I’m not breaking news here when I say that the best high school wrestlers today will most likely be the best at the next level. We know this. However, l think it’s still fun to sometimes look back as a good reminder of why to watch the best underclassmen high schoolers in the country. Get familiar with these guys before they go and represent Team USA at the Cadet World Championships later this summer and before they become the college and Senior level stars in due time.

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Let’s take a look at this year’s NCAA champions.

125: Spencer Lee - 2X champion, 2015 runner-up

133: Roman Bravo-Young - 2016 champion, 2X 3rd

141: Nick Lee - 2X runner-up

149: Austin O’Connor - NA

157: David Carr - 2016 champion, 2015 runner-up

165: Shane Griffith - NA

174: Carter Starocci - 5th, 3rd

184: Aaron Brooks - 2017 champion

197: AJ Ferrari - 2018 champion

285: Gable Steveson - 2X champion

That means that 80% of the 2021 NCAA champions competed in this event at least once with 60% winning at least once. Looking a little deeper, 12 total NCAA finalists placed top-eight, and over 50% of All-Americans competed.

Still not convinced? Take a look at these rosters and see if you recognize any names.

2016 Cadet World Team

Kurt McHenry

Malik Heinselman

Aaron Cashman

Roman Bravo-Young

Vitali Arujau

Yianni Diakomihalis

David Carr

Travis Wittlake

Jacob Warner

Gable Steveson

Let’s go back even further, shall we?

1994 Cadet World Team

Mike Kulczycki

Eric Dunmire

Stephen Abas

Francisco Bermudez

Cael Sanderson

Joe Heskett

Scott Owen

Ronald Plienis

We could not just be watching future NCAA rivalries, but rivalries for the Senior World/Olympic Team spot.

Watch Spencer Lee beat Daton Fix for the 2013 Cadet World Team spot below.

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Watch Daton Fix get redemption over Spencer Lee in 2015 below.

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