Contestants in this tournament range from those still finishing junior high to those graduating in the Class of 2018. Athletes born in 2000, 2001, and 2002 are age eligible. Champions in this tournament qualify for the Cadet World Tournament to be held from September 4-10 in Athens, Greece.
Both wrestlers who won Cadet World freestyle last year, and competed in this year's event, again earned spots on the team. Kurt McHenry (St. Paul's, Md.), a gold medalist last year at 42 kilos, dominated his way to the title at 46 kilos with six technical falls from six bouts. All his matches ended in the first period, with only Dylan Ragusin (Montini Catholic, Ill.) even able to score points during a 13-2 semifinal victory.
Ranked No. 13 overall in the Class of 2019, McHenry had a rematch of last year's championship series that went to a third match against Jeremiah Reno (Liberty, Mo.), a Cadet National freestyle champion at 94 pounds last year and ranked No. 16 overall in the Class of 2020. This year's championship series was a pair of technical falls that lasted a combined 1:55. Key in each match was the ability to transition from a takedown into multiple gut-wrenches.
Travis Wittlake (Marshfield, Ore.), ranked No. 3 overall in the Class of 2018, will get the chance to improve upon last year's bronze medal finish at 76 kilos. However, the path was not easy, nor were most of the matches along the way.
After a pair of shutout technical falls in a combined 89 seconds, Wittlake needed a takedown with about 30 seconds left in the bout to upend Julian Ramirez (Blair Academy, N.J.) in a quarterfinal bout that went back-and-forth; Ramirez is ranked as the No. 6 overall wrestler in the Class of 2019. The semifinal against Patrick Kennedy (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.) was no easier, as Wittlake came away with a 4-3 victory against the No. 8 overall wrestler in the Class of 2020.
The championship series for Wittlake was a pair of matches against fellow Cadet Nationals double champion Aaron Brooks (North Hagerstown, Md.), who is ranked No. 49 in the Class of 2018. The first match was a 4-2 victory for Wittlake, in which he scored a takedown during each period. Then, in the last match, Wittlake showed his true colors steamrolling to a 10-0 technical fall in 1:18; an opening takedown with a pair of gut-wrenches was followed by two more takedowns.
However, the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler award went to Jacori Teemer (Long Beach, N.Y.), the No. 27 overall Class of 2018 wrestler. Teemer absolutely dominated fellow Cadet National freestyle champion Sammy Sasso (Nazareth, Pa.) in the 63 kilos championship series, Sasso being ranked No. 7 among 2018 wrestlers.
It was comprehensive in all positions and aspects, a 12-2 technical fall in 2:13 followed by a 12-1 technical fall in 2:55. Those matches were the fifth and sixth technical fall victory for Teemer in the tournament.
Two other Class of 2018 wrestlers earned their way onto the Cadet World Team on Sunday morning, No. 26 Will Lewan (Montini Catholic, Ill.) at 69 kilos and No. 17 Gavin Hoffman (Montoursville, Pa.) at 85 kilos.
It was double titles for Lewan, as he won the championship on Friday afternoon in Greco-Roman in this weight class as well. Lewan was a decisive winner in both matches against Peyton Robb (Owatonna, Minn.), the No. 43 overall wrestler in the 2018 class, coming home with 9-5 and 9-4 victories. He also had wins over wrestlers finishing fourth and fifth place in this tournament, 5-0 in the semifinal over Jared Franek (West Fargo, N.D.) and 8-6 over Carter Starocci (Erie Cathedral Prep, Pa.); there also was a 12-2 quarterfinal victory over No. 36 overall Class of 2019 wrestler Sam Dover (St. Edward, Ohio).
Hoffman was decisive in his championship series matches over two-time Cadet National freestyle champion Ryan Karoly (Malvern Prep, Pa.), the No. 25 overall wrestler in the Class of 2018. The key sequence in the opening match came with Hoffman leading 2-1. What was originally called a takedown Karoly and reversal Hoffman to level the match at 3-3, was reversed via replay challenge to takedown only Hoffman; a subsequent takedown and push out would make it 7-1 after one period, with a second period push out making it an 8-1 final score.
The second match was tight through one period with Hoffman leading just 1-0 on a pushout. A takedown, two pushouts, and another takedown in the second period for Hoffman yielded the 7-0 final score. The other three matches for Hoffman in the tournament were decided by technical fall; the semifinal match by 13-2 score over No. 45 overall Class of 2019 wrestler Devin Winston (Park Hill, Mo.), and the quarterfinal by 11-0 score over last year's Cadet National double runner-up Tyler Barnes (Ballston Spa, N.Y.)
Another pair of champions came from the Class of 2019, No. 10 Jordan Decatur (CVCA, Ohio) at 58 kilos and No. 4 Daniel Kerkvliet (Simley, Minn.) at 100 kilos. Decatur was runner-up in this tournament last year at 54 kilos, and also won Cadet National freestyle titles the last two summers in Fargo. His championship series was a pair of competitive - but dominant - victories over Carson Manville (Shakopee, Minn.), the nation's top junior high wrestler.
