Nation's best expected at ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals and Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D., July 18-25.
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by Gary Abbott
FARGO, N.D. - Every year, the nation's best young wrestlers come together for the world's largest wrestling competition, the ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals and the Cadet Nationals, presented by the U.S. Marines, at the FargoDome in Fargo, N.D.
This competition produces great stories of champions, many who go on to glory in college wrestling, and ultimately at the World and Olympic levels.
The tournament is scheduled for July 18-25 and is expected to feature outstanding wrestlers in every weight class.
The ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals features high school wrestlers in grades 9-12. This year, the Junior division could be one of the strongest in many years, featuring numerous talented athletes who are proven winners.
Three double champions from 2008, winners of both the freestyle and Greco-Roman titles, are eligible to return this year, Ryan Mango of Missouri (112), Logan Stieber of Ohio (119) and Dylan Alton of Pennsylvania (135).
2008 Junior National freestyle champions who are eligible to return are Tyler Fraley of New Jersey (98), Andrew Alton of Pennsylvania (140), Matt Lester of Missouri (145) and Chris Perry of Oklahoma (189). Perry earned a spot on the 2009 FILA Junior World Team this year.
Returning Junior National Greco-Roman champions who are eligible to compete in Fargo are Jake Bellis of Illinois (98), Luke Goettl of Arizona (125), Eric Grajales of Florida (130), Kendrick Sanders of Florida (145), Kalvin York of Wisconsin (152) and Ethen Lofthouse of Utah (171).
Each year, ASICS recognizes the nation's top high school athletes with its All-American Team. Members of the ASICS First Team who were Junior Nationals champions last year include the Alton twins, plus Stieber and Perry.
For the first time ever, USA Wrestling may crown a Junior Triple Crown winner. No athlete was able to win a gold medal in all three styles since USA Wrestling added a Junior Folkstyle Nationals in 2007. This year, a new set of Junior folkstyle champions were crowned in Cedar Falls, Iowa in April. Will 2009 be the first year that there is a Junior Triple Crown winner?
Many of last year's Cadet National champions are expected to move up into the Junior ranks this year and challenge for titles.
USA Wrestling has official state team standings in all the divisions held in Fargo. Last year, the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup champion in Junior freestyle was Iowa, followed by Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois. In Junior Greco-Roman, capturing the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup was Illinois, with Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Oregon in the top five.
Another strong indication of the strength of the state teams are the results from the 2009 Junior National Duals, held in June in Oklahoma City, Okla.
For the third straight year, Illinois won the team title in Greco-Roman at the Junior National Duals. Florida placed second, Wisconsin was third, Minnesota was fourth and Arizona finished fifth. In freestyle, Ohio was the Junior National Duals champion, defeating New Jersey in the championship finals. Minnesota was third, Oklahoma placed fourth and Iowa finished fifth.
The women's freestyle division will be held early in the week with the championships set for Monday, July 20. This tournament, in its ninth year, has grown in size and quality every season, and promises to be very competitive again this year.
There are eight Junior National women's champions eligible to return. Included is Adeline Gray of Colorado (153), who earned a spot on the 2009 U.S. Senior World Team. Three other Junior Nationals champions from last year, Victoria Anthony of California (102), C.C. Weber of Michigan (109) and Helen Maroulis of Maryland (116), all qualified for the 2009 FILA Junior World Team.
Other returning Junior Nationals women's champion are Carlene Sluberski of New York (95), Marina Lambert of Virginia (165), Alisha Beach of Washington (190) and Yadinma Nwaiwu of Texas (220).
The Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup champions in women's freestyle last year was Texas, followed by California, Kansas, Ohio and Hawaii.
Unlike the men, the Women's National Junior Duals are not held prior to the Junior Nationals, but are alongside the individual tournament in Fargo. Texas is the returning team champion, defeating California in the championship finals. Since the Women's Duals were created, both Texas and California have won the title twice. Last year, Hawaii was third, Kansas was fourth and Ohio finished fifth.
The Cadet Nationals are for wrestlers who are 15 and 16 years old, some of the best young talents in the country.
