedown, which cut the deficit to 4-3. Neither wrestler was able to score in the final period, and Mango took the one-point victory.
In their previous match at the U.S. Open, Mango earned a 5-0 shutout victory over Thielke.
"It was a little bit tougher than the first time," said Mango. "I feel like I was a lot more sloppy in this match. I didn't push as hard as I feel like I usually do. There's just stuff I need to work on. I need to be at my best, or try to be at my best, every match."
Williams needed just 47 seconds to earn a technical fall over Kevin Beazley at 98 kilos. He used two four-point throws in the victory.
For Williams, who wrestled collegiately at UNC Greensboro, it was his third straight World Team berth. Jordan Holm (85 kilos) and Robby Smith (130 kilos) also made their third straight World Team.
Holm won a close, physical match over Jon Anderson. Holm opened the scoring, picking up two points off a caution after he ran Anderson off the mat. With just under a minute remaining, Anderson was able to secure a takedown to make the match 2-2 on the scoreboard. Anderson, though, still trailed because Holm's points came off a caution. Anderson continued to push the pace in the final minute but was unable to score, and Holm held on for the win.
"I was real, real close to pulling away, but Jon stuck it out and went hard," said Holm. "I like that. It's a good challenge."
Smith blanked his training partner Toby Erickson 5-0. All the scoring in the match came in the opening period. Smith scored with a pushout and consecutive gut wrenches.
Smith said he fed off the crowd at the Friedman Center.
"This place was loud," said Smith, who placed fifth at the 2013 World Championships. "They were supporting us. It was awesome. I loved every minute of it. I'm just happy to be here. I'm happy to be No. 1 again in the country."
At 66 kilos, Bryce Saddoris won his first U.S. World Team Trials title, but will be competing in his second World Championships in September. Last year Saddoris finished runner-up at the Trials, but replaced DaVaughn Perkins on the World Team. He went 1-1 at the World Championships.
Saddoris defeated Alejandro Sancho in the finals of the U.S. Open. However, it was Sancho who took the first match on Thursday to even the series at 1-1. Saddoris won the third and deciding match 4-0.
"I do want to go medal at the Worlds," said Saddoris, who competes for the U.S. Marines. "That's my goal. This was just one obstacle that was in my way. So now I'm ready to go. I'm ready to wrestle, and I'm ready to go get us a medal."
Patrick Martinez made his first U.S. World Team at 80 kilos by beating C.J. Myers 2-0. Martinez scored a first-period takedown and that's all the scoring he would need.
"It feels amazing," said Martinez. "I've only been doing Greco for just over a year, so this is a great accomplishment for me. Coming into the match I knew I had to wrestle him hard, not make any mistakes because he's dangerous in a lot of positions. So I had to keep my composure and just grind it out."
Results:
59 kilos: Spenser Mango dec. Jesse Thielke, 4-3
66 kilos: Bryce Saddoris dec. Alejandro Sancho, 4-0
71 kilos: Justin Lester dec. Pat Smith, 8-2
75 kilos: Andy Bisek tech. fall Dillon Cowan, 8-0
80 kilos: Patrick Martinez dec. C.J. Myers, 2-0
85 kilos: Jordan Holm dec. Jon Anderson, 2-2
98 kilos: Caylor Williams tech. fall Kevin Beazley, 8-0
130 kilos: Robby Smith dec. Toby Erickson, 5-0
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