20 returning All-Americans alive after session one at USMC 16U Greco-Roman Nationals
by Adam Engel, USA Wrestling
Heavyweight Willie Cox of Alabama (in white) advanced to the round of 16. He finished eighth last summer in the same weight. Photo by Jason Fulmore/SEWrestle
FARGO, N.D. — The quest to repeat All-American honors continued for 20 wrestlers at the USMC 16U Greco-Roman Nationals on Wednesday morning in Fargo, North Dakota.
Twenty-seven returning All-Americans hit the mats at the beginning of the morning. Only two of those competitors — Jared Johnston of Ohio at 120 and Justin Avila of Iowa at 145 - were eliminated. Five others could find the podium again with deep runs through the consolation bracket.
Johnston won three consecutive bouts in the consolation round before elimination from Colorado’s Nick Dardanes in the consolation of 32, No. 2. In 2021, Johnston placed seventh at 100. At 145, Avila exited after two straight losses. Utah’s Tucker Roybal defeated Avila in the consolation of 64 No. 2 thanks to a two and two combination with two seconds remaining. Last summer, Avila placed seventh at 138.
Haakon Peterson of Wisconsin at 94 is the only returning champion in this field. Because of the small size of his bracket, he didn’t wrestle in the first session. He’ll battle Trenton Richwine of Kansas in the round of 16.
Three runners-up from last summer — Brady Phelps of Illinois, Matthew Martino of Idaho and Pennsylvania’s Trey Wagner, are also in contention. At 106, Brady Phelps of Illinois advanced to the round of 16 with two tech falls. Phelps competed at 94 in 2021. At 113, Matthew Martino of Idaho grabbed a 35 second pin in the round of 64 before a round of 32 technical fall.
Pennsylvania’s Trey Wagner advanced in similar fashion. He logged two tech falls and outscored opponents, 16-0. He’s at 120 this summer which is a 20-pound gain from a year ago.
The tournament continues at 5 p.m. with the round of 16, quarterfinals and consolations.
How the returning All-Americans fared in session one:
94
Haakon Peterson of Wisconsin (Champion at 88 in 2021): 0-0 (Will wrestle in second session in round of 16)
Cole Welte of Nebraska (Fifth at (88 in 2021): 1-0 (Onto round of 16)
Kole Davidheiser of Pennsylvania (Seventh at 88 in 2021): 0-0 (Will in second session in round of 16)
100
Lawson Eller of Minnesota (Fourth at 88 in 2021): 1-0 (Onto round of 16)
Revin Dickman of Indiana (Sixth at 88): 2-0 (Onto round of 16)
106
Brady Phelps of Illinois (Runner-up at 94): 2-0 (Onto round of 16)
Ryker Graff of Iowa (Seventh at 94): 3-0 (Onto round of 16)
Devin Bobzien of California (Eighth at 94): 2-0 (Onto round of 16)
Aaron Seidel of Pennsylvania (Third at 100): 2-0 (Onto round of 16)
Cole Gentsch of Illinois (Sixth at 100): 3-0 (Onto round of 16)
Ezekiel Witt of Kansas (Third at 94 in 2021): 3-1(Lost in round of 32, onto consolation of 16 No. 2)
113
Jaxton Packer of Idaho (Fourth at 100): 3-1 (Lost in round of 64, onto consolation of 16 No. 1)
Matthew Martino (Runner-up at 106): 2-0 (Onto round of 16)
120
Trey Wagner of Pennsylvania (Runner-up at 100): 2-0 (Onto round of 16)
Jared Johnston of Ohio (Seventh at 100): 3-2 (ELIMINATED Lost in round of 128, lost in consolation of 32 No. 2)
Adam Butler of Ohio (Seventh at 106): 3-1 (Lost in round of 64, onto consolation of 16 No. 1)
126
Phoenix Contos of Ohio (Seventh at 120): 3-0 (Onto round of 16)
132
Garrett Reece of Colorado (Fourth at 120): 3-1 (Lost in round of 128, onto consolation of 16 No. 1)
138
Gabriel Bouyssou of Rhode Island (Seventh at 132): 2-0 (Onto round of 16)
145
Gabriel Delgado of Nevada (Fourth at 132): 2-0 (Onto round of 16)
Justin Avila of Iowa (Seventh at 138): 0-2 (ELIMINATED Lost in round of 128, lost in consolation of 64 No. 2)
170
Luis Mendoza of Washington (Sixth at 160): 1-1 (Lost in round of 32, onto consolation of 16 No. 1)
Hudson Rogers of Idaho (Eighth at 145): 2-0 (Onto round of 16)
182
De’Alcapon Veazy of Indiana (Third at 182): 1-0 (Onto round of 16)
220
Nicholas Sahakian of California (Seventh at 220): 2-0 (Onto round of 16)
285
Willie Cox of Alabama (Eighth at 285): 1-0 (Onto round of 16)