There will be three days of elite competition in the Akron Field House this weekend.  Saturday and Sunday will have the University Freestyle World Team Trials.

You can watch LIVE on FloWrestling starting at 9:00 AM EST on Friday, with Freestyle starting Saturday and Sunday.

World team spots will be on the line for some of the best college-aged Freestylers in the country.  The vast majority of the guys named in the preview have already registered.  There is always the possibility that more impact wrestlers will register between now and Saturday.  It is also important to recall that the brackets and seeds are not yet known.  So I could be predicting a final that happens in a semi or quarter for all I know.  

57kg World Team Contenders:
Nico Megaludis
Dalton Macri
David Terao
Tim Lambert
Nathan Boston
Skyler Petry

Our lightest weight features a big time hammer in Nico Megaludis.  The field will be likely looking up at the NCAA Champion from Penn State.  Nico has won this tournament two times already and this weekend he’ll look for a third.  David Terao and Nico are familiar opponents.  What makes Terao the biggest threat to Nico is his feet to back potential.  


This weight doesn’t have the depth of other classes, but I think Tim Lambert’s Freestyle experience could help him make a deep run.  Ultimately, Nico will be very difficult to defeat.  His stinginess on his feet combined with safe leg attacks will set him apart.  

CP’s Predictions:
1. Nico Megaludis
2. David Terao
3. Tim Lambert
4. Dalton Macri
5. Nathan Boston


61kg World Team Contenders:
Tyler Graff
Zane Richards
Alan Waters
Earl Hall
Dom Forys
Jered Cortez
Ali Naser
Chaz Tucker
Jose Rodriguez
Josh Terao
Luke Welch
Brandon Jeske

Insane depth here at 61.  Not only is there elite high end talent, it has amazing depth as well.  Tyler Graff is unquestionably the favorite.  He’s about as good as anyone in the country at 57 or 61.  I mentioned his wins in a previous article, but it bears repeating.  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.

Next in the pecking order is Alan Waters The Mizzou alum has been making his rounds on the Senior circuit at 57 and 61 with considerable success.  Waters is strong in par terre and has improved his leg attacks as well.  Defensively he’s very difficult to score on as well.

Ali Naser is a wildcard from  ASU. He’s knocked off Coleman Scott previously, and is best known for his Freestyle chops.  He’ll likely be in the lineup next year for the Sun Devils, so it will be cool to see how he does against such a tough field.  Zane Richards is coming off of his first All-American finish for Illinois.  He is a former Fargo champ whose style translates well to Freestyle.  



Earl Hall will be a threat here at 61.  His head hands defense can sometimes let guys on his legs too often, but his offense is incredible and he can counter well when guys are on his legs.  Jered Cortez is one of the biggest mysteries of the entire tournament.  He will be starting next year for Penn State.  Nittany Lion Fans are very optimistic about his prospects.  They’ll get to see him against high caliber competition here.  

Graff is not impervious to defeat, but against this field, he will be among the biggest favorites here.  The battle for #2 will be very competitive and largely depend on draws and competitors proximity to Graff.  

CP’s Predictions:
1. Tyler Graff
2. Alan Waters
3. Jered Cortez
4. Earl Hall
5. Ali Naser

65kg World Team Contenders:
Matt Kolodzik
Gary Dinmore
Kevin Jack
Brock Zacherl
Ronnie Perry
Javier Gasca III
Pat Lugo
Tyson Dippery
Sam Krivus
Colton McCrystal
Tristan Moran

65 drops back down in terms of competitiveness compared to 61.  Kolodzik is likely the favorite here despite his youth.  His top work makes him a threat to end a match with his powerful gut wrench.  If he is getting to legs, he’ll win this.

Kevin Jack may be the second best overall athlete and wrestler here, but I’m unsure how his skill set will translate in Freestyle.  I have no clue where he’s at par terre wise.  He can get to legs, and he’s good in scrambles, but that alone may not be enough.

Brock Zacherl put the Freestyle community on notice when he won the 60kg World Team Trials in Madison.  Though he later fell to Joey McKenna in a wrestle off later, his freestyle chops were evident.  His spear single is very dangerous.  

