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Junior Greco Roman finalist bios

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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling

Finalist Jack Jessen of Illinois

2018 JUNIOR MEN’S GRECO-ROMAN FINALIST BIOGRAPHIES


100 pounds

RED - Christian Tanefeu, Bismarck, N.D.
• 2018 North Dakota Cadet state champion in Greco-Roman and second in freestyle
• This is his first year as a wrestler – started practicing on March 15
• Will be a sophomore at Bismarck High School
• Born: January 27, 2003… Age: 15

BLUE - Eli Griffin, Tulsa, Okla.
• Third in 2018 Junior Nationals in freestyle
• Seventh in 2018 UWW Cadet Nationals in freestyle
• 2018 Oklahoma Cadet state freestyle champion
• 2017 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle national champion
• Will be a sophomore at Cascia Hall High School
• 2018 Oklahoma state champion with a 38-2 record
• Born: November 26. 2002… Age: 15

106 pounds

RED - Anthony King, East St. Louis, Ill.
• Second in 2018 Junior Nationals in freestyle
• 2017 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion
• Fifth in 2016 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman and eighth in freestyle
• He is a graduated senior from East St. Louis High School
• Third in the Illinois state high school championships at 106 pounds as a senior with a 38-2 record… Illinois state qualifier at 106 pounds as a junior with a 32-7 record… Competed at 106 as a freshman with a 24-16 record…
• Will attend Williams Baptist University and compete in its Greco-Roman program
• Born: June 18, 1999… Age: 19

BLUE - Brenden Chaowanapibool, Bonny Lake, Wash.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 5
• 2018 UWW Cadet World Team member
• 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials champion in Greco-Roman
• Fourth at 2017 Junior Greco-Roman nationals in Greco-Roman
• Sixth at 2017 Cadet Greco-Roman Fargo nationals in Greco-Roman
• Fifth at 2017 Cadet Greco-Roman World Team Trials
• Second in 2016 Cadet nationals in Greco-Roman
• Second in 2016 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman
• Seventh at 2016 Junior Nationals in freestyle
• Will be a senior at Bonney Lake High School
• Two-time Washington state champion… 2018 Washington state champion at 113 pounds as a junior with a 38-9 record… 2017 Washington state champion as a sophomore with at 106 pounds with a 41-5 record… Sixth in 2016 Washington states at 106 with a 38-9 record
• Born: June 3, 2001. Age: 17

113 pounds

RED - Paxton Creese, Shakopee, Minn.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 8
• 2018 Cadet Pan American champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman
• Third in 2016 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and seventh in freestyle
• Will be a junior at Shakopee High School
• Second in the 2018 Minnesota state championships at 106 as a sophomore with a 26-4 record
• Born: November 24, 2001… Age: 16

BLUE - Ryan Rowland, Oviedo, Fla.
• 20178 and 2018 Southeast Junior Regional champion in both styles
• Fourth in 2018 Western Junior Regionals in freestyle
• Second in 2017 Preseason Nationals
• Fifth in 2017 UWW Junior World Team Trials
• Will be a senior at Hagerty High School
• Fifth in 2018 Florida state championships at 106 pounds as a junior… Second in 2017 Florida state championships at 106 pounds as a sophomore… State qualifier in 2016 as a freshman at 106 pounds
• Born: July 3, 2000… Age: 18

120 pounds

RED - Cevion Severado, St. Peters, Mo.
• 2018 UWW Junior Nationals champion
• 2017 Junior World silver medalist
• 2017 Junior World Team member
• 2015 and 2016 Cadet Greco-Roman World Team Trials runner-up
• 2016: Junior Greco and Freestyle All-American
• Second in 2016 Cadet Greco-Roman World Team Trials
• Third in 2016 Cadet Nationals in freestyle and eighth in Greco-Roman
• Graduated from Christian Brothers High School
• 2018 Missouri state champion at 113 pounds as a senior… Second in 2017 Missouri states at 106 pounds as a junior… Fifth in 2016 Missouri states as a sophomore at 106… State qualifier in 2015 at 113 pounds as a freshman…
• Will attend University of Missouri
• Born: Oct. 3, 1999… Age: 18

BLUE - Chayse La Joie, Gaylord, Mich.
• Fifth in 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials in Greco-Roman
• Third in 2016 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman
• Second in 2018 Central Regionals in Greco-Roman
• 2018 Michigan state Junior Greco-Roman champion
• Will be a junior at Gaylord High School
• 2018 Michigan state champion at 112 pounds as a sophomore… 2017 Michigan state champion as a freshman at 103 pounds… 2016 Michigan state champion at 100 pounds as an eighth grader
• 2018 Michigan state championships at 112
• Born: December 25, 2001… Age: 16

