There's nothing quite like the team trials for Cadets and Juniors where we get a glimpse of our future stars while they chase their dreams of World Championship experience while just in their teens.

Over the past few years, the interest in the Cadet and Junior World Championships, and their trials, have grown exponentially. At the same time, our youth teams have experienced good measures of success.

The Juniors have been 5th in the World or better the last three years. The Cadet Team has won a team medal - Silver in 2015 and Bronze in 2014 - the last two years. And since United World Wrestling reinstated the Cadet World Championships in 2011, the U.S. has crowned at least one World Champion every year.

Below is a weight-by-weight breakdown for the Freestyle Cadet World Team Trials that take place Saturday and Sunday along side the University tournament in Akron. 

Watch every match LIVE ON FLO.

U.S. Cadet World Medalists Since ReInstatement (2011)

Sammy Brooks, 85kg (2011) - Bronze
Adam Coon, 100kg (2011) - Gold
Zain Retherford, 63kg (2012) - Gold
Aaron Pico, 63kg (2013) - Gold
Spencer Lee, 50kg (2014) - Gold
Mason Manville, 69kg (2014) - Gold
Mark Hall, 76kg (2014) - Gold
Jordan Wood, 100kg (2014) - Silver
Daton Fix, 54kg (2015) - Bronze
Yianni Diakomihalis, 58kg (2015) - Gold
Jarod Verkleeren, 63kg (2015) - Gold
Owen Webster, 85kg (2015) - Bronze
Gable Steveson, 100kg (2015) - Gold

42KG / 92.5lbs

Last Year: Malik Heinselman (CO) over Mosha Schwartz (CO)
5 Years Ago: Gannon Volk (MN) over Lincoln Olson (MI)

Contenders:
Caden McCrary (GA) - SE Regional Runner-Up
Cullan Schriever (IA) - Northern Plains Runner-Up
Jeremiah Reno (NV) - Missouri State FS Champ
Justin Bierdumpfel (NJ) - NE Regional Champ
Kurt McHenry (VA) - Fargo 6th
Will Guida (NJ) - NE Regional Runner-Up
Wyatt Yapoujian (CO) - Northern Plains 3rd

Commentary: McHenry is the most experienced and tested of this group. He was undefeated at Cadet Duals last year and had a fine campaign as an undersized HS freshman in which he reached Beast of the East Finals.

Schriever is ‘the next big thing’ in Iowa but is coming off a loss at Northern Plains, where he beat Yapoujian. Bierdumpfel beat Guida at NE Regionals.

While I wouldn’t be surprised to see Schriever or Bierdumpfel win the spot, McHenry is a clear favorite, especially at a weight that he’s suited to compared to being small at 106.

Willie’s Picks:  1. McHenry   2. Bierdumpfel   3. Schriever   4. Reno
Holmes' Picks: 1. McHenry  2. Schriever  3. Bierdumpfel  4. McCrary
CP's Picks: 1. McHenry   2. Schriever   3. Bierdumpfel   4. Reno 
Bratke's Picks:  1. Schriever   2. McHenry   3. Bierdumpfel   4. Yapoujian

46KG / 101lbs

Last Year: Dylan D’Emilio (OH) over Rhett Golowenski (OK)
5 Years Ago: Tommy Thorn (MN) over Matt Garelli (IL)

Contenders:
Anthony Clark (NJ) - #16 JR HS 
Brandon Kaylor (WA)
Daniel Kimball (IA)
Destin Summers (ID) - Fargo 7th
Eric Faught (IA) - Northern Plains Champ (100)
Eric Barnett (WI) - Northern Plains Champ (106)
Lucas Byrd (OH) - Central Regional 3rd
Malik Heinselman (CO) - Returning WTM
Matt Ramos (IL) - Central Regional Champ
Mosha Schwartz (CO) - Returning Runner-Up
Ridge Lovett (ID)
Steele Dias (NV) - Returning 3rd

Commentary: The top three from last year’s 42kg bracket return with Heinselman-Schwartz-Dias.  You should probably figure Heinselman and Schwartz among the favorites.

Barnett was the Cadet Greco World Team Member last year. I have a sleeper here though. I think Kaylor wins the whole thing. He was undefeated at Junior Duals and had just one loss (to Ogunsanya) at Cadet Duals.

Ramos just beat Byrd. And also watch for Anthony Clark, one of the top incoming freshmen. 

