Duke, Dake power into men’s freestyle finals at Senior World Team Trials

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The men’s freestyle finals are set at the 2025 Senior World Team Trials following the semifinal round on Friday evening. Experienced competitors met young stars in a round that provided excitement and upsets for fans.

The semifinals got off to an impressive start, as Real Woods defeated U20 World silver medalist and U.S. Open runner-up Jesse Mendez, 11-9. Woods jumped to an 8-0 start with a takedown and three gut wrench turns, before Mendez mounted a strong comeback attempt. The pair exchanged scores, but Woods ultimately held on for the victory.

On the other side of the bracket, U23 World bronze medalist Brock Hardy bested U17 World champion Bo Bassett, 12-7. Hardy’s 10-point second period was what he needed to push himself ahead of Bassett and remain strong on defense to advance.

PJ Duke locked in a victory over NCAA champion and 2017 U17 Greco-Roman World Team member Ridge Lovett in the semifinals at 70 kg. As time expired, it appeared that Lovett secured a takedown, but a challenge from Duke’s corner resulted in a step-out for Lovett prior to the takedown.

Duke’s opponent is Bryce Andonian, who used a last-minute takedown to defeat teammate Caleb Henson in the 70 kg semifinals.

Two-time Olympic medalist Kyle Dake battled NCAA Champion Parker Keckeisen in the semifinals at 86 kg, advancing with an 11-1 technical fall. Keckeisen opened the match with a burst of energy, going for a double and getting one point on a step-out. It was all Dake following the point, pushing the pace on offense.

Dake takes on Nittany Lion Wrestling Club teammate Carter Starocci in the finals. Starocci used a 4-2 decision to get past 2023 Senior World Team member Chance Marsteller.

2022 Senior World Team member Hayden Zillmer wrestled one match on day one, a semifinal against Eric Schultz at 97 kg. Zillmer grinded out a 2-1 decision over Schultz, and meets a tough opponent in Jonathan Aiello in the championship match.

At 74 kg, two-time age-group World medalist David Carr claimed a spot in the championship finals on Saturday, defeating Terrell Barraclough, 6-3. He matches up against past Senior National Team member Jarrett Jacques in the final round. Jacques’ 6-2 decision over Quincy Monday in the semifinals pushed him through.

U20 World silver medalist Josh Barr reached the finals with a 10-4 decision over U23 World Team member Dustin Plott. U.S. Open runner-up Aeoden Sinclair is Barr’s opponent, after a close victory over past Senior World Team member Michael Macchiavello in the semifinals.

U.S. Open runners-up Dean Hamiti at 79 kg and Demetrius Thomas at 125 kg both see themselves back in the championship finals. Hamiti will take on U23 Pan American champion Levi Haines, and Thomas battles Trent Hillger on Saturday.

The Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament continues with the men’s freestyle finals will begin at Noon (ET) on Saturday, May 17.

Fans can follow the action live on FloWrestling. Watch the event live or on-demand at FloWrestling.com.

Online results for the Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament are available on USA Bracketing, USA Wrestling’s new best-in-class event management software.

• Event website
• Live stream
• Brackets and results

65 kg – Real Woods (Cliff Keen WC/ Titan Mercury WC) vs. Brock Hardy (Nebraska RTC/ Titan Mercury WC)

70 kg – Bryce Andonian (SERTC/ Titan Mercury WC) vs. PJ Duke (Titan Mercury WC)

74 kg – David Carr (Cyclone RTC/ Titan Mercury WC) vs. Jarrett Jacques (Tiger Style WC)

79 kg – Levi Haines (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC) vs. Dean Hamiti Jr (Cowboy RTC/ Titan Mercury WC)

86 kg – Kyle Dake (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC) vs. Carter Starocci (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC)

92 kg – Joshua Barr (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC) vs. Aeoden Sinclair (Tiger Style WC)

97 kg – Hayden Zillmer (Gopher WC) vs. Jonathan Aiello (Penn RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

125 kg – Demetrius Thomas (New York Athletic Club) vs. Trent Hillger (Gopher WC)

Real Woods (Cliff Keen WC/Titan Mercury WC) Dec. Jesse Mendez (Ohio RTC/Titan Mercury WC), 11-9

Brock Hardy (Nebraska RTC/Titan Mercury WC) Dec. Bo Bassett (Titan Mercury WC), 12-7

Bryce Andonian (SERTC/Titan Mercury WC) Dec. Caleb Henson (SERTC/Titan Mercury WC), 3-2

PJ Duke (Titan Mercury WC) Dec. Ridge Lovett (Nebraska RTC/Titan Mercury WC), 3-2

David Carr (Cyclone RTC/Titan Mercury WC) Dec. Terrell Barraclough (Brunson UVRTC), 6-3

Jarrett Jacques (Tiger Style Wrestling Club) Dec. Quincy Monday (NJRTC/Titan Mercury WC), 6-2

Levi Haines (TMWC/NLWC) Dec. Carson Kharchla (Ohio RTC/Titan Mercury WC), 10-5

Dean Hamiti Jr (Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC) Dec. Simon Ruiz (Spartan Combat RTC/Titan Mercury WC), 5-3

Kyle Dake (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC) T.F. Parker Keckeisen (Panther Wrestling Club RTC), 11-1 (3:58)

Carter Starocci (NLWC/TMWC) Dec. Chance Marsteller (NJRTC/Titan Mercury WC), 4-2

Joshua Barr (NLWC/TMWC) Dec. Dustin Plott (Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC), 10-4

Aeoden Sinclair (Tiger Style Wrestling Club) Dec. Michael Macchiavello (Lehigh Valley Wrestling RTC/Titan Mercury WC), 4-3

Hayden Zillmer (Gopher Wrestling Club) Dec. Eric Schultz (Nebraska RTC/Titan Mercury WC), 2-1

Jonathan Aiello (Penn RTC/Titan Mercury WC) Dec. Justin Rademacher (Beaver Dam Wrestling Regional Training Center), 11-4

Demetrius Thomas (New York Athletic Club) Dec. Christian Lance (Nebraska RTC/Titan Mercury WC), 6-4

Trent Hillger (Gopher Wrestling Club) T.F. Jordan Wood (NYAC), 13-2 (5:53)