126 pounds

RED - King Sandoval, Washington, D.C. (competes for Team Virginia)
• Fourth in 2018 UWW Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman
• 2018 Southeast Regional Junior champion in both styles
• Third in 2016 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman
• Graduated from St. Mary Ryken High School
• Third in 2018 Prep Nationals at 120 pounds as a senior… Second in 2017 Prep Nationals at 120 pounds as a junior… Third in 2016 Prep Nationals at 113 pounds as a sophomore… Fifth at 2015 Prep Nationals at 106 pounds as a freshman
• Will attend the University of Maryland
• Born: August 16, 2000… Age: 17

BLUE - Austin Almaguer, Kennewick, Wash.
• Sixth in 2017 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman
• Fifth in 2017 Croatia Cadet Open in Greco-Roman
• Second in 2018 Western Junior Regionals in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle
• Will be a senior at Kamiakin High School
• 2018 Washington state champion at 132 as a junior… Third in 2017 Washington state championships at 120 pounds as a sophomore… Third in 2016 Washington states as a freshman at 106 pounds
• Born: February 21, 2001… Age: 17

132 pounds

RED - Delon Kanari, Volo, Ill.
• Sixth at 2017 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman
• Fifth at 2018 Austria Junior Open
• Third in 2018 UWW Junior World Team Trials in Greco-Roman
• Third in 2017 UWW Cadet World Team Trials in Greco-Roman
• Will train at the Northern Michigan University – Olympic Training Site as a high school senior and take online high school
• Previously was an Illinois state qualifier in 2018 as a junior at 132 pounds… 2017 Illinois state qualifier at 126 pounds as a sophomore… Competed at 120 pounds as a freshman.
• Born: October 26, 2000… Age: 17

BLUE - Ridge Lovett, Post Falls, Idaho
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 8
• Second in 2018 Junior Nationals in freestyle
• 2018 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion
• Seventh in 2017 UWW Cadet World Championships in Greco-Roman
• Third in 2017 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman and fifth in freestyle
• 2016 Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals champion and second in freestyle
• Second in 2015 Cadet Freestyle Nationals
• Will be a senior at Post Falls High School
• Three-time Idaho state high school champion… 2018 Idaho state champion at 126 pounds as a junior with a 48-0 record… 2017 Idaho state high school champion at 113 pounds as a sophomore with an 37-0 record… 2016 Idaho state champion at 98 pounds as a freshman with a 44-0 record
• Born: August 25, 2000… Age: 17

138 pounds

RED - Dawson Sihavong, Fresno, Calif.
• 2017 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion=
• Third in 2017 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman
• Will be a senior at Bullard High School
• Fourth in 2018 California state meet at 132 pounds as a junior… Sixth in 2018 California states at 132 pounds as a sophomore… Competed at 126 pounds as a freshman
• Born: January 17, 2001… Age: 17

BLUE - Kyle Parco, Danville, Calif.
• 2018 Western Junior Regional champion in freestyle
• Second in 2018 California Junior state championships in freestyle
• Will be a senior at De la Salle High School
• California state qualifier for three straight years at 126 pounds, as a junior, sophomore and freshman
• Born: September 24, 2001… Age: 16

145 pounds

RED - We Rachal, Chicago, Ill.
• Fourth in the 2015 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman
• 2015 Northern Plains Cadet Regional champion in both styles
• Graduated from George Washington High School
• Second in the 2018 Illinois state championships at 138 pounds as a senior… 2017 Illinois state champion at 132 pounds as a junior… 2016 Illinois state champion at 132 pounds as a sophomore… State qualifier at 132 as a freshman
• Born: October 5, 1999… Age: 18

BLUE - Cael Carlson, Pennock, Minn.
• Second in 2017 Northern Plains Junior Regionals in both styles
• Second in 2016 Northern Plains Cadet Regionals in freestyle
• Will be a senior at Willmar High School
• 2018 Minnesota state champion at 138 pounds as a junior… Second in 2017 Minnesota states at 126 pounds as a sophomore… Second in 2016 Minnesota states as a freshman at 113 pounds
• Born: June 8, 2000… Age: 18

