The 2024 Olympic Wrestling Trials will take place on April 19-20 in State College, Pennsylvania. Check out the article below for real-time updates from the trials on the biggest stories from this event.
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Olympic Trials Finals – Saturday, April 20
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg: Spencer Lee vs Thomas Gilman
65 kg: Zain Retherford vs Nick Lee
74 kg: Kyle Dake vs Jason Nolf
86kg: David Taylor vs Aaron Brooks
97 kg: Kyle Snyder vs Isaac Trumble
125 kg: Mason Parris vs Hayden Zillmer
Women’s Freestyle
50 kg: Sarah Hildebrandt vs Audrey Jimenez
53 kg: Dom Parrish vs Haley Augello
57 kg: Helen Maroulis vs Jacarra Winchester
62 kg: Kayla Miracle vs Macey Kilty
68 kg: Amit Elor vs Forrest Molinari
76 kg: Adeline Gray vs Kennedy Blades
Greco-Roman
60 kg: Ildar Hafizov vs Dalton Roberts
67 kg: Alejandro Sancho vs Ellis Coleman
77 kg: Kamal Bey vs Aliaksandr Kikinou
87 kg: Spencer Woods vs Payton Jacobson
97 kg: Alan Vera vs Josef Rau
130 kg: Cohlton Schultz vs Adam Coon
Session 2 – Challenge Tournament Finals
Men’s Freestyle 74 kg
Jordan Burroughs is taking on Jason Nolf! This one should be incredible – the two have only wrestled once before – Burroughs won 5-3 at the 2021 World Team Trials at 79 kg. After an early flurry, the ref awarded Nolf one point on a step out but this was taken away after a challenge by Burroughs’ corner. Burroughs gets called for passivity twice and goes on the shot clock with 1:20 to go in the first period. Nolf holds position and earns a point after the 30-second shot clock runs out. Nolf continues to come forward and is awarded two points on the edge but Burroughs’ corner challenges and the call is reversed – it’s 1-0 at the break.
Back at the center and Nolf fires off a double leg for a takedown right off the whistle – “Let’s go Nolf!” chants are booming throughout the arena. Burroughs is working for step outs but Nolf is holding position well and Burroughs can’t get any offense going. Nolf’s gonna do it – he wins 3-0 and the Penn State crowd is on their feet!
Men’s Freestyle 97 kg
Isaac Trumble is cruising against Kollin Moore – he’s got three takedowns in the first period while Moore was only able to earn a step out – it’s 6-1 at the break. Trumble continues to roll in the second and secures three more takedowns in 90 seconds to earn the 11-1 tech. Incredible performance by Trumble and now he’ll take on Kyle Snyder tomorrow in the best of three trials.
Men’s Freestyle 125 kg
Not a ton of action in the first period between Nick Gwiazdowski and Hayden Zillmer. Gwiz gets put on the shot clock and Zillmer earns a point after Gwiz fails to score – Zillmer holds a 1-0 lead heading into the break. A minute goes by in the second and now Zillmer’s on the clock. He doesn’t score and Gwiz takes the lead on criteria. Another minute, and still no action so now Gwiz is called for passivity and he goes on the clock. Gwiz is picking up his pace but it’s Zillmer who dives in on a leg, Gwiz goes for a crotch lift but Zillmer catches him on his back and scores 2. Zillmer adds a step out and caution +1 and Zillmer wins it – 5-1. Now Zillmer will take on Mason Parris in tomorrow’s finals.
Men’s Freestyle 86 kg
We’ve got the final match of the night now between Zahid Valencia and Aaron Brooks! Last time these two wrestled was in the 2023 US Open Finals – there Valencia got out to a 6-0 lead before Zahid stormed back to win 10 or 12 to 6. A bit of a slow start to this one – Zahid gets in on a single leg at the 90-second mark but Brooks defends and there’s no score. Brooks goes on the clock first but he doesn’t score and Zahid takes a 1-0 lead with about 45 seconds to go in the first period. Big double for Brooks with 10 seconds to go but Zahid is somehow able to turn down and defend – the score stays 1-0 in Zahid’s favor at the break.
We’re back in action in the second and Zahid is really picking up his pace. Valencia hits a slick single but Brooks feeds him some heavy hips and Zahid is unable to finish. Valencia goes on the shot-clock and Brooks gets to a shot and runs him out of bounds. Originally it was called 2 but after a challenge it was just 1. Brooks gets another step out and the shot clock point to take a 3-1 lead. Valencia responds in a BIG way with a four-pointer on the edge of the mat. Brooks’ corner challenges but loses and Valencia leads 6-3 with 90 seconds to go.
Brooks is pressuring forward but Valencia drops in on a shot and holds for a stalemate – under a minute to go now. They repeat this process with Zahid holding onto a single and a stalemate is called – 30 seconds to go. Off the whistle, Valencia fires a shot but Brooks runs behind for a takedown – it’s 6-5 with Valencia leading. Brooks continues to come forward and earns a stepout but Valencia still leads on criteria – 6-6. Brooks comes forward and the ref calls a caution +1 for a singlet pull – Brooks goes ahead, 7-6. Valencia’s corner wants to challenge but they won’t let it happen and Brooks wins it. Wild match and Aaron Brooks will wrestle David Taylor in the trials finals tomorrow.
Women’s Freestyle 50 kg
We’ve got Mortimer vs Jimenez – the winner of this match will take on Sarah Hildebrandt tomorrow! Not much going on in the first minute but Mortimer takes a 4-0 lead two minutes in after getting a takedown and exposure. However, Jimenez responded with a takedown of her own and followed up with a couple of leg laces to lead 6-4 at the break. Jimenez continued to roll in the second with a taskedown just 30 seconds into the period. Jimenez secured another takedown at the one-minute mark while Mortimer countered with a takedown of her own. It was too little, too late for Mortimer and Jimenez wins it – 10-6.
Women’s Freestyle 53 kg
Haley Augello is taking on Areana Villaescusa and Augello gets on the board first with a takedown with about 90 seconds to go in the first period. Augello holds that lead into the break and then earns another point off a step out in the second. Villasecusa is struggling to get to any offense and Augello is going to hold on to win 3-0. Incredible showing for Augello – for those of you who don’t know her story, she was an Olympian in 2016 and has been retired for multiple years. She came out of retirement in the past year and now she’s in the Olympic Trials finals against Dom Parrish.
Women’s Freestyle 68 kg
Not much action in the first period between Alex Glaude and Forrest Molinari. Molinari takes the lead on a step out after being put on the clock and she holds a 1-0 lead at the break. Glaude fires a shot right off the whistle in the second period and finishes for a quick takedown – she leads 2-1 now. After two step outs for Molinari, Glaude earns a point off a caution and Glaude takes the lead on criteria – 3-3. Molinari needs a point and she gets it with just 14 seconds left on a step out – Molinari wins it 4-3! Clutch step out for Molinari and she’ll wrestle two-time world champion Amit Elor in the Olympic Trials finals tomorrow.