Willie’s Picks:  1. Kaylor   2. Heinselman   3. Schwartz   4. Barnett
Holmes' Picks: 1. Heinselman  2. Schwartz  3. Dias  4. Ramos
CP's Picks:  1. Heinselman   2. Schwartz   3. Kaylor   4. Kimball
Bratke's Picks: 1. Heinselman   2. Schwartz   3. Faught   4. . Dias

50KG / 110lbs

Last Year: Gavin Teasdale (PA) over Drew Mattin (OH)
5 Years Ago: Dalton Brady (AZ) over Phil Laux (IA)

Contenders:
Aaron Cashman (MN) - Fargo 6th
Asa Garcia (IN)
Beau Bayless (PA)
Ben Kamali (MI) - Central Regional Runner-Up
Bryce Andonian (OH)
Christian Nunez (CA)
Colton Yapoujian (CO) - Northern Plains Champ
Dylan D’Emilio (OH) - Returning World 5th
Gabe Tagg (OH) - Fargo 3rd
Jesse Vasquez (CA) - #7 Junior High
Joey Harrison (NE) - Fargo AA
Joey Melendez (IL) - 2014 Fargo 7th
Joe Klock (PA) - State FS Champ
Kyle Biscoglia (IA) - Fargo 6th
Nick Masters (GA) - SE Regional Champ
Patrick McKee (MN) - UWW Junior Runner-up
Peter Ogunsanya (IL) - 2014 Finalist
Rayvon Foley (MI) - Fargo Runner-Up
Rhett Golowenski (OK) - Returning Finalist
Travis Ford-Melton (IL) - Fargo Runner-Up
Ty Smith (NV)

Commentary: Absolutely loaded weight with no real overwhelming favorite.​There is a whopping 10 former Fargo AA’s in the bracket. Matches early on Friday will be significant. 

Again, the returning World Team Member is back in the form of D’Emilio, who beat Ford-Melton in Fargo finals. Watch out for Jesse Vasquez, an incredible talent still in Junior HS. Tagg beat Kamali at Central Regionals, Yapoujian beat Cashman at Northern Plains.

This might be the weight I’m least confident about in predicting. There is so much talent and little proven separation between them.

Willie’s Picks:  1. Vasquez   2. McKee   3. D’Emilio   4. Ford-Melton
Holmes' Picks:  1. McKee  2. D'Emilio  3. Vasquez  4. Ford-Melton
CP's Picks:  1. D'Emilio   2. McKee   3. Vasquez   4. Biscoglia
Bratke's Picks: 1. D'Emilio   2. McKee   3. Ford-Melton   4. Tagg

54KG / 119lbs

Last Year: Daton Fix (OK) over Spencer Lee (PA)
5 Years Ago: Thomas Gilman (NE) over Jacob Schmitt (MI)

Contenders:
Andrew Alirez (CO) - Fargo 5th
Atilano Escobar (AZ) - Fargo 8th
Cameron Valdiviez (MO)
Chase Zollman (CA)
Colin Valdiviez (MO)
Jack Skudlardczyk (TX) - Fargo 8th
Jaden Abas (CA) - Returning 6th
Jet Taylor (OK)
Josh Saunders (MO) - #2 Junior HS
Jordan Decatur (OH) - Fargo Champ
King Sandoval (MD)
Michael Millage (IA)
Nick Raimo (NJ) - Fargo Champ
Roman Bravo-Young (AZ) - Fargo Champ
Sam Hillegas (PA) - #3 Junior HS
Stone Mendez (NE)
Tommy Hoskins (OH) - Fargo 3rd
Van Schmidt (NE)

Commentary: There are a number of youngsters I’m excited about here - namely Jaden Abas, who has shown great progression, and Andrew Alirez, who seems destined for stardom. Then you have two of the best incoming freshmen in Hillegas and Saunders (Bartlett is ranked #1 and appears in the next weight class).

But they’ll all have to get in line after three Fargo Champs in the field in Nick Raimo, Roman Bravo-Young and Jordan Decatur. Raimo is back at the same weight and is one of the best wrestlers in the country at 120 not named Spencer Lee.

Raimo beat Alex Thomsen in Fargo finals, Decatur and RBY split matches in Akron last year, and then they went on to win Fargo at 106 and 113, respectively. I also think Hoskins should be mentioned as a real contender here. His only loss in Fargo last year was to Jonathan Gomez.

