Fi: Fila JR Freestyle Preview
Fi: Fila JR Freestyle Preview
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FILA JR Freestyle Preview
Willie Saylor, Sr. Editor
The march to World Team berths and a trip to Zagreb, Croatia, and the Junior World Championships start here.
Well, they could.
FILA Junior action takes place Friday and Saturday as part of the U.S. Open festivities and is a major stepping stone towards making the World Team.
Winning FILA Juniors gives you a seat in the Junior World Team Trials (held next month in Wisconsin). But last year, only 3 of the 8 FILA Junior Champs from Vegas would go on to win that best-of-three final and the berth on the World Team. Thomas Gilman (121), Jason Tsirtsis (145.5), and Kyle Snyder (211), all accomplished it. Snyder, of course, would go on to win JR World Gold.
It’s been an exciting time for the U.S. youth ranks. USAWrestling has shown progress with our young talent after instituting Developmental and Residential Programs. We’ve had a Cadet World Champion for three straight years (Adam Coon ’11, Zain Retherford, ’12, and Aaron Pico, ’13).
On the Junior Circuit, Logan Stieber was a World Runner-Up in 2011 when both Mark Grey and Josh Kindig placed 5th. Pat Downey was a Junior World Runner-Up in 2012. And in addition to Snyder’s Gold last year, Alex Dieringer went Silver with Mark Grey posting another 5th place finish.
As we effectively start the high-profile freestyle season for youth wrestling and the journey to World Team status, we’ll break down all of the weight classes listing top contenders with Freestyle credentials and analysis.
Note that in the latest FILA update, 63KG, 70KG, and 79KG are still listed as weights that WILL NOT be contested at the Junior World Championships.
50KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Adrian Cordova, CO
Last Year’s World Team Member: Ethan Lizak, PA
Top Contenders:
Bryce Brimhall, UT
Edison Garcia, FL
Kirk Johansen, IL - Fargo JR Champ, FILA Cadet 4th
Michael Beck, MD - Returning 6th
Matt Schmitt, MO - Fargo Cadet Runner-Up
Ray Woodward, OR
The Breakdown: Last year, Cordova returned as the reigning World Team Member. He won this, but then lost to Lizak in the OK Trials. No such experience in what is typically a young and thin group.
Two Fargo finalists lead the way. Always talented but vastly undersized, Johansen’s Fargo title came at 100lbs last summer. Both he and Schmitt should be well big enough for 110 now. I’m going with the long and rangy Schmitt to win the title. He’s such a grinder.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Schmitt, MO 2. Johansen, IL 3. Brimhall, UT 4. Beck, MD
55KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Thomas Gilman, IA
Last Year’s World Team Member: Thomas Gilman, IA
Top Contenders:
Brandon Jeske, VA - Fargo Champ
Eli Hale, OK - Fargo AA
Isaac Jimenez, TX - Fargo AA
Jaret Singh, MO
Johnson Mai, CA - Fargo Runner-Up
Nolan Hellickson, IA - JR Trials 3rd
Phil Laux, IA - Fargo Champ
Sebastian Pique, IL
Sean Williams, CA
Tanner Rohweder, IA - Fargo 5th
Tim Lambert, MI - Fargo 4th
Trey Andrews, AZ
Nathan Tomasello, OH - Fargo Champ, Returning Runner-Up
Stevan Micic, IN - Cadet World Team Member
Sean Russell, GA
Dalton Macri, PA - Fargo AA
Vito Pasone, PA
The Breakdown: Really solid weight here with depth and top end talent. Tomasello has been on the cusp of making past World Teams, including last year when he lost in the finals to Gilman. Lambert is actually down a weight class from last year when he competed at 60KGs. Him and Jeske, a freestyle wiz, should be Tomasello’s top threat. However, there are a few others that could make things even more interesting.
That list starts with Stevan Micic, who is terrific in par terre. In addition to his FILA Cadet title, he was also 5th here last year. And then you have Macri and Russell, who have the talent but have not been on the freestyle circuit in a while.
