Gable Steveson claimed his second state title in late February (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)Since the last grade level rankings were published in mid-April, which was right after the post-season national tournaments at the end of the scholastic season, two-plus months including many major competitions have occurred. As a result, there are some changes to be had in the Class of 2018 rankings.
What does remain constant though is the top four wrestlers within the rising junior class. Leading the way is Gable Steveson (Apple Valley, Minn.), who continues to be locked in with his form. The returning UWW Cadet world champion in freestyle at 100 kilograms won the national title in that weight class in early June, and will seek a repeat gold medal in September. In addition, Steveson dominated his way to championships at two different Junior regional tournaments.
David Carr (Massillon Perry, Ohio) remains second overall in this class after winning a UWW Cadet national title at 69 kilograms, which is a one position improvement from his runner-up finish last year. Gavin Teasdale (Jefferson Morgan, Pa.) remains third after most notably finishing runner-up at the UWW Cadet Nationals in April at 55 kilograms, a tournament run that included a shutout technical fall over elite 2015 recruit Nick Piccininni (Oklahoma State). Two-time California state champion Seth Nevills (Clovis) remains in the fourth position.
Three other wrestlers from this grade level made upward movements in the ranking after qualifying for the UWW Cadet World Championships in freestyle, as they earned national titles in Akron earlier this month. Roman Bravo-Young (Sunnyside, Ariz.) and Travis Wittlake (Marshfield, Ore.) each moved up six positions in the rankings, to No. 7 and No. 8 respectively, while Aaron Cashman (Mound Westonka, Minn.) moved into the top 50 at No. 44
Making a significant move up into the top ten was Joe Lee (Evansville Mater Dei, Ind.), the UWW Cadet Nationals runner-up at 69 kilograms in freestyle. He jumped fourteen positions from No. 23 to No. 9 overall in this class. A pair of wrestlers moved up eight spots in the grade level rankings, Trent Hidlay (Mifflin County, Pa.) and Will Lewan (Montini Catholic, Ill.), who are now ranked No. 23 and No. 28 respectively; Hidlay placed third at the UWW Cadet Nationals in the 76 kilogram freestyle competition, while Lewan was fifth at UWW Cadets in the 63 kilogram weight class along with undefeated performances at the NWCA Scholastic Duals and the Cadet Freestyle Duals.
Earning debut appearances in the top 50 are Jared Krattiger (Waterford, Wis.), Anthony Cassioppi (Hononegah, Ill.), Aaron Cashman (Mound Westonka, Minn.), Nelson Brands (Iowa City West, Iowa), and Jake Gliva (Simley, Minn.).
Pennsylvania natives are most popular in the rankings, as eight wrestlers from the Keystone State appear in the top 50. Five wrestlers each reside from Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio; while four are from Minnesota, as well as three being from California, Indiana, and Florida.
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Link: Top 50 Juniors
Below is a sneak peek of the top 10 junior recruits.
1. Gable Steveson (Apple Valley, Minn.)
2. David Carr (Massillon Perry, Ohio)
3. Gavin Teasdale (Jefferson Morgan, Pa.)
4. Seth Nevills (Clovis, Calif.)
5. Michael Beard (Malvern Prep, Pa.)
6. Sammy Sasso (Nazareth, Pa.)
7. Roman Bravo-Young (Sunnyside, Ariz.)
8. Travis Wittlake (Marshfield, Ore.)
9. Joe Lee (Evansville Mater Dei, Ind.)
10. Frankie Gissendanner (Penfield, N.Y.)
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