Women’s Freestyle 76 kg
Kennedy Blades gets out to a quick lead over Yelena Makoyed with a takedown in less than 10 seconds. Blades continues to stay on her offense earning two more takedowns and a step out to build a 7-0 lead with a minute to go in the first. Blades gets to rear standing and looked for a big lift but Makoyed wisely turns down to only give up two – Blades leads 9-0 and they’ll go to the break. Blades gets right back to her offense early in the second and finishes another shot to win by tech fall 11-0. That win puts Blades in the Olympic Trials finals against Adeline Gray.
Women’s Freestyle 57 kg
Jacarra Winchester failed to make 53 kg but now she’s in the challenge tournament finals up at 57 kg against a tough Alex Hedrick. Hedrick gets put on the clock first and Winchester takes a 1-0 lead after Hedrick fails to score. The score remains 1-0 at the end of the first and into the break.
Just over a minute into the second period and Jacarra Winchester converts on a shot to extend her lead to 3-0. Winchester is holding that lead but Hedrick scores 2 points on the exposure with under 20 seconds to go. Hedrick is coming forward now with double under hooks but Winchester defends and earns a step out – Winchester wins 4-2 and will face Helen Maroulis in the Trials finals.
Women’s Freestyle 62 kg
Interesting matchup here between two world medalists in Macey Kilty and Jen Page. Kilty won world silver last year at 65 kg while Page won world bronze last year at 59 kg – now they’re meeting in the middle at 62 kg. Kilty goes on the clock first and Page gets a point after Kilty fails to score. However, just after the clock runs out, Kilty gets a four-pointer to take the lead. Page gets a step out before the end of the first and Kilty leads 4-2 at the break.
Page gets another step out point a minute into the second period. After the restart, Kilty fires off a nice leg attack but Page takes her through for 2. Kilty then exposes Page for 2 and Kilty leads 6-5. This one’s getting really fun! Page gets another step out and it’s 6-6 but Kilty leads on criteria. There’s under 15 seconds to go and Page is coming forward – Kilty gets in on a shot and gets two for exposure, Page then takes Kilty through for 2, but Kilty comes out on top for 1 more. Wild ending there and Kilty wins it 9-8.
Greco-Roman 87 kg
John Stefanowicz and Payton Jacobson wrestled in a pretty uneventful match. Stefanowicz scored first off a passivity and then Jacobson scored next off a passivity. That’s it – Jacobson held on to win 1-1 and will face Spencer Woods tomorrow.
Greco-Roman 97 kg
It’s Joe Rau vs Nick Boykin here. Boykin gets put down first and Rau goes to work on top. Rau earns two separate exposures on top but Boykin counters with two more of his own and Rau takes a 5-2 lead. Boykin gets a point in the second but that’s it and Rau wins 5-3.
Greco-Roman 130 kg
Adam Coon controlled Aden Attao from the start with step out after step out to build a 4-0 lead off 4 step outs. Then Coon got his opportunity on top and took advantage of it with a 4-pointer to win by tech in the first, 9-0. Coon will now take on Cohlton Schultz in the Olympic Trials Finals tomorrow.
Session 2 – Semi-Finals
Semi-final bouts are on the mat – looks like we’re only rolling with three mats this session. We’ve got Yianni Diakomihalis taking on Jesse Mendez, Mallory Velte vs Ashlynn Ortega, and Adaugo Nwachukwu vs Katie Lange starting us off
Men’s Freestyle 65 kg
Yianni strikes first with a chest wrap off of Mendez’s shot and secures two points for an exposure. Mendez wrestlers through the position and earns one point for the reversal. Mendez gets back to Yianni’s legs but Yianni is defending again with the chest wrap. This time, Mendez fights through and finishes the takedown to take a 3-2 lead into the break.
A minute into the second period and Mendez still leads 3-2. Yianni seems to be picking up his activity slightly but hasn’t been able to get to Mendez’s legs yet. Blast double for Mendez and he gets four points but Yianni gets to the chest wrap again and scores two points – Mendez leads 7-4. Yianni shoots but Mendez times a reattack perfectly and lifts Yianni for 4 more! It’s 11-4 now but Yianni’s corner is challenging the call – I think they want points for Yianni in the exchange. And Yianni loses the challenge so now he’s down 12-4 with just 30 seconds to go. Yianni needs a lot of points but he only earns a few step outs and Mendez wins 12-7! Wow – incredible match for Mendez and he’ll face Zain Retherford later tonight.
We’ve got our real semifinals now on the mat with Andrew Alirez vs Nick Lee and Zain Retherford vs Jesse Mendez. It’s gonna be tough to give you all the details on both matches but I’ll do my best. Alirez strikes first with a four pointer but Nick Lee responds with an exposure and gut wrench to tie it up 4-4 – Alirez leads on criteria. Alirez gets in an another single leg but isn’t able to finish and it’s still 4-4 at the break. Alirez is getting to Lee’s legs but Lee’s making it really tough to finish.
In the second, Lee gets caught underneath and Alirez pulls him up with double underhooks to earn a step out. However, after the restart, Lee responds with a takedown to take his first lead of the match – 6-5. Now it’s Lee in on a double and he finishes for 4 points but Alirez takes him over for two of his own – Lee leads 10-7. Alirez is coming forward and needs a few scores but Lee is holding position strong. Alirez gets to a single with 10 seconds to go, he looks to finish big but only gets two – it’s 10-9 and Alirez’s corner is challenging. They’re not going to win and Lee takes it 11-9.
Mendez scores first against Retherford with a throw-by takedown but Retherford responds with a takedown of his own and it’s 2-2 with 90 seconds to go in the first. Not much in the final 90 seconds of the frame and it’s 2-2 at the break. Early in the second period, Mendez gets hit for passivity and Retherford scores after the shot clock runs out. Mendez is really pressuring knowing he has to score but he’s having trouble breaking through Retherford’s defense. Retherford stays in good position and defends – solid win by Retherford and he wins 3-2. Tomorrow’s final will be Penn State vs Penn State with Zain Retherford taking on Nick Lee.
Men’s Freestyle 86 kg
We’ve got Chance Marsteller vs Trent Hidlay now – that’s A LOT of power on one mat. Hidlay strikes first with a takedown but Marsteller responds with a step out and it’s 2-1 after the first. Not a ton of action in the first frame but both guys are hand-fighting hard and holding good position. A lot of the same in the second but Marsteller gets a step out to tie it up at 2 but he still trials on criteria. Time is winding down and Marsteller needs a score. Chance gets to a single with 10 seconds to go, Hidlay is defending but Marsteller finishes for the takedown with just 3 seconds to go! Marsteller wins it – 4-2.