This is the conclusion of the quest for a Cadet Triple Crown, awarded to any athlete who wins USA Wrestling Cadet national titles in freestyle, Greco-Roman and folkstyle the same year. Now in its seventh year, only five athletes have ever won the Cadet Triple Crown. Last year, two athletes were able to achieve this great honor:
One of last year's Triple Crown winners, Taylor Massa of Michigan (140), is eligible to return as a Cadet. Massa is eligible for the Triple Crown again, after winning the Cadet Folkstyle Nationals this year at 152 pounds. Nobody has won the Cadet Triple Crown more than one time, so Massa could make some history here in Fargo if he wins in Greco-Roman and freestyle.
There are two Cadet National double champions from last year, winners in freestyle and Greco-Roman, who are eligible to return this year, Nick Roberts of Pennsylvania (84) and Mark Grey of New Jersey (112).
2008 Cadet freestyle national champion Zachary Horan of Pennsylvania (112) is eligible to return this year. Besides Massa, Roberts and Grey, there are no other 2008 Cadet National Greco-Roman champions who can return this year.
The Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup champions in Cadet freestyle last year was New Jersey, followed by Pennsylvania, Ohio, California and Minnesota. In Greco-Roman, capturing the 2008 Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup was Pennsylvania, with Minnesota, Illinois, Florida and Wisconsin rounding out the top five.
The 2009 Cadet National Duals were held in Rochester, Minn., and showcased many of the stars expected in Fargo. Illinois had a great performance this year, winning the team title in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Illinois defeated Minnesota in the finals of both styles. In freestyle, Wisconsin was third, Iowa was fourth and Oklahoma was fifth. In Greco-Roman, Pennsylvania was third, Washington placed fourth and Wisconsin finished fifth.
The ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals and the Cadet Nationals brings together hundreds of wrestling volunteers, including referees, pairing officials, coaches, state leaders and tournament operation workers, all who provide the opportunity for more than 4,000 athletes to pursue their dreams.
Follow the action each day in Fargo on TheMat.com (www.themat.com).
SCHEDULE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
ASICS/Vaughan Women's Junior Nationals - Monday, July 20 at 3:00 p.m.
Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals - Monday, July 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Women's National Duals - Tuesday, July 21 (event begins at 9:00 a.m.)
ASICS/Vaughan Junior Greco-Roman Nationals - Tueday, July 21 at 3:00 p.m.
Cadet Freestyle Nationals - Friday, July 24 at 1:00 p.m.
Junior Freestyle Nationals - Saturday, July 25 at 9:00 a.m.
This competition produces great stories of champions, many who go on to glory in college wrestling, and ultimately at the World and Olympic levels.
The tournament is scheduled for July 18-25 and is expected to feature outstanding wrestlers in every weight class.
The ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals features high school wrestlers in grades 9-12. This year, the Junior division could be one of the strongest in many years, featuring numerous talented athletes who are proven winners.
Three double champions from 2008, winners of both the freestyle and Greco-Roman titles, are eligible to return this year, Ryan Mango of Missouri (112), Logan Stieber of Ohio (119) and Dylan Alton of Pennsylvania (135).
2008 Junior National freestyle champions who are eligible to return are Tyler Fraley of New Jersey (98), Andrew Alton of Pennsylvania (140), Matt Lester of Missouri (145) and Chris Perry of Oklahoma (189). Perry earned a spot on the 2009 FILA Junior World Team this year.
Returning Junior National Greco-Roman champions who are eligible to compete in Fargo are Jake Bellis of Illinois (98), Luke Goettl of Arizona (125), Eric Grajales of Florida (130), Kendrick Sanders of Florida (145), Kalvin York of Wisconsin (152) and Ethen Lofthouse of Utah (171).
Each year, ASICS recognizes the nation's top high school athletes with its All-American Team. Members of the ASICS First Team who were Junior Nationals champions last year include the Alton twins, plus Stieber and Perry.
For the first time ever, USA Wrestling may crown a Junior Triple Crown winner. No athlete was able to win a gold medal in all three styles since USA Wrestling added a Junior Folkstyle Nationals in 2007. This year, a new set of Junior folkstyle champions were crowned in Cedar Falls, Iowa in April. Will 2009 be the first year that there is a Junior Triple Crown winner?
Many of last year's Cadet National champions are expected to move up into the Junior ranks this year and challenge for titles.
USA Wrestling has official state team standings in all the divisions held in Fargo. Last year, the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup champion in Junior freestyle was Iowa, followed by Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois. In Junior Greco-Roman, capturing the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup was Illinois, with Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Oregon in the top five.
