USMC 16U Nationals men’s freestyle gets rolling, as all four returning champions are dominant
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
FARGO , N.D. – The 2024 USMC 16U Nationals in men’s freestyle got started on Monday, with only 16U action during the second session in the FargoDome.
There were four returning 16U National freestyle champions in the field today, and all four were in total command during the opening session.
Shamus Regan of Pennsylvania, who won his 16U National freestyle title last year competing for Tennessee, won three straight 10-0 techical falls over Brennan Sprague of New York, Brodie Starcher of Kansas, and Austin Hegevold of Illinois.
Jayden James of New Jersey, last year’s champ at 132 who wrestles now 150, scored two dominant wins, a 12-1 technical fall over Keith Remington of Texas and a 33-second pin of Parker Williams of Arkansas
Aaron Stewart of Illinois won two technical falls at 165, beating West Wingate of Virginia, 10-0 and Easton Jensen of Washington, 11-0.
Brandon Bickerton of Ohio, the 88-pound champion last year, has moved to 113 this year. He won three matches by decision to advance to the round of 16. Bickerton beat Robby Newton of Rhode Island, 10-4, Isaac Roberts of Pennsylvania, 7-0, and edged Royce Malone of Indiana, 2-2.
The four returning runners-up also are without a loss, Edward George of New Jersey (88), Turner Ross of Minnesota (100), Bruno Cassioppi of Illinois (126) and Alex Taylor of Ohio (215).
There were 14 athletes who won 2024 16U Folkstyle National titles who entered the freestyle tournament still eligible for the 16U Triple Crown. Freestyle is the second leg of the Triple Crown, with the Greco-Roman competition on Friday and Saturday being the third leg. When today’s session was over, there were still 11 who are still in the hunt.
2024 Folkstyle National champion Abraham Coronado of Nevada was beaten in his first match by Gunnar Ortiz of Arizona, 9-8 at 120 pounds.
At 106 pounds, 2024 Folkstyle Nationals champion Jax Vang of California was defeated in his third match by Liam Collins of Minnesota by a 10-0 technical fall.
At 113 pounds, 2024 Folkstyle Nationals champion Tanner Telford of Utah was edged in his third match by Graydon Martin of Virginia, 7-6.
Those who remain Triple Crown eligible are Wyatt Dannegger of Missouri (88), Gavin Landers of Iowa (120), Mason Carlson of Utah (126), Dawson Youngblut of Iowa (132), Noah Bull of Utah (144), Brody Sendele of Illinois (157), Aaron Stewart of Illinois (165), Michael White of Indiana (175), Deacon Moran of Missouri (190), Noah Mathis of Kansas (215) and Jonathan Rulo of Illinois (285).
There were also 12 of the 2023 14U freestyle national champions who made the jump to 16U this year. From this group, nine are unbeaten after the first day of competition at the 16U Nationals: Lucas Forman of Nevada (88), Corey Brown of Maryland (100), Tommy Wurster of Ohio (106), Zahn Beal of Wisconsin (106), Jovanni Tovar of Florida (113), Weston Borgers of Ohio (120), Joaquin Chacon of Arizona (132), Peyton Hornsby of Indiana (138) and Eli Knight of West Virginia (190). Wurster and Beal will compete against each other in the next round on Tuesday.
The 16U weight class includes just two years, athletes who turn 15 or 16 during the calendar year. In many weights, there are few returning All-Americans. However, there are six returning freestyle All-Americans at 113 pounds, five returning freestyle All-Americans at 215 pounds and four returning All-Americans at both 100 pounds and 120 pounds.
Both 16U freestyle and Junior freestyle division continue on Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. CT. The second session on Tuesday, which begins at 3:00 p.m., will include the quarterfinals in both tournaments.
FloWrestling is once again the broadcaster for the USMC Junior/16U Nationals. See it live on FloWrestling. https://flosports.link/4asFX5c
REMAINING MEN’S FREESTYLE SCHEDULE
Tuesday. July 16th
9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Session VIII
16U/JR Boys Freestyle: Championship (1 Rd) and Consolations (2 Rds)
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. - Session IX
16U Boys/JR Boys Freestyle: Championship & Quarterfinals (2 Rds) and Consolation (3 Rds)
Wednesday, July 17th
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Session X
16U Boys/JR Boys Freestyle: Semifinals, Consolation (3 Rds), and Consolation Semifinals
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. - Session XI
16U Boys/JR Boys Freestyle: 3rd – 8th Medal Matches
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. - Session XII16U Boys/JR Boys Freestyle: Parade of Champions and Championship Finals
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