A few successful Freestylers are trying their hand at Greco this Friday at World Team Trials. The list currently includes Sam Hazewinkel, JD Bergman, Tyrell Fortune and Jarod Trice. All known best for their Freestyle exploits will be trying their hands at Greco at Daytona Beach.

You can see the method to the madness with keeping Freestyle and Greco Trials separate. Talent that would never be able to consider Greco now have that option. There is a trade-off, however. While the talent pool may be expanded, the allure and publicity is limited with the focus of the trials being without Freestyle mens, the most popular style of International wrestling in America.

Haze had his battles with Mango before, but had fallen short. Should Sam enter at 59KG, it remains to be seen how high he can finish. 59 is by far our deepest weight with Spencer Mango, Joe Betterman, Jesse Thielke and Ryan Mango already in the mix. He’s a huge wildcard here.

Jarod Trice and Tyrell Fortune in the mix at 130KG is a nice fit as well. Especially when you consider Tyrell Fortune’s upper body skills and ridiculous throws. While he’s a quality depth guy in Freestyle, we really lack someone who can push and challenge Robbie Smith. Tyrell could be that guy. Jarod brings an instant shot in the arm to the weight class and will provide the additional depth this weight needs.

Now JD Bergman. The guy has been in the mix for years in Freestyle, and I think the Greco transition is brilliant. He’s an amazing hand fighter who can hold position and hit big time moves from the upper body. JD primarily works from upper body ties, using trips, throw by’s and body locks from over/under. I think he has the best shot of the Freestyle cross overs to take a spot on the World team at 98KG.

Hopefully we’ll see more guys try their hand at Greco and throw their hat in the ring. I have to say this is a great start and I’m stoked to see how these guys transition.