With the Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals Duals set to begin on Wednesday morning, we are going to take a look at eight teams who could contend for a National Dual Championship.

This year’s field will feature 32 all-star teams from 23 different states, so the competition is sure to be fierce all week long.

Currently, not all rosters have been submitted for this year’s event. However, we have a sense of the teams that will be strong enough to be a threat.

First, we are going to start it off with the defending Greco-Roman National Dual Champions, Team Illinois. They are set to make another deep run and have one of the best rosters from top to bottom. They will certainly be the team to beat once again.

Leading the team will be 120-pounder Jason Renteria, who is currently ranked No. 8 in the ASICS FloRankings. Joining Renteria will be Peter Ogunsanya (100), Tony Madrigal (126) and Jack Jessen (170). Rounding out a solid squad will be Blake Zalapi and Tony Cassiopi at 220 and heavyweight, respectively.

Although their roster isn’t complete yet, we expect Team Pennsylvania to put on a solid showing in the Greco portion of the event. They have a history of making a deep run at the National Duals and they will certainly be in the Championship Pool once again.

Last year they finished in 3rd, but by looking at some of the rosters that are filled and knowing that Pennsylvania will bring a star-studded team, they are our pick for runner-ups.

Make sure to keep an eye on Team Washington, too. They are coming off a 4th place finish from a year ago and their Schoolboy teams just had some success this past weekend at Schoolboy National Duals in Indianapolis, so you know the Cadets are bringing some talent as well.

They are still yet to finalize their roster for this week’s event, but we have heard some rumors and know that they are bringing a roster full of talent. Therefore, we are going to pick them as the bronze medal winners.

California has been strong as of late. They are bringing a roster full of California standouts on a cross-country trip to Pennsylvania and should be able to compete and do very well.

Leading the Cali boys will be California Greco State Champion Jaden Abas (106) along with Matthew Olguin (94), #13-JJ Figueroa (132), Troy Mantanona (145), and David Aranda (220). We expect them to put on a good showing and take home a 4th place finish.

New Jersey, which isn’t as strong as they were in past years, will still be tough. They should make things interesting and come away with a 5th place finish as they feature a handful of standouts. They will be led by Will Guida (88), Andrew Merola (138), Ryan Karoly (160), and Sean O’Malley (195).

             

Ohio made a deep run in last year’s event as they took home a silver medal after falling to Illinois in the Gold Medal match. Although they have a strong team led by 106-pounder Dylan D’Emilio, who is ranked No. 2 in the ASICS FloRankings, they aren’t as strong as they were a season ago. Joining D’Emilio is Colt Yinger at 138-pounds along with David Blanchard (170) and Jon Spaulding (285).

Team Iowa will look to get back on track. They’ve put together a solid roster and could be a surprise team that makes a deep run. #14-Kyle Biscoglia (100), Drew Bennett (106) and #16-Brody Teske (113) will bolster their line up as they look to make some noise again this year.

Rounding out the Top 8 will be Team Kansas. They didn’t compete last year, but have put together a solid squad that could surprise a few people. Jace Koelzer (94), Cody Phippen (100), Joey Hancock (126) and Dylan Servis (182) will each bring some strength to this line up.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Team Illinois
2. Team Pennsylvania
3. Team Washington
4. Team California
5. Team New Jersey
6. Team Ohio
7. Team Iowa
8. Team Kansas