2018 Cadet Nationals men's freestyle finalist biographies

Nathan Haas of California, a Cadet Nationals freestyle finalist at 182 pounds. Photo by Nic Cortez, Matfocus.com

CADET NATIONALS FREESTYLE FINALIST BIOGRAPHIES

88 pounds

RED - Jore Volk, Lakeville, Minn.
Second in 2018 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… 2018 Cadet National Duals All-Tournament Team… Third in 2018 Northern Plains Cadet Regionals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman… Third in 2016 Preseason Schoolboy Nationals… Fifth in 2017 Northern Plains Schoolboy Regionals in Greco-Roman… Will be a freshman at Lakeville North High School… Born: May 21, 2003… Age: 15

BLUE - Mason Gehloff, Waseca, Minn.
2018 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion… 2018 Northern Plains Cadet Regional champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Seventh in 2017 Schoolboy Folkstyle Nationals… Third in 2017 Northern Plains Schoolboy Regionals in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Born April 22, 2003… Age: 15

Note1: Gehlhoff remains eligible for the Cadet Triple Crown.
Note2: Gelhoff beat Volk, 7-4, in the finals of the 2018 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals.

94 pounds

RED - Maxximus Martinez, Norwalk, Calif.
2018 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion… Second in 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials in freestyle… 2018 Cadet Western Regional freestyle champion and third in Greco-Roman… Martinez is home-schooled, and will be a freshman in the fall… Born December 30, 2003… Age 14

BLUE - Carter Fousek, Chester, Iowa
2018 Northern Plains Cadet freestyle champion… 2018 Iowa Cadet National Duals Team member… Second in 2017 Schoolboy Folkstyle Nationals… 2016 Preseason Nationals Schoolboy champions… Fourth in 2016 Schoolboy Freestyle Nationals… Four-time Iowa Folkstyle champion… Two-time Iowa Triple Crown winner… Will be a freshman at Creston High School in the fall… Born Sept. 4, 2003… Age: 14

Note: Martinez remains eligible for the Cadet Triple Crown…

100 pounds

RED - Jordan Williams, Tulsa, Okla.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 18
2018 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion… Fifth in 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials… 2017 Preseason Cadet Nationals champion… 2017 Schoolboy Triple Crown winner…. 2017 Schoolboy Nationals Greco-Roman and freestyle champion… 2017 Schoolboy Nationals folkstyle champion… 2017 Southern Plains Schoolboy champion in both styles… 2016 Schoolboy Nationals Greco-Roman and freestyle champion… Second in 2016 Schoolboy Folkstyle Nationals… Will be a freshman at Collingsville High School… Born October 8, 2003… Age: 14

BLUE - Alex Almeyda, New Milford, N.J.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 17
Third in 2018 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… Fourth in 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials… 2017 Preseason Nationals folkstyle champion… Fourth in 2107 UWW Cadet World Team Trials… 2016 Schoolboy Nationals freestyle champion… Fourth in 2015 Northeast Schoolboy Regionals… Will be a freshman at Bergen Catholic… Born: September 13, 2002… Age: 15

Note: Williams remains eligible for the Cadet Triple Crown

106 pounds

RED - Nicolar Rivera, Stoughton, Wis.
Second in 2018 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… 2017 Preseason Schoolboy Nationals folkstyle champion… 2017 Northern Plains Schoolboy champion in both styles… Second in 2017 Schoolboy Folkstyle Nationals… Fifth in 2016 Schoolboy Freestyle Nationals and seventh in Greco-Roman… Three-time Wisconsin Triple Crown winner… Will be a freshman at Stoughton High School… Born: December 11, 2003… Age: 14

BLUE - Yusief Lillie, Puyallup, Wash.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 9
2017 Cadet Nationals Greco-Roman champion… Fourth in 2017 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… 2018 Northwest Regional Cadet champion in both styles… All-Tournament Team at 2017 Cadet National Duals in freestyle… Fifth in 2017 UWW Cadet Nationals… Second in 2017 Northwest Cadet Regionals in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Will be a sophomore at Bonney Lake High School in the fall… 2018 Washington state champion at 106 pounds with a record of 45-4… Born: November 4, 2002… Age: 15