In the end, I think it comes down to Tomasello’s toughness and fundamentals vs. Jeske’s craftiness and athleticism.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Tomasello, OH 2. Jeske, VA 3. Micic, IN 4. Lambert, MI
60KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Ben Whitford, MI
Last Year’s World Team Member: Mark Grey, NJ
Top Contenders:
Alijah Jeffery, IA
Anthony Giraldo, NJ
Dante Rodriguez, NE
Gary Wayne Harding, OK - Fargo 3rd
Jack Hathaway, IA - Fargo AA
Jacob Rubio, TX - Fargo 6th
George Fisher, IL - Fargo 8th
Jarred Oftedahl, MN
Matt Kolodzik, OH - Fargo Champ
Noah Teaney, MO
Scott Delvecchio, NJ
Tommy Pawelski, IL - Fargo 4th
Zane Richards, IL - JR World Team Trials Runner-Up
The Breakdown: Richards is in the driver’s seat to take the title. He’s by far the most experienced and accomplished in this field. He beat Mark Grey in the 3rd place match here last year, but then lost to him in the trials finals.
The next name that jumps off the page at you is Kolodzik, who won a Fargo Cadet title in 2012. Rubio had wins over Giraldo and Fisher at Fargo last summer. And though I’m high on Anthony Giraldo, his forte (and perhaps his focus) is Greco.
And that leaves us with...Delvecchio. I don’t often like to have high aspirations in freestyle just because one’s folk is exceptional, but Delvecchio had a fantastic year at Rutgers. On the positive side of things, I think he’s the second best wrestler in the group. On the negative, I don’t recall him EVER wrestling a FS bout.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Richards, IL 2. Delvecchio, NJ 3. Harding, OK 4. Kolodzik, OH
63KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Aaron Pico, CA
Last Year’s World Team Member: Non-sanctioned weight.
The Breakdown: Winners here do not qualify for the best-of-three finals at Junior World Team Trials. Most often move down a weight for the Trials. Joey McKenna (NJ) leads the way with Colton McCrystal (IA) and Colton Adams (NE) also in the field.
66KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Jason Tsirtsis, IN
Last Year’s World Team Member: Jason Tsirtsis, IN
Top Contenders:
Aaron Pico, CA - Cadet World Champion
Lenny Richardson, NJ
Alex Anciete, NV
Anthony Ashnault, NJ - JR Trials 4th
Blayne Briceno, CA - Fargo Runner-Up
Christian Pagdilao, CA
Collin Heffernan, OH
Jake Short, MN - Fargo Runner-Up
Jamel Hudson, NY - Returning Placer
Jared Reis, ND - Returning Placer
John Fahy, KY - Returning Placer
Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer, NY
Seth Gross, MN - Fargo Champ
Tyler Berger, OR - FILA Cadet 3rd
Zahid Valencia, CA - Fargo Cadet Champ
Zain Retherford, PA - Cadet World Champion
The Breakdown: With 46 entries, 66KG is the biggest bracket. And with two World Champions, it’s also the best bracket.
Perhaps no potential match-ups this weekend, SR’s included, is as anticipated as a Pico-Retherford showdown. Both won Cadet World titles and as Pico was beating SR-level talent this year, Zain was having a phenomenal true freshman campaign that included a win over the world class Logan Stieber.
In saying that, there is still a ton of talent for them to navigate through. Four other wrestlers have made a Fargo/FILA final and two other have been 3rd.
In my opinion, the biggest threat to derailing Pico-Retherford is Jake Short, who’s big and incredibly schooled in FS. He was 3rd at last year’s JR Trials.
And Ashnault and Zain always go close bouts.
Keep an eye on two other guys, too. Blayne Briceno had a breakout tournament at Fargo last year. And Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer is a GR specialist who could make someone pay the ultimate price if they go upper body with him.
In a lot of ways, Aaron and Zain are mirror images of each other. They beat and brawl and grind until they find an opening. I don’t think Pico has as much success punishing Zain like he does most opponents. But I think he edges him. Pico’s been training FS full time and has elevated his par terre game. And the success on the SR level has already emerged for him. All the while, Zain has been going through a Big Ten grind and is just 3 weeks removed from a season in which there’s a heavy emphasis on riding (which is completely irrelevant in FS).
Willie’s Picks: 1. Pico, CA 2. Retherford, PA 3. Short, MN 4. Ashnault, NJ
70KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Chris Castillo, WA
Last Year’s World Team Member: Non-sanctioned weight.
The Breakdown: The second of three non-sanctioned weights. But it’s loaded and features Jack Clark, Daniel Lewis, Brandon Sorenson, Logan Massa, Markus Scheidel, Mason Manville, and Ryan Blees.