Now we’ve got Zahid Valencia vs Chance Marsteller and Alex Dieringer vs Aaron Brooks on the mats. Dieringer strikes first with his signature dump for four points. Not much action for the remainder of the first period and Dieringer holds his 4-0 lead at the break. Early in the second period, Brooks gets to a single and Dieringer errantly attempts a head pinch but gets caught on his back for four points. Dieringer’s corner challenges but loses so now it’s 5-4 Aaron Brooks. After the challenge, Brooks gets back to a single and runs Dieringer out of bounds for a step out – Brooks looks like he’s found his groove. Brooks adds another takedown and takes the match – 8-4.
Valencia secures a takedown a minute into the match to take a 2-0 lead. Another minute goes by without much action and Marsteller gets put on the clock. He doesn’t score so Valencia extends his lead to 3-0. I was locked in on the Ringer – Brooks match so didn’t catch all of the action in Valencia vs Marsteller but no points were scored after the first period. Valencia wins it – 3-0. Now Valencia will wrestle Aaron Brooks later tonight – the winner of that will take on David Taylor tomorrow in the best of three Olympic Trials Finals.
Men’s Freestyle 74 kg
It’s time for Jordan Burroughs vs Mitchell Mesenbrink! Burroughs looked a little slow in his first match and I’m really curious to see how he looks against Mesenbrink – we know Mesenbrink is gonna go wild here. Burroughs fires off a left side single early and pulls the leg in – he’s looking to finish through the middle but just lifts and gets the exposure – Burroughs takes the lead, 2-0. Mesenbrink is coming forward frantically but that plays right into Burroughs double and he finishes another takedown then gets to his lace to extend his lead to 6-0. That exchange didn’t scare Mesenbrink, he’s still coming forward – Burroughs shoots, Mesenbrink with the reattack but Burroughs turns it into a step out. Burroughs is slow to get back to the center and the Penn State crowd doesn’t like it – they’re showering down the boos on Burroughs.
After the break, Mesenbrink continues to come forward but Burroughs is doing a good job holding position. Burroughs has definitely slowed down in the second but he’s wrestling smart and Mesenbrink hasn’t been able to generate any offense. Burroughs gets to another single and runs Mesenbrink out of bounds to take an 8-0 lead with 30 seconds to go. Mesenbrink finally earns a step out but there’s only 15 seconds to go. Mesenbrink continues to come forward and he earns another step out with seven seconds to go. It looked like Mesenbrink wouldn’t let go of Burroughs’ leg and Burroughs isn’t happy – he shoves his head and gets hit with a caution +1 – the crowd is SHOWERING down boos on Burroughs. Burroughs wins 8-3 but the fans are not happy with Burroughs. Definitely no love between Burroughs and Mesenbrink as the exchange words and Burroughs shoves Mesenbrink again. More boos from the Penn State fans against Burroughs – wild scene!
Jason Nolf vs Jarrett Jacques is going on at the same time as Mesenbrink – Burroughs so I’m not sure how much detail I’ll be able to give for this match. Nolf fires in and finishes a takedown quickly then transitions immediately to a turn – Nolf leads 4-0 a minute in. Jacques isn’t backing down and he responds with a takedown of his own to close the gap to 4-2 at the break.
After the break, Jacques gets to Nolf’s legs again but Nolf scrambles through and earns a takedown – he leads 6-2. I missed a lot of the end of this match with the madness going on between Burroughs and Mesenbrink but Nolf wins 9-2.
Men’s Freestyle 97 kg
We’ve got both 97 kg matches on the mats now – J’den Cox vs Kollin Moore and Jay Aiello vs Isaac Trumble. Cox gets two passivity calls against Moore and Moore will go on the clock first. He’s unable to score and Cox takes a 1-0 lead that he’ll carry into the break. After the break, Cox earns a quick step out to extend his lead to 2-0. A minute left now and Moore is in on a single – Cox goes chest wrap but Moore avoids exposure and gets the takedown to take the lead on criteria – 2-2. Cox needs one point to take the lead but he can’t get it – Kollin Moore’s going to win this one! Moore does it – he holds on to win 2-2 over J’den Cox.
After the hand shake, J’den is lingering in the center of the mat…he shares a brief moment with Kevin Jackson and then kneels down to take his shoes off. That’s it, wow, J’den Cox is retiring from his competitive career. The crowd is on their feet giving J’den a standing ovation and he deserves it. J’den cox is one of the all-time greatest wrestlers in American history with two world titles, an Olympic bronze and 6 total world/Olympic medals. It’s been a privilege to watch him wrestle.
Jay Aiello gets out to an early lead with a takedown to a turn just over 30 seconds into the bout. Trumble responds with a takedown of his own and it’s 4-2 going into the break. After the break, Trumble continues to mount his comeback and earns another takedown to go ahead on criteria 4-4. Aiello is pressing forward but can’t convert on his attacks and Trumble secures another takedown – Trumble wins it 6-4.
Men’s Freestyle 125 kg
The first 125 kg bout of the night – Nick Gwiazdowski vs Greg Kerkvliet. Not a ton of action in the first – Gwiz gets but on the clock and gives up a point – Kerk leads 1-0 at the break. Similar action in the second – not much and Kerk goes on the clock but doesn’t score so Gwiz leads on criteria 1-1. Now Kerk gets in on a single leg with under a minute but Gwiz sits the corner and takes a crotch lift through for 2 – Gwiz leads out right 3-1. Kerk gets to Gwiz’s legs again but can’t finish and Gwiz adds another takedown at the end of the match to win 5-1.
2022 World Teamer Hayden Zillmer is taking on heavyweight veteran Dom Bradley. This will be a great test for Zillmer after a long layoff from an injury early last year. Not much going in the fist period – Zillmer earns a point off a shot-clock and leads 1-0 at the break. Early in the second period, Zillmer gets to a single leg and shows off incredible strength to finish with exposure over the top and then does it again to extend his lead to 5-0. Bradley can’t break through Zillmer’s defense and Zillmer wins 5-0. Now Zillmer will wrestle Gwiazdowksi later tonight – the winner of that will take on Mason Parris in the best of trials finals tomorrow.
Men’s Freestyle 57 kg
Spencer Lee vs Zane Richards is the first semi at 57 kg. Spencer gets to his offense right away and earns a takedown in just 20 seconds. After a fresh start, Lee gets another takedown and transitions to a lace to extend his lead to 6-0 – Spencer looks crisp here. The pace slows a bit after Spencer’s fast start but he gets another takedown with just 30 seconds to go. He almost gets two more for the tech but just earns a step out as time expires in the first – Spencer takes a 9-0 lead into the break.
