Jordan '50-0' Oliver Sweeps Senior Nationals
Jordan '50-0' Oliver Sweeps Senior Nationals
Live updates of the finals of 2019 Senior Nationals from Fort Worth, Texas.
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We are in the Fort Worth Convention Center, ready to bring you live updates of the most important senior-level tournament of 2019. It's the Sunday finals of Senior Nationals, and we are crowning champions in nine Olympic weights.
Watch the Senior Nationals – US Olympic Trials Qualifer LIVE on FloWrestling
The match order is as follows:
WFS 62kg - Maya Nelson vs Emma Bruntil
MFS 125kg - Tony Nelson vs Dom Bradley
MFS 97kg - Kollin Moore vs Hayden Zillmer
WFS 76kg - Precious Bell vs Dymond Guilford
MFS 74kg - Logan Massa vs Mekhi Lewis
MFS 86kg - Myles Martin vs Zahid Valencia
WFS 68kg - Forrest Molinari vs Victoria Francis
MFS 65kg - Joey McKenna vs Jordan Oliver
MFS 57kg - Nathan Tomasello vs Spencer Lee
Here's our main dudes doing a little preshow preamble.
CP and Bader mere minutes before go time. pic.twitter.com/Lik63TMK5Z
— Jaroslav Hasek (@SpeyWrestle) December 22, 2019
The arena is playing quite an eclectic mix. YMCA to Beastie Boys to Cotton Eye Joe to Garth Brooks. This playlist has got it all. Or at least a really solid cross-section of pop music from the 80s and 90s. Now the Jock Jams song is asking us if we are, indeed, ready for this.
I think I speak for all of us when I emphatically respond that yes, we are ready for this. Especially after another stirring rendition of the national anthem.
WFS 62kg - Maya Nelson vs Emma Bruntil
Emma Bruntil gets the win via forfeit. Maya Nelson had to withdraw due to injury.
MFS 125kg - Tony Nelson vs Dom Bradley
1st period: The big men start off the action for the afternoon. As Dom pointed out to CP yesterday, he has 'grown-ass man strength'. I would wager that Tony also has grown-ass man strength. I am looking forward to this battle of two strong, grown-ass men. Nelson get's his with the first passivity call. After 30 more seconds of no-scoring, Bradley gets dinged. Then Nelson gets hit again and goes on the activity clock. The clock runs out and Dom picks up a point, just as Dom grabs a leg and gets a step out. It's 2-0 with 30 seconds left in the first. Bradley takes the 2-0 lead into the break.
2nd period: Bradley claps into collar ties with heavy hands. Neither man getting too much of an advantage in neutral as we get to the final 2 minutes. Another passivity call for Bradley and he goes on the clock. He can give up the point without losing the lead so look for him to remain cautious. Bradley indeed gives up the point. Final minute of the match. Nelson shoots in but Dom's feet are too quick, he sprawls, finds and angle and pushes Nelson out for another point. Final 30 seconds, Nelson can still gain the lead with a takedown. A step out is all Nelson can muster. It would appear betting against Dom remains a bad idea! Dom Bradley is your well deserved national champion!
Dom Bradley is your 125kg Senior National Champion!
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) December 22, 2019
Watch the Senior Nationals – US Olympic Trials Qualifer LIVE on FloWrestling
MFS 97kg - Kollin Moore vs Hayden Zillmer
1st period: Right off the whistle we can and inadvertent eye poke from Moore on Zillmer, but Zillmer shakes it off. A shot by Moore on the restart is caught by Zillmer who rolls a front headlock through to pick up two on the turn. He leads early. Moore counters with a tricep control dump for two. Zillmer was fighting off his back for a bit but they were grounded when Moore started the move so its just the two. Another shot by Moore after a restart. Zillmer goes back to the front headlock counter but Moore powers through and collects two more points on the takedown. He now leads 4-2. One minute to go in the first. Time winds down in neutral and Moore takes a 4-2 lead into the break.
