2023 USMC 16U Men’s Freestyle Nationals finalist biographies

Elijah Diakomihalis (NY) shoots on Aiden Peterson (OH) in the 2023 USMC Junior Nationals semifinals. Photo by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors

2023 USMC 16U FREESTYLE FINALIST BIOGRAPHIES

88 pounds

RED: Brandon Bickerton, Hinckley, Ohio
2023 U15 Nationals champion… 2022 Ohio 14U state freestyle and Greco-Roman champion... Will be a freshman at Medina Highland High School…Born: January 29, 2008.. Age: 15

BLUE: Edward George, Delran, N.J.
Third in 2023 Northeast 16U Regionals in freestyle… 2023 New Jersey 16U freestyle state champion…Fourth in 2023 New Jersey scholastic state championships… Fourth in 2022 Northeast 14U Regionals in freestyle… Third in 2021 Northeast 14U Regionals in freestyle…Homeschooled. Will be an eighth grader. Born: October 23, 2008.. Age: 14

94 pounds

RED: Turner Ross, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
2023 Western 16U Regionals freestyle champion… 2023 Minnesota 16U freestyle champion… 2021 14U freestyle champion… 2021 Northern Plains 14U Regional champion… Will be a freshman at Simley High School… Born: April 27, 2008… Age: 15

BLUE: Jarrett Smith, Lowell, Mich.
2023 Central Regional 16U champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Third in 2022 16 Nationals in freestyle… 2022 Michigan state 16U champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman…Will be a sophomore at Lowell High School… Born June 26, 2007… Age: 16

100 pounds

RED: Shamus Regan, Cleveland, Tenn.
2023 Southeast 16U Regional champion in folkstyle and Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… 2022 Southeast 14U Regional champion in freestyle and folkstyle and second in Greco-Roman… Will be a freshman at Wyoming Seminary (Pa.)… Born August 19, 2008… Age 14

BLUE: Caleb Noble, Waukegan, Ill.
Fourth in 2023 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman and sixth in freestyle… 2023 Central Regional 16U champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2023 16U Folkstyle Nationals champion…Third in 2022 U15 Pan American Trials in freestyle and Greco-Roman…2023 16U Nationals champion in Greco-Roman and second in freestyle…2022 U16 National Duals All-Tournament Team in freestyle… 2022 Northern Plains 16U Regionals champion in both styles… 2022 Wisconsin 16U state champion in both styles… Second in 2022 National Recruiting Showcase… 2021 Preseason Nationals Middle School champion… Two-time USA Wrestling Kids Triple Crown winner… Will be a freshman at Warren Township High School…. Born: December 21, 2007… Age: 15

106 pounds

RED: Grey Burnett, Perrysburg, Ohio
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 5 at 106
Second in 2023 U17 Nationals in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… 2023 Central Regional 16U champion in freestyle… Second in 2022 Brian Keck Preseason 7th and 8th grade Nationals… 2022 Ohio U14 state champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman…2022 U15 Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman…2021 Brian Keck Preseason Middle School Nationals champion… Third in 2021 14U Nationals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman… Will be a freshman at Perrysburg High School… Born: March 31, 2008… Age: 15

BLUE: Bruno Cassioppi, Roscoe, Ill.
Second in 2023 Northern Plains Regionals in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… 2023 Illinois 16U champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman… 2022 Brian Keck Preseason Nationals 7th and 8th grade champion… 2022 14U Nationals champion in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… 2022 Illinois 14U state champion in freestyle… 2021 14U Folkstyle Nationals champion… Will be a freshman at Hononegah High School… Born: July 23, 2008… Age: 14

113 pounds

RED: Landon Sidun, North Huntingdon, Pa.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 11 at 120
Third in 2023 U17 Nationals… Second in 2022 U15 Nationals… Will be a sophomore at Norwin High School… Born: October 15, 2007… Age:15

BLUE Isaiah Harrison, Windsor, Colo.
2023 Western 16U Regionals champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Fifth in 2023 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2022 Western 16U Regionals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Mountain High School… 2023 Colorado state champion… Born: January 23, 2007… Age: 16

120 pounds

RED: Michael Romero, West Covina, Calif.
2022 U15 Pan American Trials champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… 2023 California 16U folkstyle champion… 2022 16U Nationals freestyle champion… 2022 U15 Nationals champion in Greco-Roman and second in freestyle… Second in 2022 Northwest 16U Regionals in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Super 32 champion… Second in 2021 U15 Nationals in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… California Triple Crown winner… Born: September 14, 2007… Age: 15