After the break, Spencer gets back in on a double but Zane exposes Lee as he finishes so they trade two’s. 20 seconds later, Richards gets a takedown to cut the lead to 11-4. The pace slows for a minute before Spencer extends his lead to 13-4 with another takedown. Spencer dives in on an errant shot with 9 seconds left and Zane runs behind for a takedown but Spencer wins it – 13-6.
Now we’ve got Daton Fix vs Thomas Gilman! Not a ton of action in the first period – both wrestlers look content to hand fight. A minute in and Gilman gets to a single leg at the edge of the mat – he elevates and looks to finish but only gets one point on the step out. With just under a minute left in the first, Fix gets put on the shot clock and he can’t score so Gilman will take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Gilman gets a quick start in the second with a takedown 10 seconds into the period and now he’s in control leading 4-0. Fix is pressing forward but really struggling to get to Gilman’s legs. Fix taking a bunch of shots but not getting close and Gilman adds another takedown at the end of the match and he’ll win it 6-0. Tomorrow’s finals will be Spencer Lee vs Thomas Gilman!!!
Women’s Freestyle 62 kg
Velte is in control at the break – she leads 6-0 over Ortega. Lange is leading Nwachukwu 4-3 at the break. Velte rolls to a tech – 11-0. Now Velte will face Jen Page later this evening. On the other side of things, Nwachukwu comes back to win 6-4 over Lange. Nwachukwu will now wrestle Macey Kilty later this evening.
In the second semi-final, Jen Page took the mat against Mallory Velte. Page got off to a fast start with a shot clock point and a step out but Velte responded with a big 4 to lead 4-2. Just 20 seconds later, Page earned her first takedown of the match and earned two more on top to lead 6-4 at the break. In the second, Page extended her lead to 8-4 with another takedown but Velte responded with a step out and takedown to close the gap to 8-7. Velte pressured forward steadily but Page defended well and held on for the 8-7 win.
Women’s Freestyle 57 kg
#7 seed Cristelle Rodriguez is looking to keep her run going but she’s up against past world team member Abby Nette. Nette’s in control after one – she leads 7-2. Rodriguez makes it interesting in the second and cuts the lead to 7-5 but Nette adds a late takedown to win 9-5.
Women’s Freestyle 50 kg
There were two techs in the semis at 50 kg – Audrey Jimenez teched Erin Golston (10-0) and Sage Mortimer teched Samara Chavez (16-6). Mortimer had to work for her’s and was down early but came back with a takedown and locked up a lace to end the match in the second. Mortimer and Jimenez will now wrestle later in the challenge tournament finals for the right to wrestle Sarah Hildebrandt in tomorrow’s finals.
Women’s Freestyle 53 kg
Haley Augello and Katie Gomez are on the mat now – this is a rematch from Senior Nationals in December where Gomez won on criteria. Augello gets a step out early but not much else in the first and Augello leads 1-0 at the break. Gomez goes on the clock early in the second and is unable to score so Augello earns another point – she’s up 2-0 now. Another minute goes by and now Augello goes on the clock but she can’t score so the lead is cut in half. Gomez needs another point but Augello earns a step out so now Gomez needs a takedown to go ahead. Just 15 seconds left and Gomez is in on a single but Augello is defending with a chest wrap. Gomez almost gets the exposure but time runs out. Gomez’s corner challenges but loses – add another point for Augello and she wins 4-1.
I missed a lot of the action in the other semifinal but #4 seed Areana Villaescusa got a big win over top-seeded Vayle Baker – 3-0. Villaescusa will now wrestle Augello later tonight, then the winner of that match will face off against 2022 World Champion Dom Parrish in tomorrow’s finals.
Women’s Freestyle 68 kg
I missed most of the action in these matches but Forrest Molinari secured a quick pin over Aine Drury and Alex Glaude won a controlling 9-1 decision over Reese Larramendy. Molinari and Glaude will wrestle later tonight to see who gets to wrestle Amit Elor in tomorrow’s trials finals.
Women’s Freestyle 76 kg
Big match here between Yelena Makoyed and Kylie Welker. This is a rematch of the national finals just last month where Welker came out on top to help Iowa win the team title. Makoyed strikes first here and gets a four on the edge to take an early lead. 30 seconds later, Welker takes an errant shot and Makoyed runs behind to extend her lead to 6-0 and that’s the score heading into the break…check that – there’s a challenge and Welker wins it. She exposed Makoyed right before time ran out and earned two points – 6-2 at the break.
After the break, Welker comes out and earns a takedown right away to cut the lead to 6-4. Welker needs to get to at least 7 points because of the early 4 for Makoyed. Welker’s pressuring forward and taking a lot of shots but hasn’t been able to convert on any yet. Makoyed’s doing a good job of defending and she’s gonna do it – Makoyed takes out Welker, 6-4.
Kennedy Blades ROLLED in her semifinal win over Dymond Guilford. She started with a big four and closed out with another 4-pointer to earn an 11-1 tech fall in the first period.
Greco-Roman 87 kg
#1 seed Mahmoud Sebie is taking on John Stefanowicz – both are past Olympians – Sebie for Egypt in 2016 and Stefanowicz for Team USA in 2021. Stefanowicz earns a correct throw in the first and that the only score of the first period – Stefanowicz leads 2-0 at the break. Not much in happened in the second period and Stefanowicz wins 3-0.
Payton Jacobson defeated Zac Braunagel, 6-0 while the Burroughs-Mesenbrink match was going on. Solid win for Jacobson and he’ll face Stefanowicz in the challenge tournament finals later tonight.
Greco-Roman 97 kg
Joe Rau defeated Tate Orndorff, 5-1 while the Burroughs – Mesenbrink match was going on – I missed most of the action but Rau looked solid in a tough match.
Nick Boykin gets a big headlock early and Diante Cooper looks hurt. Cooper is going to continue to wrestle but Boykin is controlling this one. Boykin earns the fall in the second period and he’ll face Joe Rau in the challenge tournament finals later tonight.
Greco-Roman 130 kg
Adam Coon and Donny Longedyke are up now – two big boys! Coon earns the passivity call against Longendyke first and Coon will get to work on top just 90 seconds into the bout. Coon gets to his gut and takes Longendyke over 4 times for the 9-0 tech.
Aden Attao starts his semi-final bout with a big 4 point move just 40 seconds into the match but Courtney Freeman exposes Attao for 2 points and Attao leads 4-2. I looked away and missed it but Attao ends the match with a four-pointer – he wins 10-2.
Greco-Roman 60 kg
With some of the other action going on, I missed a lot of the action at 60 kg but Dalton Roberts took out Max Black 5-2 and Ildar Hafizov defeated Sammy Jones, 9-1. Hafizov and Roberts will wrestle in the best of 3 finals tomorrow – these two are familiar rivals and have traded matches throughout their careers.
