How Can Men's Freestyle Win The Team Title At Cadet Worlds?

How Can Men's Freestyle Win The Team Title At Cadet Worlds?

Going over the scoring scenarios at each weight for the final day of men's freestyle at the 2018 Cadet World Championships.

Jul 3, 2018 by Wrestling Nomad
How Can Men's Freestyle Win The Team Title At Cadet Worlds?
Is there anything more American than winning a world title on the Fourth of July? I would say no. Team USA can do just that Wednesday at the Cadet World Championships, but it's going to need some help.

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Is there anything more American than winning a world title on the Fourth of July? I would say no. Team USA can do just that Wednesday at the Cadet World Championships, but it's going to need some help.

After two days of wrestling in Zagreb, Croatia, just a handful of matches remain. The final day of men’s freestyle will feature the repechage and medal matches at 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg, and 92kg. Matt Ramos is wrestling for gold at 51kg, Chance Lamer and Alex Facundo are going for bronze at 45kg and 71kg, respectively, and AJ Ferrari is in the repechage at 92kg.

With just those few matches left to be wrestled, Iran holds a lead of 122-105. The United States maxes out at 135 points and is still mathematically able to win the team title, but Iran will have to lose several times. Both countries have three wrestling for medals, and one in the first round of the repechage.

Since the reinstatement of Cadet Worlds in 2011, our country has not won the overall team crown. Though Iran is in the driver's seat, the championship is within reach. Below is a breakdown of what can happen by weight.

45kg

An Iranian is in the finals and Chance Lamer is in the bronze medal match. That means each can add five points to his team’s score. Worst-case scenario, the Iranian wins his gold medal match and guarantees at least a share of the team title if Lamer also loses. Best-case scenario, the Stars and Stripes draws within 12 points.

51kg

The only time the USA led in the tournament was when Matt Ramos beat the Iranian in the semis on Monday. However, just like at 45kg, medal matches are worth five, so the same points hold true. Should the Iranians fall in yet another medal match, and Ramos beats Japan for gold, America draws to within seven points.

60kg

Josh Saunders is not in repechage, so the Team USA staff will need to hope he picks up some points for finishing seventh through 10th. Otherwise, Iran is in the first repechage match. Three wins later, Iran maxes out at 15 points at this weight, so this is the time it can close the door on the United States.

71kg

Alex Facundo had a heartbreaking loss in the semis, but he still can score five points with a win in the bronze medal match. The Iranian in this weight lost in the first round to Japan, who then lost in the quarters, so Iran will not get any points here.

92kg

AJ Ferrari carries the most pressure of anyone heading into Wednesday. Three wins in the repechage means a bronze medal and 15 more team points. Given Iran’s lead right now, a team crown basically can’t happen without Ferrari getting the next best thing and battling back for third. However, Iran does have someone in the finals, so it very well could come down to the last match if USA holds a lead going into the 92kg medal match.