BLUE: Jayden Raney, Mayfield, Ky.
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 19 at 126
2023 Central Regionals 16U champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Sixth in 2023 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2022 16U Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2022 16U National Duals All-Tournament Team in freestyle… 2022 Central Regional 16U champion in both styles… 2022 Kentucky 16U state champion in both styles… 2022 Kentucky Middle School champion…. 2020 and 2021 Preseason Nationals Middle School champion… Will be a sophomore at Union County High School… 2023 Kentucky state champion as a freshman at 120 pounds… 2022 Kentucky state champion as an eighth grader… Born: March 1, 2007… Age: 16

126 pounds

RED: Leo Maestas, Fresno, Calif.
2022 California 16U freestyle champion… 2023 California 16U Nationals team… 2022 California 16U state freestyle champion... Will be a junior at Clovis West High School… Born March 30, 2007… Age: 16

BLUE: Timothy Koester, Bettendorf, Iowa
Eighth in the 2023 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2023 Iowa 16U state freestyle champion… Second in National High School Recruiting Showcase… Second in 2022 Iowa 16 states in freestyle… Fourth in 2022 U15 Nationals in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Fourth in 2021 Brian Keck 9th and 10th grade Preseason Nationals… 2021 14U Nationals champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Bettendorf High School… Third in the 2023 Iowa state championships… Born May 5, 2007… Age 16

132 pounds

RED: Jayden James, Westwood, N.J.
2023 Northeast 16 Regional champion in freestyle… 2021 14U Nationals champion.. Third in 2021 Northeast 14U Regionals champion in freestyle… Will be a sophomore at Delbarton School… Born: June 20, 2008… Age: 15

BLUE: Manuel Saldate, Las Vegas, Nev.
2023 Western Regionals Greco-Roman champion and third in freestyle… Fourth in 2023 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman… Eighth in 2022 16U Nationals in freestyle… 2022 Western 16U Regionals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Seventh in 2022 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2022 16U Nationals Folkstyle champion… Will be a sophomore at SLAM Academy… Born March 3, 2007… Age: 16

138 pounds

RED: Blue Stiffler, Braselton, Ga.
Second in 2022 U15 Pan American Trials in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle… 2023 Southeast 16U Regional champion in freestyle, folkstyle and Greco-Roman… 2022 U15 Nationals Greco-Roman champion and second in freestyle… Third in 2021 14U Nationals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Mill Creek High School… Born: February 22, 2007… Age: 16

BLUE: David Gleason, Kansas City, Mo.
2023 Southern Plains 16U Regional champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman… 2022 Missouri 16U state champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2021 Southern Plains 14U Regionals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Staley High School…Third in 2022 Missouri state championships… Born July 5, 2007… Age: 16

145 pounds

RED: Daniel Heiser, Oregon, Wis.
2023 Northern Plains 16U Regionals champion in freestyle… 2023 Wisconsin 16U freestyle champion… Fourth in 2022 National High School Recruiting Showcase… 2022 Wisconsin 16U freestyle champion… 2021 14U Nationals champion in freestyle… 2021 Northern Plains 14U Regional freestyle champion… Will be a junior at Evansville High School… 2022 Wisconsin state champion… Born April 12, 2007… Age 16

BLUE: Melvin Miller, Windber, Pa.
Third in 2022 Pennsylvania 16U state championships in freestyle… 2021 Pennsylvania 14U state champion in Greco-Roman… Attends Bishop McCort High School… Born: October 30, 2007… Age: 15

152 pounds

RED: Kyler Knaack, Gilbertville, Iowa
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 17 at 152
2023 Iowa 16U states in Greco-Roman… Fourth in 2023 U17 Nationals in freestyle… 2023 16U Folkstyle Nationals champion… Third in 2022 2022 U15 Nationals in Greco-Roman and fifth in freestyle… Fifth in 2022 16U Folkstyle Nationals… 2021 14U Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2021 Northern Plains 14U Regionals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Attends Don Bosco High School… 2023 Iowa state champion… Born: April 18, 2007… Age: 16

BLUE: Grayson Woodcock, Dublin, Ohio
Third in 2032 Central 16U Regionals in freestyle… Sixth in 2022 16U Nationals in freestyle… 2022 Ohio 16U state champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2022 Central Regional 16U champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Will be a sophomore at Dublin Coffman High School… Seventh in 2023 Ohio state championships… Born: February 13, 2007… Age: 16

