Perry and Tsirtsis advance to quarterfinals at University Nationals in freestyle

Chris Perry, shown celebrating during the 2014 NCAA Championships, advanced to the University Nationals quarterfinals on Saturday. John Sachs photo. 

AKRON, Ohio – Two-time NCAA champion Chris Perry is here.

So are NCAA champions Jason Tsirtsis and J’Den Cox along with NCAA runner-up finishers Nahshon Garrett and Tyler Caldwell.

The strength of the University Nationals freestyle field was evident during the first of two days of competition on Saturday at the University of Akron Field House.

Perry, Tsirtsis, Cox, Garrett and Caldwell all went unbeaten on the first day of University action on Saturday.

The stage is now set for a memorable final day of competition on Sunday. Quarterfinal matches are set for 9 a.m., with semifinals and finals to follow on Sunday.

Perry is a past Junior World medalist while Tsirtsis made the 2013 U.S. Junior World Team in freestyle.

The matches on Sunday will be shown via webcast by Flo Wrestling. Tickets are also available for any fans who want to stop by and check out the great action here in Akron.

Among the other stars here is 2013 University World Team member James Green, a three-time NCAA All-American. Past Cadet World champion Adam Coon also is here. Coon won FILA Junior National titles in freestyle and Greco-Roman last month in Vegas.

Top young prospect B.J. Futrell, third at the U.S. Open, also is competing here.

Champions in Akron will position themselves to qualify for the University World Championships on July 8-12 in Pecs, Hungary.

The highest eligible placer within the top six at the U.S. Senior Trials can challenge the University Champion at the same weight.

Lou Mascola of the Terrapin Wrestling Club scored a 10-0 technical fall over past NCAA champion Derek St. John in the fourth round at 70 kg/154 lbs.

NCAA championship coaches Cael Sanderson of Penn State and John Smith of Oklahoma State, along with Cornell’s Rob Koll and Ohio State’s Tom Ryan, are among the long list of top coaches here in Akron.

The FILA Cadet freestyle finals are also set for Sunday in Akron. That event serves as a qualifier for the FILA Cadet World Championships.

UNIVERSITY NATIONALS

Freestyle

May 24, Akron, Ohio

Quarterfinal matchups

57 kg/125.5 lbs.

Nahshon Garrett (Cornell University) vs. Joe DeAngelo (Wolfpack WC)

Phillip Laux (University of Iowa) vs. Jacob Goodwin (Falcon WC)

James Nicholson (Virginia Beach RTC) vs. Jordan Kingsley (Minnesota Storm)

Joey Dance (NRV Mat Club) vs. David Terao (DCAC)

61 kg/134 lbs.

B.J. Futrell (Titan Mercury WC) vs. Esteban Gomez-Rivera (DCAC)

Jimmy Gulibon (Nittany Lion WC) vs. Erik Spjut (NRV Mat Club)

Mark Grey (Cornell University) vs. Vince Rodriguez (Patriot Elite)

Joe Colon (Panther WC) vs. Darrius Little (Wolfpack WC)

65 kg/143 lbs.

Jason Tsirtsis (Chicago RTC) vs. Lavion Mayes (Missouri WC)

Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield) vs. Anthony Abidin (Nebraska WTC)

Gabe Moreno (Iowa State) vs. Kyle Bauer (Golden Pride WC)

Michael Mangrum (Titan Mercury WC) vs. Elijah Sullivan (RTC/NYC)

70 kg/154 lbs.

James Green (Titan Mercury WC) vs. Josh Demas (OSU RTC)

Steve Santos (Titan Mercury WC) vs. Craig Becker (Parkside WC)

Adam Hall (Titan Mercury WC) vs. Jake Sueflohn (Nebraska WTC)

Anthony Collica (Titan Mercury WC) vs. Lou Mascola (Terrapin WC)

74 kg/163 lbs.

Tyler Caldwell (Sunkist Kids) vs. Kyle Ash (Bulldog WC)

Markus Scheidel (RTC/NYC) vs. Anthony Perrotti (Rutgers)

Ian Miller (Golden Pride WC) vs. Brian Murphy (Cliff Keen WC)

Bo Jordan (Ohio State) vs. Pat Smith (Minnesota Storm)

86 kg/189 lbs.

Chris Perry (Titan Mercury WC) vs. Richard Perry (NYC/Bisen WC)

Pat Downey (New York AC) vs. John Lampe (Chattanooga)

Kristopher Klapprodt (University of Iowa) vs. Ben Bennett (Central Michigan)

Enock Francois (NYAC/WPWC) vs. Blake Stauffer (Sunkist Kids)

97 kg/213 lbs.

J’Den Cox (Missouri WC) vs. Matthew Meadows (Patriot Elite)

Lucas Sheridan (Hoosier WC) vs. Alex Polizzi (Chicago RTC)

Andrew Campolattano (Scarlet Knight WC) vs. Timmy McCall (University of Wisconsin)

Chad Hanke (Titan Mercury WC) vs. Austin Schafer (San Gabriel)

125 kg/275 lbs.

Austin Marsden (Titan Mercury WC) vs. Doug Vollaro (Lehigh Valley AC)

Justin Grant (NYAC/Bisen WC) vs. Zach Merrill (Titan Mercury WC)

Connor Medbery (University of Wisconsin) vs. Ty Walz (NRV Mat Club)

Adam Coon (Cliff Keen WC) vs. Nick Tavanello (Ohio State)