Interesting that on the SR level, 70KG will be competed at Worlds, but not in JR’s. I think it would make sense for FILA to adopt this weight to the JR World Championships.
74KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Dylan Palacio, NY
Last Year’s World Team Member: Alex Dieringer, WI
Top Contenders:
Anthony Valencia, CA - Fargo 4th
Brandon Kingsley, MN - FILA University Runner-Up
Chandler Rogers, OK - Fargo Runner-Up
Chris Weiler, PA - Fargo 6th
Dayton Racer, MO
Ethan Ramos, NJ
Fox Baldwin, FL - Fargo Cadet Champ
Garrett Hammond, PA - Fargo Cadet Champ
Isaiah Martinez, CA - Fargo Champ
Kyle Bateman, OR - Fargo 4th
Tyler Grimaldi, NY - Fargo 6th
Ty White, NY
Zach Beard, OK - Fargo 5th
The Breakdown: A deep and solid weight here that has added intrigue in the fact that there’s no clear cut favorite/s.
IMar had a fantastic redshirt campaign at Illinois, placing at Midlands. Beard had just 1 loss redshirting at Wyoming, but didn’t face much opposition. Bateman goes under the radar, but he did have a win over Beard at Fargo last summer.
Rogers is well-versed in the international styles, placing Top 3 at national events for years. Valencia’s two losses in Fargo last year were to Ryan Blees and Zach Kelly. Rogers beat Valencia in folk two weeks ago.
Kingsley was a Runner-Up to Justin DeAngelis at University’s last May. He could make a deep run. Baldwin is a prodigious talent, but he might be a little too young, and a little too small.
This weight could go in a million different directions. But at the top I’m going with IMar who looked great all year and should be rested and ready to go.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Martinez, CA 2. Rogers, OK 3. Beard, OK 4. Valencia, CA
79KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Lelund Weatherspoon, IA
Last Year’s World Team Member: Non-sanctioned weight.
The Breakdown: The last of the non-sanctioned weights features Jacob Morrissey, who was 3rd at Fargo last year, Matt Reed, Jordan Ellingwood, Keaton Subjeck, Pete Renda, and Tyler Askey.
84KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Vic Avery, NH
Last Year’s World Team Member: Sam Brooks, IL
Top Contenders:
Adrian Salas, CA
Alex Meyer, IA - JR Trials Runner-Up
Brett Pfarr, MN - University 4th
Dan Hawkins, MD
Gabe Dean, MI - JR Trials 4th
Garrett Krohn, CO
Jake Taylor, PA
Lance Benick, MN - Cadet World Team Member
Matt McCutcheon, PA
Mitch Sliga, IN - FILA JR 7th
Myles Martin, NJ - Fargo Cadet Runner-Up
Nikko Reyes, CA
Preston Lehmann, ND - Fargo 3rd
Tim Dudley, SC - Fargo 4th
The Breakdown: It’s amazing how far Gabe Dean has come. Last year at JR Trials he was pinned by Jordan Rogers and teched by Meyer. No doubt great opponents. But not in the “Ed Ruth” conversation.
Sliga also beat Dean last year. It came at this tournament in the 7th place match.
Pfarr didn’t place at the JR Trials last year, but he’s legit. His losses were to Dean and Sam Brooks.
The nation’s #1 195lb high schooler is here, too. Lance Benick won two Fargo Cadet titles and a FILA Cadet crown. He’s an incredible talent, but the caveat for him is the word “Cadet”. It’s a big jump from the Cadet level to 185lb college men. The same can be said for the highly talented Myles Martin.
The darkhorse here is Matt McCutcheon, who had a solid redshirt campaign at PSU. He’s a grinder and no easy out.
This is a tremendous weight. I could see several winning it. But the progression and skill set of Dean makes it impossible to pick against him. He’s strong and fundamental and holds position well while always attacking.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Dean, MI 2. Meyer, IA 3. McCutcheon, PA 4. Sliga, IN
96KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Kyle Snyder, MD
Last Year’s World Team Member: Kyle Snyder, MD
Top Contenders:
Brad Johnson, IL - Fargo AA
Broc Berge, MN - Fargo Runner-Up
Cody Crawford, OR
Kevin Beazley, MI - Fargo 5th
Kyle Snyder, MD - Junior World Champion
Matt Meadows, OH
Nate Rotert, SD - Fargo Cadet Runner-Up
The Breakdown: Snyder’s back to defend his title and go after another JR World crown. And frankly, there shouldn’t be anyone that can go with him. He’s a prodigy, and a World Class athlete.
