Down and dirty Bill Farrell International preview, with lots of talent in New York City this weekend
Share:
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Ty Walz, a U23 World medalist, is among the top young stars competing at the Bill Farrell Memorial International at the New York Athletic Club. Photo by Richard Immel.
The Bill Farrell Memorial International has a legacy which goes back decades, with its roots in the annual New York Athletic Club Tournament held at its historic mid-town Manhattan location each year.
Historically held in November or December, this year the Bill Farrell swapped places with the Dave Schultz Memorial, which was held in November. People were not sure what to expect when the event was held in late March, after the NCAAs and before the annual U.S. Open in Vegas. With the preliminary entries in, the outcome has been a nice event with some quality entries in all styles.
This is a qualifying event for the World Team Trials in Tulsa for Greco-Roman, as well as the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Rochester, Minn. for men’s and women’s freestyle.
Countries with preliminary entries include Benin, Canada, Israel, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Peru, Korea, Russia, Tajikistan, UAE, Ukraine and Venezuela
With that in mind, here is a quick down and dirty preview of the action. Greco-Roman and women’s action will be on Friday and men’s freestyle on Saturday. All of the action will be live on Flowrestling.
Men’s freestyle
57 kg
This year’s field includes a number of young athletes seeking to make their first impact on the U.S. Senior scene. Guys who recently were stars in college including Johnni DiJulius (Ohio State), Zane Richards (Illinois), Ed Klimara (Oklahoma State) and Tim Lambert (Nebraska) headline this group. There are some foreign athletes to test this group, including 2014 Youth Olympic Games champion Mukhamed Kuatbek of Kazakhstan, 2013 World University Games bronze medalist Berdakh Primbaev of Kazakhstan, three-time Junior World bronze medalist Anatoli Buruian of Moldova and 2013 World University Games silver medalist Samat Nadyrbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan.
61 kg
This weight has some fantastic depth, including the last two NCAA champions with 2017 champion Cory Clark of Iowa and 2018 champion Seth Gross of South Dakota State. Freestyle talent Tyler Graff, who has been on the National Team in the past, has won a number of tournaments. Alan Waters has a strong track record on the Senior level. Others with strong freestyle backgrounds include Earl Hall, Chris Dardanes and Jon Morrison. A.J. Schopp, who was fantastic at folkstyle, is making a run in freestyle. Among the foreign athletes registered, watch for U23 World silver medalist Kutat Amirtayev of Kazakhstan and 2015 European Games bronze medalist Alexandru Chirtoac of Moldova.
65 kg
This weight has some young talent, including college star Jaydin Eierman of Missouri, who qualified for last year’s World Team Trials. Kanan Storr, who won the Dave Schultz while on redshirt from Iowa State, is transferring to Michigan where he will continue to pursue freestyle. Former Edinboro star Dave Habat of the NYAC, who competes internationally for Slovenia, has the ability to win this weight class. There is a solid group of Americans to watch including Anthony Abidin, Evan Henderson, Joey Lazor, Joey Ward and Robbie Mathers. There are competitive foreign entries as well. Korea brings Seon Ho Yoo, a 2017 World Military bronze medalist, and Jae Hoon Yang, who has been as high as seventh at the Senior Worlds. Anthony Chirinos of Venezuela was a 2016 Pan American champion.
70 kg
The wrestler with the best resume in freestyle is Kyle Ruschell, who has been on National Team in the past. Another active national-caliber freestyler is Mario Mason. Sanjaa Ganbayar of the NYAC, a Mongolian who competed at American University, has been successful in freestyle. Josh Heil from Campbell University has shown promise. This weight could showcase some foreign talent. Emrah Gasanov of Israel was a 2015 Senior World Team member. Ulukman Mamatov of Uzbekistan also competed in the Senior Worlds for his nation.
74 kg
Past National Team member Dan Vallimont is among the favorites in this division. Other Americans who could push him based upon past results are Quinton Godley and Thomas Gantt, both who came out of the NC State program. This weight will have a substantial foreign influence, including 2018 Asian bronze medalist Daniyar Kaisanov of Kazakhstan and 2017 U23 World silver medalist Azamat Dauletbekov of Kazakhstan, plus entries from Tajikistan, Ukraine and Israel.
79 kg
The big name in the preregistration is three-time NCAA champion Alex Dieringer, who is on the National Team, Dieringer has also been named to next week’s World Cup lineup. Joshua Asper, who has been on a Junior World Team, is another talented American. Watch out for Bakhdaulet Almentay of Kazakhstan, a 2015 Junior World bronze medalist.
