Deutsche Marks

5 of the 6 Olympic Men's Freestyle team traveled to the "motherland" Dortmund, Germany for their final tune-up before Rio in August. All five will bring home the most jewelry since Easy Company at the Eagle's nest. 

Jordan Burroughs continues to add to the legacy with another tournament win. The competition may not have been the stiffest, but it's incredible that JB doesn't get caught somewhere here and there. He continues to make international competition look as routine as if they were early season college opens. 

Daniel Dennis joined JB in the gold medal haul. He cruised to the finals with a pair of tech's before winning the final 3-2. USA has not had much success at 57 kg in recent memory, and Dennis is far from being a favorite in Rio. However, his takedown defense combined with his par terre work makes him a dangerous draw with high point scoring ability. 

Frank Molinaro continues to surprise many with his ability to tough out and frustrate international opponents and then strike a well timed shot. He struck first against the defending Olympic Champion but was unable to hold the lead to fall 5-4. A silver in Germany to add to his World Cup gold makes many feel a lot better about Frank being our 65 rep. 

J'Den Cox and Kyle Snyder both claimed bronze after dropping tough matches to veteran guys. 7-time world medalist Gazyumov edged Snyder 2-1. Cox fell to defending Olympic Champion Sharifov 6-2. Certainly any loss is disappointing, but the two young guys got some great experience with world class opposition. 

These five Americans appear healthy and ready to roll to Rio to bring home a significant increase in medals from the last few games.

U.S. men’s freestyle results
65 kg/143 lbs. – Frank Molinaro, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC), Silver
WIN William Stier (Germany), 11-0
WIN Tital Dzhafaryan (Ukraine), 9-2
LOSS Togrul Asgarov (Azerbaijan), 5-4

74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids/Nebraska RTC), Gold
WIN Markus Knobel (Germany), 10-0
WIN Andrzej Sokalski (Poland), 10-0
WIN Bekzod Abdurakhmonov (Uzbekistan), 9-3
WIN Martin Obst (Germany), 3-1

86 kg/189 lbs. – J’Den Cox, Columbia, Mo. (Missouri Wrestling Foundation), Bronze
WIN Kanat Berdiev (Kazakhstan), 10-0
LOSS Sharif Sharifov (Azerbaijan), 6-2
WIN Konstantin Volek (Germany), Fall
WIN Adilet Davlumbaev (Kazakhstan), 10-5

97 kg/213 lbs. – Kyle Snyder, Woodbine, Md. (Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC), Bronze
WIN Nicolai Ceban (Moldova), 9-4
WIN Jose Daniel Diaz Robertti (Venezuela), 9-1
LOSS Khetag Gazyumov (Azerbaijan), 2-1
WIN Serdar Boeke (Turkey), 11-1

57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Daniel Dennis, Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC), gold medal
WIN Roman Walter (Germany), tech. fall 10-0
WIN Baris Kaya (Turkey), tech. fall 11-0
WIN Mirjalal Hasan-Zada (Azerbaijan), 3-2