Greco-Roman 67 kg
Alejandro Sancho vs Pat Smith and Ellis Coleman vs Xavier Johnson are both on the mats now. Coleman gets out to a 6-0 lead over Johnson early but Johnson responds with a big 4 at the end of the first period. Johnson gets another point early in the second and gets an opportunity on top but isn’t able to score any par terre points. Coleman still holds the lead and extends it to 7-5 with a step out. Despite his best efforts, Johnson can’t score and Coleman holds on to win 7-5.
Not much happened in the other semifinal until the end. Sancho trailed Smith 2-1 and needed a step out to take the lead on criteria. Sancho got to a control position and earned a step out as time expired. Smith’s corner challenged but lost and Sancho wins 3-2 by 1 second.
Greco-Roman 77 kg
Not much happened in the first period of Kamal Bey vs RaVaughn Perkins. Kamal Bey got put down in par terre first but Perkins wasn’t able to score while on top. Perkins held that 1-0 lead into the break. Then in the second, Bey earned a quick step out then earned another point off a passivity. Once on top, Bey converted on two turns to extend his lead to 6-1. Bey added another step out to earn the controlling 7-1 victory.
The other semi-final match featured Aliaksandry Kikinou vs Benji Peak. This was a back and forth bout but in the end the veteran Kikinou came out on top 7-6.
Check out all of the semi-final matchups below:
Session 1 – Quarter-Finals
Men’s Freestyle 65 kg
We’re already rolling into the quarters with Alec Pantaleo taking on top-seeded Nick Lee and Jesse Mendez wrestling James Green. Not a ton of action in the first, Lee gets a passivity point to hold a 1-0 lead into the break. Now early in the second, Lee gets a takedown and goes to work on top with 3 turns to lead 9-0. Pantaleo hits a slick duck to get a takedown to make it 9-2 but he’ll need a lot of offense quick if he hopes to erase this deficit. Pantaleo can’t do it and Lee wins with a dominant 9-2 victory.
Uneventful first period between Green and Mendez – 1-0 Green leading at the break. Green gets a takedown in the second to extend his lead but Mendez counters to cut it to 3-2. Mendez gets another takedown and this time transition right to a gut to lead 6-3 with 30 seconds left. Green is spent and Mendez is gonna win this one – 6-3.
Now Yianni Diakomihalis is up against Kaleb Larkin. This could be an interesting one – Larkin is a good head taller than Yianni. Diakomihalis looks to be in control early – he gets a step out and takedown to take an early, 3-0 lead. Larkin gets a takedown and has a lace locked up tight! Wow, Larkin could ended here but Yianni defends and only goes over once. Wow – I can’t believe Yianni didn’t go over more than once. Yianni gets back to his offense and gets a takedown to a turn to lead 7-4.
WOAH! Things are getting wild in the Yianni-Larkin match. Larkin gets another takedown and has another lace locked up tight! Larkin’s only able to get Yiann over once making the score 8-7 in Larkin’s favor. Yianni gets a step out to tie it at 8 but Larkin still holds criteria so Yianni needs another point. Yianni gets to a single leg and has Larkin in the quad-pod position but time’s running out. Yianni steps through to expose Larkin and points go on the board for Yianni. Time runs out with Yianni leading 10-8 but Larkins corner is challenging the final call. Yianni gets two more points after the challenge and wins an absolutely crazy match – 12-8.
The incredible matches just keep rolling with Andrew Alirez and Beau Bartlett up now. This is a rematch from Senior Nationals where Alirez won 8-0 but I’m guessing this one’s going to be a lot closer. Alirez takes the lead early with a takedown in just 30 seconds. Things really slow down after that with Bartlett defending and he’ll get called for passivity with just under a minute to go in the first. Right at the end of the first, Bartlett gets to Alirez’s legs and converts for the takedown to lead 2-2 on criteria at the break. Right at one minute into the second Alirez gets another takedown and transitions right into his lace to lead 6-2. Bartlett’s struggling to get to any offense and Alirez holds on to win 6-2.
Men’s Freestyle 86 kg
Big matches coming up now – Aaron Brooks vs Connor Mirasola and Alex Dieringer vs Mark Hall. Brooks gets an early step out to lead 1-0 but Mirasola is hanging with Brooks better than I thought a minute in. Mirasola hits a nice reattack single and finishes on the edge to take a 2-1 lead! Really impressed with Mirasola here. Now Brooks is picking up his hand fight and pressure – he gets two quick stepouts and leads 3-2 at the break. Brooks continues to impose his pressure and uses his hand fight to set up his low single for a takedown. Brooks seems to be in a groove now an converts on two more takedowns but in the process, Mirasola exposes Brooks and earns two points. Not much time left now, Mirasola earns a passivity point but Brooks wins – 11-5. Impressive showing for young Mirasola but Brooks is on another level right now.
Alex Dieringer takes the lead after 90 seconds of no score with a passivity point. Mark Hall hits a really smooth duck under for a takedown and goes into the lead, 2-1. Just 30 seconds later, Dieringer responds with a takedown of his own to take back the lead before the break, 3-2. Mark Hall is having a hard time getting through Dieringer’s defense and Dieringer counters an errant shot for another takedown. Despite the effort from Hall, Dieringer holds on to win 5-2.
Two more quarters up now at 86 – Trent Hidlay vs Carter Starocci and Evan Wick vs Chance Marsteller. Marsteller is controlling the bout against Wick. Marsteller with a nice takedown in the first and two more takedowns in the second. Wick can’t get to Marsteller’s legs and Marsteller wins 6-0.
Great match going on between Starocci and Hidlay – dualing underhooks with both earning step outs in the first. Hidlay finally used his underhook to score a takedown but then Starocci countered with a takedown of his own. Hidlay’s pressure looks to really be challenging Starocci and Hilday earns another takedown to lead 5-3. Hidlay adds a step out, and though Starocci earns a step out too, Hidlay wins a good – 6-4.
Men’s Freestyle 74 kg
Jordan Burroughs is on the mat! Burroughs is taking on Alex Facundo who redshirted this year at Penn State. It’s Facundo who strikes first and earns a takedown with a nice single leg to lead 2-0. Burroughs is having trouble getting to Facundo’s leg but Burroughs is doing a good job getting step outs and he earns two before the break to trail on criteria after the first. In the second, Burroughs earns another step out to take the lead 3-2. Facundo gets to Burroughs legs again and almost earns a step out but JB walks the out of bounds line and then gets Facundo to step out. NLWC corner is challenging but they lose the challenge and Burroughs gets another point to lead 5-2. Facundo is pressuring forward and earns another step out point but time runs out and Jordan Burroughs wins a tight match – 5-3.