152 pounds

RED - Peyton Omania, Concord, Calif.
• Second in 2017 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman
• Fifth in 2017 UWW Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman
• Competed in 2016 Cadet World Championships in Greco-Roman
• 2016 UWW Cadet Nationals champion in Greco-Roman
• Graduate from De La Salle High School in the fall
• Fifth in the 2017 California state championships as a junior at 160 pounds… Sixth in the 2017 California state championships at 152 pounds as a sophomore
• Will attend Michigan State
• Born: December 15, 1999… Age: 18

BLUE - Tyler Eischens, Andover, Minn.
• Third in 2017 Junior Nationals in freestyle and eighth in Greco-Roman
• Second in 2016 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and seventh in freestyle
• Third in 2016 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals
• Fourth in 2015 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals
• Graduate of Anoka High School
• Second in 2018 Minnesota states at 152 as a senior with a 54-1 record… 2017 Minnesota state champion at 138 pounds with an 52-0 record as a junior… Second in 2016 Minnesota states at 126, with a 41-3 record as a sophomre… Second in 2016 Minnesota states as a freshman with a 34-4 record…
• Will attend Stanford
• Born: March 26, 2000… Age: 18

160 pounds

RED - Tyler Dow, Stoughton, Wis.
• 2018 UWW Junior World Team Trials champion
• 2018 UWW Junior Nationals champion
• Second in 2017 Junior Nationals in freestyle and Greco-Roman
• 2017 UWW Junior Greco-Roman national champion
• Second in 2016 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle
• 2016 Pan American Cadet Freestyle champion in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman
• 2016 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion
• Fourth in 2015 Cadet Freestyle Nationals and sixth in Greco-Roman
• Graduate of Stoughton High School
• Second in 2018 Wisconsin state meet at 160 pounds with a 55-2 record… 2017 Wisconsin state champion at 160 pounds as a junior with a 55-2 record… Second in Wisconsin state championships at 152 pounds as a sophomore with a 50-5 record… State qualifier as a freshman at 145 pounds with a 45-13 record
• Will attend Wisconsin
• Born: February 4, 2000… Age: 18

BLUE - Donnell Washington, Hazel Crest, Ill.
• 2018 UWW Cadet All-American in both styles
• 2017 Cadet Nationals All-American in Greco-Roman
• Three-time Illinois state Greco-Roman champion and two-time freestyle champion
• Will be a senior at Portage High School
• Fifth in 2018 Illinois state championships at 152 pounds as a junior… 2017 Illinois state qualifier at 138 pounds as a sophomore… Second in 2016 Illinois states at 120 pounds as a freshman
• Born: July 19, 2001… Age: 17

170 pounds

RED - Christopher Foca, Hackensack, N.J.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 10
• Second in 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials in Greco-Roman
• Fifth in 2016 Cadet Nationals in freestyle
• 2016, 2017 and 2018 Northeast Regionals champion in both styles
• Will be a senior at Bergen Catholic
• Second in 2018 New Jersey states as a junior at 170 pounds… Third in the New Jersey states at 160 pounds as a sophomore … State qualifier at 132 pounds as a Freshman at 132 pounds.
• Born: January 3, 2001… Age: 17

BLUE - Alex Cramer, Grayslake, Ill.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 9
• 2018 Central Regional Junior champion in Greco-Roman
• 2018 Illinois state Junior Greco-Roman champion
• Second in 2018 NHSCA Junior Nationals
• Will be a senior at Grayslake Central High School
• 2018 Illinois state champion as a junior at 160 pounds… 2017 Illinois state qualifier at 145 pounds as a sophomore… 2016 Illinois state qualifier as a freshman at 138 pounds.
• Has a verbal commitment with Old Dominion
• Born: September 13, 2000… Age: 17

182 pounds

RED - Jack Jessen, Villa Park, Ill.
• 2018 Junior Nationals freestyle champion….
• 2018 USA Wrestling Junior Nationals Folkstyle champion
• 2017 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion and second in freestyle
• Second in 2017 Junior Folkstyle Nationals
• Fourth in 2016 Junior Nationals in freestyle and Greco-Roman
• Second in 2015 Cadet Nationals in freestyle and Greco-Roman
• Third in the 2014 Cadet Nationals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman
• 10 time Fargo All-American and two-time champion
• 2015 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion
• Graduated from Willowbrook High School
• 2018 Illinois state champion at 182 pounds as a senior with a 51-0 record… Second in the 2017 Illinois state championships at 182 pounds as a junior with a 53-1 record… Third in the 2016 Illinois state championships at 170 pounds as a sophomore with a 51-3 record… Second in the 2015 Illinois state high school championships as a freshman at 170 pounds with a 49-3 record
• Will attend Northwestern
• Born: April 14, 1999… Age: 19

