2018 US Open Wrestling Championships

2018 World Team Trials: Who's Qualified So Far

2018 World Team Trials: Who's Qualified So Far

The complete list of qualifiers in men's freestyle for the 2018 World Team Trials challenge tournament.

Apr 2, 2018 by Wrestling Nomad
2018 World Team Trials: Who's Qualified So Far

We've hit April, which means the U.S. Open is at the end of this month. That is the final way to qualify for the 2018 World Team Trials, which are next month in Minnesota.

So, who is already qualified for that WTT challenge tournament? Let's go over them below.


57kg

Thomas Gilman (Titan Mercury/Hawkeye WC): World Silver Medalist

Tim Lambert (Sunkist Kids/NWC): Dave Schultz Runner-up

Spencer Lee (Titan Mercury/Hawkeye WC): NCAA Champ

Zane Richard (Illini RTC/Titan Mercury): Bill Farrell Bronze

Gilman has a bye to Final X in Lincoln, Nebraska, on June 9, meaning he has several months to prepare for any of his potential opponents. Zane Richards was the most recent to qualify at this weight after getting a bronze at the Farrell.


61kg

Joe Colon (Titan Mercury/Valley RTC): Dave Schultz Winner

Seth Gross (Jackrabbit WC/Sunkist Kids): NCAA Champ

Jon Morrison (Cliff Keen WC/NYAC): Bill Farrell Champ

With Logan Stieber heading up to 65kg, this weight is wide open. Jon Morrison looked great in winning the Bill Farrell last weekend, snatching victories in both the semis and finals with last second head pinches.


65kg

Logan Stieber (Titan Mercury/Ohio RTC): World Team Member

Zain Retherford (Nittany Lion WC): World Team Team Member

BJ Futrell (Titan Mercury/Penn RTC): Dave Schultz Winner

Yianni Diakomihalis (FLWC/New York RTC): NCAA Champ

Evan Henderson (Badger RTC/Titan Mercury): Bill Farrell Champ

We could see the first match between Retherford and Stieber since the 2016 Olympic Trials, which was won by Stieber 8-6. If Retherford wins the U.S. Open or World Team Trials challenge tournament, he'll get to wrestle in the Final X in State College on June 16, in his collegiate home gym at Rec Hall.


70kg

James Green (Titan Mercury/NWTC): World Silver Medalist

Kellen Russell (NYAC/Cliff Keen WC): Dave Schultz Winner

Jason Nolf (Nittany Lion WC): NCAA Champ

Kyle Ruschell (Badger RTC/Titan Mercury): Bill Farrell Silver

Green gets the bye to Final X in Lincoln after his second career world medal. Kyle Ruschell sealed his spot in the Trials with a silver at the Farrell.

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74kg

Jordan Burroughs (Titan Mercury/NWTC): World Gold Medalist

Nazar Kulchytskyy (Titan Mercury/Badger RTC): Dave Schultz Winner

Vincenzo Joseph (Nittany Lion WC): NCAA Champ

Tommy Gantt (Wolfpack RTC/Titan Mercury): Bill Farrell Champ

For the eighth year in a row, Jordan Burroughs sits in the finals. He will join Gilman, Green and Kyle Snyder in the Final X in Lincoln on June 9. Tommy Gantt looked excellent en route to a Farrell title, up a weight from the last several years.


79kg

Jon Reader (Sunkist Kids): Dave Schultz Winner

Zahid Valencia (Sunkist Kids): NCAA Champ

Alex Dieringer (Titan Mercury): Bill Farrell Champ

Reader looked phenomenal at the Dave Schultz. Valencia is coming off a junior world silver and looks perfect for this weight. Alex Dieringer is going to try to dump the whole world on its head.


86kg

Richard Perry (NYAC/Penn RTC): Dave Schultz Winner

Bo Nickal (Nittany Lion WC): NCAA Champ

Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm): Bill Farrell Champ

Perry was just outside of the national team last year, with Nick Heflin and J'den Cox moving up to 92kg this year. Nickal did not compete in WTT last year but did wrestle Perry in the semis of the U.S. Open. For the second year in a row, Greco world teamer Joe Rau qualifies for the freestyle trials.


92kg

J’den Cox (Titan Mercury/Missouri WF): World Bronze Medalist

Nick Heflin (Oklahoma RTC): Dave Schultz Winner

Michael Macchiavello (Wolfpack RTC): NCAA Champ

Kenny Courts (Terrapin WC/Titan Mercury): Bill Farrell Silver

Despite his world medal, J'den Cox does not get a bye to Final X because he is moving up in weight. Kenny Courts pinned a Russian junior world champ to make the Farrell finals.


97kg

Kyle Snyder (Titan Mercury/Ohio RTC): World Gold Medalist

Blaize Cabell (Valley RTC): Dave Schultz Winner

Ty Walz (Southeast RTC/Titan Mercury): Bill Farrell Champ

Kyle Snyder once again sits in the finals after winning his third straight world title. The man he beat for his first title was Abdusalam Gadisov of Russia, the same guy Blaize Cabell beat in the Schultz semis. Ty Walz took the Bill Farrell crown to qualify.


125kg

Nick Gwiazdowski (Titan Mercury/Wolfpack RTC): World Bronze Medalist

Dom Bradley (Sunkist Kids/NWTC): Dave Schultz Winner

Gwiz has a bye to the Final X at Lehigh on June 23 thanks to the bronze medal he won in his first world championships. He beat Bradley in the WTT finals last year.