Decatur led 4-1 after one period in the opening bout, then while leading 6-2 scored a takedown to really open up the bout, where two subsequent gut wrenches ended the match in 3:40 by a 12-2 technical fall. The second bout was 6-2 Decatur after a period, with Manville having shrunk the gap to 6-4 halfway through the second period. Then, Decatur shot in a double that ended in a launch situation that led to a pin coming at the 3:20 mark.
Manville had advanced to the final with wins over two-time Cadet National double champion Nick Raimo (Hanover Park, N.J.), the nation's No. 2 Class of 2019 wrestler; and Josh Saunders (Christian Brothers College, Mo.), the nation's No. 4 Class of 2020 prospect. Decatur's path to the final involved five technical falls from five bouts, the most notable being against Andrew Alirez (Greeley Central, Colo.), 12-2 in the quarterfinal against the No. 9 Class of 2019 wrestler.
Kerkvliet blew his way through the competition with four technical falls on the way to the final, only yielding two points, those coming in his opening match. The championship series was a pair of 10-0 technical fall victories over Jace Punke (Washington, Ill.), each of those coming midway through the second period.
Another pair of champions came from elite wrestlers in the Class of 2020. No. 9 Julian Tagg (Brecksville, Ohio) won the 50 kilos title, while No. 6 Robert Howard (Bergen Catholic, N.J.) was champion at 54 kilos.
Tagg, a Cadet National freestyle champion last summer, started his tournament with a trio of 10-0 technical fall victories. In his quarterfinal match against Trevor Mastrogiovanni (Blair Academy, N.J.), it was the No. 10 overall Class of 2020 wrestler Mastrogiovanni jumping out to a 7-0 lead before Tagg would rally back with a takedown, a takedown and turn, and then a last takedown to get an 8-7 lead late in the bout that would stand up. The semifinal against Jacob Cardani (Champaign Central, Ill.) was a tighter than expected 8-7 victory.
Then, the championship series came against Isaac Salas (St. John Bosco, Calif.), the No. 9 overall junior high wrestler. While the scoreline will show a pair of decisive victories, the matches were more tightly contested. The first of which was a 7-0 victory, the second of which came by a 10-2 score, a match in which Salas scored the first takedown before Tagg countered with five takedowns in turn.
Howard had the least dominant tournament of any champion, though it started with a 10-0 technical fall. His next match was a 3-0 round of 16 victory over eventual eighth place finisher Kyle Gollhofer (Woodland, Ga.). The quarterfinal was an absolute barn-burner against Brody Teske (Fort Dodge, Iowa), the No. 30 overall Class of 2018 wrestler and a Cadet freestyle runner-up last year. Howard took a 6-0 lead early, then it was Teske rallying for an 8-7 lead lead before Howard got the last second takedown to earn a 9-8 victory.
Howard then beat last year's 50 kilos world team member Aaron Cashman (Shakopee, Minn.), the No. 46 overall Class of 2018 wrestler, by a 6-0 decision in the semifinal. The championship series came against Chris Cannon (Blair Academy, N.J.), the No. 15 overall wrestler in the Class of 2019. The opening match of the series was an 8-3 victory, which was aided by a sequence in the second period that was scored 4-1 in favor of Howard when it could have went another way. The second match was a 6-4 victory for Howard decided by a key four-point throw midway through the second period, Cannon had a potential throw at the end of the match to win it, but time was out.
Rounding out this year's Cadet World Team is Cole Skinner (Ohio), the No. 14 overall junior high wrestler, who beat out No. 10 junior high wrestler Chance Lamer (Oregon) for the 42 kilos spot. Skinner won by 10-0 technical fall in 3:57 and then 7-2. The last of the tournament's champions was state placer Jordan Earnest (Wadsworth, Ohio), who won the 125 kilos weight class, one that is not contested at Cadet Worlds.
Final Results
42 kg/92 lbs.
Cole Skinner (G2 World WA) tech. fall Chance Lamer (Orange Crush WC), 10-0
Cole Skinner (G2 World WA) dec. Chance Lamer (Orange Crush WC), 7-2
Skinner wins series 2-0
Placement Matches
3rd - Jett Strickenberger (Sons of Thunder) tech. fall Alex Almeyda (Edge), 10-0
5th - Drake Ayala (Sebolt WA) tech. fall Blake Noonan (Team Donahoe), 12-2
7th - Laz Maldonado (Sons of Thunder) tech. fall Tommy Curran (Gomez WA), 10-0
46 kg/101 lbs.
Kurt McHenry (Ranger WC) tech. fall Jeremiah Reno (Victory), 11-0
Kurt McHenry (Ranger WC) tech. fall Jeremiah Reno (Victory), 10-0
McHenry wins series 2-0
Placement Matches
3rd - Dylan Ragusin (Izzy Style) dec. Cullan Schriever (Sebolt WA), 6-0
5th - Yusief Little (Team Aggression) forfeit Ryan Crookham (Weaver Elite)
7th - Richard Figueroa (Team Selma) tech. fall Cooper Flynn (Holland Trained), 12-1
50 kg/110 lbs.
