AWL I preview at 57 kg: Frank Perrelli (Team Dake) vs. Nico Megaludis (Team Taylor)

Initially, both Frank Perrelli and Nico Megaludis were drafted by David Taylor for his AWL I team, but just prior to the final athlete selection, Taylor and Kyle Dake made a trade, which brought Perrelli to Team Dake. When it came time to pick his starter, Dake went for Perrelli instead of either Zach Sanders or Alan Waters who were his initial draftees at 57 kg.


That said, this is a matchup of a veteran freestyle specialist in Perrelli against a rising young talent in Megaludis. Of special note is the fact that in 2018, Megaludis moved up to 61 kg, where he placed second in the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament and earned a spot on the Freestyle National Team, while Perrelli has focused his competition at 57 kg.


These guys do have some history. At the 2017 World Team Trials in Lincoln, Neb., Perrelli defeated Megaludis, 7-2 in the consolation semifinals, and Perrelli went on to place fourth. If you go back to their college careers, Megaludis, a Penn State freshman, beat Perrelli, a Cornell senior, 7-4 in the 2012 NCAA semifinals in St. Louis.


Both wrestlers showed a freestyle skill set while still in college, winning University Nationals titles, with Perrelli claiming his in 2010, while Megaludis won his in 2013 and 2016.


Perrelli burst on the Senior freestyle scene when he made a big run at the 2013 U.S. Open at 55 kg, reaching the finals before losing to eventual World Team member Obe Blanc. Ever since, he has been active and successful on the national freestyle circuit.


While still in college, Megaludis entered the 2014 World Team Trials and just missed making the National Team, placing fourth after losing a true third wrestle-off. He also entered the 2016 Olympic Team Trials and had an opening win over another college star, Nathan Tomasello, but dropped his next two bouts. Perrelli was not in the field at the 2016 Olympic Trials, as he did not qualify.


Both athletes have been successful in international events this season, with Megaludis winning a bronze medal at the Alexander Medved International in September, while Perrelli won a silver medal at the Canada Cup in July and placed fifth at the Pytlasinski Memorial International in September.


If you want to bet on freestyle experience, Perrelli has much more of that. Megaludis has a better college pedigree, winning an NCAA title for Penn State and four All-American honors, while Perrelli started his career as a backup to NCAA champ Troy Nickerson at Cornell before winning a pair of EIWA titles and claiming All-American honors as a senior.


But if you really want to go to their roots, Megaludis is a Pennsylvania native and Perrelli is from New Jersey, and when top guys from those states meet at any level, it is usually a great battle.


Tickets for AWL I: THE BEGINNING can be purchased at www.americanwrestling.org


The event will be broadcast live by TrackWrestling.

TEAM DAKE – 57 kg

Frank Perrelli, Bethlehem, Pa. (Titan Mercury WC/Lehigh Valley WC)
College: Cornell

High School: Morristown, N.J. (Delbarton School)

Born: May 2, 1989

• Second in 2013 U.S. Open

• Fourth in U.S. Open (2017, 2018)

• 2010 University Nationals champion

• 2012 Canada Cup champion

• Second in 2017 Outstanding Ukrainian Memorial International

• Third in Henri Deglane Challenge (France)

• Fifth in 2017 World Team Trials

• Fourth in 2012 NCAA Championships for Cornell

• Two-time EIWA champion

• 2006 New Jersey state high school champion

TEAM TAYLOR – 57 kg

Nico Megaludis, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Titan Mercury WC/Pittsburgh WC)

College: Penn State

High School: Murrysville, Pa. (Franklin Regional)

Born: July 11, 1992

• Second in 2018 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament

• Third at 2018 U.S. Open

• 2017 Paris International champion (France)

• 2016 Bill Farrell International champion

• 2015 Guelph Open champion (Canada)

• Third in 2018 Medved International (Belarus)

• Two-time University Nationals champion (2013, 2016)

• Fourth in 2014 U.S. World Team Trials

• 2016 NCAA champion and four-time All-American for Penn State

• Three-time Pennsylvania state champion