Greco-Roman field consists of established names and college up-and-comers for Senior Nationals

Photo of Pat Smith at the 2019 Pan Am Games by Tony Rotundo/Wrestlers are Warriors.

Since last week’s Senior Nationals early registration preview, a significant number of entries have come in, making the field even more interesting and competitive. Of note, several Div. I colleges have numerous wrestlers in the field, including Nebraska, which boasts seven wrestlers currently on their roster registered to compete.

U.S. National Team Coach Matt Lindland, a Cornhusker alumni, is pleased with the amount of college wrestlers registered, particularly from his alma mater.

“I think it’s great that college guys are wrestling at Senior Nationals. Nebraska is historically one of the top schools for producing Greco-Roman World medalists and Olympians, and it’s exciting that they are sending a strong group,” Lindland said.

Greco-Roman action will take place this Friday. Octoner 9, at the Xtream Arena & GreenState Family Fieldhouse in Coralville, Iowa.

60 kg
60 kg is one of the deepest weight classes in the country, and the competition level reflects this. National Team members Taylor LaMont (No. 3 at 60 kg) and Brady Koontz (No. 2 at 55 kg) were both noted in last week’s preview and still should be considered heavy hitters in the bracket.

Another big name joining the fray is Randon Miranda. A two-time Junior World Team member and 2018 U23 World Team member, Miranda has recorded strong results domestically and internationally including titles at the 2017 Arvo Haavisto Cup in Finland, the 2017 Klippan Cup in Sweden, the 2018 Bill Farrell International and the 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial.

Another wrestler with substantial international experience is Travis Rice. He has competed on both Junior and U23 World Teams and is a 2019 U.S. Open third-place finisher. Rice usually wrestles at 63 kg and dropped to 60 kg for the Olympic year.

Numerous Div. 1 college wrestlers are entered in the bracket including Nebraska’s Liam Cronin and Alex Thomson. Cronin was an NCAA qualifier for Indiana last season before transferring to Nebraska and Thomson was an NCAA qualifier for Nebraska. Northern Colorado’s Mosha Schwartz, an NCAA qualifier as a true freshman last year and Arizona State’s Nick Raimo, a redshirt freshman, are also worth keeping an eye on.

Elijah Varona, a 2018 Bill Farrell champion and former Junior World Team member, is another wrestler in this bracket that could potentially make some noise.

67 kg
67 kg is the biggest Greco bracket in the tournament. Last week’s preview highlighted USOPTC resident Nolan Baker and Northern Michigan’s Benjamin Peak as wrestlers to watch, and the field has become substantially deeper since then.

2019 Senior Nationals finalist Calvin Germinaro will be looking to move up one spot and claim a title this year. Germinaro defeated World champion Joe Warren, Junior World bronze medalist Peyton Omania and National Team member Michael Hooker on his way to the tournament finals in 2019.

2017 Cadet World Team member Ridge Lovett is another wrestler to keep an eye on. Lovett was an NCAA qualifier as a true freshman last season for Nebraska. Another Nebraska wrestler to watch is Brock Hardy, who is returning to action after a two-year Mormon mission. Hardy was one of the nation’s top recruits and placed numerous times at Fargo.

Also in the field are 2019 U23 World Team member Lenny Merkin and 2018 U.S. Open runner-up Jessy Williams.

77 kg
2019 World Team member Pat Smith is the front-runner at 77 kg. Smith is a two-time Senior World Team member, a 2019 Pan Am Games champion and a 2014 World University Championships silver medalist.

No. 2 on the National Team at 82 kg Kendrick Sanders is another title contender in the bracket. Sanders is a two-time U.S. Open champion (2014, 2019).

Others to watch include Nebraska’s Peyton Robb, a 2020 NCAA qualifier and 2017 Fargo Junior champion, Tyler Eischens of Stanford, also a 2020 NCAA qualifier and 2019 Junior World Team member and up-and-comer Tommy Brackett.

In addition to the fresh blood, seasoned wrestlers like Burke Paddock and Alec Ortiz could be dark horses in this field.

87 kg
World Team member Joe Rau was one of the big names registered early for Senior Nationals. In his last outing, Rau won the Pan Am Olympic Qualifier, earning a weight class berth at the Olympic Games for Team USA.

One wrestler who could certainly provide a challenge to Rau is Alan Vera. Formerly of Cuba, Vera has been competing in events while representing Team USA. He is a 2019 Bill Farrell International and Dave Schultz Memorial champion. In the Dave Schultz semifinals, He defeated Rau, 9-0. While Vera is not yet cleared to represent the U.S. in an Olympic event, he is eligible to wrestle for Team USA at the UWW World Championships.

2019 Junior World Team member Zachary Braunagel, a 2020 NCAA qualifier for Illinois, and 2018 U23 World Team George Sikes are both registered at 87 kg as well.

Others to keep your eyes on include 2016 Iowa State All-American Lelund Weatherspoon, who is making his Senior Greco-Roman debut, and two-time Junior World Team member Marcus Finau.

97 kg
There is no clear favorite at 97 kg, so it will be interesting to see how the weight class will shake out. In addition to 2019 Junior World Team member Nicholas Boykin, who was mentioned in last week’s preview, college studs Nino Bonaccorsi of Pittsburgh and Kordell Norfleet of Arizona State are in the field. Both are making their senior Greco debuts.

Additionally, one of the top true freshmen in the country Braxton Amos of Wisconsin is registered. Amos is a 2019 Junior Pan Am Championships silver medalist, a 2018 Cadet Pan Am champion, a two-time Fargo 16U champion and a Fargo Junior runner-up.

Another name to look for is Jeremiah Imonode, a 2020 Army graduate who placed eighth at the 2018 and 2019 U.S. Opens.

130 kg
Three-time age group medalist Cohlton Schultz should be considered a big favorite at 130 kg. Schultz, a 2017 Cadet World champion, is currently No. 2 on the National Team.

Donny Longendyke is one potential challenge to Schultz. Longendyke placed fifth at the 2019 Senior Nationals and is a 2017 University Nationals champion.

2018 Cadet World Team member Luke Luffman is another wrestler hoping to make a splash at the Senior level. Luffman was Illinois’ starter as a true freshman last season. He is a 2019 Fargo Junior champion, a 2018 Fargo Junior runner-up and a 2017 Fargo 16U runner-up.