Fargo finalist Pat Lugo is coming off of a strong True Freshman season for the Fighting Scots.  He’s very positionally sound.  Points won’t come easy against Lugo.  Javier Gasca could make a deep run.  He’s as dangerous as just about anyone when he’s on.  But predicting which Gasca you’ll see is no easy task.

CP’s Predictions:
1. Matt Kolodzik
2. Kevin Jack
3. Brock Zacherl
4. Pat Lugo
5. Tristan Moran


70kg World Team Contenders:
Brandon Sorensen
Mike Kemerer
Anthony Collica
Adam Hall
BJ Clagon
Justin Oliver
Mike Racciato
Tyler Berger
Sal Mastriani
Collin Heffernan
Jordan Laster
Jake Short
Sam Speno
Joe Galasso
Josh Maruca
Alfred Bannister
Anthony Giraldo

We have an abyss of talent at this weight.  Adam Hall looked absolutely outstanding at the Olympic Trials at 74. Whether that makes him the favorite or not, I’m unsure.  All I know is he could be the guy.  Anthony Collica won this weight a year ago downing Jason Tsirtsis and Brandon Sorensen.  His Freestyle accolades are well known.  

Sorensen is a very safe pick to make a deep run.  Consistency, high percentage offense and great positioning will have him in every match he wrestles.  He’s continued to make steady strides.  In this area.  


I love watching BJ Clagon wrestle.  If there’s a wildcard to run through this bracket from relative obscurity, it could be him.  Iowa’s Mike Kemerer is coming off a UWW Junior title at 70kg.  That field didn’t have near the level of competition this one will, so this will be an outstanding litmus test.  I’ve heard some crazy good stuff about Kemerer.  I’m going to be reserved with my prediction, but if he rolls up and beats some hammers, maybe even a teammate, I won’t bat an eye.  Just a heads up.

CP’s Predictions:
1. Adam Hall
2. Brandon Sorensen
3. Anthony Collica
4. Mike Kemerer
5. BJ Clagon

74kg World Team Contenders:
Isaiah Martinez
Chance Marsteller
Tommy Gantt
Chad Walsh
Chad Welch
Austin Matthews
Tyler Marinelli

IMAR COMIN! This weight has some firepower, but they’ll all be outmatched in my opinion Isaiah.  He is more dangerous and complete than anyone, and has a style that transitions perfectly to Freestyle.  I thought Chance looked good at the Last Chance qualifier in Iowa.  He’s a great Freestyler with strong leg attacks, par terre offense and some serious feet to back potential.  Though Tommy Gantt took it to him this year in Folkstyle, that was at 157 and off an hour weigh in.  163.5 and in Freestyle tips the scales more in Chance’s favor.  

Chad Walsh is so fun to watch.  I want to see how he takes his crazy, high flying counters and transitions them into Freestyle success.  I like Tyler Marinelli.  I don’t know what he’s got in Freestyle, but he’s someone you need to keep tabs on as we head to the D1 season next year.  Chad Welch put together a great year for Purdue, but couldn't make the podium in folkstyle.  He could be a darkhorse to make the finals.

CP’s Predictions:
1. Isaiah Martinez
2. Chance Marsteller
3. Tommy Gantt
4. Chad Walsh
5. Chad Welch

80kg Contenders:
Alex Meyer
Jake Faust
Fox Baldwin
Jonathan Schleifer

We’ll keep er movin here at 80kg.  Since this is a non-world weight, at this point the depth and overall talent at this weight is not on par with the other weights.  Alex Meyer, Jonathan Schleifer and Jake Faust stand out as the best of the best.  Meyer is coming off an All-American finish for the Hawkeyes.  He has had strong Freestyle showings in the past as well.  In 2013 he downed Gabe Dean, Kyle Crutchmer and Nikko Reyes in the Junior World Team Trials before falling to future teammate Sammy Brooks.

Schleifer and Faust have the offense/defense combo to go with Meyer, but Alex looks like the safest pick to me.  Fox Baldwin’s track record in Freestyle bares mentioning, but until he makes a deep run, I will struggle to pick him to place terribly high.