86 kg
The U.S. athletes to watch here include Nick Reenan, who has made age-group World Teams for the USA, Nebraska NCAA runner-up Timothy Dudley and former Edinboro star Vic Avery. On the foreign side, Kazakhstan has three top entries: Galymzhan Usserbayev , who was fifth in the 2016 Olympics and won the 2014 World Military Championships, Elkhan Assadov, who won a 2011 Cadet World title and Ilishkhan Chilaev, who was a 2015 Junior World bronze medalist. Add in Mongolia’s Temuujin Enkhtur, a 2017 Junior World champion, and Pedro Ceballos Fuentes of Venezuela, who was fifth in the 2016 Olympic Games. Peru is bringing 2016 Pan American silver medalist Pool Ambrocio Greifo.
92 kg
The U.S. contingent at this weight class is deep, led by Deron Winn, who has been fighting in MMA but also plans to continue wrestling in freestyle. Others who have past national-level freestyle achievements in the draw are Enock Francois, Nikko Reyes, Timothy McCall and Josh Manu. The foreign field includes a number of entries from Kazakhstan, plus wrestlers from Tajikistan, Benin and the United Arab Emerits.
97 kg
In his first full season in Senior freestyle, Virginia Tech grad Ty Walz won a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships this fall and is looking to climb the ranks on the Senior level. Blaize Cabell has been successful in freestyle events, including a big win over 2014 World champion Abdulsalim Gadisov of Russia at the 2017 Dave Schultz. Austin Schafer, who wrestled for Oklahoma State, and Braden Atwood, who was at Purdue, are regulars on the freestyle circuit. This weight should have some tough foreign athletes, including Olympian and 2012 World University silver medalist Nicolai Ceban of Moldova, plus entries from Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
125
The big name among the big men is 2017 Junior World champion and two-time Cadet World champion Gable Steveson, who is moving on up from the high school ranks to test himself at this level. Michael Kosoy from NC State won a Maccabiah title this past summer. Former collegians who are making a freestyle run are Jon Gingrich of Penn State, Ben Durbin and Ceron Francisco. On the foreign side, Yermukambet Inkar of Kazakhstan was a 2012 Junior World bronze medalist, and there are entries from Tajikistan and Ukraine as well.
Women’s freestyle
50 kg
Leading this weight class is three-time World Team member Whitney Conder, who competed much of her career at 53 kg and will be big at this new weight class. Amy Fearnside, a National Team member and age-group World Team member, is another who is dropping down into this new weight class. National Team member Cody Pfau, who has made USA teams at the Junior and U23 levels, is fresh off the U23 Trials win last weekend. Cadet World medalist Alleida Martinez was second to Pfau at the U23 Trials, including a win in the best-of-three series. Sarah Allen is among the tough wrestlers from the college ranks. Also on the early rosters was 2013 Pan American champion Thalia Mallqui of Peru.
53 kg
This is a small weight class with collegians on display including Arelys Valles of the Cumberlands and Kailyn Ramos of Oklahoma City. Venezuela star Betzbeth Arguello, who was fifth in the 2016 Olympics, has the most international freestyle achievements from the pre-entries.
55 kg
National Team member Jacarra Winchester is the most experienced in the draw, and has been showing progress in recent seasons. A pair of past Cadet World medalists, Ronna Heaton and Gracie Figueroa, are already having an impact on the Senior level. Samantha Klingel, a WCWA champion for King, is now in Army WCAP and making a Senior-level push. Others in the field come from the college ranks, looking to make a breakthrough.
57 kg
Past National Team member Brieana Delgado, now an assistant coach at her alma mater Oklahoma City, has the most experience of those entered here. Michaela Beck, ranked No. 1 at the high school level and a native New Yorker, has considerable age-group success and is testing herself on the Senior level. Watch for Yanet Nino of Peru, a 2015 Pan American bronze medalist.
59 kg
This is a small weight class with three top wrestlers. Olympian and past World Team member Kelsey Campbell has the strongest resume, but she will be tested by nationally ranked Lauren Louive and Megan Black. Louive won the Dave Schultz Memorial earlier this year. Black was a multiple All-American for McKendree in college, and made a U23 World Team this year.
62 kg
National Team member Jennifer Page, a past Junior World medalist, comes in as a favorite here. Page has had some injury challenges but when healthy, she has been a U.S. Open champion and won many international medals. Alexis Porter, a Junior World medalist, is completing her college journey at McKendree and has placed nationally on the Senior level. Alexandria Liles, ranked No. 1 in high school, is a past Cadet World Team member with numerous age-group achievements. Briana Csontos attends Columbia in the city and is a strong freestyler.