113 pounds

RED - Daniel Cardenas, Westminster, Colo.
Third in 2018 Western Cadet Regionals in freestyle and fourth in Greco-Roman… 2017 Southern Plains Regional Schoolboy champion in both styles… Member of 2016 and 2017 Colorado Schoolboy National Duals team… Champion at Super 32 and Tulsa Nationals… Will be a freshman at Pomona High School… Born: December 3, 2003… Age: 14

BLUE - Jakason Burks, Omaha, Neb.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 5
2018 Cadet Greco-Roman World Team member… 2018 Cadet Greco-Roman World Team Trials champion… Second in 2018 Cadet Northern Plains Regionals in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Fifth at 2017 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and eighth in freestyle… Second in 2017 Cadet Northern Plains Regionals in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Fourth at 2017 Super 32… 2017 Nebraska Junior Duals Team member… Fourth at 2016 Northern Plains Regionals Greco-Roman… Third at 2016 Northern Plains Regionals in freestyle and fourth in Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Burke High School…. 2018 Nebraska state champion at 106 pounds with a 40-1 record… Fourth in the Nebraska states as a freshman at 106 pounds with a 30-5 record… Born: July 19, 2002… Age: 16

120 pounds

RED - Jesse Ybarra, Tucson, Ariz.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 16
2017 Pan American Cadet Qualifier champion in freestyle and fourth in Greco-Roman… Second in 2016 Schoolboy Nationals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman… Second in 2016 West Schoolboy Regionals in freestyle… Will be a junior at Sunnyside High School… Two-time Arizona state champion…. 2018 Arizona state champion with a 26-0 record as a sophomore… 2017 Arizona state champion with a 30-3 record as a freshman… Born: July 9, 2002… Age: 16

BLUE - Caleb Rathjen, Ankeny, Iowa
Fifth in 2018 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… 2018 Northern Plains Cadet Regional freestyle champion… 2018 Iowa Cadet National Duals team… Seventh in 2017 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… 2017 Northern Plains Cadet Regional champion in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle… Third in 2017 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… Will be a sophomore at Ankeny High School… Second in the Iowa state championships at 113 as a freshman with a 21-2 record… Born: August 26, 2002… Age: 15

126 pounds

RED - Michael Burnett, Elyria, Ohio
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 13
Sixth in 2017 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… 2017 Cadet National Duals All-Tournament Team… 2016 Schoolboy Nationals freestyle champion… 2016 Preseason Cadet Nationals champion in folkstyle… 2016 Central Regional Schooboy champion in freestyle… Will be a junior at Elyria High School… Second in the 2018 Ohio state championships at 126 pounds with a 35-9 record as a sophomore… Sixth in the 2017 Iowa state championships at 106 pounds with a 34-12 record as a freshman… Born: April 29, 2002… Age: 16

BLUE - Dominick Serrano, Windsor, Colo.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 4
Second in 2017 Cadet Nationals in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Sixth in 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials in freestyle… 2016 Pan American Schoolboy champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… 2016 Schoolboy Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2016 Southern Plains Schoolboy Regional champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Windsor High School in the fall… 2018 Colorado state champion at 126 pounds as sophomore with a 33-0 record… 2017 Colorado state champion at 120 pounds as a freshman with a 50-0 record… Born July 19, 2002… Age: 15

132 pounds

RED - Ryan Franco, Fresno, Calif.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 6
Second in 2017 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Fourth in 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Second in 2017 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Cadet Nationals… 2017 Northwest Regional Cadet champion in freestyle… Second in 2015 Schoolboy Nationals in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle… Will be a sophomore at Clovis North High School in the fall… Second in 2018 California state championships at 126 pounds as a freshman with a 45-6 record… Born September 16, 2002… Age 15

BLUE - Joshua Edmond, Detroit, Mich.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 16
Seventh in 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials in freestyle… 2018 Central Regional Cadet champion in both styles… Eighth in 2017 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Third in 2017 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… Will be a junior at Detroit Catholic Central High School… 2018 Michigan state champion at 130 pounds as a sophomore with a 25-0 record… Second in 2017 Michigan state championships at 135 pounds as a freshman with a 53-1 record… Born: April 10, 2002… Age: 16