160 pounds

RED: Maximus Norman, Kingsport, Tenn.
Seventh in 2022 16U Nationals in freestyle… Will be a junior at Dobyns-Bennett High School… Two-time Tennessee state champion… Born January 30, 2007… Age 16

BLUE: Aaron Stewart, Gurnee, Ill.
Second in 2023 16U Folkstyle Nationals… 2022 14U Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2022 Illinois 14U state champion in freestyle and folkstyle… 2021 14U Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Will be a sophomore at Warren Township High School… Third in 2023 Illinois state championships… Born March 29, 2008… Age 15

170 pounds

RED: Adrien Reyes, Clovis, Calif.
Fourth in 2022 16U Nationals in freestyle… 2022 U15 Nationals freestyle champion… 2022 California 16U freestyle state champion… 2022 16U Folkstyle Nationals champion… Will be a junior at Clovis High School… Sixth in 2022 California state championships… Born September 4, 2007… Age: 15

BLUE: Hunter Snyder, Latrobe, Pa.
Will be a freshman at Greater Latrobe High School… Born August 14, 2007… Age: 15

182 pounds

RED: Ryder Wilder, Kingsland, Ga.
2023 Southeast 16U Regionals champion in freestyle, folkstyle and Greco-Roman… 2022 Georgia 14U state champion… Will be a sophomore at Camden County High School… 2023 Georgia state champion… Born: June 13, 2007… Age: 16

BLUE: Elijah Diakomihalis, Rochester, N.Y.
Second in 2022 U15 Nationals in freestyle… Will be a junior at Hilton High School…Second in 2023 New York State Championships… Third in 2022 New York State Championships… Born: January 8, 2007… Age: 16

195 pounds

RED: Dreshaun Ross, Fort Dodge, Iowa
Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 9 at 195
2023 Northern Plains 16U freestyle champion… 2023 Iowa 16U freestyle state champion… 2022 U17 Nationals champion in Greco-Roman and second in freestyle… 2023 16U Folkstyle Nationals champion…2022 Brian Keck Preseason Nationals 9th and 10th grade champion… 2022 U15 Pan American Trials champion… 2022 16U Nationals champion freestyle champion… 2022 U15 Nationals champion in both styles… 2022 Iowa 16U champion in both styles… 2021 14U Nationals champion in both styles… Fifth in 2021 U15 Nationals in freestyle… Will be a sophomore at Fort Dodge High School…. 2023 Iowa state champion… Born: December 26, 2007… Age: 14

BLUE: Jake Conroy, Elrama, Pa.
2023 Northeast 16U Regionals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Fourth in 2022 16U Nationals in freestle and seventh in Greco-Roman… Second in 2022 Pennsylvania 16U state championships in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Second in 2022 Northeast 16U Regionals in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… Will be a junior at Ringgold High School… Born: April 13, 2007… Age: 16

220 pounds

RED: Alex Taylor, Howard, Ohio
2023 Central 16U Regionals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2022 Central Regionals 14U champion in freestyle… 2022 Ohio 14U state champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Will be a sophomore at Mount Vernon High School… Third in 2023 Ohio state championships… Born June 16, 2008… Age: 15

BLUE: Michael Mocco, Parkland, Fla.
Second in 2022 16U Nationals in Greco-Roman and fifth in freestyle… Fifth in 2022 16U Nationals in freestyle… Third in 2022 U15 Nationals in freestyle… Third in 2021 Preseason Nationals in Middle School division… Will be a sophomore at Cardinal Gibbons High School… Born February 19, 2007… Age: 16

285 pounds

RED: Jacob Levy, Villa Rica, Ga.
Fourth in 2023 U17 Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2022 16U Nationals in freestyle… Will be a junior at Carrollton High School… 2023 Georgia state champion… Second in the 2021 Georgia state championships at 220 pounds…Born January 17, 2007… Age: 15

BLUE: Cooper Martinson, Altoona, Iowa
2023 Northern Plains 16U Regionals champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman… Fourth in 2022 U16 Nationals in freestyle… 2022 Norther Plains 16U champion in Greco-Roman and fifth in freestyle… Second in 2022 Iowa 16U state freestyle championships… Third in 2021 Brian Keck Preseason Nationals in 9th and 10th grade divisions… Attends Southeast Polk High School… Fourth in 2023 Iowa State Championships… Born: August 23, 2007.. Age: 15