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2023 USMC Junior Nationals Men's Freestyle biographies

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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling

Connor Mirasola (WI) takes down Joey Novak (MN) in 2023 Junior Nationals semifinals.
Connor Mirasola (WI) takes down Joey Novak (MN) in 2023 Junior Nationals semifinals. Photo by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors

2023 JUNIOR NATIONALS FREESTYLE BIOGRAPHIES

100 pounds


RED: Kiyan Simon, Huntsville, Alabama
Third in 2023 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Third in 2022 Southeast Regional 16U in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle… Will be a junior at Huntsville High School… Second in 2023 Alabama state championships… Born August 14, 2006… Age: 16

BLUE: Rocco Hayes, Orland Park, Ill.
2023 Illinois Junior state freestyle champion…Second in 2021 Northern Plains 16U Regionals in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2021 Brian Keck Preseason Nationals champion in 5th and 6th grade… Attends Sandburg High School… Third in 2023 Illinois state championships at 106 pounds… Born: August 26, 2005… Age: 16

106 pounds

RED: Haakon Peterson, Hollandale, Wis.
Second in 2023 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle… 2022 16U Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2022 16U National Duals All-Tournament Team in freestyle… Second in 2022 U17 Nationals… 2022 Pan America 17U champion in both styles… 2021 16U Nationals champion in Greco-Roman… Second in 2021 16U Nationals in freestyle… 2021 U15 Nationals champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2019 14U Nationals champion in Greco-Roman and second in freestyle… Fifth in 2019 U15 Nationals in freestyle and seventh in Greco-Roman… 2018 USA Wrestling Novice Nationals champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman… Will be a sophomore at Dodgeville High School… 2023 Wisconsin state champion… Born: October 30, 2006… Age: 15

BLUE: Tyler Harper, Cumming, Iowa
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 17 at 106
Fourth in 2022 16U Junior Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2022 Northern Plains Junior Regionals in freestyle… Sixth in 2022 Northern Plains 16U Regionals in freestyle… 2022 Iowa 16U Junior state champion… Second in 2022 Iowa 16U state championships in freestyle… Seventh in 2021 16U Nationals in freestyle… Third in 2021 Northern Plains 16U Regionals in freestyle… Will be a senior at Norwalk High School… Second in 2023 Iowa state championships… Born: May 20, 2006… Age: 17

113 pounds

RED: Christopher Kiser, Ponca City, Okla.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 11 at 113
2023 Southern Plains Junior freestyle champion… 2023 Oklahoma Junior state freestyle champion… Will be a senior at Ponca City High School… Two-time Oklahoma state champion (2022, 2023)… Third in the 2021 Oklahoma state championships… Born: May 22, 2006… Born May 22, 2006…

BLUE: Aaron Seidel, Schaefferstown, Pa.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 7 at 113
Second in 2023 Northeast Junior Regionals in freestyle… Sixth in 2022 16U Nationals in freestyle…. 2022 Northeast 16^ champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Third in 2021 16U Nationals in Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Northern Lebanon High School… Two-time Pennsylvania state champion… Born July 25, 2006… Age 16

120 pounds

RED: Beric Jordan, Stillwater, Okla.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 4 at 120
Will be a senior at Stillwater High School… Two-time Oklahoma state champion… 2021 Walsh Ironman champion… Born: September 13, 2004… Age: 18

BLUE: Leo Deluca, Morristown, N.J.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 3 at 120
2023 New Jersey Junior state champion… Second in 2022 Northeast Junior Regionals in freestyle… Third in 2019 Northeast 14U Regionals in freestyle… 2021 16U Nationals champion… 2019 New Jersey 14U National Duals team member… Will be a junior at Blair Academy… Prep School National champion… Beast of the East champion… Born: November 2, 2006… Age: 16

126 pounds

RED: Jax Forrest, Johnstown, Pa.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 4 at 132, No. 15 Pound For Pound
Second in 2023 U20 Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2023 U17 Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2022 U17 World Championships… 2022 U17 Nationals champion in freestyle…. Fourth in 2022 16U Nationals in freestyle and sixth in Greco-Roman… Second in 2021 Southeast 16U Regionals in freestyle… Second in 2021 Northeast 16U Nationals in freestyle… Will be a sophomore at Bishop McCort High School… Powerade champion… Born: October 13, 2006… Age:

BLUE: JJ McComas-Rogers, Stillwater, Okla.
2023 Southern Plains Junior champion in freestyle… Sixth in 2021 16U Nationals in Greco-Roman… Will be a senior at Stillwater High School… 2021 Oklahoma state champion… Two-time Oklahoma state runner-up (2022 and 2023)… 2021 Walsh Ironman champion… Born: March 17, 2005… Age: 18

132 pounds

RED: Kale Petersen, Rockwell, Iowa
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 10 at 132
Eighth in 2023 U20 World Team Trials in freestyle… Second in 2023 U20 Nationals in freestyle… 2023 Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… 2022 National High School Recruiting Showcase champion… Second in 2022 Iowa Junior freestyle state championships… Fourth in 2022 U17 Nationals in freestyle… 2019 14U Folkstyle Nationals champion…. Graduated from Greene County High School… Three-time Iowa state champion… Will attend the University of Iowa… Born: February 16, 2005… Age 18

BLUE: Kyler Larkin, Gilbert, Ariz
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 8 at 132
Fourth in 2023 U20 World Team Trials… 2022 U17 Nationals champion in freestyle… Third in 2021 16U Western Regionals in freestyle…. 2021 Arizona National Qualifier freestyle champion.. 2020 Salt Lake Slam Middle School champion… Third in 2019 14U Nationals in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… 2019 Western Regionals 14U freestyle champion, second in Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Valiant College Prep… Born: July 10, 2005… Age: 18

138 pounds

RED: Ryder Block, Waverly, Iowa
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 6 at 145
2022 Junior Nationals champion in freestyle… Second in 2022 Iowa Junior freestyle championships… Eighth in 2021 U17 Nationals… Seventh in 2019 U15 Nationals… Graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School… Three-time Iowa state champion… 2023 Iowa state champion…. 2022 state champion at 138 pounds as a junior with a 41-0 record… Second in the 2021 Iowa state championships at 132 pounds as a sophomore with a 27-1 record… 2020 state champion at 106 pounds as a freshman with a 45-0 record… Will attend the University of Iowa… Born: September 10, 2004… Age: 18

BLUE: Daniel Zepeda, Gilroy, Calif.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 10 at 138
Eighth in 2023 U20 Nationals in Greco-Roman… Eighth in 2022 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… Will be a 2022 California Junior champion in Greco-Roman and second in freestyle… Fifth in 2021 16U Nationals in Greco-Roman… Second in 2021 Western 16U Regionals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Gilroy High School… 2023 California state champion… Born: November 8, 2005… Age: 17

145 pounds

RED: Kannon Webster, Washington, Ill.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 2 at 145
Second in 2022 U20 World Team Trials… Second in 2022 U20 Nationals in freestyle… 2022 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion… Second in 2022 Junior Nationals in freestyle… Fourth in 2022 U20 Freestyle Nationals… 2022 Northern Plains Junior Regional freestyle champion… 2021 Junior Nationals champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman…. Fifth in 2021 UWW Cadet Nationals in freestyle… 2021 Northern Plains Junior Regionals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Third in 2019 16U Nationals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman… Third in 2019 UWW Cadet Nationals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2019 Illinois 16U state champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman… Graduate of Washington Community High School… Three-time Illinois state champion… 2023 Illinois state champion at 2022 Illinois 2A state champion at 132 pounds as a junior with a 51-1 record… 2020 Illinois 2A state champion at 106 pounds with a 54-0 record…. Committed to Illinois… Born: December 21, 2004… Age: 17

BLUE: Cross Wasilewski, Parsippany, N.J.
Current FloWrestling Ranking:
2013 Northeast Junior Regionals champion in freestyle… Fourth in 2021 16U Nationals in freestyle… 2021 Northeast 16U Regionals in freestyle… Graduate of Delbarton High School… Three-time New Jersey state placewinner… Third in 2022 and 2023 New Jersey state championships… Fifth in 2021 New Jersey state championships… Second in 2021 Beast of the East… Will attend the University of Pennsylvania… Born June 9, 2005… Age: 18