Willie’s Picks:  1. Raimo   2. Bravo-Young   3. Abas   3. Decatur   
Holmes' Picks:  1. Raimo  2. Bravo-Young  3. Decatur  4. Hillegas
CP's Picks:  1. Bravo-Young   2. Raimo   3. Decatur   4. Saunders
Bratke's Picks:   1. Raimo   2. Bravo-Young   3. Decatur   4. Abas

58KG / 127.5lbs

Last Year: Yianni Diakomihalis (NY) over Vito Arajau (NY)
5 Years Ago: Zane Richards (IL) over Sam Brancale (MN)

Contenders:
Alex Thomsen (IA) - Fargo Runner-Up
Beau Bartlett (PA) - #1 Junior HS
Chris Cannon (NJ)
Frankie Talshahar (FL)
Jack Davis (PA) - Fargo 7th
Jason Renteria (IL) - Fargo 6th
Joey Silva (FL)
Kyran Hagan (MO) - Fargo 4th
Malcolm Robinson (VA)
Max Murin (PA) - Fargo 4th
Sammy Sasso (PA) - Fargo Champ
Theorius Robison (CO)
Vitali Arujau (NY) - Returning Runner-Up

Commentary: Three Fargo finalists and the #1 Junior High wrestler making his major debut. Arujau was the runner-up at this weight last year to Yianni and Thomsen lost in Fargo finals to Raimo. Sasso won it over Brock Hardy.

If Sasso can make the weight (he wrestled the entire season at 138), him and Arujau would seem to be on a collision course. I say that having the utmost respect for Thomsen, who is electric.

Bartlett is a prodigy, but I can’t quite pick him until I see him wrestle (and beat) elite high schoolers. Two wrestlers here with not much FS experience, but that are for sure elite talents - Silva and Robison. Silva went 2-2 here last year with losses to Renteria and Ian Parker.

Willie’s Picks:  1. Sasso    2. Arujau   3. Thomsen    4. Bartlett
Holmes' Picks:  1. Sasso  2. Arujau  3. Bartlett  4. Thomsen
CP's Picks:  1. Arajau   2. Sasso   3. Thomsen   4. Bartlett
Bratke's Picks:  1. Arajau   2. Sasso   3. Thomsen   4. Bartlett

63KG / 138.5lbs

Last Year: Jarod Verkleeren (PA) over Kanen Storr (MI)
5 Years Ago: Joey Lavallee (NV) over Josh Pennell (MI)

Contenders:
Albert Ferrari (TX) - #32 Junior High
Alec Hagan (MO) - Fargo 5th
Brayton Lee (IN) - Fargo 3rd
Cameron Amine (MI)
Cole Matthews (PA)
Jacob Mariakis (GA)
Jaime Hernandez (IL) - Fargo 3rd
Justin Ruffin (GA)
Mason Phillips (WA)
Nick Freeman (MI)
Roderick Mosley (OK)
Taylor Brown (MO) - Fargo 8th
Will Lewan (IL) - Fargo 3rd
Yianni Diakomihalis (NY) - Cadet World Champion

Commentary: Even in a group with such successful freestylers, Yianni is on a different level. He’s a heavy favorite to make his second straight world team.
One of the better kids that no one talks about on that level is Jaime Hernandez. He has just two losses in the last two years at Fargo - one to Nick Lee in the 2014 finals, and the other to Shane Griffith last year, 8-6.

Brayton Lee could be a breakout here. He has a lot of talent, but has been a bit inconsistent. His only loss at Fargo last year was to Sasso. Lewan’s only Fargo loss last year was to Raimo.

Willie’s Picks:  1. Yianni   2. Hernandez   3. Lee   4. Lewan
Holmes' Picks:  1. Yianni  2. Lewan  3. Hernandez  4. Lee
CP's Picks:  1. Yianni   2. Matthews  3. Lewan   4. Lee
Bratke's Picks:  1. Yianni   2. Lee   3. Hernandez   4. Lewan

69KG / 152lbs

Last Year: Brady Berge (MN) over David Carr (OH)
5 Years Ago: Oliver Pierce (YX) over Gabe Moreno (IA)

Contenders:
Andrew Merola (NJ) - Fargo 4th
Colt Yinger (OH)
David Carr (OH) - Returning Runner-Up
Edmond Ruth (PA)
Eli King (TN) - Fargo 5th
Frankie Gissendanner (NY) - Returning 8th
Jake Hendricks (PA)
Jaryn Curry (OK) - Fargo Runner-Up
Joe Lee (IN) - Fargo Champ
Jon Trowbridge (KS)
Josiah Rider (CO)
Julian Ramirez (FL)
Michael O’Malley (NJ) - Fargo AA
Nelson Brands (IA) - SE Regional Champ
Sammy Cokeley (KS)
Trevell Timmons (IL) - Fargo Champ

Commentary: David Carr was stuck between weights last year for Akron, but still managed to make it to the finals. He is considered the favorite here. Not far behind is Joe Lee, who beat Shane Griffith in Fargo finals. Curry lost in Fargo finals to Anthony Artalona.