65 kg
WCWA runner-up and multiple All-American Jessica Key of King University has been successful at the Senior level. High school star Jayden Laurent, a Cadet World team member, placed a strong second at the U23 World Team Trials last weekend. The biggest name in the preliminary rosters was two-time World champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Battsetseg Soronzonbold of Mongolia.
68 kg
Junior World Team member Alexandria Glaude, who was a redshirt at McKendree this year, just won the U23 World Team Trials last weekend. An age-group star from New Jersey, Skylar Grote now competes in college in Canada and returns home for the Bill Farrell International.
72 kg
Rachel Watters of Oklahoma City, who has made multiple Junior and U23 World Teams for the United States, is the top name on this list, with athletes from Benin and Ukraine also in the draw.
Greco-Roman
55 kg
Junior World Team member Randon Miranda, who has won some Senior tournaments in Europe over the past two seasons, is the top name of those registered.
60 kg
Dalton Roberts, who made two Junior World teams and a U23 World Team for the USA, is among the top contenders here, along with Sammy Jones, who has many Senior and age-group achievements.
63 kg
Hayden Tuma, a U.S. Open champion a year ago and a multiple age-group World Team member for Team USA, is moving up to this class and will see his first action in months. Xavier Johnson, who won the Armed Forces Championships last month and also a Senior-level medal in Europe this winter, is wrestling at a high level. Former Junior World Team member Travis Rice, tough Marine Colton Rasche and NMU veteran Jordan Auen are other contenders.
67 kg
National Team member Alejandro Sancho, who made the U23 World Team last year, has considerable international experience and headlines this group of athletes. Marine star Raymond Bunker, who has a number of national-level achievements, has been improving. Jessy Williams has been a Senior-level All-American.
72 kg
2016 World Team member Chris Gonzalez, who is also pursuing MMA, comes in as a favorite here. Tough as nails, it will be interesting to see how well his wrestling is going. National Team member and (Cadet). Anthonie Linares, who has placed as high as second at the U.S. Open, and has been successful on the age-group levels, is another with title hopes. Jamel Johnson, a past University World medalist and National Team member, has the most experience in this field. Isaac Dukes, who has won Armed Forces freestyle titles, is making a run in Greco-Roman. Among the foreign entries, Gi Uk Choi of Korea was a 2016 Asian Senior champion.
77 kg
This weight class is off the charts. 2017 Junior World champion and Senior National Team member Kamal Bey brings his high-powered offense to New York City. Two-time World Team member and past U.S. Open champion Cheney Haight is a proven talent, and has won this tournament in the past. Past U.S. Open champion and National Team member Kendrick Sanders, another high-scoring talent, is entered here. National Team member and past (Cadet) World medalist Jon Jay Chavez, is fresh off an All-American performance for Cornell. Alex Mossing, who won University National and U23 Trials titles last year and competed in the U23 Worlds, is in the draw. The foreign field includes 2017 Pan American Junior champion John Yeats of Canada.
82 kg
Barrett Stanghill, who has been on the Senior National Team and U23 World Teams, leads this parade, along with Richard Carlson, a past Junior World Team member who is also competitive on the Senior level. Veteran Courtney Myers, also a past Senior World Team member, has won numerous Senior All-American honors in his career in the Marines and the Army. Other U.S. entries with strong backgrounds are Andrew Berreyessa, Ryan Hope, Terrence Zaleski and Thomas Brackett. 2009 World bronze medalist Aliaksandr Kikiniou of Belarus will challenge for the title here.
87 kg
Kevin Radford, a past U.S. Open champion and National Team member, and Kymba Johnson, who has been as high as second at the U.S. Open, leads the list of online entries. Vaughan Monreal-Berner of the Marines, an Armed Forces medalist, will also contend here. Philip Barreiro of Canada was on the 2017 Canadian Senior World team.
97 kg
This weight class will include Lucas Sheridan, a national team member in the past and a Junior World Team member earlier in his career, and Pete Gounaridis, who also made a number of Senior National teams in Greco-Roman. Blake Smith, a member of the 2017 U23 World Teams, is among the top young athletes in the field. Zach Merrill has been in the hunt on the Senior level in recent years. Park Je-Woon, a Korean Senior World team member in 2017, is among the tough foreign athletes expected to enter.
130 kg
Top names in the pre-registration include Malcolm Allen and Sanford Meeks, along with U.S. Marine star Trent Osnes.