152 pounds

RED: Vince Bouzakis, Shavertown, Pa.
Current FloWrestling ranking: No. 6 at 152
Second in 2023 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… Second in 2022 16U Nationals in freestyle… 2022 16U National Duals All-Tournament team in both styles… Seventh in 2022 U17 Nationals in freestyle… Sixth in 2021 16U Nationals in freestyle… 2021 U15 Nationals Greco-Roman champion and third in freestyle… 2019 Northeast 14U Regional champion in both styles… Will be a junior at Notre Dame-Green Pond High School in the fall… Born: May 22, 2006… Age: 17

BLUE: Grigor Cholakyan, Burbank, Calif.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 16 at 145
Seventh in 2023 U20 World Team Trials in freestyle… Third in 2022 Junior Nationals in freestyle… Fifth in 2022 U20 Nationals in freestyle… Fifth in 2021 Junior Nationals in freestyle… Will be a senior at St. John Bosco High School… Fourth in 2023 California state championships… Fifth in 2022 California state championships… Has committed to Stanford… Born: December 11, 2004… Age: 18

160 pounds

RED: Braeden Scoles, Kewaskum, Wis.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 4 at 152
Eighth in 2023 U20 World Team Trials… Three-time Wisconsin Junior state champion in freestyle (2021, 2022, 2023)…Third in 2021 Junior Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2022 U20 World Team Trials in freestyle… 2022 Wisconsin Junior state freestyle champion… Fourth in 2021 Junior Nationals in freestyle… Fourth in 2021 U17 Nationals in freestyle… Fourth in 2019 16U Folkstyle Nationals… Graduated from Kewaskum High School… 2021, 2022 and 2023 Wisconsin state champion… Will attend the University of Illinois… Born: May 12, 2004… Age: 19…

BLUE: William Henckel, Southbury, Conn.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 2 at 160
Second in 2023 U20 Freestyle World Team Trials… Fourth in 2022 Junior Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2022 Northeast Regionals in freestyle… Second in 2021 16U Southeast Regionals in freestyle… Second in 2019 Northeast 14U Regionals in freestyle… Will be a junior at Blair Academy… Second in 2023 Prep School Nationals… Born: October 25, 2005… Age: 17

170 pounds

RED: Noah Mulvaney, Hartford, Wis.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 13 at 170
Eighth at 2023 U23 World Team Trials… Sixth in 2023 U20 Nationals… Fifth in 2022 Junior Nationals in freestyle… 2022 Central Junior Regionals freestyle champion… 2022 Wisconsin Junior state freestyle champion… Third in 2022 National High School Recruiting Showcase… Graduate of Arrowhead High School… 2023 Wisconsin state high school champion… two-time Wisconsin state runner-up (2022, 2020)… Third in 2021 Wisconsin state championships… Will attend Bucknell University… Born August 2, 2004… Age 18

BLUE: Chris Moore, McHenry, Ill.
2022 Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals champion in 11th and 12th grade… Second in 2022 Northern Plains Regionals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman… Third in 2021 Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals in 11th and 12th grade division… Graduated from McHenry High School… Two-time Illinois state champion, two-time state runner-up… Will attend the University of Illinois… Born September 2, 2004… Age 18

182 pounds

RED: Tate Naaktgeboren, Marion, Iowa
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 3 at 182
Fifth in 2023 U20 World Team Trials in freestyle… Second in 2023 U20 World Team Trials in Greco-Roman… Third in 2023 U20 Nationals in Greco-Roman and seventh in freestyle… Third in 2022 Junior Nationals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman… 2022 National High School Recruiting Showcase champion… Sixth in 2021 U17 Nationals in freestyle… 2021 Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… Graduated from Linn-Mar High School… Two-time Iowa state champion and two-time state runner-up… Will attend Iowa State… Born: November 10, 2004… Age: 18

BLUE: Orlando Cruz, Crown Point, Indiana
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 15 at 182
2023 Central Junior Regionals champion in freestyle… Second in 2023 Junior Folkstyle Nationals… Second in 2022 Central Junior Regionals in freestyle… 2022 Indiana state Junior folkstyle champion… Graduate of Crown Point High School… 2023 Indiana state high school champion… Second in 2022 Indiana state championships… Three-time state placewinner… Will attend Purdue University… Born May 12, 2004… Age: 19

