65kg Is Loaded At America's Cup
65kg Is Loaded At America's Cup
Bratke breaks down the toughest weight that will be in action at this week's America's Cup live on Flowrestling.
What a treat this week is for wrestling fans! Before the nation's best women's freestyle wrestlers do battle at the Captains' Cup, we get to enjoy some of the top Senior-level men's freestyle wrestlers square off.
Watch the 2021 America's Cup LIVE on FloWrestling
Wednesday & Thursday, February 10-11
While every weight will be worth watching, 65kg stands out from the rest as the baddest weight at the America's Cup. You can check out complete team rosters HERE.
Meet The Competitors
Yianni Diakomihalis (Team One)
Josh Saunders (Team One alternate)
Evan Henderson (Team Two)
Mitch McKee (Team Three)
Nahshon Garrett (Team Four)
Pat Lugo (Team Five)
Ethan Lizak (Team Six)
Two of the wrestlers at the weight, Nahshon Garrett and Yianni Diakomihalis won NCAA titles, one other, Ethan Lizak is an NCAA finalist, and three others, Evan Henderson, Mitch McKee, and Pat Lugo, were NCAA All-Americans. The only wrestler to not bring home hardware the NCAA Championships is Josh Saunders who is currently a freshman at Cornell. However, Saunders is a Cadet and Junior world team member, and has Senior-level wins over Nick Dardanes, Joey Lazor, and Dom Demas.
Watch Saunders win an exciting one over Demas.
A Potential Match Between Cornell Legends
Who would have ever imagined we would potentially see a match between Yianni Diakomihalis and Nahshon Garrett? Garrett was a four-time NCAA All-American for the Big Red and capped off his career with a national title. Diakomihalis has won two NCAA titles in as many tries, and since this year doesn't count towards student-athletes eligibility, is still on pace to potentially become a four-time NCAA champion.
Garrett's debut at 65kg didn't go as planned against Joey McKenna last month.
Watch Garrett and McKenna do battle.
Yianni on the other hand, since 2021 began, has tech falled Anthony Ashnault and won the Henri Deglane beating James Green and Olympic champion Vladimir Khinchegashvili along the way.
Watch Yianni get revenge on Khinchegashvili.
Can Evan Henderson Jump Levels?
Evan Henderson currently sits at #9 in our Senior-level domestic rankings at 65kg. He's pushed Anthony Ashnault, soundly beat Jaydin Eierman, Dean Heil, and many more at the weight, but can he take the next stop and begin threatening for a spot on the world team? This week is a big opportunity as he will get a shot at the likes of Diakomihalis, Garrett, and a trio of young up and comers in Pat Lugo, Mitch McKee, and Ethan Lizak.
Which Young Gun Can Make Some Noise?
Mitch McKee has also excelled at the Olympic styles, and in recent months won a U23 national title, beat Kevin Jack at the RTC Cup, and recently teched Tristan Moran on our Tamyra-Adeline card.
Watch McKee knock off three-time All-American Kevin Jack at the RTC Cup.
Since Pat Lugo finished his career at Iowa in March, he's been very actively on the Senior level. In July, he took out Luke Pletcher, and a few months later, Matt Kolodzik. In December he pushed Bajrang Punia in the 150 lbs 8-man bracket final, and the next month gave James Green all he could handle on the Tamyra-Adeline card.
Watch Bajrang and Lugo do battle.
Just like he was in folkstyle, Ethan Lizak has shown he's a problem on top in freestyle. Just ask two-time NCAA champion Matt McDonough.
Watch Lizak tech fall McDonough.
Whatever happens over the next few days in North Carolina at America's Cup, 65kg has the biggest stars and should have the biggest matchups of the weekend as well.