Beazley is a tough and rather under-the-radar kid that I could see making the finals. He made the JR World Team last year in GR. Similarly, Matt Meadows has some national placings in GR.
Crawford is a raw, multi-sport athlete. It will be interesting to see where he’s at after a year in the college room at Oregon State. Also watch for Rotert from SDSU.
Berge and Johnson are similar in a lot of ways. They were the two most heavily recruited guys out of this group (outside of Snyder), both had a great deal of success in FS on the national circuit, and both are stuck behind starters at Iowa and OU, respsectively.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Snyder, MD 2. Beazley, MI 3. Meadows, OH 4. Rotert, SD
120KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Armaveer Dhesi, CAN
Last Year’s World Team Member: Austin Marsden, IL
Top Contenders:
Adam Coon, MI - Cadet World Champion
Brooks Black, PA - Fargo Cadet Champ
Collin Jensen, NE
Dawson Peck, PA
Garrett Ryan, AZ - JR Trials Runner-Up
Gaylen Edmo, ID - Fargo Cadet AA
Mike Kosoy, FL
Mike Kroells, MN - JR Trials 3rd
Nathan Butler, KS - Fargo Runner-Up
Newton Smerchek, WI - Fargo 3rd
Ray O’Donnell, PA - Fargo AA
The Breakdown: The heavyweight crop in America is strong and growing and Adam Coon leads the way after an amazing HS career and lighting the college world up as a true freshmen at Michigan. Last year he fell in the finals of both styles at the JR Trials, but look for him to get back on top this spring.
Kroells only loss at the Trials last year was to eventual champ, Marsden. He beat Black for 3rd. Black’s other loss came in semi’s of the challenge tournament to Garrett Ryan. Black had prior wins over both.
Butler was a runner-up to Coon at Fargo last year with a win over Smerchek along the way.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Coon, MI 2. Kroells, MN 3. Black, PA 4. Ryan, AZ
Willie Saylor, Sr. Editor
The march to World Team berths and a trip to Zagreb, Croatia, and the Junior World Championships start here.
Well, they could.
FILA Junior action takes place Friday and Saturday as part of the U.S. Open festivities and is a major stepping stone towards making the World Team.
Winning FILA Juniors gives you a seat in the Junior World Team Trials (held next month in Wisconsin). But last year, only 3 of the 8 FILA Junior Champs from Vegas would go on to win that best-of-three final and the berth on the World Team. Thomas Gilman (121), Jason Tsirtsis (145.5), and Kyle Snyder (211), all accomplished it. Snyder, of course, would go on to win JR World Gold.
It’s been an exciting time for the U.S. youth ranks. USAWrestling has shown progress with our young talent after instituting Developmental and Residential Programs. We’ve had a Cadet World Champion for three straight years (Adam Coon ’11, Zain Retherford, ’12, and Aaron Pico, ’13).
On the Junior Circuit, Logan Stieber was a World Runner-Up in 2011 when both Mark Grey and Josh Kindig placed 5th. Pat Downey was a Junior World Runner-Up in 2012. And in addition to Snyder’s Gold last year, Alex Dieringer went Silver with Mark Grey posting another 5th place finish.
As we effectively start the high-profile freestyle season for youth wrestling and the journey to World Team status, we’ll break down all of the weight classes listing top contenders with Freestyle credentials and analysis.
Note that in the latest FILA update, 63KG, 70KG, and 79KG are still listed as weights that WILL NOT be contested at the Junior World Championships.
50KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Adrian Cordova, CO
Last Year’s World Team Member: Ethan Lizak, PA
Top Contenders:
Bryce Brimhall, UT
Edison Garcia, FL
Kirk Johansen, IL - Fargo JR Champ, FILA Cadet 4th
Michael Beck, MD - Returning 6th
Matt Schmitt, MO - Fargo Cadet Runner-Up
Ray Woodward, OR
The Breakdown: Last year, Cordova returned as the reigning World Team Member. He won this, but then lost to Lizak in the OK Trials. No such experience in what is typically a young and thin group.