Gissendanner is a fine prospect who was still getting his FS feet wet a year ago. He should be considered a legitimate contender. Andrew Merola and Nelson Brands are similar type guys in that they are scrappers that have shown good development over the last 6 months.

And finally, Julian Ramirez. The kid is a dynamo and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins it all. Two things before I pick him though - 1) he’s never faced competition like this and 2) he doesn’t have much, if any, freestyle experience.

Willie’s Picks:  1. Carr   2. Lee   3. Ramirez   4. Gissendanner
Holmes' Picks:  1. Carr  2. Lee  3. Gissendanner  4. Ramirez
CP's Picks:  1. Lee   2. Carr   3. Ramirez   4. Brands
Bratke's Picks:  1. Carr   2. Ramirez   3. Lee   4. Brands

76KG / 167lbs

Last Year: Jelani Embree (MI) over Joe Grello (NJ)
5 Years Ago: Jordan Rogers (WA) over Jason Grimes (GA)

Contenders:
Clay Lautt (KS) - Fargo 4th
Jack Jessen (IL) - Fargo Runner-Up
Jake Allar (MN) - 2015 Greco WTM
Josh Stillings (PA)
Marcus Coleman (IA) - Fargo Runner-Up
Travis Wittlake (OR) - Fargo 3rd
Trent Hidlay (PA) - Fargo 8th

Commentary: Almost all the heavy hitters in this weight were in the same Fargo bracket last year. Wittlake was on pace for a Triple Crown when he was upset by Ohio’s Victor Marcelli. Wittlake ended up beating Lautt for 3rd. Lautt had beaten Hidlay earlier, Marus Coleman wontra that side of the bracket by teching Marcelli, and then fell to Ryan Karoly in the finals.

Jessen was up at the next weight and was a double Fargo Runner-Up to Jacob Warner, who we’ll see at 85kgs. Allar is darn good, but he’ll be wrestling to make his second straight GR team, and almost all his damage has come in that style.

Willie’s Picks:  1. Wittlake   2. Hidlay   3. Coleman   4. Lautt
Holmes' Picks:  1. Wittlake  2. Hidlay  3. Coleman  4. Jessen
CP's Picks:   1. Hidlay   2. Wittlake   3. Coleman   4. Lautt
Bratke's Picks:  1. Wittlake   2. Hidlay   3. Allar   4. Jessen

85KG / 187lbs

Last Year: Owen Webster (MN) over Keegan Moore (MN)
5 Years Ago: Sam Brooks (IL) over Jack Dechow (IL)

Contenders:
Andrew Davison (IN) - Fargo 3rd
Anthony Sherry (IA) - Fargo 7th
Brandon Whitman (MI) - Fargo Runner-Up
Daniel Kerkvliet (MN) - Northern Plains Champ
Danny Salas (CA) - Fargo 7th
Ian Malesiewski (PA) - Fargo Runner-Up
Jacob Raschka (WI) - Fargo Champ
Jacob Warner (IL) - Fargo Champ (170)
Jake Boyd (MO) - Fargo Champ (195)
Jared Krattiger (WI) - Northern Plains Champ
John Borst (VA)
Luke Davison (IN) - Central Regional Champ
Michael Beard (PA)

Commentary: You don’t often get this many credentialed kids in an upperweight bracket. Three Fargo Champs. Five finalists. Six that were top three. This weight is loaded. Warner is one of the premier talents nationally. He beat Jessen in finals of both styles. At 182, Raschka-Whitman-Davison went 1-2-3. Boyd beat Malesiewski at 195.

The wild card is Beard. He’s about as good as anyone in folk. But he took a loss at North East Regionals (9-0 to Jake Woodley). If this were folk, I may be tempted to go with him. But I can’t bet on him beating several very experienced and proven freestylers back-to-back-to-back.