CP’s Predictions:
1. Alex Meyer
2. Jonathan Schleifer
3. Jake Faust
4. Fox Baldwin

86kg World Team Contenders:
Morgan McIntosh
Sammy Brooks
Jack Dechow
Pete Renda
Nathan Jackson
Nick Gravina
Jordan Ellingwood
Jack Rozema
Michael Macchiavello
Bobby Steveson

Now we’re talkin’!  This is among the deepest weights of the weekend.  5 NCAA All Americans and another Fargo champ (Steveson) to boot!  McIntosh is the guy to beat here without question.  As I mentioned in another article, he was a Freestyle monster back in high school.  Those skills that made him dangerous have only been enhanced during his time at Penn State.  His leg attacks will translate well, and I think he’ll score serious points on top.

Sammy Brooks is another competitor with strong Freestyle chops.  His underhook series is safe and his ability to control center will pay more dividends in free than it does in folk.  Pete Renda was a man on fire at NCAA’s placing third, teching in the third place match (YOWZA).  His high crotch is something else, he’ll need to finish quickly and not let his attacks turn into long scrambles where he can get countered.  


Jack Dechow didn’t have the year many expected last year.  Apparently injuries played a role in this.  If he’s healthy, he could be the most athletic and dangerous guy here outside of McIntosh.  Nathan Jackson up from 174 to 189 will be exciting.  He’s insanely tall and I think his length and leg attacks will give guys problems at this weight.  

CP’s Predictions:
1. Morgan McIntosh
2. Sammy Brooks
3. Pete Renda
4. Nate Jackson
5. Jack Dechow

97kg World Team Contenders:
Kyven Gadson
Blaize Cabell
Jared Haught
Timmy McCall
Nikko Reyes
Ryan Wolfe
Malik McDonald

Blaize Cabell put everyone on notice when he went from Mumps sufferer before NCAA’s to Olympic Trials qualifier a few weeks later.  He is likely not on NCAA Champion Kyven Gadson’s level, but Cabell’s progression is certainly something to monitor.  

You hear me reference feet to back potential a lot.  You just see it more in Freestyle and 4’s are so huge for success.  I think Gadson is the guy most likely to score big points.  That, combined with other factors make him a big favorite here.  

The next rung includes Jared Haught, Timmy McCall and Malik McDonald.  I will continue to keep putting Malik’s name out there as I think he will be an impact guy next year.  Timmy McCall has been putting in work at NC State as well.  If he lets his double fly, he could be very dangerous here.  Haught has continued to make strides at VT.  I don’t think he has the offense to make the team, but I’d be stunned to see him not place.

CP’s Predictions:
1. Kyven Gadson
2. Timmy McCall
3. Blaize Cabell
4. Jared Haught
5. Malik McDonald


125kg World Team Contenders:
Nick Gwiazdowski
Ty Walz
Mike Kroells
Tanner Hall
Michael Boykin
Michael Hughes
Billy MIller
Denzel Dejournette
Collin Jensen
Thomas Haines
Jesse Webb

SMH.  Gotta figure Ty Walz has seen quite enough of Gwiazdowski.  What’s one more for the road?  This is Gwiaz’s to lose and there’s not much discussion.  He was a few seconds away from making the Olympic Trials finals before a late loss to Zach Rey (who he’s consistently struggled against).  Gwiazdowski will outclass this field, though Walz has consistently improved against Nick.


Walz is the next best guy here.  He’s got solid Freestyle credentials and his leg attacks all translate very well.  I do think that Tanner Hall could present some problems.  Don’t forget that a few years back Tanner Hall downed Kyle Snyder in Freestyle.  He knows what he’s doin’ out there.  Mike Kroells is a fun dude to watch and is a very quiet, but talented two-time All American.  He’ll be in the mix as will Denzel Dejournette.

CP’s Predictions:
1. Nick Gwiazdowski
2. Ty Walz
3. Tanner Hall
4. Mike Kroells
5. Denzel Dejournette