PRELIMINARY FOREIGN ROSTERS
Benin
Greco-Roman
63 kg/139 lbs. – Nassirou Djibrila Attahir
67 kg/148 lbs. – Georges Max Kekeli Kodzo Abota
68 kg/150 lbs. – Moutiatou Salaou
71 kg/156 lbs. – Yaya Zakari
92 kg/203 lbs. – Taibou Arouna Boukari
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Samide Adeomo Tessilimi
70 kg/154 lbs. – Baki Tchani
87 kg/192 lbs. – Issovale Boukari
92 kg/203 lbs. – Madijid Quenum
Women’s Freestyle
70 kg/154 lbs. – Falaka Hanane
Canada
Greco-Roman
80 kg/176 lbs. – John Yeats
87 kg/192 lbs. – Philip Barreiro
97 kg/213 lbs. – Thomas Barreiro
Israel
Men’s Freestyle
70 kg/154 lbs. – Gasanov Emrah
74 kg/163 lbs. – Rachamin Hanoc
79 kg/174 lbs. – Nisanov Elkhan
Kazakhstan
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Zhandos Ismailov
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Mukhambet Kuatbek
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Berdakh Prombayev
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Gabit Tolepbay
61 kg/134 lbs. – Nurislam Sanayev
61 kg/134 lbs. – Kuat Amirtayev
65 kg/143 lbs. – Timur Aitkulov
65 kg/143 lbs. – Ilyas Zhumay
61 kg/134 lbs. – Madiyar Burkhan
74 kg/163 lbs. – Daniyar Kaisanov
74 kg/163 lbs. – Nurdaulet Kokteubayev
74 kg/163 lbs. – Bolat Sakayev
79 kg/174 lbs. – Galymzhan Usserbayev
86 kg/189 lbs. – Azamat Dauletbekov
86 kg/189 lbs. – Elkhan Assadov
86 kg/189 lbs. – Iliskhan Chilayev
97 kg/213 lbs. – Bakdaulet Almentay
125 kg/275 lbs. – Yermukambet Inkar
Unknown – Zhanabek Bakhtiyar
Unknown – Tastemirov Dias
Unknown – Suyunov Abay
Unknown – Sakap Yerlan
Unknown – Nogaibayev Nursultan
Moldova
Greco-Roman
98 kg/216 lbs. – Polieciuc Ivan
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Anatolii Buruian
61 kg/134 lbs. – Akexandru Chirtoaca
97 kg/213 lbs. – Ceban Nicolai
Mongolia
Freestyle
65 kg/143 lbs. – Nyamdavaa Sukhbaatar
86 kg/189 lbs. – Temuujin Enkhtur
Women’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Otgontsetseg Munkhtungalag
65 kg/143 lbs. – Battsetseg Soronzonbold
Peru
Women’s Freestyle
48 kg/106 lbs. – Thalia Jihann Mallqui Peche
58 kg/128 lbs. – Yante Ursula Sovero Nino
69 kg/152 lbs. – Diana Luis Cruz Arroyo
86 kg/190 lbs. – Pool Edinzon Ambrocio Greifo
Korea
Greco-Roman
72 kg/158 lbs. – Gi Uk Choi
82 kg/ 180 lbs. – Sim Hyun Baek
97 kg/214 lbs. – Jee Woo Park
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Guk Heon Kim
65 kg/143 lbs. – Seon Hoo Yoo
65 kg/143 lbs. – Jae Hoon Yang
Russia
Men’s Freestyle
61 kg/134 lbs. – Sultan Ziravov
86 kg/190 lbs. – Dzhabrail Khizriev
Tajikistan
Men’s Freestyle
74 kg/163 lbs. – Manuchehr Malaev
92 kg/203 lbs. – Furkat Rakhimov
125 kg/275 lbs. – Abdurashid Gulyamov
United Arab Emirates
Men’s Freestyle
86 kg/190 lbs. – Bader Aku Ahmed Noor Alali
Unknown – Khaleifah Maktoum Ali Almaazrou
Ukraine
Men’s Freestyle
97 kg/213 lbs. – Seerhii Mokhort
Unknown – Oleh Levchenko
Unknown – Ihor Dvornikov
Unknown – Oleg Schevchuk
Women’s Freestyle
Unknown – Violetta Kremenchuk
Venezuela
Men’s Freestyle
65 kg/143 lbs. – Anthony Jose Montero Chirinos
86 kg/190 lbs. – Pedro Francisco Ceballos Fuentes
Women’s Freestyle
53 kg/117 lbs. – Betzabeth Angelica Arguello Villegas
The Bill Farrell Memorial International has a legacy which goes back decades, with its roots in the annual New York Athletic Club Tournament held at its historic mid-town Manhattan location each year.