While the Jordan Burroughs match was going on, Mitchell Mesenbrink teched Ladarion Lockett, 13-3. I can’t provide you all the details (because I was locked into the Burroughs – Facundo match) but it was a fun one with some wild scrambles.
Also, while the Burroughs-Facundo match was going on, Jarrett Jacques upset #3 seed Quincy Monday, 5-0. Again, I missed a lot of the action but Jacques is putting together a great tournament with wins over Vincenzo Joseph and Quincy Monday.
Another great bout at 74 kg between Jason Nolf and Alex Marinelli. Nolf wastes little time after earning an early stepout and gets a takedown then immediately transitions to his par terre offense to take a 7-0 lead. Nolf pretty much shuts it down for the rest of the match and wins 7-2.
Men’s Freestyle 97 kg
J’den Cox is taking the mat for his first match at an Olympic Trials since 2016. Cox is wrestling Christian Carroll and I honestly have no idea how this match is going to go.Nothing really happened in the first – Carroll earned a point off a passivity. More of the same in the second but this time it’s Cox earning a point and he leads on criteria. Really uneventful match and J’den Cox wins 1-1.
Nate Jackson and Kollin Moore are wrestling for what feels like the 20th time. Moore has Jackson’s number in this rivalry and while I wasn’t able to catch all the details, this match played out like most of their others. Jackson and Moore exchanged leads throughout but Moore pulled away in the end to win 16-6.
Jay Aiello won a wild match against Michael Macchiavello, 8-4. Macchiavello was up early but Aiello used a late takedown to a leg lace to pull away for the win.
Isaac Trumble won the final quarter-final bout over Eric Schultz. Trumble controlled from start to finish and won 7-3.
Men’s Freestyle 125 kg
2022 World Teamer Hayden Zillmer is back after going down with an injury in early 2023. Zillmer’s taking on Demetrius Thomas in his quarterfinal bout and took the lead early with a takedown. Thomas made things interesting in the second with a takedown to take the lead on criteria but Zillmer responded with a takedown of his own to regain the lead. Zillmer held the lead and won 4-2.
Playing catchup a bit here with some of the results so I’m not able to give detailed match notes. However, the match between Dom Bradley and Wyatt Hendrickson was the most exciting in this weight. At one point, Bradley ran Hendrickson completely off the stage! In the end, Bradley came out on top of a back-and-forth match, 12-8.
On the bottom side of the bracket both Greg Kerkvliet and Nick Gwiazdowski won their matches dominantly. Kerkvliet defeated Christian Lance 10-0 and Gwiazdowski beat Jaron Smith 12-1.
Men’s Freestyle 57 kg
Huge matches this round with high schooler Jax Forrest taking on 2021 world champion Thomas Gilman. Forrest strikes first with his slide-by and earns a takedown! Gilman is getting to his under hook and used that to earn a step out. Gilman gets another step out to tie it up 2-2 but Forrest still leads on criteria, 2-2. Forrest is spending a lot of time on his knees with Gilman in the front head lock position. Gilman with the front headlock and Forrest sucker drags to another takedown – Forrest leads 4-2! Gilman earns another step out to close the gap to 4-3. Gilman gets back to his underhook and takes Forrest over on the edge for two – now Gilman takes his first lead of the match 5-4 as we go into the break.
The pace is slowing down a bit in the second period and neither wrestler seems to be forcing any offense. Forrest needs one point to take the lead but Gilman is holding position and defending well. Thirty seconds to go now and Forrest gets in deep on a fireman’s but Gilman defends and Forrest still needs a point. Forrest is coming forward but can’t convert and Gilman holds on to win – 5-4. Incredible match!
Zane Richards and Luke Lilledahl wrestled at the same time as Forrest and Gilman so I missed most of their action but followed the scores. Richards took a 3-0 lead off a takedown and step out but Lilledahl responded with a takedown of his own. Richards closed the door on Lilledahl with another takedown in the second and won 5-3.
Daton Fix and Nick Suriano also wrestled while Forrest and Gilman were wrestling so I didn’t catch their full match. However, Fix won 5-1 in a fairly uneventful match. The turning point of the bout came when Suriano was behind Fix in quad pod but was unable to finish. Then, Suriano challenged and lost giving Fix a point.
Spencer Lee and Nico Megaludis is the final quarter at 57 kg. Spencer earned the first takedown with a pancake but didn’t score while in par terre. Lee got another takedown and this time was able to get to his gut wrench for two turns and almost ended the match with a fall before Nico turned down. Despite not getting the fall, the damage was done for Lee and he took a 8-0 lead into the break. Spencer mostly shut it down in the second, and while Nico was close to scoring a few times, neither wrestler scored any points giving Spencer Lee the 8-0 win.
Women’s Freestyle 50 kg
#1 seed Audrey Jimenez is up for her first match of the tournament against Nyla Valencia. Jimenez gets a quick takedown, transitions to a lace, and ends it with a tech – great match for Jimenez. Similar to Jimenez, senior-level vet Erin Golston earns a quick tech over Kaelani Shufeldt. Jimenez and Golston should be a fun semifinal later today.
Sage Mortimer and Mia Palumbo are in a bit of a war on Mat 3. Mortimer is a really physical 50 kg wrestler and Palumbo is bleeding early. Mortimer takes the early lead with a takedown and turn but Palumbo responds with a takedown to make it 4-2 at the break. Palumbo gets to Mortimer’s legs a few times in the second but Mortimer counters with a crotch lift. Mortimer just a little better and she wins 10-2. Mortimer will face Samar Chavez in the semis – Chaves took out Kendra Ryan, 10-3 in the quarters.
Women’s Freestyle 53 kg
53 kg has some great quarters and Katie Gomez kicks it off with a first period tech over Brianna Gonzalez. Gomez looks sharp but will be tested by Haley Augello in the semi finals later tonight. Augello defeated Felicity Taylor 5-1 in a match that she controlled from start to finish. I believe Augello and Gomez wrestled at Senior Nationals where Gomez won on criteria.
Areana Villaescusa and Vayle Baker won the other two quarter-finals and will meet in the semis. Baker had to hold on late against Amy Mason while Villaescua won 5-2 over Alisha Howk.
Women’s Freestyle 57 kg
Top-seeded Xochitl Mota-Pettis teched Cameron Guerin to make the semis. Mota-Pettis will now wrestle #5 seed Alex Hedrick who defeated Bridgette Duty, 6-3 in the quarters.
On the bottom side of the bracket, #3 seed Abby Nette teched #6 seed Amani Jones, 13-2. #7 seed Cristelle Rodriguez pulled off the upset of the weight defeating #2 seed Amanda Martinez, 4-2.