BLUE - Zachary Braunagel, O’Fallon, Ill.
• Third in 2018 Junior Nationals in freestyle
• Fourth in 2017 Junior Nationals in freestyle
• Third in 2017 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman
• Fifth in the 2016 Cadet Nationals in freestyle
• Graduate of Althoff High School
• 2018 Illinois state champion at 182 pounds as a senior with a 49-2 record… 2017 Illinois state champion at 170 pounds as a junior with a 50-1 record… Fifth in the 2016 Illinois states at 170 pounds… 2016 State qualifier in 2015 as a freshman…
• Will attend Illinois
• Born July 15, 2000… Age: 18

195 pounds

RED - Lucas Davison, Chesterton, Ind.
• 2018 Junior Nationals freestyle champion
• Seventh in 2018 UWW Junior World Team Trials
• Third in 2017 Junior Nationals in freestyle and seventh in Greco-Roman
• Second in 2016 Cadet Nationals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman
• 2016 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion
• Graduated from Chesterton High School
• 2018 Indiana state high school champion at 195 pounds as a senior
• Second in 2017 Indiana state high school championships as a junior… Competed at 195 pounds as a sophomore, and at 160 pounds as a freshman… Career high school record of 149-12…
• Will attend Northwestern
• Born July 5, 2000… Age: 18

BLUE - Guillermo Escobedo, La Puente, Calif.
• 2018 Western Junior Regionals Greco-Roman champion and third in freestyle
• 2017 California Cadet Greco-Roman champion
• Attends Bishop Amat High School
• Born April 2, 2001… Age: 17

220 pounds

Luke Luffman, Urbana, Ill.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 3
• 2018 Junior Nationals champion in freestyle
• Seventh in the 2018 UWW Cadet World Championships in Greco-Roman
• 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials champion in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle
• Second in 2017 Junior Nationals in freestyle and Greco-Roman
• Second in 2017 UWW Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle
• Fifth in 2016 Cadet Nationals in freestyle
• Will be a senior at Urbana High School
• 2018 Illinois state champion at 220 pounds as a junior with a 19-0 record… 2017 Illinois state champion at 220 pounds as a sophomore with a 59-5 record… Fifth in the 2016 Illinois state championships as a freshman at 195 pounds with a 35-7 record…
• Born: May 11, 2001… Age: 17

BLUE - Jace Punke, Washington, Ill.
Current FloWrestling national rankings: No. 9
• Second in 2018 Junior Nationals in freestyle
• Sixth in 2017 Junior Nationals in freestyle
• 2017 Pan American Cadet champion in Greco-Roman and second in freestyle
• Second in 2017 UWW Cadet World Team Trials in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman
• Second in 2016 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and sixth in freestyle…
• Will be a senior at Washington Community High School
• 2018 Illinois state champion at 285 pounds as a junior with a 44-4 record… Third in 2017 Illinois state championships as a sophomore at 220 pounds with a 38-6 record… Sixth in 2016 Illinois state championships as a freshman at 195 pounds with a 26-23 record
• Born: December 18, 2000… Age: 17

285 pounds

Anthony Cassioppi, Roscoe, Ill.
• 2018 Junior Nationals freestyle champion
• 2018 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion
• 2017 Junior Triple Crown winner, claiming USA Wrestling national titles in folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman during the same year
• Second in 2017 and 2018 UWW Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman
• 2017 Pan American Junior champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman
• Second in 2016 Junior Nationals in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman
• 2016 UWW Cadet Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman
• Third in 2015 Cadet Nationals in freestyle and Greco-Roman
• Graduated from Hononegah High School
• Two-time Illinois state champion… 2018 Illinois state champion at 285 pounds as a senior with a 50-0 record… 2017 Illinois state champion as a junior at 285 pounds with a 50-0 record… Third in 2016 Illinois state championships at 285 pounds as a sophomore for with a 47-3 record
• Will attend the University of Iowa
• Born: December 1, 1999… Age: 18

Austin Emerson, Temperence, Mich.
• Third in 2018 Junior Nationals in freestyle
• 2018 NHSCA national champion
• Graduate of Temperence Bedford High School
• 2018 Michigan state champion at 285 pounds as a senior with a 78-3 record… Second in 2017 Michigan states at 285 pounds as a junior with a 51-2 record… Competed at 215 pounds as a sophomore and freshman
• Will attend Nebraska
• Born: March 28, 2000… Age: 18

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