Historically held in November or December, this year the Bill Farrell swapped places with the Dave Schultz Memorial, which was held in November. People were not sure what to expect when the event was held in late March, after the NCAAs and before the annual U.S. Open in Vegas. With the preliminary entries in, the outcome has been a nice event with some quality entries in all styles.
This is a qualifying event for the World Team Trials in Tulsa for Greco-Roman, as well as the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Rochester, Minn. for men’s and women’s freestyle.
Countries with preliminary entries include Benin, Canada, Israel, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Peru, Korea, Russia, Tajikistan, UAE, Ukraine and Venezuela
With that in mind, here is a quick down and dirty preview of the action. Greco-Roman and women’s action will be on Friday and men’s freestyle on Saturday. All of the action will be live on Flowrestling.
Men’s freestyle
57 kg
This year’s field includes a number of young athletes seeking to make their first impact on the U.S. Senior scene. Guys who recently were stars in college including Johnni DiJulius (Ohio State), Zane Richards (Illinois), Ed Klimara (Oklahoma State) and Tim Lambert (Nebraska) headline this group. There are some foreign athletes to test this group, including 2014 Youth Olympic Games champion Mukhamed Kuatbek of Kazakhstan, 2013 World University Games bronze medalist Berdakh Primbaev of Kazakhstan, three-time Junior World bronze medalist Anatoli Buruian of Moldova and 2013 World University Games silver medalist Samat Nadyrbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan.
61 kg
This weight has some fantastic depth, including the last two NCAA champions with 2017 champion Cory Clark of Iowa and 2018 champion Seth Gross of South Dakota State. Freestyle talent Tyler Graff, who has been on the National Team in the past, has won a number of tournaments. Alan Waters has a strong track record on the Senior level. Others with strong freestyle backgrounds include Earl Hall, Chris Dardanes and Jon Morrison. A.J. Schopp, who was fantastic at folkstyle, is making a run in freestyle. Among the foreign athletes registered, watch for U23 World silver medalist Kutat Amirtayev of Kazakhstan and 2015 European Games bronze medalist Alexandru Chirtoac of Moldova.
65 kg
This weight has some young talent, including college star Jaydin Eierman of Missouri, who qualified for last year’s World Team Trials. Kanan Storr, who won the Dave Schultz while on redshirt from Iowa State, is transferring to Michigan where he will continue to pursue freestyle. Former Edinboro star Dave Habat of the NYAC, who competes internationally for Slovenia, has the ability to win this weight class. There is a solid group of Americans to watch including Anthony Abidin, Evan Henderson, Joey Lazor, Joey Ward and Robbie Mathers. There are competitive foreign entries as well. Korea brings Seon Ho Yoo, a 2017 World Military bronze medalist, and Jae Hoon Yang, who has been as high as seventh at the Senior Worlds. Anthony Chirinos of Venezuela was a 2016 Pan American champion.
70 kg
The wrestler with the best resume in freestyle is Kyle Ruschell, who has been on National Team in the past. Another active national-caliber freestyler is Mario Mason. Sanjaa Ganbayar of the NYAC, a Mongolian who competed at American University, has been successful in freestyle. Josh Heil from Campbell University has shown promise. This weight could showcase some foreign talent. Emrah Gasanov of Israel was a 2015 Senior World Team member. Ulukman Mamatov of Uzbekistan also competed in the Senior Worlds for his nation.
74 kg
Past National Team member Dan Vallimont is among the favorites in this division. Other Americans who could push him based upon past results are Quinton Godley and Thomas Gantt, both who came out of the NC State program. This weight will have a substantial foreign influence, including 2018 Asian bronze medalist Daniyar Kaisanov of Kazakhstan and 2017 U23 World silver medalist Azamat Dauletbekov of Kazakhstan, plus entries from Tajikistan, Ukraine and Israel.
79 kg
The big name in the preregistration is three-time NCAA champion Alex Dieringer, who is on the National Team, Dieringer has also been named to next week’s World Cup lineup. Joshua Asper, who has been on a Junior World Team, is another talented American. Watch out for Bakhdaulet Almentay of Kazakhstan, a 2015 Junior World bronze medalist.