Women’s Freestyle 62 kg
Two-time world medalist and #1 seed Mallory Velte rolled in her opening match over Clair DiCugno. DiCugno actually got the first takedown but Velte earned a takedown late in the first to lead 2-2 at the break. Then in the second, Velte scored a 4-pointer before ending the match with a takedown and a few turns. Velte will now wrestle #4 seed Ashlynn Ortega in the semis. Ortega defeated #5 seed Maya Latona, 8-2.
On the bottom side of the bracket, Katie Lange and Adaugo Nwachukwu both earned tech fall wins over their opponents to make the semis.
Women’s Freestyle 68 kg
Top seeded Forrest Molinari earned an 11-0 tech fall win over #8 seed Solin Piearcy. Molinari will now face Aine Drury in the semis who defeated Alara Boyd 5-1 in her quarterfinal bout.
On the bottom side of the bracket, Reese Larramendy and Brooklyn Hays wrestled the most exciting bout of the weight. Larramendy came out on top in a high scoring match, 10-8. Larramendy will now wrestle Alex Glaude in the semis – Glaude defeated Caitlyn Davis in a controlling, 6-0 match.
Women’s Freestyle 76 kg
#1 seed Kennedy Blades put on a show in her tech fall win over Skylar Grote – Blades ended the match with a BIG 5. Blades will wrestle Guilford next in the semis – Guilford won a 9-0 decision over Tristan Kelly.
On the bottom side of the bracket, both Kylie Welker and Yelena Makoyed won by tech in their quarterfinal bouts. Makoyed teched Precious Wieser (12-2) while Welker teched Marlynne Deede (10-0).
Greco-Roman 60 kg
Top-seeded Ildar Hafizov gets a 9-0 tech fall over Phillip Moomey. Hafizov will face past world team member Sammy Jones in the semis who defeated Randon Miranda, 5-0.
On the bottom side of the bracket, Max Black won a battle over Dylan Gregerson, 4-1. Black will wrestle Dalton Roberts in the semis – Roberts teched Taylor Lamont in their quarter-final bout, 9-1.
Greco-Roman 67 kg
Top-seeded Alejandro Sancho took out Jamel Johnson in a fun bout where Sancho got a big four that blew the match open. Sancho will now wrestle Pat Smith in the semis – Smith won a classic Pat Smith bout where he grinded out a 4-2 win over David Stepanian.
On the bottom side of the bracket, Xavier Johnson is the man to watch. Johnson secured two, HUGE fours to tech #2 seed Peyton Omanian, 9-0. Johnson has been a human highlight reel this tournament and will wrestle Ellis Coleman in the semis. Coleman defeated Robert Perez III, 4-0 in their quarterfinal bout.
Greco-Roman 77 kg
Kamal Bey dropped a few Bey Bombs in his tech fall win over Vincent Dolce. Bey will wrestle RaVaughn Perkins in the semis – Perkins defeated Danny Braunagel in the quarters – 4-1.
On the bottom side of the bracket, 44 year-old and two-time Olympian Aliaksandr Kikinou made the semis by defeating Jesse Porter – 6-0. Benji Peak, although he looked a little hobbled, teched Tyler Eischens 9-0 in the quarters. Peak and Kikinou will wrestle in the semis in what will be a rematch from the Senior Nationals where Peak won.
Greco-Roman 87 kg
I missed most of the action at this weight but the most notable result came with #7 seed Payton Jacobson taking out #2 seed Richard Carlson. Jacobson will now wrestle #3 seed Zac Braunagel who defeated #6 seed Ben Provisor. On the top side of the bracket, #1 seed Mahmoud Sebie defeated Ryan Epps, 6-0 and #4 seed John Stefanowicz defeated #5 seed Tim Young, 8-0.
Greco-Roman 97 kg
Braxton Amos is the #2 seed and making his return after a long layoff due to injury. Amos looks good early with a quick takedown and a couple of turns to lead 6-0. After a step out, Amos gives up a 4-pointer and he’s hurt. Oh man, that’s really disappointing for Amos, looks to be his same shoulder he injured in 2023. Amos is going to injury default and Diante Cooper moves on.
Also at 97 kg, #1 seed Joe Rau moves on with a 7-0 win over Brandon Marshall and #4 seed Tate Orndorff defeats Michael Altomer 6-0. Rau and Orndorff will meet in the semis in what should be a great match. Nicholas Boykin wins in the other quarter over George Sikes and Boykin should be a pretty solid favorite over Diante Cooper.
Greco-Roman 130 kg
There was only one quarter-final bout here and Donny Longendyke won a close, 5-3 bout over Jeremiah Imonde. Longedyke will now take on top seeded Adam Coon in the semis.
Session 1 – Round Of 16
Men’s Freestyle 65 kg
Big matches to start the tournament at 65 kg! We’ve got Larkin vs Kolodzik, Mendez vs McKenna, Bartlett vs Garrett, and Pantaleo vs Gross on the mats and ready to roll. Jesse Mendez gets a big head pinch in the first to take a 4-0 lead. Just a few seconds later Beau Bartlett hits a four-pointer of his own and the Penn State crowd is feeling it.
Kaleb Larkin gets the first win of the day with a 13-2 tech fall over Matt Kolodzik. Larkin gave up the first takedown but then locked up a leg lace and finished it off in the first period. Larkin’s going to be a fun one to watch at 65 kg – he’s really long and seems to be tricky in a lot of areas.
Garrett and Bartlett are putting points on the board – it’s 9-6 Bartlett with just over a minute to go. Mendez is still controlling McKenna – he’s leading 6-1 with just 30 seconds to go. Pantaleo is holding on to a 4-2 lead but looks to be fading slightly.
And that’ll do it for the rest of the 65 kg matches – Bartlett wins 10-6, Mendez wins 8-2, and Pantaleo holds on 5-3.
Men’s Freestyle 86 kg
Connor Mirasola and David McFadden are battling in a low-scoring bout. Mirasola took a 1-0 lead into the break and then added another point off a stepout in the second to lead 2-0 with about 2 minutes to go. McFadden gets in deep on a double with 30 seconds to go but Mirasola feeds him some heavy hips to fend off the takedown. Mirasola wrestles through the position and gets the takedown. And Mirasola wins it 4-0.
Max Dean vs Evan Wick now – wild to see these two meet considering Wick wrestled at 165 in college while Dean ended his college career at 197. Wick is rolling here with a couple early takedowns. Now Wick gets to his lace and ends it with a tech – Wick moves on.
And now the match everyone is waiting for in the first round – Carter Starocci vs Pat Downey! Huge cheers from the Penn State crowd as Starocci takes the mat. Early shot from Starocci but Downey counters it with a pancake and scores 2 – Downey leading 2-0. Starocci continues to move forward and gets in on Downey’s legs again but Downey takes him through for another exposure, but Starocci wrestles through for a reversal – it’s 4-1 now. Downey looks to be fading slightly but he’ll hold his lead going into the break.
