U.S. Junior Greco-Roman delegation looks to repeat as team champs at Junior Austrian Open
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by JD Rader, USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling will be sending a Junior Greco-Roman team to Gotzis, Austria, to compete in the ninth-annual Junior Austrian Open on Saturday, March 2.
The U.S. will be attempting to repeat its eight gold medals and 79-point performance from 2018, a performance that earned the U.S. a team title.
Several members from last year’s championship team will be returning this year. Riley Briggs (Brentwood, Calif./NMU-OTS) will be returning as the defending 67 kg/147.5 pounds champion. Mason Hartshorn (Antioch, Calif./NMU-OTS) brought home silver at 60 kg/132 pounds in 2018.
David Stepanian (Macomb, Mich./NMU-OTS), Erik Spence (Elk Grove, Calif./NMU-OTS), Britton Holmes (Peyton, Colo./NMU-OTS), Kaleb Gaede (Limon, Colo./NMU-OTS), and Faustin Lopez (Denver, Colo./NMU-OTS) will all be returning as top-six finishers from last year’s Junior Austrian Open.
In total, the U.S. will be bringing a roster of 24 athletes to compete. Following the tournament, athletes will partake in in a five-day training camp in Gotzis that will give them the opportunity to train alongside a number of athletes from other countries.
The U.S. team will be coached by Northern Michigan University-Olympic Training Site head coach Rob Hermann and Combat Wrestling Club head coach Lucas Steldt.
Every wrestler will be allowed a two kilogram weight allowance.
U.S. Junior Greco-Roman roster
55 kg/121 lbs. – Jacob Cochran (Pensacola, Fla./NMU-OTS)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Haiden Drury (Toppenish, Wash.)
55 kg/121 lbs. – David Stepanian (Macomb, Mich./NMU-OTS)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Carter Stephenson (Colorado Springs, Colo./EAP)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Mason Hartshorn (Antioch, Calif./NMU-OTS)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Delon Kanari (Volo, Ill./NMU-OTS)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Nick Leonetti (Star, Idaho/Suples WC)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Tarrell Wallace (Opa Locka, Fla.)
63 kg/138.5 lbs. – Adrian Gomez
63 kg/138.5 lbs. – Erik Spence (Elk Grove, Calif./NMU-OTS)
63 kg/138.5 lbs. – Cole Stephenson (Colorado Springs, Colo./EAP)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Riley Briggs (Brentwood, Calif./NMU-OTS)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Alec McDoulett (Newalla, Okla./Little Axe Wrestling)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Timmy Thompson (Houston, Texas/NMU-OTS)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Noah Wachsmuth (Happy Valley, Ore./EAP)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Britton Holmes (Peyton, Colo./NMU-OTS)
77 kg/169.5 lbs. – Nate Grimes (Yukon, Okla./NMU-OTS)
77 kg/169.5 lbs. – Zach Tolver (Fairbanks, Alaska/NMU-OTS)
82 kg/180.5 lbs. – Thomas Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./EAP)
82 kg/180.5 lbs. – DM Hallett (Littleton, Colo./NMU)
87 kg/191.5 lbs. – Keaton Fanning (Bedford, Texas/NMU)
87 kg/191.5 lbs. – Kaleb Gaede (Limon, Colo./NMU)
87 kg/191.5 lbs. – Faustin Lopez (Denver, Colo./NMU)
97 kg/213.5 lbs. – Ryan Delgado (Doral, Fla./Garage Boyz Wrestling)
Coaches
Rob Hermann (Marquette, Mich./NMU-OTS)
Lucas Steldt (Blue River, Wis./Combat Wrestling Club)
Medical – Jim Kliamovich, Viera, Fla.
Referee – Jonathan Grube, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Schedule (six hours ahead of U.S. ET)
Saturday, March 2
10 a.m. – Qualification and elimination rounds all weights
6 p.m. – Finals all weights
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