Last weekend’s 2017 Greco-Roman World Team Trials in Las Vegas might have ushered in the fresh new squad that will compete at the World Championships in Paris, but it also saw a few notable returns to the mat, and one in which that was especially nice to see happened to be Parker Betts (130 kg, Minnesota Storm). Betts, the younger brother of 2012 Olympian Chas, was a well-known commodity going back to his age-group days and made his presence known even more once he began attending Northern Michigan University. It was there Betts carved out his place among the best young upper-weights in the country. Various achievements came, such as two golds at the Eduardo Campbell Cup in Panama and a University National title in 2015 along with a runner-up finish at the Nationals that same year.
At the 2016 Olympic Trials, Betts wasn’t completely healthy, leading to a 1-2 finish at the event in Iowa City, though it should be noted that the now-24 year old’s two losses on the day were to the ever-capable and multiple-time World Team Trials runner-up Toby Erickson (Army/WCAP) and another talented up-and-comer, Jacob Mitchell (Army/WCAP). Next up was the 2016 University Nationals two months later. The defending champ Betts advanced to the finals again, only to drop the second two of the best-of-three series to Matt Voss (Patriot Elite). And that was it. At least for awhile. Continue reading at www.fivepointmove.com