Since the U.S. doesn't wrestle the international styles year-round like most countries, having an extra opportunity at the Cadet level is a huge bonus.
That is evident with past Cadet World team members like Kyle Snyder, Zain Retherford and Thomas Gilman now excelling in freestyle on the Senior level. Gaining that international exposure at a younger age provides a great deal of chances for wrestlers in this country to develop and progress. And keep pace with the powerhouse countries like Russia, Iran and Japan.
That's why young and talented standouts Mark Hall, Daton Fix and Gable Steveson are already grizzled veterans at the international level.
And one of the reasons all three won Junior world titles last week in Finland.
It was a superb overall showing with the U.S. also coming home with champions in Maya Nelson (women's freestyle) and Kamal Bey (Greco-Roman).
The American program has picked up some nice momentum with the start of the U.S. Senior World Championships just a couple of weeks away in Paris.
Here is my report card from the Junior World Championships in Tampere, Finland
Daton Fix won a gold medal at the Junior World Championships at 55 kilograms (Photo/Marion Stein, UWW)Freestyle
The U.S. turned in an incredible performance and did it with Kevin Jackson, the former U.S. National coach, leading the way.
Jackson is back as USA Wrestling's developmental freestyle coach, a role he already is thriving in. KJ is a superb freestyle coach and will have a huge impact once again on the American program.
Hall, Fix and Steveson led the way with dominant performances against a very elite field. These guys are confident, mature wrestlers who also wrestle aggressively and put points on the board. They can break matches open in the blink of an eye. They are fun to watch and their entertaining style certainly is great for growing and promoting the sport.
The U.S. earned the team championship while finishing with seven medals, including three gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal. It was the first team title for the U.S. at the Junior Worlds in freestyle in 33 years.
Hall already has won an NCAA title with Fix and Steveson both having an enormous amount of potential as they move forward.
It was a breakthrough of sorts for Fix, a very tough young star who has numerous wins over Cadet and Junior world champion Spencer Lee.
The U.S. also had silver medalists in Finland that included Mitchell McKee, Ryan Deakin and Zahid Valencia. Kollin Moore added a bronze medal. Every point was needed as the Americans edged a powerful Russian team by one point for the gold trophy.
It certainly was a memorable few days for the Junior world team.
Grade: A
Maya Nelson won gold in women's wrestling (Photo/Marion Stein, UWW)Women's wrestling
Nelson became the first Junior women's world champion for the U.S. since 2010, defeating Bulgaria's Yuliana Yaneva 6-0 in the finals.
Nelson is another excellent young prospect who has excelled internationally at a very young age. She has the potential to be a star on the next level as well. She's a tough, gritty and explosive wrestler with a determination to match.
Newcomer Asia Ray added a bronze medal for the American squad. Cameron Guerin fell in the bronze-medal bout.
The U.S. women, typically on the podium among the top three teams in this event, finished fifth in the standings.
The good news is women's wrestling is growing at this level in the U.S., so look for more young stars to emerge soon.
Grade: C+
Kamal Bey became USA's first Junior World Greco champ since 1999 (Photo/Marion Stein, UWW)Greco-Roman
The explosive Bey earned a wild 16-11 finals win over 2016 Cadet world champion Akzhol Makhmudov from Kyrgyzstan to cap a memorable showing at Junior Worlds.
Bey has provided a much-needed boost for Coach Matt Lindland's Greco program. Bey is a huge talent with a very big upside. It was the first world title at that level for the U.S. since 1999.
Bey's wide-open, exciting style makes him a fan favorite that can help Greco grow in this country. He's a major talent.
American Cevion Severado added a silver medal for the U.S. Taylor LaMont reached the bronze-medal bout before placing fifth.
The U.S. has struggled at the Senior level in this style and this performance gives the Greco program a spark and an indication that some future stars are coming at the Senior level.
The addition of coach Gary Mayabb in a full-time role is a big plus for the program at the developmental level. The American Greco program is definitely on the right track.
Grade: B-
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