Two Fargo finalists lead the way. Always talented but vastly undersized, Johansen’s Fargo title came at 100lbs last summer. Both he and Schmitt should be well big enough for 110 now. I’m going with the long and rangy Schmitt to win the title. He’s such a grinder.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Schmitt, MO 2. Johansen, IL 3. Brimhall, UT 4. Beck, MD
55KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Thomas Gilman, IA
Last Year’s World Team Member: Thomas Gilman, IA
Top Contenders:
Brandon Jeske, VA - Fargo Champ
Eli Hale, OK - Fargo AA
Isaac Jimenez, TX - Fargo AA
Jaret Singh, MO
Johnson Mai, CA - Fargo Runner-Up
Nolan Hellickson, IA - JR Trials 3rd
Phil Laux, IA - Fargo Champ
Sebastian Pique, IL
Sean Williams, CA
Tanner Rohweder, IA - Fargo 5th
Tim Lambert, MI - Fargo 4th
Trey Andrews, AZ
Nathan Tomasello, OH - Fargo Champ, Returning Runner-Up
Stevan Micic, IN - Cadet World Team Member
Sean Russell, GA
Dalton Macri, PA - Fargo AA
Vito Pasone, PA
The Breakdown: Really solid weight here with depth and top end talent. Tomasello has been on the cusp of making past World Teams, including last year when he lost in the finals to Gilman. Lambert is actually down a weight class from last year when he competed at 60KGs. Him and Jeske, a freestyle wiz, should be Tomasello’s top threat. However, there are a few others that could make things even more interesting.
That list starts with Stevan Micic, who is terrific in par terre. In addition to his FILA Cadet title, he was also 5th here last year. And then you have Macri and Russell, who have the talent but have not been on the freestyle circuit in a while.
In the end, I think it comes down to Tomasello’s toughness and fundamentals vs. Jeske’s craftiness and athleticism.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Tomasello, OH 2. Jeske, VA 3. Micic, IN 4. Lambert, MI
60KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Ben Whitford, MI
Last Year’s World Team Member: Mark Grey, NJ
Top Contenders:
Alijah Jeffery, IA
Anthony Giraldo, NJ
Dante Rodriguez, NE
Gary Wayne Harding, OK - Fargo 3rd
Jack Hathaway, IA - Fargo AA
Jacob Rubio, TX - Fargo 6th
George Fisher, IL - Fargo 8th
Jarred Oftedahl, MN
Matt Kolodzik, OH - Fargo Champ
Noah Teaney, MO
Scott Delvecchio, NJ
Tommy Pawelski, IL - Fargo 4th
Zane Richards, IL - JR World Team Trials Runner-Up
The Breakdown: Richards is in the driver’s seat to take the title. He’s by far the most experienced and accomplished in this field. He beat Mark Grey in the 3rd place match here last year, but then lost to him in the trials finals.
The next name that jumps off the page at you is Kolodzik, who won a Fargo Cadet title in 2012. Rubio had wins over Giraldo and Fisher at Fargo last summer. And though I’m high on Anthony Giraldo, his forte (and perhaps his focus) is Greco.
And that leaves us with...Delvecchio. I don’t often like to have high aspirations in freestyle just because one’s folk is exceptional, but Delvecchio had a fantastic year at Rutgers. On the positive side of things, I think he’s the second best wrestler in the group. On the negative, I don’t recall him EVER wrestling a FS bout.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Richards, IL 2. Delvecchio, NJ 3. Harding, OK 4. Kolodzik, OH
63KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Aaron Pico, CA
Last Year’s World Team Member: Non-sanctioned weight.
The Breakdown: Winners here do not qualify for the best-of-three finals at Junior World Team Trials. Most often move down a weight for the Trials. Joey McKenna (NJ) leads the way with Colton McCrystal (IA) and Colton Adams (NE) also in the field.
66KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Jason Tsirtsis, IN
Last Year’s World Team Member: Jason Tsirtsis, IN
Top Contenders:
Aaron Pico, CA - Cadet World Champion
Lenny Richardson, NJ
Alex Anciete, NV
Anthony Ashnault, NJ - JR Trials 4th
Blayne Briceno, CA - Fargo Runner-Up
Christian Pagdilao, CA
Collin Heffernan, OH
Jake Short, MN - Fargo Runner-Up
Jamel Hudson, NY - Returning Placer
Jared Reis, ND - Returning Placer
John Fahy, KY - Returning Placer
Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer, NY
Seth Gross, MN - Fargo Champ
Tyler Berger, OR - FILA Cadet 3rd
Zahid Valencia, CA - Fargo Cadet Champ
Zain Retherford, PA - Cadet World Champion
The Breakdown: With 46 entries, 66KG is the biggest bracket. And with two World Champions, it’s also the best bracket.