195 pounds

RED: Connor Mirasola, Jackson, Wis.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 1 at 195, No. 18 Pound For Pound
Second in 2023 U20 World Team Trials… Fifth in 2023 U20 Nationals… 2022 Junior Nationals freestyle champion… 2022 Northern Plains Junior freestyle champion… 2022 Wisconsin Junior Regional freestyle champion… Second in 2022 U17 Nationals… Third in 2021 16U Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2021 Northern Plains 16U Regionals in freestyle… Second in 2021 U17 Nationals… Will be a senior at West Bend West High School… Three-time Wisconsin state champion (2021, 2022, 2023)…Committed to Penn State… Born: December 29, 2005… Age: 17

BLUE: Jersey Robb , Bixby, Okla.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 10 at 195
Seventh in 2022 U17 Nationals in freestyle… Graduate of Bixby High School… Will attend Oklahoma State… Three-time Oklahoma state champion and four-time finalist… Born: August 19, 2004… Age: 18

220 pounds

RED: Cody Merrill, Ontario, Calif.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 20 Pound For Pound
Third in 2022 U17 World Championships… 2022 Junior Nationals champion in freestyle… 2022 U17 Nationals champion in Greco-Roman… 2022 California Junior freestyle champion… 2021 16U Nationals champion in Greco-Roman… Second in 2021 16U Nationals in freestyle… Third in 2021 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle…. 2020 USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals champion (High school grades 9-10)…. 2019 Western Regionals 14U champion in freestyle and folkstyle and second in Greco-Roman… Will be a senior at Gilroy High School… 2022 California state champion at 195 pounds as a sophomore with a 36-0 record… won the 2021 State Invitational at 182 pounds…Born: May 20, 2005… Age: 18

BLUE: Cole Mirasola, Jackson, Wis.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 2 at 220, No. 27 Pound For Pound
Third in 2023 U20 World Team Trials… Fifth in 2023 U20 Nationals… Second in 2022 Northern Plains Junior Regionals in freestyle… Seventh in 2022 U17 Nationals… Fourth in 2021 16U Nationals… 2021 Northern Plains 16U Regional champion in freestyle… Will be a senior at West Bend West High School… 2022 and 2023 Wisconsin state high school champion… Fifth in 2021 Wisconsin state meet… Committed to Penn State… Born December 30, 2005… Age 17

285 pounds

RED: Aden Attao, Boise, Idaho
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 2 at 285
2023 U20 World Team Trials champion in Greco-Roman… Second in 2023 World Team Trials in Greco-Roman… 2023 U20 Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2022 U20 World bronze medalist in Greco-Roman… 2022 Junior Nationals freestyle and Greco-Roman champion… 2022 U20 World Team Trials Greco-Roman champion and third in freestyle… 2022 U20 Nationals Greco-Roman champion and eighth in freestyle… 2022 National Recruiting Showcase champion… 2022 Northwest Junior Regionals champion in both styles… Second in 2021 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2021 Western Junior Regionals champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman… Second in 2021 UWW Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle… 2021 Idaho state Junior champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2021 National Showcase Utah Qualifier champion… Third in 2018 Western 14U Regionals in Greco-Roman… Graduate at Borah High School… 2022 and 2023 Idaho state champion… Will attend Oregon State… Born: October 17, 2004… Age: 17

BLUE: Koy Hopke, Amery, Wis.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 3 at 285, No. 11 Pound For Pound
Second in 2023 U20 World Team Trials… 2023 Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… 2022 U20 World champion… 2022 U17 Pan American champion… 2022 U17 Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2021 16U Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2021 Northern Plains 16U Regional freestyle champion… Third in 2021 UWW Cadet Nationals in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2021 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals champion…. 2021 Wisconsin 16U state champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2019 14U National champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2019 Northern Plains 14U Regional champion in both styles… Will be a senior at Amery High School… Three-time Wisconsin state champion (2021, 2022, 2023)… Committed to the University of Minnesota… Born: June 19, 2005… Age: 18




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