2nd period: Zillmer is a former North Dakota State Bison now training witht he Minnesota Storm and the Gophers. Moore is in his senior year at Ohio State, currently ranked #1 in the NCAA at 197-pounds. Action underway in the second. Moore changes levels and finishes a double cleaned to extend his lead. Staying low he gets a turn, then another. It's 10-2 with two minutes to go. Zillmer squeezes a front head lock and walks Moore to the boundary. As Moore steps out Zillmer corkscrews Moore through the air and lands a badly needed four pointer. That tightens things back up. Moore leads 10-6. Zillmer is slow to return to the center but eventually we get back to action. With under a minute to go, Zillmer gets a single leg. He finishes, then gets a gut wrench, that gives Zillmer the lead on criteria! 30 seconds to go. Duck under by Moore, Zillmer defends. 10 seconds. Moore can't break through. Come from behind victory by Hayden Zillmer!
Impressive stuff from Zillmer. Gutted that one out, literally. He gets a stop sign and a cowboy hat (winner gets cowboy hats this year, naturally. We are in Fort Worth remember).
Hayden Zillmer comes back from down 10-2 to beat Kollin Moore and win the Senior National Championship. pic.twitter.com/fr9RXsaYWE
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) December 22, 2019
Watch the Senior Nationals – US Olympic Trials Qualifer LIVE on FloWrestling
WFS 76kg - Precious Bell vs Dymond Guilford
1st period: A tactical first 90 seconds, no scores. Bell was deemed too cautious, however, and goes on the activity clock. Guilford gets a body lock from neutral, looking for a hip toss, but Bell defends, then shoots Guilford out of bounds and picks up a point before the activity clock expired. Bell leads 1-0. We're in another upper body situation, Bell looking for a headlock. Guilford off balance, they go to the mat and it's four for Bell. She leads 5-0. We restart in short time and the period ends with Bell leading 5-0.
2nd period: Collar ties, Bell appears to be gaining the upper hand. Guilford fighting to stay in the center Bell snaps her down and covers for two more and it's 7-0. Guilford can't get anything going but she is increasing her pace. Bell staying in position, taking the occasional shot to keep Guilford off balance. Bell sensing victory is near. Time runs out and Bell gets the shut out victory! Impressive run to a title by Precious Bell!
?✌️ pic.twitter.com/MGXsf9a3fZ
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) December 22, 2019
Watch the Senior Nationals – US Olympic Trials Qualifer LIVE on FloWrestling
MFS 74kg - Logan Massa vs Mekhi Lewis
1st period: Massa has been phenomenal in Fort Worth, as has Mekhi. Both wrestlers come out firing. No scores but some good flurries after 90 seconds. Massa working a Russian tie, Lewis looking for an angle. Lewis goes on the clock with 54 seconds to go in the first, still no scores. With eight seconds left on the activity clock Lewis hits an arm drag, gets Massa's back and takes him down. It's 2-0 in short time. No scores after the restart and Lewis takes his two point lead to the break.
2nd period: Massa shoots off the whistle, gets a single leg in the air, but Lewis is one of the toughest people on the planet to score from this position. Massa settles for one on the step out. Lewis on a counter ends up with a single of his own, then he gets a step out. It's 3-1. Upper body clinch for both wrestlers, Lewis walking towards the boundary, Massa back trips and slams Lewis to the mat! That's a big four points for the Michigan Man! It's 5-3 Massa with 90 seconds to go. Massa in on a leg again, Lewis nearly wiggles free but Massa gets another step out to make it 6-3. We're in short time, Lewis gets a step out with 20 seconds left. He's down two but Massa will have criteria. Lewis can't get anything going and Massa gets it done! Big moves were the difference, in all of Massa's matches. Very nice run to a national title for Logan Massa. That'll give him some solid momentum and a nice seed at the Olympic Team Trials.