138 pounds

RED - Travis Mastrogiovanni, Sussex, N.J.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 12
Third in 2017 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… 2017 and 2018 Northeast Cadet Regionals champion… 2017 New Jersey Cadet Nationals Duals Team… Second in 2016 Northeast Schoolboy Regionals…2015 Northeast Schoolboy Regionals champion… Will be a sophomore at Blair Academy… Competed at 132 pounds as a freshman, with a 38-4 record… Born: June 16, 2002… Age: 16

BLUE - Luke Geog, Upper Arlington, Ohio
2018 Ohio Cadet freestyle state champion… Second in West Cadet Regionals in freestyle… Third in 2017 West Cadet Open in freestyle and folkstyle… Was an eighth grader this year… Born: April 7, 2002… Age: 16

145 pounds

RED - Carson Manville, Kingston, Pa.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 1
Eighth in 2018 UWW Cadet World Championships in freestyle… 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials champion in freestyle and fourth in Greco-Roman… 2018 Cadet Pan American champion in both styles… 2017 Cadet Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman, and Outstanding Wrestler in freestyle… 2017 Pan American Cadet champion in both styles… Second in 2017 UWW Cadet Nationals in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… 2017 Minnesota Cadet state champion in both style… 2017 Northern Plains Regional Cadet champion in both styles… 2017 Southeast Regional Cadet champion in both styles… 2016 Schoolboy Triple Crown winner, claiming national titles in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle…. Will be a sophomore at Wyoming Seminary (Pa.)… 2018 Prep School National champion at 138 pounds as a freshman with a 53-3 record… 2017 Minnesota 3A state champion at 126 pounds as an eighth grader for Shakopee High School in Minnesota… His older brother Mason is a member of the Senior Greco-Roman National team… Born March 4, 2002… Age: 16

BLUE - John Martin Best, Vienna, W.Va.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 19
Second in 2018 Cadet Pan American Trials in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… 2018 Central Regional Cadet champion in both style… 2018 NHSCA runner-up… Fourth in 2017 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman…Will be a junior at Parkersburg High School… Second in the 2018 West Virginia state championships at 138 pounds as a sophomore with a 3-6 record… 2017 West Virginia state champion at 120 pounds as a freshman with a 33-5 record… Born: April 29, 2002… Age: 16

Note: Manville recently beat Best in the finals of the 2018 Cadet Pan American Trials in Greco-Roman, 8-0.

152 pounds

RED - Manuel Rojas, Bay City, Mich.
Second in 2018 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… 2018 Central Regional Cadet champion in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… Second in Post-Season Nationals in folkstyle… 2017 Central Regional Schoolboy Regional champion in both styles… Fourth in 2017 USA Wrestling Schoolboy Folkstyle Nationals in both styles… Will be a freshman at Detroit Catholic Central High School in the fall… Born: February 27, 2003… Age: 15

BLUE - Tate Picklo, Mustang, Okla.
2018 Southern Plains Cadet Regionals champion in both styles… 2018 Oklahoma Cadet National Duals All-Tournament Team… 2017 Southern Plains Schoolboy Regionals champion in both styles… Second in 2016 Preseason Schoolboy Nationals in folkstyle… Will be a sophomore at Mustang High School in the fall…. Second in 2018 Oklahoma state championships at 145 pounds as a freshman with a 33-3 record… Born: January 9, 2003… Age 15

160 pounds

RED - Quayin Short, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Third in 2018 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Cadet Nationals…. 2018 Minnesota Cadet National Duals Team… 2016 Minnesota Schoolboy National Duals Team… Will be a sophomore at Simley High School in the fall… Second in the 2018 Minnesota state championships at 152 pounds as a freshman… Has also placed in the Minnesota state championships as a seventh and eighth grade athlete… Born: July 13, 2002… Age: 16

BLUE - Connor O’Neill, Greenbrook, N.J.
Will be a freshman at DePaul Catholic High School in the fall… Born March 8, 2002… Age: 16

170 pounds

RED - Sam Skillings, Menomonie, Wis.
Fourth in 2018 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Cadet Nationals… 2018 Northern Plains Cadet Regionals champion in Greco-Roman and second in freestyle… Third in 2016 Schoolboy Folkstyle Nationals… Eighth in 2016 Schoolboy Nationals in Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Menononie High School… Competed at 152 pounds as a sophomore with a 34-6 record… State Qualifier at 138 pounds as a freshman with a 38-5 record…Born: January 21, 2002… Age: 16