86 kg
The U.S. athletes to watch here include Nick Reenan, who has made age-group World Teams for the USA, Nebraska NCAA runner-up Timothy Dudley and former Edinboro star Vic Avery. On the foreign side, Kazakhstan has three top entries: Galymzhan Usserbayev , who was fifth in the 2016 Olympics and won the 2014 World Military Championships, Elkhan Assadov, who won a 2011 Cadet World title and Ilishkhan Chilaev, who was a 2015 Junior World bronze medalist. Add in Mongolia’s Temuujin Enkhtur, a 2017 Junior World champion, and Pedro Ceballos Fuentes of Venezuela, who was fifth in the 2016 Olympic Games. Peru is bringing 2016 Pan American silver medalist Pool Ambrocio Greifo.
92 kg
The U.S. contingent at this weight class is deep, led by Deron Winn, who has been fighting in MMA but also plans to continue wrestling in freestyle. Others who have past national-level freestyle achievements in the draw are Enock Francois, Nikko Reyes, Timothy McCall and Josh Manu. The foreign field includes a number of entries from Kazakhstan, plus wrestlers from Tajikistan, Benin and the United Arab Emerits.
97 kg
In his first full season in Senior freestyle, Virginia Tech grad Ty Walz won a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships this fall and is looking to climb the ranks on the Senior level. Blaize Cabell has been successful in freestyle events, including a big win over 2014 World champion Abdulsalim Gadisov of Russia at the 2017 Dave Schultz. Austin Schafer, who wrestled for Oklahoma State, and Braden Atwood, who was at Purdue, are regulars on the freestyle circuit. This weight should have some tough foreign athletes, including Olympian and 2012 World University silver medalist Nicolai Ceban of Moldova, plus entries from Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
125
The big name among the big men is 2017 Junior World champion and two-time Cadet World champion Gable Steveson, who is moving on up from the high school ranks to test himself at this level. Michael Kosoy from NC State won a Maccabiah title this past summer. Former collegians who are making a freestyle run are Jon Gingrich of Penn State, Ben Durbin and Ceron Francisco. On the foreign side, Yermukambet Inkar of Kazakhstan was a 2012 Junior World bronze medalist, and there are entries from Tajikistan and Ukraine as well.
Women’s freestyle
50 kg
Leading this weight class is three-time World Team member Whitney Conder, who competed much of her career at 53 kg and will be big at this new weight class. Amy Fearnside, a National Team member and age-group World Team member, is another who is dropping down into this new weight class. National Team member Cody Pfau, who has made USA teams at the Junior and U23 levels, is fresh off the U23 Trials win last weekend. Cadet World medalist Alleida Martinez was second to Pfau at the U23 Trials, including a win in the best-of-three series. Sarah Allen is among the tough wrestlers from the college ranks. Also on the early rosters was 2013 Pan American champion Thalia Mallqui of Peru.
53 kg
This is a small weight class with collegians on display including Arelys Valles of the Cumberlands and Kailyn Ramos of Oklahoma City. Venezuela star Betzbeth Arguello, who was fifth in the 2016 Olympics, has the most international freestyle achievements from the pre-entries.
55 kg
National Team member Jacarra Winchester is the most experienced in the draw, and has been showing progress in recent seasons. A pair of past Cadet World medalists, Ronna Heaton and Gracie Figueroa, are already having an impact on the Senior level. Samantha Klingel, a WCWA champion for King, is now in Army WCAP and making a Senior-level push. Others in the field come from the college ranks, looking to make a breakthrough.
57 kg
Past National Team member Brieana Delgado, now an assistant coach at her alma mater Oklahoma City, has the most experience of those entered here. Michaela Beck, ranked No. 1 at the high school level and a native New Yorker, has considerable age-group success and is testing herself on the Senior level. Watch for Yanet Nino of Peru, a 2015 Pan American bronze medalist.
59 kg
This is a small weight class with three top wrestlers. Olympian and past World Team member Kelsey Campbell has the strongest resume, but she will be tested by nationally ranked Lauren Louive and Megan Black. Louive won the Dave Schultz Memorial earlier this year. Black was a multiple All-American for McKendree in college, and made a U23 World Team this year.
62 kg
National Team member Jennifer Page, a past Junior World medalist, comes in as a favorite here. Page has had some injury challenges but when healthy, she has been a U.S. Open champion and won many international medals. Alexis Porter, a Junior World medalist, is completing her college journey at McKendree and has placed nationally on the Senior level. Alexandria Liles, ranked No. 1 in high school, is a past Cadet World Team member with numerous age-group achievements. Briana Csontos attends Columbia in the city and is a strong freestyler.
