#GrecoMonday: Five Greco-savvy freshmen to watch for next season

Photo of Cohlton Schultz wrestling in the 2019 Junior World finals by Gerhard Remus. 

In recent years, more and more freshmen have been coming out of the gates as All-American threats and national title contenders. The underclassmen who make an immediate impact on the college scene are usually highly credentialed high school studs. Many already have a solid record against college competition under their belts from their redshirt seasons and cannot wait to put their talent on the line while officially representing their schools.
Below are five wrestlers with exceptional backgrounds in Greco-Roman, who all look poised to take on NCAA competition this upcoming season. Each of these wrestlers has already had at least a year in a college room and will be leaning on their Greco foundations as they begin their quest for podium placements.


Cohlton Schultz (Arizona State) – 285 pounds
Schultz is the most credentialed wrestler on this list, and he should make an immediate impact for the Sun Devils. Schultz has consistently risen to the top of age-group-level international competitions. He has made six age-group-level World Teams, three Junior Teams, two Cadet Teams and one U23 Team. He is a 2019 Junior World silver medalist, a 2018 Junior World bronze medalist and a 2017 Cadet World champion. Schultz is currently No. 2 at 130 kg on the Senior National Team.
Schultz was the No. 2 overall recruit in the Class of 2019 according to Flowrestling. Last year during his redshirt season, Schultz went 8-1. His only loss came to Fresno State’s two-time NCAA qualifier AJ Nevills, 5-2, at the Roadrunner Open.
Peyton Omania (Michigan State) – 149 pounds
Peyton Omania is another wrestler on the list with extensive international age-group experience, having participated in four World Championships. Omania was a 2016 Cadet World Team member, a 2018 Junior World Team member and made both the Junior and U23 World Teams in 2019. Omania earned a bronze medal at the 2019 Junior World Championships in Tallinn, Estonia.
Omania went 19-6 during his 2018-2019 redshirt freshman year. Last season, he took an Olympic redshirt and only competed in Greco-Roman.
Cade DeVos (South Dakota State) – 157 pounds
Two-time Iowa state champion and three-time state finalist Cade DeVos has seen a lot of Greco-Roman success in his career. His biggest accomplishment in the style is his 2019 Fargo Junior National title. Additionally, DeVos placed seventh at the 2018 Junior Nationals and third at the 2017 16U Nationals.
DeVos was the No. 76 recruit in the class of 2019 and had a strong redshirt season last year, going 22-4.
Chris Foca (Cornell) – 174 pounds
Chris Foca ended his high school career on top of the podium with a 2019 Fargo Junior National title after a runner-up finish in 2018. He also finished runner-up at the 2016 and 2017 Greco-Roman Cadet World Team Trials.
A 2019 New Jersey state champion and 2018 state runner-up, Foca was ranked No. 21 in the class of 2019. During his grayshirt season, Foca compiled a 21-3 record.
Jace Punke (Missouri) – 197 pounds
Jace Punke is a two-time Illinois state champion and two-time Fargo Junior National champion. Punke has also seen success on the international level, claiming a 2017 Cadet Pan Am Championships gold medal. Punke also placed second at the 2016 16U Nationals and third at the 2017 Cadet World Team trials.
While he spent his final high school years at heavyweight, during his redshirt season he competed solely at 197 pounds, finishing with an 11-6 record.