BLUE - Luke Stout, Pittsburgh, Pa.
2018 Pennsylvania Cadet freestyle champion… Will be a junior at Mount Lebanon High School in the fall… Fourth in the 2018 Pennsylvania state championships at 160 pounds as a sophomore with a 35-7 record… State qualifier at 152 pounds as a freshman with a 34-7 record… Born: February 6, 2002… Age: 16

182 pounds

RED - Nathan Haas, Norwalk, Calif.
2018 California Cadet state freestyle champion… Will be a junior at St. John Bosco High School… California state qualifier at 170 pounds as a junior… Competed at 182 pounds as a freshman… Born: March 13, 2002… Age: 16

BLUE - Rocky Elam, Kansas City, Mo.
Third in 2018 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… Sixth in 2017 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… 2018 Northern Plains Cadet champion in freestyle… 2018 Western Cadet Regionals champion in freestyle… 2018 Missouri Cadet National Duals Team member… 2017 Preseason Cadet Nationals folkstyle champion… Second inn 2017 Southern Plains Cadet Regionals… Will be a junior at Staley High School in the fall… Third in 2018 Missouri state championships at 170 pounds as a sophomore with a 60-3 record… State qualifier at 145 pounds as a freshman with a 40-11 record… Born: January 2, 2002… Age: 16

195 pounds

RED - Kolby Franklin, Du Bois, Pa.
Third in 2018 Cadet Pan American Trials… 2017 Pennsylvania Schoolboy Nationals Duals Team… Will be a freshman at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy in the fall… Born: June 3, 2003… Age: 15

BLUE - Noah Pettigrew, Valdosta, Ga.
2018 Southeast Regional Cadet champion in both styles… 2018 Georgia Cadet National Duals Team member…
2017 Schoolboy National champion in Greco-Roman… 2017 Georgia Schoolboy National Duals Team member… 2017 Preseason Nationals Cadet folkstyle champion… Will be a freshman at Valdosta High School in the fall… Born: January 22, 2003… Age: 15

220 pounds

RED - Chris Island, Vacaville, Calif.
2018 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion… Second in 2018 Western Cadet Regionals in both styles… Fifth in 2017 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… 2017 California Triple Crown winner… Second in 2017 Northwest Cadet Regionals n Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… Will be a junior at Vacaville High School in the fall… State qualifier at 195 pounds as sophomore with a 41-8 record… State qualifier as a freshman at 195 pounds with a 30-14 record… Born: July 19, 2002… Age: 15

BLUE - Nathaniel Deasey, Chandler, Ariz.
Second in 2018 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… 2018 Arizona Cadet freestyle champion… Eighth in 2017 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… Third in 2017 Western Cadet Regionals in both styles… 2016 Schoolboy National Greco-Roman champion and second in freestyle… Will be a sophomore at Chandler High School in the fall… Competed at 220 pounds as a freshman… Born: February 11, 2002… Age: 16

Note1: Island remains eligible for the Cadet Triple Crown.
Note2: Island defeated Deasey by pin in 47 seconds in the finals of the 2018 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals.

285 pounds

RED - Hayden Copass, Georgetown, Ill.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 15
Fourth in 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials… 2018 Illinois Cadet Greco-Roman champion… 2018 Illinois Cadet National Duals All-Tournament Team… 2017 Illinois Schoolboy National Duals team… Will be a sophomore at Westville High School… State qualifier as a freshman at 285 pounds with a 45-6 record… Born: August, 19, 2003… Age 14

BLUE - Colby Whitehill, Brookville, Pa.
Seventh in 2017 Cadet Nationals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2018 Northeast Cadet Regionals champion in both styles… 2017 and 2018 Pennsylvania Cadet National Duals team member… 2017 Northeast Cadet Regionals champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Brookville High School in the fall… Eighth in the Pennsylvania state championships at 285 pounds as a sophomore with a 40-7 record… Competed at 285 pounds as a freshman with a 13-7 record… Born: March 19, 2002… Age: 16