65 kg
WCWA runner-up and multiple All-American Jessica Key of King University has been successful at the Senior level. High school star Jayden Laurent, a Cadet World team member, placed a strong second at the U23 World Team Trials last weekend. The biggest name in the preliminary rosters was two-time World champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Battsetseg Soronzonbold of Mongolia.
68 kg
Junior World Team member Alexandria Glaude, who was a redshirt at McKendree this year, just won the U23 World Team Trials last weekend. An age-group star from New Jersey, Skylar Grote now competes in college in Canada and returns home for the Bill Farrell International.
72 kg
Rachel Watters of Oklahoma City, who has made multiple Junior and U23 World Teams for the United States, is the top name on this list, with athletes from Benin and Ukraine also in the draw.
Greco-Roman
55 kg
Junior World Team member Randon Miranda, who has won some Senior tournaments in Europe over the past two seasons, is the top name of those registered.
60 kg
Dalton Roberts, who made two Junior World teams and a U23 World Team for the USA, is among the top contenders here, along with Sammy Jones, who has many Senior and age-group achievements.
63 kg
Hayden Tuma, a U.S. Open champion a year ago and a multiple age-group World Team member for Team USA, is moving up to this class and will see his first action in months. Xavier Johnson, who won the Armed Forces Championships last month and also a Senior-level medal in Europe this winter, is wrestling at a high level. Former Junior World Team member Travis Rice, tough Marine Colton Rasche and NMU veteran Jordan Auen are other contenders.
67 kg
National Team member Alejandro Sancho, who made the U23 World Team last year, has considerable international experience and headlines this group of athletes. Marine star Raymond Bunker, who has a number of national-level achievements, has been improving. Jessy Williams has been a Senior-level All-American.
72 kg
2016 World Team member Chris Gonzalez, who is also pursuing MMA, comes in as a favorite here. Tough as nails, it will be interesting to see how well his wrestling is going. National Team member and (Cadet). Anthonie Linares, who has placed as high as second at the U.S. Open, and has been successful on the age-group levels, is another with title hopes. Jamel Johnson, a past University World medalist and National Team member, has the most experience in this field. Isaac Dukes, who has won Armed Forces freestyle titles, is making a run in Greco-Roman. Among the foreign entries, Gi Uk Choi of Korea was a 2016 Asian Senior champion.
77 kg
This weight class is off the charts. 2017 Junior World champion and Senior National Team member Kamal Bey brings his high-powered offense to New York City. Two-time World Team member and past U.S. Open champion Cheney Haight is a proven talent, and has won this tournament in the past. Past U.S. Open champion and National Team member Kendrick Sanders, another high-scoring talent, is entered here. National Team member and past (Cadet) World medalist Jon Jay Chavez, is fresh off an All-American performance for Cornell. Alex Mossing, who won University National and U23 Trials titles last year and competed in the U23 Worlds, is in the draw. The foreign field includes 2017 Pan American Junior champion John Yeats of Canada.
82 kg
Barrett Stanghill, who has been on the Senior National Team and U23 World Teams, leads this parade, along with Richard Carlson, a past Junior World Team member who is also competitive on the Senior level. Veteran Courtney Myers, also a past Senior World Team member, has won numerous Senior All-American honors in his career in the Marines and the Army. Other U.S. entries with strong backgrounds are Andrew Berreyessa, Ryan Hope, Terrence Zaleski and Thomas Brackett. 2009 World bronze medalist Aliaksandr Kikiniou of Belarus will challenge for the title here.
87 kg
Kevin Radford, a past U.S. Open champion and National Team member, and Kymba Johnson, who has been as high as second at the U.S. Open, leads the list of online entries. Vaughan Monreal-Berner of the Marines, an Armed Forces medalist, will also contend here. Philip Barreiro of Canada was on the 2017 Canadian Senior World team.
97 kg
This weight class will include Lucas Sheridan, a national team member in the past and a Junior World Team member earlier in his career, and Pete Gounaridis, who also made a number of Senior National teams in Greco-Roman. Blake Smith, a member of the 2017 U23 World Teams, is among the top young athletes in the field. Zach Merrill has been in the hunt on the Senior level in recent years. Park Je-Woon, a Korean Senior World team member in 2017, is among the tough foreign athletes expected to enter.
130 kg
Top names in the pre-registration include Malcolm Allen and Sanford Meeks, along with U.S. Marine star Trent Osnes.