Downey doesn’t have anyone in his corner so a trainer matside steps up to towel Downey off. Downey’s looking really fatigued early in the second and signals for injury time – the crowd does not like that and lets him know with some boos. Downey took a good 2-3 minutes of injury time but makes his way back to his feet. Starocci gets to a single now and finishes right to a lace to take a 7-4 lead and the crowd is the loudest they’ve been all morning – huge cheers for Starocci. Downey’s fading fast now and Starocci is feeling it. Starocci adds a few more takedown and he wins 12-4.
Men’s Freestyle 74 kg
Fun first-round match here for Penn State fans with Alex Facundo taking on Levi Haines. Facundo is more offensive to start this on – Haines gets put on the clock early but can’t score so Facundo takes the lead, 1-0. Facundo gets to Haines’ legs in the second and finishes for a takedown to lead 3-0.
Meyer Shapiro and Ladarion Lockett are up now – I looked away and suddenly Ladarion Lockett has a 10-1 lead over Shapiro at the break! Shapiro comes out of the break looking to get his offense going but Lockett counters for a takedown and gets the tech! Wow – did not expect that from the high schooler.
Vincenzo Joseph and Jarrett Jacques are locked in a battle along with Alex Marinelli and Tyler Berger. Jacques is leading Cenzo late and holds on to win on criteria – 6-6. Jacques is tough but that’s definitely an upset.
Marinelli holds a 1-0 lead into the break. Marinelli adds a takedown in the second and Berger’s having trouble getting to any offense. Not much going on for the rest of the second period and Marinelli wins 4-0.
Men’s Freestyle 97 kg
Christian Carroll vs Tony Cassioppi! This is the only 97 kg match this round and it’s a fascinating matchup. Carroll redshirted this past year for Oklahoma State and Cassioppi is a 3-time All-American – both guys are dropping from heavyweight. And it’s Carroll who strikes first with a takedown in just thirty seconds! Cassioppi is putting the pressure on and gets close to scoring a few times but can’t finish on Carroll. Cassioppi finally gets a takedown with 30 seconds left to take the lead on criteria. Cassioppi gets another takedown before the end of the second and adds a turn to lead 6-2 going into the break.
Carroll starts the second period like the first and gets a takedown to cut the lead to 6-4 but he’ll need one more takedown to take the lead. Cassioppi takes a shot and almost finishes but Carroll hips in and throws him off balance and gets an exposure – Carroll takes the lead on criteria with only 10 seconds left! Cassioppi coming forward but can’t score – big win for Christian Carroll.
Men’s Freestyle 125 kg
The big boys are on the mat! Gary Traub is taking on Jaron Smith while Trent Hillger and Demetrius Thomas are squaring off on Mat 1. Jaron Smith looks to be making the most of his trials – he had to qualify at the last chance and holds a 6-2 lead in the second. Traub can’t get to his offense and Smith wins – 6-2. Meanwhile, Thomas and Hillger are putting up some offense – Thomas led early 5-1 but Hillger stormed back to lead on criteria, 5-5. Thomas gets back to his offense with a couple of takedowns to win 11-7.
Men’s Freestyle 57 kg
Fantastic round-one matches up now – Marcus Blaze vs Nick Suriano, Jax Forrest vs Liam Cronin, and Daniel DeShazer vs Luke Lilledahl! We’ve got three high schoolers on the mat in Blaze, Forrest, and Lilledahl. Jax with a takedown in just 10 seconds to lead early and then gets right to his top work and Forrest is out to an 8-0 lead in less than a minute. Forrest gets another takedown for the tech in just 1:18 seconds and the crowd loves it. Pretty interesting – cheers for Jax Forrest were probably the loudest outside of any Penn State wrestlers.
Suriano gets a passivity point but not much else happening in this one. Suriano leads 1-0 heading to the break. Now in the second, Blaze gets to his single and finishes the takedown to take the 2-1 lead. Suriano pressing forward and earns a stepout to tie the match but Blaze still leads on criteria. Suriano continues to pressure and now he gets to a leg and finishes to take the lead 4-2 with under 30 seconds. Suriano is defending well and Blaze can’t get to his legs – Suriano wins, 4-2.
Similar to the Blaze-Suriano match, it’s 1-0 at the break with Lilledahl leading off a passivity point. Now, DeShazer gets a point as the shot clock expires to lead on criteria. Not a ton of action from either wrestler but with less than a minute, DeShazer gets another point to lead outright, 2-1. Now, with under 20 seconds to go, Lilledahl gets to DeShazer’s legs and finishes out of bounds for the takedown – Lilledahl up 3-2. DeShazer’s pressuring forward but he can’t do it, Lilledahl wins.
Women’s Freestyle 57 kg
The first women’s matches are up now with three 57 kg matches on the mat. Not a ton going on early in these matches – Cam Guerin leading Shelby Moore 3-0 at the break, Cristelle Rodriguez is controlling Alexis Janiak, 7-2, and Carolina Moreno is down early with an injury.
Rodriguez rolls to a tech and Amani Jones wins by injury default over Moreno. Guerin controls from start to finish and wins by 5-1 over a tough Moore.
Women’s Freestyle 50 kg
Mia Palumbo vs Emilie Gonzalez and Nyla Valencia vs Ava Bayless are on the mats now at 50kg. Valencia and Bayless are scrapping! A couple of fun exchanges between those two and Valencia leads 5-2 at the break. Valencia continues to pressure forward and get to her offense. She adds a couple takedowns and exposure to win 11-4. Meanwhile, Palumbo is rolling against Gonzalez and gets an 11-0 tech fall.
Greco-Roman 60 kg
The Greco boys are starting to take the mats and we’ve got our first big headlock as Taylor Lamont throws Billy Sullivan to his back early! Lamont gets the first-period fall. Phillip Moomey grinds out a 4-2 win over Brady Koontz.
Full 2024 Olympic Trials Schedule
*All times listed are Eastern Standard Time
Friday, April 19
Session 1: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Challenge Tournament: Preliminaries, Quarterfinals and Consolation Rounds*
(ALL STYLES AND WEIGHTS)
*All championship matches will wrestle prior to consolation rounds
Session 2: 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Challange Tournament: Semifinals and Finals
(ALL STYLES AND WEIGHTS)
Saturday, April 20
Session 3: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Final 2 out of 3 Championship Series Round 1**
**Weights not currently qualified for the Olympics will wrestle match 2 in this session
Challenge Tournament: Consolations, Consolation Semi-finals, 3rd place and True 3rd (if needed)
(ALL STYLES AND WEIGHTS)
Session 4: 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Final 2 out of 3 Championship Series Round 2**
**Weights not currently qualified for the Olympics will wrestle match 3 at beginning of session (if needed)
Final 2 out of 3 Championship Series Round 3 (If Needed)