U.S. World Team Trials freestyle preview at 84 kg/185 lbs.

It's already been a memorable year for Jake Herbert, who capped his college career at Northwestern by winning his second NCAA title.

Herbert was named the Hodge Trophy winner as the best college wrestler in the country.

Herbert came right back three weeks after his win at NCAAs to capture his first U.S. Nationals freestyle title last month in Las Vegas. The win in the U.S. Nationals finals at 84 kg/185 lbs. clinched Herbert a spot in the best-of-3 finals for the U.S. World Team Trials on May 30-31 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

2008 Olympian and 2006 World Team member Andy Hrovat also could be a factor in this division, but Hrovat may be bumping up a weight class to 96 kg/211.5 lbs. for the Trials.

Past University of Iowa All-American Eric Luedke has elevated his game considerably this year and placed second behind Herbert at the U.S. Nationals. Luedke has wrestled well in international events. He placed second in the Dave Schultz Memorial International and second in the Dan Kolov International. He recently placed second at the Pan American Championships.

Veteran Bryce Hasseman also has excelled in international events this season. Hasseman placed third in Vegas. He won the Dave Schultz Memorial and the Dan Kolov International earlier this season.

Past Iowa State All-American David Bertolino finished fourth at the U.S. Nationals, followed by Tom Meester, Brandon Sinnott and Travis Pascoe. Meester, a two-time NCAA Division II champion for Augustana (S.D.), upset Hrovat in the first round in Vegas.

Other wrestlers who could be a factor in this division are Carl Fronhofer, B.J. Padden and James Yonushonis. Padden was a two-time All-American for Nebraska.

Mack Lewnes and Zack Giesen finished 1-2 at University Nationals to qualify for the World Team Trials. Lewnes was a 2008 All-American for Cornell University.

2009 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS - 84 KG/185 LBS.
1st - Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC) dec. Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC), 7-0, 1-3, 1-0
3rd - Bryce Hasseman, Franklin, Ind. (New York AC) dec. David Bertolino, Norman, Okla. (Underdog WC), 1-0, 3-3, 2-1
5th - Tom Meester, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Brandon Sinnott, Mount Pleasant, Mich. (Gator WC), 6-0, 0-4, 3-0
7th - Travis Pascoe, Corvallis, Ore. (Sunkist Kids) inj. dft. over Carl Fronhofer, N.J. (Sunkist Lions)

2009 U.S. WORLD TEAM TRIALS QUALIFIERS - 84 KG/185 LBS.
U.S. Nationals Champion - Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, second place - Eric Luedke, Iowa City, Iowa (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, third place - Bryce Hasseman, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place - David Bertolino, Norman, Okla. (Underdog WC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place - Tom Meester, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place - Brandon Sinnott, Mount Pleasant, Mich. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place - Travis Pascoe, Corvallis, Ore. (Sunkist Kids)
Northeast Regional Trials Champion - Carl Fronhofer, Hoboken, N.J. (Sunkist Lions)
Northern Plains Trials Champion - To be determined
Past U.S. World Team member - Mo Lawal, Temecula, Calif. (Gator WC)
Past U.S. Olympic Team member - Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
University Nationals Champion - Mack Lewnes, Annapolis, Md. (Cornell)
University Nationals Runner-up - Zack Giesen, Grants Pass, Ore. (DSWC-Stanford)
08 Hargobind Open (CAN) champion - B.J. Padden, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
08 Deglane Challenge (FRA) bronze medalist - James Yonushonis, College Park, Md. (New York AC)