Julian Tagg (Seasons) dec. Isaac Salas (Sunkist Kids/Monster Garage), 7-0
Julian Tagg (Seasons) dec. Isaac Salas (Sunkist Kids/Monster Garage), 10-2
Tagg wins series 2-0
Placement Matches
3rd - Trevor Mastrogiovanni (Blairstown WC) dec. Greg Diakomihalis (FLWC), 3-2
5th - Justin Cardani (Centennial) forfeit Noah Surtin (Quest)
7th - Hunter Lewis (Wisconsin) fall Steele Dias (Nevada), 3:33
54 kg/119 lbs.
Robert Howard (Bitetto Trained) dec. Chris Cannon (Blairstown WC), 8-3
Robert Howard (Bitetto Trained) dec. Chris Cannon (Blairstown WC), 6-4
Howard wins series 2-0
Placement Matches
3rd - Brody Teske (Team Valley) dec. Jakob Camacho (Iowa Style WC), 10-4
5th - Gabriel Tagg (Seasons) forfeit Aaron Cashman (Pinnacle)
7th - Joseph Heilmann (South Plainfield) dec. Kyle Gollhofer (Georgia), 6-2
58 kg/127 lbs.
Jordan Decatur (Seasons) tech. fall Carson Manville (Shakopee Mat Club), 12-2
Jordan Decatur (Seasons) fall Carson Manville (Shakopee Mat Club), 3:40
Decatur wins series 2-0
Placement Matches
3rd - Jesse Vasquez (Sunkist Kids) dec. Joshua Saunders (Sunkist Kids/Monster Garage), 8-2
5th - Atilano Escobar (Olympus/LWC) forfeit Nicholas Raimo (Apex)
7th - Beau Bartlett (Sunkist Kids/Monster Garage) dec. Ryan Moore (ETC), 10-2
63 kg/138 lbs.
Jacori Teemer (Long Beach) tech. fall Sammy Sasso (Dark Knights), 12-2
Jacori Teemer (Long Beach) tech. fall Sammy Sasso (Dark Knights), 12-1
Teemer wins series 2-0
Placement Matches
3rd - Jason Kraisser (Maryland) dec. Kevon Davenport (Shamrock Select), 5-3
5th - Kasper Mcintosh (Portage WC) dec. Cade Devos (Iron Rams), 6-0
7th - Fidel Mayora (Izzy Style) tech. fall Padriac Gallacher (TWFOC), 10-0
69 kg/152 lbs.
Will Lewan (Izzy Style) dec. Peyton Robb (Pinnacle), 9-5
Will Lewan (Izzy Style) dec. Peyton Robb (Pinnacle), 9-4
Lewan wins series 2-0
Placement Matches
3rd - Connor Brady (Ohio RTC) dec. Jared Franek (West Fargo), 11-3
5th - Carter Starocci (Bad Karma) dec. Tyler Dow (Wisconsin), 4-1
7th - Justin Mccoy (Young Guns) dec. Nevan Snodgrass (Ohio), 13-8
76 kg/167 lbs.
Travis Wittlake Jr. (Team Bucs) dec. Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown), 4-2
Travis Wittlake Jr. (Team Bucs) tech. fall Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown), 10-0
Wittlake Jr. wins series 2-0
Placement Matches
3rd - Patrick Kennedy (Minnesota Storm) tech. fall Jeremiah Kent (MOWesst), 10-0
5th - Michael O'Malley (Apex) fall Carson Kharchla (Team Miron), 1:15
7th - Julian Ramirez (Blairstown WC) forfeit Grant Cuomo (Iowa Style WC)
85 kg/187 lbs.
Gavin Hoffman (Bison Legend) dec. Ryan Karoly (Malvern WC), 8-1
Gavin Hoffman (Bison Legend) dec. Ryan Karoly (Malvern WC), 7-0
Hoffman wins series 2-0
Placement Matches
3rd - Joel Shapiro (Ubasa WA) dec. Lucas Davidson (Chesterton WC), 8-0
5th - Devin Winston (Greater Heights) tech. fall Tyler Barnes (Journeymen), 12-2
7th - Hunter Dejong (MWCWA) fall Cristian Knop (Ironclad WC), 0:42
100 kg/220 lbs.
Daniel Kerkvliet (Pinnacle) tech. fall Jace Punke (OS/WN), 10-0
Daniel Kerkvliet (Pinnacle) tech. fall Jace Punke (OS/WN), 10-0
Kerkvliet wins series 2-0
Placement Matches
3rd - Luke Luffman (OS/WN) dec. Tyler Curd (MOWest), 8-0
5th - Tyler Stein (Ohio) forfeit Kyle Lightner (Fortify WC)
7th - Jacob Somali (Askren WA) fall Jake Cook (Journeymen), 1:35
125 kg/275 lbs.
1st - Jordan Earnest (Wadsworth) dec. Jack Delgarbino (Green Machine WC), 8-1
3rd - Eli Pokorney (Chesterton WC) fall Guy Snow (Eastern Iowa WC), 2:49
5th - Jayvon Davidson (Eclipse) fall Enutifa Gamia (Easter Iowa WC), 0:33
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