U15 men’s freestyle World Team set, and three wrestlers win double titles at UWW U15 Nationals

The UWW U15 Men's Freestyle Nationals Champions will represent Team USA at the U15 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Photo by Greg Kaup.

The inaugural UWW U15 Nationals has drawn to a close after three days of action from some of the best age group wrestlers in the country. On the last day of wrestling, the men’s freestyle champions were crowned. These wrestlers will represent Team USA in Budapest this June at the first UWW U15 World Championships. Three wrestlers also won the Greco-Roman tournament and will be able to wrestle both styles at the World Championships.

The first wrestler to claim two titles was Aden Valencia at 34-38 kg. Valencia teched or pinned every opponent he faced across both styles. In the best-of-three freestyle finals he won by fall, and 10-0 technical fall. The next wrestler to do so was Ethan Stiles at 52 kg. Stiles was unscored on in Greco-Roman, and won his best-of-three freestyle finals, two matches to zero, winning 15-11 and 10-0. The final wrestler to bring home two titles was Andrew Blackburn-Forst. Blackburn-Forst scored two falls in two matches in the best-of-three finals.

62 kg wrestler Antrell Taylor was the tournament’s outstanding wrestler. Taylor opened the tournament with three straight technical falls to reach the finals, winning 10-0, 11-0 and 10-0. In the first match of the best-of-three finals he came overcame an early 5-0 deficit to win 12-8. He won the second match by technical fall, 12-2.

The other six champions making the World team were Tyler Wells at 41 kg, Kael Lauridsen at 44 kg, Greyson Clark at 48 kg, Francisco Ayala at 57 kg, James Rowley at 68 kg, and Bradley Gillum at 75 kg.

A noteworthy occurrence took place in the first match in the best-of-three series at 68 kg which was officiated by a three-woman crew. This is believed to be the first time a crew composed entirely of women officiated a men’s world team trials finals match. The officials were Anna Sylstad from Washington as the referee, Leslie Tamayo from Arizona as the chairman, and Laura Conway from Colorado as the judge. Annelis Tapia of Illinois and Allicyn Schuster of Nebraska also referred matches at this tournament. Head Referee, Tim Pierson though this was an important step for refereeing.

“With the growth of competitors in women’s wrestling, it’s important that the growth of women’s referees stay on par. Seeing that at the World Team level is significant for the country because we need more female referees. Wrestlers and coaches need to recognize all referees regardless of gender. When they walk out there they need to think “there’s the ref", not that they’re a female or male referee.”

Finals Results:

34-38 kg Aden Valencia over Luke Lilledahl 2-0 (Fall, 10-0)

41 kg Tyler Wells over Paul Kelly 2-0 (8-3, 7-0)

44 kg Kael Lauridsen over Alex Marre 2-0 (17-16, Fall)

48 kg Greyson Clark over Weston Dalton 2-0 (12-2, 10-0)

52 kg Ethan Stiles over Lane Gilbert 2-0 (15-11, 10-0)

57 kg Francisco Ayala over Aiden Riggins 2-1 (4-9, 10-0, 10-6)

62 kg Antrell Taylor over Jordan Cullors 2-0 (12-8, 12-2)

68 kg James Rowley over Joshua Barr 2-0 (11-1, 11-0)

75 kg Bradley Gillum over Antony Tuttle 2-0 (7-4, 6-4)

85 kg Andrew Blackburn-Forst over Nathan Wemstrom (Fall, Fall)

Consolation Results:

34-38 kg

Third

Grigor Cholakyan Burbank, CA (ISU) VSU1 Alex Diederich MN (PINnacle), 14-4 2:39

Fifth

Haakon Peterson Hollandale, WI (Sebolt Wrestling Academy) VPO Elias Navida San Diego, CA (Poway Elite), 6-0

Seventh

Mason Mills Saint Michael, MN (PINnacle) VPO1 Sloan Johannsen Watertown, SD (Legends of Gold), 8-2