Perhaps no potential match-ups this weekend, SR’s included, is as anticipated as a Pico-Retherford showdown. Both won Cadet World titles and as Pico was beating SR-level talent this year, Zain was having a phenomenal true freshman campaign that included a win over the world class Logan Stieber.
In saying that, there is still a ton of talent for them to navigate through. Four other wrestlers have made a Fargo/FILA final and two other have been 3rd.
In my opinion, the biggest threat to derailing Pico-Retherford is Jake Short, who’s big and incredibly schooled in FS. He was 3rd at last year’s JR Trials.
And Ashnault and Zain always go close bouts.
Keep an eye on two other guys, too. Blayne Briceno had a breakout tournament at Fargo last year. And Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer is a GR specialist who could make someone pay the ultimate price if they go upper body with him.
In a lot of ways, Aaron and Zain are mirror images of each other. They beat and brawl and grind until they find an opening. I don’t think Pico has as much success punishing Zain like he does most opponents. But I think he edges him. Pico’s been training FS full time and has elevated his par terre game. And the success on the SR level has already emerged for him. All the while, Zain has been going through a Big Ten grind and is just 3 weeks removed from a season in which there’s a heavy emphasis on riding (which is completely irrelevant in FS).
Willie’s Picks: 1. Pico, CA 2. Retherford, PA 3. Short, MN 4. Ashnault, NJ
70KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Chris Castillo, WA
Last Year’s World Team Member: Non-sanctioned weight.
The Breakdown: The second of three non-sanctioned weights. But it’s loaded and features Jack Clark, Daniel Lewis, Brandon Sorenson, Logan Massa, Markus Scheidel, Mason Manville, and Ryan Blees.
Interesting that on the SR level, 70KG will be competed at Worlds, but not in JR’s. I think it would make sense for FILA to adopt this weight to the JR World Championships.
74KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Dylan Palacio, NY
Last Year’s World Team Member: Alex Dieringer, WI
Top Contenders:
Anthony Valencia, CA - Fargo 4th
Brandon Kingsley, MN - FILA University Runner-Up
Chandler Rogers, OK - Fargo Runner-Up
Chris Weiler, PA - Fargo 6th
Dayton Racer, MO
Ethan Ramos, NJ
Fox Baldwin, FL - Fargo Cadet Champ
Garrett Hammond, PA - Fargo Cadet Champ
Isaiah Martinez, CA - Fargo Champ
Kyle Bateman, OR - Fargo 4th
Tyler Grimaldi, NY - Fargo 6th
Ty White, NY
Zach Beard, OK - Fargo 5th
The Breakdown: A deep and solid weight here that has added intrigue in the fact that there’s no clear cut favorite/s.
IMar had a fantastic redshirt campaign at Illinois, placing at Midlands. Beard had just 1 loss redshirting at Wyoming, but didn’t face much opposition. Bateman goes under the radar, but he did have a win over Beard at Fargo last summer.
Rogers is well-versed in the international styles, placing Top 3 at national events for years. Valencia’s two losses in Fargo last year were to Ryan Blees and Zach Kelly. Rogers beat Valencia in folk two weeks ago.
Kingsley was a Runner-Up to Justin DeAngelis at University’s last May. He could make a deep run. Baldwin is a prodigious talent, but he might be a little too young, and a little too small.
This weight could go in a million different directions. But at the top I’m going with IMar who looked great all year and should be rested and ready to go.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Martinez, CA 2. Rogers, OK 3. Beard, OK 4. Valencia, CA
79KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Lelund Weatherspoon, IA
Last Year’s World Team Member: Non-sanctioned weight.
The Breakdown: The last of the non-sanctioned weights features Jacob Morrissey, who was 3rd at Fargo last year, Matt Reed, Jordan Ellingwood, Keaton Subjeck, Pete Renda, and Tyler Askey.
84KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Vic Avery, NH
Last Year’s World Team Member: Sam Brooks, IL
Top Contenders:
Adrian Salas, CA
Alex Meyer, IA - JR Trials Runner-Up
Brett Pfarr, MN - University 4th
Dan Hawkins, MD
Gabe Dean, MI - JR Trials 4th
Garrett Krohn, CO
Jake Taylor, PA
Lance Benick, MN - Cadet World Team Member
Matt McCutcheon, PA
Mitch Sliga, IN - FILA JR 7th
Myles Martin, NJ - Fargo Cadet Runner-Up
Nikko Reyes, CA
Preston Lehmann, ND - Fargo 3rd
Tim Dudley, SC - Fargo 4th
The Breakdown: It’s amazing how far Gabe Dean has come. Last year at JR Trials he was pinned by Jordan Rogers and teched by Meyer. No doubt great opponents. But not in the “Ed Ruth” conversation.
Sliga also beat Dean last year. It came at this tournament in the 7th place match.
Pfarr didn’t place at the JR Trials last year, but he’s legit. His losses were to Dean and Sam Brooks.
The nation’s #1 195lb high schooler is here, too. Lance Benick won two Fargo Cadet titles and a FILA Cadet crown. He’s an incredible talent, but the caveat for him is the word “Cadet”. It’s a big jump from the Cadet level to 185lb college men. The same can be said for the highly talented Myles Martin.
The darkhorse here is Matt McCutcheon, who had a solid redshirt campaign at PSU. He’s a grinder and no easy out.
This is a tremendous weight. I could see several winning it. But the progression and skill set of Dean makes it impossible to pick against him. He’s strong and fundamental and holds position well while always attacking.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Dean, MI 2. Meyer, IA 3. McCutcheon, PA 4. Sliga, IN
96KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Kyle Snyder, MD
Last Year’s World Team Member: Kyle Snyder, MD
Top Contenders:
Brad Johnson, IL - Fargo AA
Broc Berge, MN - Fargo Runner-Up
Cody Crawford, OR
Kevin Beazley, MI - Fargo 5th
Kyle Snyder, MD - Junior World Champion
Matt Meadows, OH
Nate Rotert, SD - Fargo Cadet Runner-Up
The Breakdown: Snyder’s back to defend his title and go after another JR World crown. And frankly, there shouldn’t be anyone that can go with him. He’s a prodigy, and a World Class athlete.
Beazley is a tough and rather under-the-radar kid that I could see making the finals. He made the JR World Team last year in GR. Similarly, Matt Meadows has some national placings in GR.
Crawford is a raw, multi-sport athlete. It will be interesting to see where he’s at after a year in the college room at Oregon State. Also watch for Rotert from SDSU.
Berge and Johnson are similar in a lot of ways. They were the two most heavily recruited guys out of this group (outside of Snyder), both had a great deal of success in FS on the national circuit, and both are stuck behind starters at Iowa and OU, respsectively.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Snyder, MD 2. Beazley, MI 3. Meadows, OH 4. Rotert, SD
120KG
Last Year’s FILA Champ: Armaveer Dhesi, CAN
Last Year’s World Team Member: Austin Marsden, IL
Top Contenders:
Adam Coon, MI - Cadet World Champion
Brooks Black, PA - Fargo Cadet Champ
Collin Jensen, NE
Dawson Peck, PA
Garrett Ryan, AZ - JR Trials Runner-Up
Gaylen Edmo, ID - Fargo Cadet AA
Mike Kosoy, FL
Mike Kroells, MN - JR Trials 3rd
Nathan Butler, KS - Fargo Runner-Up
Newton Smerchek, WI - Fargo 3rd
Ray O’Donnell, PA - Fargo AA
The Breakdown: The heavyweight crop in America is strong and growing and Adam Coon leads the way after an amazing HS career and lighting the college world up as a true freshmen at Michigan. Last year he fell in the finals of both styles at the JR Trials, but look for him to get back on top this spring.
Kroells only loss at the Trials last year was to eventual champ, Marsden. He beat Black for 3rd. Black’s other loss came in semi’s of the challenge tournament to Garrett Ryan. Black had prior wins over both.
Butler was a runner-up to Coon at Fargo last year with a win over Smerchek along the way.
Willie’s Picks: 1. Coon, MI 2. Kroells, MN 3. Black, PA 4. Ryan, AZ