Another strong indication of the strength of the state teams are the results from the 2009 Junior National Duals, held in June in Oklahoma City, Okla.
For the third straight year, Illinois won the team title in Greco-Roman at the Junior National Duals. Florida placed second, Wisconsin was third, Minnesota was fourth and Arizona finished fifth. In freestyle, Ohio was the Junior National Duals champion, defeating New Jersey in the championship finals. Minnesota was third, Oklahoma placed fourth and Iowa finished fifth.
The women's freestyle division will be held early in the week with the championships set for Monday, July 20. This tournament, in its ninth year, has grown in size and quality every season, and promises to be very competitive again this year.
There are eight Junior National women's champions eligible to return. Included is Adeline Gray of Colorado (153), who earned a spot on the 2009 U.S. Senior World Team. Three other Junior Nationals champions from last year, Victoria Anthony of California (102), C.C. Weber of Michigan (109) and Helen Maroulis of Maryland (116), all qualified for the 2009 FILA Junior World Team.
Other returning Junior Nationals women's champion are Carlene Sluberski of New York (95), Marina Lambert of Virginia (165), Alisha Beach of Washington (190) and Yadinma Nwaiwu of Texas (220).
The Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup champions in women's freestyle last year was Texas, followed by California, Kansas, Ohio and Hawaii.
Unlike the men, the Women's National Junior Duals are not held prior to the Junior Nationals, but are alongside the individual tournament in Fargo. Texas is the returning team champion, defeating California in the championship finals. Since the Women's Duals were created, both Texas and California have won the title twice. Last year, Hawaii was third, Kansas was fourth and Ohio finished fifth.
The Cadet Nationals are for wrestlers who are 15 and 16 years old, some of the best young talents in the country.
This is the conclusion of the quest for a Cadet Triple Crown, awarded to any athlete who wins USA Wrestling Cadet national titles in freestyle, Greco-Roman and folkstyle the same year. Now in its seventh year, only five athletes have ever won the Cadet Triple Crown. Last year, two athletes were able to achieve this great honor:
One of last year's Triple Crown winners, Taylor Massa of Michigan (140), is eligible to return as a Cadet. Massa is eligible for the Triple Crown again, after winning the Cadet Folkstyle Nationals this year at 152 pounds. Nobody has won the Cadet Triple Crown more than one time, so Massa could make some history here in Fargo if he wins in Greco-Roman and freestyle.
There are two Cadet National double champions from last year, winners in freestyle and Greco-Roman, who are eligible to return this year, Nick Roberts of Pennsylvania (84) and Mark Grey of New Jersey (112).
2008 Cadet freestyle national champion Zachary Horan of Pennsylvania (112) is eligible to return this year. Besides Massa, Roberts and Grey, there are no other 2008 Cadet National Greco-Roman champions who can return this year.
The Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup champions in Cadet freestyle last year was New Jersey, followed by Pennsylvania, Ohio, California and Minnesota. In Greco-Roman, capturing the 2008 Wells Fargo Insurance Services Cup was Pennsylvania, with Minnesota, Illinois, Florida and Wisconsin rounding out the top five.
The 2009 Cadet National Duals were held in Rochester, Minn., and showcased many of the stars expected in Fargo. Illinois had a great performance this year, winning the team title in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Illinois defeated Minnesota in the finals of both styles. In freestyle, Wisconsin was third, Iowa was fourth and Oklahoma was fifth. In Greco-Roman, Pennsylvania was third, Washington placed fourth and Wisconsin finished fifth.
The ASICS/Vaughan Junior Nationals and the Cadet Nationals brings together hundreds of wrestling volunteers, including referees, pairing officials, coaches, state leaders and tournament operation workers, all who provide the opportunity for more than 4,000 athletes to pursue their dreams.
Follow the action each day in Fargo on TheMat.com (www.themat.com).
SCHEDULE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
ASICS/Vaughan Women's Junior Nationals - Monday, July 20 at 3:00 p.m.
Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals - Monday, July 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Women's National Duals - Tuesday, July 21 (event begins at 9:00 a.m.)
ASICS/Vaughan Junior Greco-Roman Nationals - Tueday, July 21 at 3:00 p.m.
Cadet Freestyle Nationals - Friday, July 24 at 1:00 p.m.
Junior Freestyle Nationals - Saturday, July 25 at 9:00 a.m.
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