41 kg

Third

Nathanael Jesuroga Pleasant Hill, IA (Sebolt Wrestling Academy) VPO Kolby Warren Saint Charles, MO (Unattached), 7-0

Fifth

Ayson Rice Sioux Falls, SD (Legends of Gold) VSU1 Jameson Garcia Bloomingdale, IL (Gomez Wrestling), 18-9 4:00

Seventh

Caleb Thoennes St. Cloud, MN (PINnacle) VSU Joshua Vazquez Aurora, IL (Izzy Style), 10-0 1:11

44kg

Third

Cael Hughes Stillwater, OK (OKRTC) VPO1 Brandon Cannon Centennial, CO (SOT Academy), 8-5

Fifth

Dj Gillett Wilsonville, OR (Orange Crush Wrestling Club) VPO1 Cael Keck Kansas City, MO (Greater Heights Wrestling), 7-4

Seventh

Cael Nasdeo Williamsport, PA (M2 / BVRTC) VIN Teegan Vasquez Kalispell, MT (Kalispell Wrestling Club)

48 kg

Third

Drayden Morton Winthrop, MN (MN Elite) VPO1 Joseph Fernau St. Charles, IL (Izzy Style), 4-3

Fifth

Mitchell Neiner Port Orchard, WA (NWWC) VSU Zachary Silvis Cottage Grove, MN (PINnacle), 10-0 0:42

Seventh

Ryder Block Denver, IA (Sebolt Wrestling Academy) VPO1 Logan Graf SD (Black Hills Stampede), 15-15

52 kg

Third

Pierson Manville MN (PINnacle) VSU Garrett Funk Waterloo, IA (IAWC), 10-0 0:48

Fifth

Levi Haines Arendtsville, PA (M2 / BVRTC) VPO1 Cole Brooks Collinsville, OK (OKRTC), 4-2

Seventh

Brendan Howes Anoka, MN (PINnacle) VFA Collin Carrigan Naperville, IL (Izzy Style), 6-0 1:06

57 kg

Third

Jayden Colon Hanover Park, IL (Izzy Style) VFA Kayd Craig Gooding, ID (Delchev Trained Academy), 4-1 0:32

Fifth

Ryan Schepers VLG OF 4 SSNS, MO (Eierman Elite) VPO1 Markell Rivera Glendale, AZ (Grindhouse Wrestling Club), 8-4

Seventh

Q'veli Quintanilla Spokane, WA (Inland Northwest Wrestling Training Center) VSU Garrett Lyons Pleasant Hill, MO (Champions Wrestling Club), 11-0 1:03

62 kg

Third

Corey Camden Houston, TX (Boneyard wrestling academy) VFA Braden Stauffenberg Plano, IL (Izzy Style), 4-1 0:37

Fifth

Noah Tolentino Poway, CA (Poway Elite) VPO1 Riggin Boger Altamont, UT (Altamont), 7-6

Seventh

Joe Gonzalez Chuluota, FL (Florida Jets) VSU Joseph Olalde Roselle, IL (Gomez Wrestling), 10-0 1:32

68 kg

Third

John Purdy Chandler, IN (Mauer Coughlin Wrestling Club) VPO1 Ben Kueter Iowa City, IA (Sebolt Wrestling Academy), 11-10

Fifth

Ryder Rogotzke Woodbury, MN (East Ridge) VFA Thor Michaelson Bremerton, WA (NWWC), 3-2 0:52

Seventh

Lowell Arnold WI (Combat Wrestling Club) VFA Landen Shurtleff Santaquin, UT (Utah), 3-0 3:10

75 kg

Third

Gavin Nelson Inver Grove Heights, MN (PINnacle) VFA Drake Buchanan Greenwood, IN (Center Grove Wrestling Club), 8-2 3:02

Fifth

Alexander Morris Papillion, NE (MWC Wrestling Academy) VIN Enzo Morlacci PA (Young Guns)

85 kg

Third

Max Ramberg Baldwin, WI (PINnacle) VSU1 Gabe Edwards Omaha, NE (MWC Wrestling Academy), 13-2 3:04

Fifth

David Pierson (PB)