Willie’s Picks:  1. Warner   2. Boyd   3. Whitman   4. Raschka
Holmes' Picks:  1. Warner  2. Beard  3. Raschka  4. Whitman
CP's Picks:  1. Warner   2. Beard   3. Davison   4. Whitman
Bratke's Picks:  1. Warner   2. Beard   3. Davison   4. Whitman

100KG / 220lbs

Last Year: Gable Steveson (MN) over Kobe Woods (IN)
5 Years Ago: Adam Coon (MI) over Ty Walz (OH)

Contenders:
Brady Daniel (MD) - Fargo 3rd
Cohlton Schultz (CO) - Fargo Runner-Up
Colin Lawler (TX) - Fargo 7th
Gable Steveson (MN) - Cadet World Champion
Noah Adams (WV) - Fargo 4th 

Commentary: Gable Steveson is the returning Trials Champ and World Champ. Schultz was the runner-up to him in Fargo last year. Keep in mind that Schultz will also be wrestling in the Greco Trials. History suggests those doing so don’t fair well in the FS portion. Since reinstatement of Cadet Worlds, only 4 wrestlers have won both styles (Adam Coon, Jon Jay Chavez, Angus Arthur, and Garrett Ryan).

Daniel’s only loss at Fargo was to Boyd. He just beat a tough Max Darrah (MO) to win the SE Regional last week and was also undefeated at Cadet Duals last year.

Adams had a good Fargo, and then a great folk season, winning both FloNationals and NHSCA’s. While I love his skills, I think he’ll be a bit undersized, and Steveson is just too good to give up any kind of weight to.

Willie’s Picks:  1. Steveson   2. Adams   3. Schultz   4. Daniel
Holmes' Picks:  1. Steveson  2. Schultz  3. Adams  4. Daniel
CP's Picks:  1. Steveson  2. Schultz  3. Adams  4. Daniel
Bratke's Picks:  1. Steveson   2. Adams   3. Schultz   4. Daniel

Cadet World History From 2011-Present

2015	Bosnia, Sarajevo		Finish
42KG	Malik Heinselman	CO	DNP
46KG	Dylan D'Emilio	OH	5th
50KG	Gavin Teasdale	PA	7th
54KG	Daton Fix	OK	Bronze
58KG	Yianni Diakomihalis	NY	Gold
63KG	Jared Verkleeren	PA	Gold
69KG	Brady Berge	MN	DNP
76KG	Joe Grello	NJ	DNP
85KG	Owen Webster	MN	Bronze
100KG	Gable Steveson	MN	Gold
		Team USA	Silver

 

2014	Sinn, Slovakia		Finish
42KG	Gavin Teasdale	PA	5th
46KG	Cade Olivas	CA	7th
50KG	Spencer Lee	PA	Gold
54KG	Daton Fix	OK	10th
58KG	Carter Happel	IA	21st
63KG	Jared Verkleeren	PA	16th
69KG	Mason Manville	VA	Gold
76KG	Mark Hall	MI	Gold
85KG	Hunter Ritter	MD	16th
100KG	Jordan Wood	PA	Silver
		Team USA	Bronze

 

2013	Zrenjanin, Serbia		Finish
42KG	Austin Gomez	IL	16th
46KG	Devin Brown	PA	13th
50KG	Spencer Lee	PA	7th
54KG	Stevan Micic	IN	15th
58KG	Sean Fausz	KY	9th
63KG	Aaron Pico	CA	Gold
69KG	Jon Jay Chavez	ID	10th
76KG	Bo Nickal	TX	5th
85KG	Angus Arthur	MI	17th
100KG	Lance Benick	MN	18th
		Team USA	9th

2012	Baku, Azerbaijan		Finish
42KG	Andrew Nieman	OK	12th
46KG	Mitchell McKee	MN	12th
50KG	Tommy Thorn	MN	16th
54KG	Joey McKenna	NJ	8th
58KG	Seth Gross	MN	13th
63KG	Zain Retherford	PA	Gold
69KG	Jack Bass	TX	11th
76KG	Chance Marsteller	PA	5th
85KG	Mitch Sliga	IN	5th
100KG	Garrett Ryan	AZ	5th
		Team USA	8th

2011	Szombathely, Hungary		Finish
42KG	Gannon Volk	MN	7th
46KG	Tommy Thorn	MN	7th
50KG	Dalton Brady	AZ	5th
54KG	Thomas Gilman	IA	10th
58KG	Zane Richards	IL	7th
63KG	Joey Lavallee	NV	5th
69KG	Oliver Pierce	TX	5th
76KG	Jordan Rogers	WA	17th
85KG	Sammy Brooks	IL	Bronze
100KG	Adam Coon	MI	Gold
		Team USA	5th