PRELIMINARY FOREIGN ROSTERS
Benin
Greco-Roman
63 kg/139 lbs. – Nassirou Djibrila Attahir
67 kg/148 lbs. – Georges Max Kekeli Kodzo Abota
68 kg/150 lbs. – Moutiatou Salaou
71 kg/156 lbs. – Yaya Zakari
92 kg/203 lbs. – Taibou Arouna Boukari
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Samide Adeomo Tessilimi
70 kg/154 lbs. – Baki Tchani
87 kg/192 lbs. – Issovale Boukari
92 kg/203 lbs. – Madijid Quenum
Women’s Freestyle
70 kg/154 lbs. – Falaka Hanane
Canada
Greco-Roman
80 kg/176 lbs. – John Yeats
87 kg/192 lbs. – Philip Barreiro
97 kg/213 lbs. – Thomas Barreiro
Israel
Men’s Freestyle
70 kg/154 lbs. – Gasanov Emrah
74 kg/163 lbs. – Rachamin Hanoc
79 kg/174 lbs. – Nisanov Elkhan
Kazakhstan
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Zhandos Ismailov
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Mukhambet Kuatbek
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Berdakh Prombayev
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Gabit Tolepbay
61 kg/134 lbs. – Nurislam Sanayev
61 kg/134 lbs. – Kuat Amirtayev
65 kg/143 lbs. – Timur Aitkulov
65 kg/143 lbs. – Ilyas Zhumay
61 kg/134 lbs. – Madiyar Burkhan
74 kg/163 lbs. – Daniyar Kaisanov
74 kg/163 lbs. – Nurdaulet Kokteubayev
74 kg/163 lbs. – Bolat Sakayev
79 kg/174 lbs. – Galymzhan Usserbayev
86 kg/189 lbs. – Azamat Dauletbekov
86 kg/189 lbs. – Elkhan Assadov
86 kg/189 lbs. – Iliskhan Chilayev
97 kg/213 lbs. – Bakdaulet Almentay
125 kg/275 lbs. – Yermukambet Inkar
Unknown – Zhanabek Bakhtiyar
Unknown – Tastemirov Dias
Unknown – Suyunov Abay
Unknown – Sakap Yerlan
Unknown – Nogaibayev Nursultan
Moldova
Greco-Roman
98 kg/216 lbs. – Polieciuc Ivan
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Anatolii Buruian
61 kg/134 lbs. – Akexandru Chirtoaca
97 kg/213 lbs. – Ceban Nicolai
Mongolia
Freestyle
65 kg/143 lbs. – Nyamdavaa Sukhbaatar
86 kg/189 lbs. – Temuujin Enkhtur
Women’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Otgontsetseg Munkhtungalag
65 kg/143 lbs. – Battsetseg Soronzonbold
Peru
Women’s Freestyle
48 kg/106 lbs. – Thalia Jihann Mallqui Peche
58 kg/128 lbs. – Yante Ursula Sovero Nino
69 kg/152 lbs. – Diana Luis Cruz Arroyo
86 kg/190 lbs. – Pool Edinzon Ambrocio Greifo
Korea
Greco-Roman
72 kg/158 lbs. – Gi Uk Choi
82 kg/ 180 lbs. – Sim Hyun Baek
97 kg/214 lbs. – Jee Woo Park
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Guk Heon Kim
65 kg/143 lbs. – Seon Hoo Yoo
65 kg/143 lbs. – Jae Hoon Yang
Russia
Men’s Freestyle
61 kg/134 lbs. – Sultan Ziravov
86 kg/190 lbs. – Dzhabrail Khizriev
Tajikistan
Men’s Freestyle
74 kg/163 lbs. – Manuchehr Malaev
92 kg/203 lbs. – Furkat Rakhimov
125 kg/275 lbs. – Abdurashid Gulyamov
United Arab Emirates
Men’s Freestyle
86 kg/190 lbs. – Bader Aku Ahmed Noor Alali
Unknown – Khaleifah Maktoum Ali Almaazrou
Ukraine
Men’s Freestyle
97 kg/213 lbs. – Seerhii Mokhort
Unknown – Oleh Levchenko
Unknown – Ihor Dvornikov
Unknown – Oleg Schevchuk
Women’s Freestyle
Unknown – Violetta Kremenchuk
Venezuela
Men’s Freestyle
65 kg/143 lbs. – Anthony Jose Montero Chirinos
86 kg/190 lbs. – Pedro Francisco Ceballos Fuentes
Women’s Freestyle
53 kg/117 lbs. – Betzabeth Angelica Arguello Villegas
