Trials Narrows Weights Down to Two

In a wild weekend, the field for who will represent USA at the World Championships this year is down to just 20 guys. 

There were many surprises this weekend, but none were not more impressive than Zahid Valencia controlling Alex Dieringer in both matches of the finals. Dieringer, a 3-time NCAA champ who has been putting a lot of points on the board internationally, was completely stifled by the young Valencia. Zahid is coming off an impressive undefeated college season that ended with a win over Mark Hall in the finals. Zahid will be an outstanding test for Kyle Dake next month. 

Daton Fix continues to shine despite his young age. He was dominant this weekend including avenging his US Open final by beating Tony Ramos in two straight matches. With amazing attacks and ridiculous ability to scramble out of danger, Fix is a real threat to anyone who can weigh in at 57 kg. 

Nahshon Garrett and Logan Stieber both appeared to make adjustments from the US Open. Garrett didn't give up a point as Megaludis didn't have any answers with two straight tech falls to get a shot at Joe Colon. Stieber gave up a counter four in the first period of the first match, but otherwise controlled every situation to set up an all-Buckeye final against Joey McKenna. 

The returning World medalists will be heavily favored in the final series, especially coming off a sound World Cup performance, but heavyweight is casting some intrigue. Adam Coon controlled Tony Nelson for two matches to earn his shot at Nick Gwiazdowski, a 2017 bronze medalist. They last wrestled in the 2016 NCAA semifinals when Gwiazdowski won 3-2. That's actually the last time Coon has lost to someone who wasn't Kyle Snyder or Robbie Smith. 

2018 FREESTYLE WORLD TEAM TRIALS
at Rochester, Minn., May 18-20

Final X schedule
Lincoln, Neb., June 9
57 kg: Thomas Gilman vs. Daton Fix
70 kg: James Green vs. Jason Chamberlain
74 kg: Jordan Burroughs vs. Isaiah Martinez
97 kg: Kyle Snyder vs. Kyven Gadson

State College, Pa., June 16
65 kg: Joey McKenna vs. Logan Stieber
79 kg: Kyle Dake vs. Zahid Valencia
86 kg: David Taylor vs. Nick Reenan

Bethlehem, Pa., June 23
61 kg: Joe Colon vs. Nahshon Garrett
92 kg: J’den Cox vs. Hayden Zillmer
125 kg: Nick Gwiazdowski vs. Adam Coon

Senior men’s freestyle

Final results
57 kg: Daton Fix (Titan Mercury) def. Tony Ramos (Sunkist Kids), two matches to none
Bout one – Fix dec. Ramos, 4-1
Bout two – Fix dec. Ramos, 10-3

Third: Tim Lambert (Sunkist Kids) dec. Zane Richards (Titan Mercury), 10-2

61 kg: Nahshon Garrett (Sunkist Kids) def. Nico Megaludis (Nittany Lion WC), two matches to none
Bout one – Garrett tech. fall Megaludis, 11-0
Bout two – Garrett tech. fall Megaludis, 10-0

Third: Tyler Graff (Titan Mercury WC) dec, Jon Morrison (NYAC), 5-4

65 kg: Logan Stieber (Titan Mercury) def. Jaydin Eierman (Titan Mercury), two matches to none
Bout one – Stieber dec. Eierman, 10-5
Bout two – Stieber dec. Eierman, 7-1

Third: Andy Simmons (NYAC) fall Evan Henderson (Titan Mercury), 1:05

70 kg: Jason Chamberlain (Titan Mercury) def. Frank Molinaro (Titan Mercury), two matches to one
Bout one – Chamberlain dec. Molinaro, 4-1
Bout two – Molinaro dec. Chamberlain, 7-1
Bout three – Chamberlain dec. Molinaro, 2-1

Third: Alec Pantaleo (Michigan RTC) dec. Ryan Deakin (Northwestern/ Chicago RTC), 5-0

74 kg: Isaiah Martinez (Titan Mercury) def. Nazar Kulchytskyy (Titan Mercury), two matches to none
Bout one – Martinez tech. fall Kulchytskyy, 13-2
Bout two – Martinez tech. fall Kulchytskyy, 13-2

Third: Evan Wick (Titan Mercury) dec. Quinton Godley (Titan Mercury), 5-1

79 kg: Zahid Valencia (Sunkist Kids) def. Alex Dieringer (Titan Mercury), two matches to none
Bout one – Valencia dec. Dieringer, 7-0
Bout two – Valencia dec. Dieringer, 5-1

Third: Nathan Jackson (New Jersey RTC) dec. Josh Asper (Navy-Marine Corps RTC), 10-4

86 kg: Nick Reenan (Titan Mercury) def. Richard Perry (New York AC), two matches to none
Bout one – Reenan dec. Perry, 4-0
Bout two – Reenan dec. Perry, 6-3

Third: Pat Downey (Titan Mercury) dec. Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm), 7-0

92 kg: Hayden Zillmer (Minnesota Storm) vs. Deron Winn (Titan Mercury)
Bout one – Zillmer dec. Winn, 8-2
Bout two – Zillmer dec. Winn, 9-7

Third: Timmy Mccall (Titan Mercury) dec. Nikko Reyes (Valley RTC), 4-1

97 kg: Kyven Gadson (Sunkist Kids) def. Austin Schafer (New York AC), two matches to none
Bout one – Gadson dec. Schafer, 8-1
Bout two – Gadson win by medical forfeit over Schafer

Third: Nathan Burak (Titan Mercury) tech. fall Blaize Cabell (Valley RTC), 12-1

125 kg: Adam Coon (New York AC/ Michigan WC) def. Anthony Nelson (Minnesota Storm), two matches to none
Bout one – Coon dec. Nelson, 6-1
Bout two – Coon dec. Nelson, 10-4

Third: Jake Varner (Nittany Lion) dec. Dom Bradley (Sunkist Kids), 3-1