Hundreds of competitors will flood the Akron Field House this weekend with hopes of making the University World Team.  Numerous NCAA Champions, All Americans and other college hammers will all put it on the line Friday through Sunday this weekend. Watch LIVE HERE.

5 competitors represent the best of the best and will be favorites to make the teams at their respective weights.  Not only do they have incredible NCAA credentials, but they have had considerable Freestyle success at the Senior Level. 

Here are the five big guns in no particular order. This is based on who is currently registered for the tournament.  It's possible some more big names throw their hat in the ring. 

Isaiah Martinez, 74kg - IMAR recently announced he was going to make a move up to 165 pounds next year.  Now we'll see him compete up at a weight in freestyle close to that new collegiate weight.   Mr. two-for-two has been out of the Freestyle scene since finishing 2nd in the Junior World Team Trials in 2014.  Isaiah has a style that works well for Freestyle.  His power and explosion makes him a constant threat to go feet to back.  His work from underhooks give him the ability to control the center incredibly well.  


Nick Gwiazdowski, 125kg - The NC State Heavyweight capped off his career a three-time NCAA Finalist and two-time NCAA Champ.  In addition to incredible Folkstyle success, Gwiazdowski has placed top four the last three years at the World and Olympic trials.  He also won the Bill Farrell Invitational last November.  Gwiazdowski has a promising future and is on the short list of potential candidates to replace Tervel Dlagnev when and if he retires.


Nico Megaludis, 57kg - The Nittany Lion NCAA Champion just finished his career for Penn State.  The career 125 pounder was a four-time All American placing 2nd, 2nd, 3rd and 1st.  Megaludis has very strong Freestyle results as well having won University Nationals two times prior and had a great showing in past World Team Trials.  Megaludis is registered at 57kg and will be a daunting favorite to win his 3rd University Nationals title.  Nico has beaten the likes of Nick Simmons, Brandon Precin and Zach Sanders in Freestyle competition.



Kyven Gadson, 97kg - Everyone’s favorite Ice Cream connoisseur is continuing to scrap on the Freestyle scene. His best Freestyle showing of late was at the 2015 Senior Nationals where he placed third.  He knocked off Dustin Kilgore and Cayle Byers in the December tournament.  Gadson is a three-time All American for Iowa State and the 2015 NCAA Champion at 197 pounds.


Morgan McIntosh, 86kg - Excited to see that Morgan McIntosh will be down at 86kg.  He’s more recently been lauded for his Folkstyle exploits for Penn State, but back in the day he was a Freestyle juggernaut.  McIntosh blazed his way to two Fargo Junior titles in Freestyle at 189 and 215 pounds respectively.  He knocked off the likes of Adam Coon, Mike Kroells, Tanner Harms, Blaize Cabell and Josh Marchok.  McIntosh just graduated from Penn State where he was a three-time All American and an NCAA Finalist at 197 pounds.




Tyler Graff, 61kg - I’m not sure this field boasts a guy who is closer to being on a Senior World/Olympic team than Tyler Graff.  Stack up this dude’s wins, and he’s beaten just about everyone:  He has teched Daniel Dennis, Nahshon Garrett, Obe Blanc, Nathan Tomasello, Alan Waters, Zach Sanders and Matt McDonough. He downed Nick Simmons on two different occasions as well as Angel Escobedo and Logan Stieber.  What else needs said?