MASSA TAKES GOLD! pic.twitter.com/Zj8cGVekFZ
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) December 22, 2019
Watch the Senior Nationals – US Olympic Trials Qualifer LIVE on FloWrestling
MFS 86kg - Myles Martin vs Zahid Valencia
1st period: Valencia is a high volume shooter and he gets right to work after the whistle. Martin is elusive, however. After several flurries we still have no scores a minute. Valencia keeps the pressure on by Martin counters, finds an angle and gets the first takedown and points of the match. It's 2-0 with 1:20 to go in the first. Another shot from Valencia, Martin tries to sit the corner, Valencia methodically works his way up and events the score, then pulls ahead with a gut wrench. It's 4-2 Valencia, short time in the period. Valencia ends the first with a 2 point lead.
2nd period: Valencia back to his shooting ways. Martin looking for a pancake, Valencia ducks out the opposite side, Martin throws in a whizzer, eventually Valencia settles for a step out. Martin grabs an ankle on a counter and gets a step out of his own. 5-3 still in Valencia's favor. Restart and Valencia finishes a long scramble to make it 7-3. Valencia shoots in and Martin ankle picks for a nice counter. Transitions into a lace but can't get a turn. It's 7-5, but a takedown will give Martin criteria. Valencia in on a leg again, this is chewing up precious clock. Attacks from Martin but it's not enough. Zahid Valencia is your champ!
Zahid takes out Myles to win 86kg ? pic.twitter.com/rQeHCYAhIc
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) December 22, 2019
Watch the Senior Nationals – US Olympic Trials Qualifer LIVE on FloWrestling
WFS 68kg - Forrest Molinari vs Victoria Francis
1st period: Snaps and heavy hands from Molinari early. She's moving Francis around the mat. A whipover sends Francis to her back. Francis is in trouble. Molinari inches Francis' second shoulder blade to the mat and collects the fall! Early first-period pinfall gives Forrest Molinari for the championship! Molinari had four pins and a tech-fall in her championship run. That's pretty good!
This is my weight ❄️ pic.twitter.com/QEvxdV5vs7
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) December 22, 2019
Watch the Senior Nationals – US Olympic Trials Qualifer LIVE on FloWrestling
MFS 65kg - Joey McKenna vs Jordan Oliver
1st period: And before I can look up from my computer, JO double legs Joey for a feet-to-back four-point takedown. Early lead for Oliver. Not 20 seconds later, JO hits a duck under for two more. He's operating a different speed right now. 6-0 with 2 minutes left in the first. Single leg for Oliver, whizzer defense for McKenna, Oliver powers through, grabs the other foot and gets two. JO is looking for a lace but instead we'll get a restart. Oliver back in on a single, and it's only a matter of time. He dominates McKenna and cruises to his fifth straight 10-0 tech. Jordan Oliver scored 50 points and conceded zero. That is OW material right there.
MFS 57kg - Nathan Tomasello vs Spencer Lee
1st period: Tomasello with heavy hands, no surprise there, but Lee is prepared for every move. He counters a shot with an ankle pick and finishes for two. Then he shoots NaTo out of bounds for one more. Lee leads 3-0 with 90 seconds remaining in the first. Lee drops to a single, whizzer defense for Tomasello but Lee limp arms and pounces for two at the boundary. It's 5-0 and we get a restart with a minute left in the first. Tomasello on the attack but Lee's defense is too stingy, Tomasello can't penetrate. Lee takes a five-point lead to the break.
2nd period: In a rare mistake, Lee over-extends on a shot and Tomasello counters for his first two points. After the restart, Tomasello is dinged for hands to the face, this time it costs him and Lee gets a caution point. It's 6-2 Lee. Tomasello shoots, Lee does a great job circling in, then throws Tomasello to his back for two as they go out of bounds. It's now 8-2, Lee in command, 90 seconds left in regulation. Lee slows his pace as the clock keeps ticking. Tomasello still unable to find a way through Lee's head and hands defense. NaTo keeps attacking but it's all Lee. He triumphs by the score of 8-2. Quite the return to freestyle action by Spencer Lee!
That'll do it for the 2019 Senior Nationals! Thanks for following along and sorry for the typos.
Kamal Bey won the Greco-Roman Outstanding Wrestler award yesterday. Today, Alyssa Lampe won the OW for the women's freestyle tournament. And to the surprise of no one, Jordon "50-0" Oliver wins OW for the men's freestylers.