Quarterfinals set at USMC Junior Greco-Roman Nationals, as five returning champions unbeaten on day one

2017 Junior Nationals runner-up Peyton Omania of California launches an opponent in a 152-pound match. Photo by Jim Thrall, Matfocus.com


FARGO, N.D. - In perhaps the largest U.S. Marine Corps Junior and Cadet Nationals ever, with a combined 5,000 entries during the week, there is bound to be some schedule changes.


Originally, the quarterfinals of the Junior Greco-Roman Nationals was scheduled for Thursday night. The quarterfinals have been pushed to the Friday morning session, which begins at 9:00 a.m., then followed by the semifinals and the consolation rounds.


Another change will be the start time of the finals, moved up one hour to 2:00 p.m. Central. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss any of the action tomorrow.


Many fans in the Fargodome took notice when a pair of Junior freestyle finalists wrestled in Greco-Roman on the raised mat in the round of 16 at 100 pounds, women’s freestyle Junior runner-up Sage Mortimer of Utah and men’s freestyle Junior runner-up Ronan Schuelke of Illinois. Mortimer scored first and led 3-2 after the first period. In the second period, Schuelke scored a go-behind takedown and a gutwrench. Officials also called a caution and two against Mortimer for a leg foul during the takedown. Later in the period, a counter hip toss by Schuelke led to a pin. It was a great match, and a testament to just how tough Mortimer is, and how much she enjoys competing.


There were a few “upsets” in the early going. At 138 pounds, Joey Bianchi of Wisconsin scored a 12-0 technical fall over 2018 UWW Cadet World Team member Dominic Damon of Washington, 12-0 in the 138 pound quarterfinals.


In addition, 13 of the returning 2017 Junior Greco-Roman All-Americans lost matches on Thursday, and did not advance to the quarterfinals. That list includes Steele Dias of Nevada (113), Jackson Cockrell of Oklahoma (113), Nick Onea of Pennsylvania (113), Ryan Roth of Colorado (126), Patrick McKee of Minnesota (126), Michael Gunther of Illinois (132), Dylan Schickram of Oklahoma (132), Jared Thieler of Louisiana (138), Weston Milnes of Arizona (145), John Knight of Washington (170), Jackson Turley of Virginia (182), Christian Knop of Alabama (195) and Austin Emerson of Michigan (285). To repeat as All-Americans, they will need to do some damage in the consolation rounds.


That said, the Junior division in Greco-Roman has been exciting, with some great technique and action all day long. With the quarterfinals now set, we will identify which athletes are still on the championship side, with a chance to battle for titles tomorrow.


2018 Junior Triple Crown contenders (with folkstyle and freestyle titles already)

Jack Jessen of Illinois (182)

Anthony Cassioppi of Illinois (285)

2017 Junior National Greco-Roman champions

Anthony King of Illinois (106)

Brenden Garcia of Colorado (113)

Brandon Kaylor of Washington (120).

Jack Jessen of Illinois (182)

Anthony Cassioppi of Illinois (285)

2016 Junior National Greco-Roman champion

Tommy Brackett of Tennessee (182)

2017 Junior World Greco-Roman silver medalist

Cevion Severado of Missouri (120)

2017 Junior National Greco-Roman runners-up

Anthony Molton of Illinois (120)

Austin Macias of Illinois (126)

Jason Shaner of Oregon (132)

Peyton Omania of California (152)

Tyler Dow of Wisconsin (160)


2018 UWW Cadet Greco-Roman World Team members

James Burks of Nebraska (152)

Luke Luffman of Illinois (220)

2018 Junior freestyle champions who have also entered the Greco-Roman include:

Eric Barnett of Wisconsin (120)

Danny Braunagel of Illinois (160)

Jack Jessen of Illinois (182)

Lucas Davison of Indiana (195)

Luke Luffman of Illinois (220)

Anthony Cassioppi of Illinois (285)


2017 Cadet National Greco-Roman champions

Dylan Ragusin of Illinois (120)

Reece Witcraft of Oklahoma (132)

Michael Weber of Montana (145)

2017 Junior Greco-Roman All-Americans

Brenden Chaowanapibool of Washington (106)

Eric Barnett of Wisconsin (120)

Ridge Lovett of Idaho (132)

Riley Gurr of Montana (132)

Delon Kanari of Illinois (132)

Job Greenwood of Colorado (138)

Tate Samuelson of Colorado (182)

Victor Marcelli of Ohio (182),

Jackson McKinney of Washington (195)

Lucas Davison of Indiana (195)

Kaleb Reeves of Iowa (285)

Montana Phillips of Oklahoma (285)