World Team Trials

Burroughs goes three to beat Marsteller, Four make first World Team as 14 win their series at Final X New York

Gopher Wrestling Club’s Zillmer takes out two-time World bronze medalist Gwiazdowski

NEW YORK, N.Y.. – There were 14 more members of the 2022 U.S. Senior World Team set on Wednesday night, punching their ticket to Belgrade, Serbia for the 2022 Senior World Championships, five in each of the men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman and four in women’s freestyle.

It was a wild night of action in the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, as Final X New York was held before a large and boisterous crowd. Three of the best-of-three championships series were pushed to a full three matches, including one featuring one of the greatest wrestlers in history, 2012 Olympic champion and five-time World champion Jordan Burroughs at 79 kg in men’s freestyle.

Burroughs won his opening match against Chance Marsteller, who was competing in his first Final X finals. However, in the second bout, Marsteller showed had great tactics and exceptional defense, and secured a 2-2 criteria decision over Burroughs.

In the deciding third match, Burroughs got things going well with a step out point to lead 1-0. He added two more step outs in the first period to lead 3-0 at the break. In the second period, Burroughs scored his patented low double leg takedown on the edge for a takedown for a 5-0 lead in the second period., which held up the rest of the way. Continue reading at teamusa.org →

Gross tops Fix, Velte stops Molinari, Peak beats Smith, as 15 World Team members set at Final X Stillwater

STILLWATER, Okla. – Half of the 2022 U.S. Senior World Team was set, as 15 athletes punched their ticket to Belgrade, Serbia for the 2022 Senior World Championships, five in each of the three Olympic disciplines.

There were five weight classes that went the full three-match, which is a high percentage for this event. In addition, four of the 15 champions will be competing in their first Senior Worlds. Continue reading at teamusa.org →

Olympic champs Mensah Stock, Snyder and Olympic Medalists Gilman, Cox take 1-0 series lead at Final X Stillwater

Minnesota Storm wrestler Pat Smith needs one more win to make the U.S. World Team

STILLWATER, Okla. – The first session is in the books at Final X Stillwater, with 15 athletes taking a one-match-to-none lead in their best of three championship series on Friday afternoon.

Among those winning their first matches were 2020 Olympic champion Tamyra Mensah Stock of USOPTC/TMWC (68 kg women’s freestyle) and 2016 Olympic champion Kyle Snyder of Nittany Lion WC/TMWC (97 kg men’s freestyle).

Both won by technical falls. Mensah Stock stopped Sienna Ramirez of Southern Oregon WC, 14-3, while Snyder defeated former college teammate Kollin Moore of Ohio RTC/TMWC, 11-0. Both have won World titles, Snyder twice (2015 and 2017) and Mensah Stock once (2019).

The second match of the best of three series in all 15 weight classes will be held at the 7:00 p.m. Continue reading at teamusa.org →

Three Olympic Champions and four world champions headline field at Final X New York on June 8

By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling

The field has been finalized for Final X New York. presented by Tezos, on Wednesday, June 8 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Athletes qualified for Final X New York either by winning a 2021 World medal, or based upon their placement at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Coralville, Iowa, May 20-21.

The winner of each Final X Championship Series will represent the Team USA at the Senior World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Sept. 10-18.

Continue reading →

Two Olympic Champions and five world champions headline field at Final X Stillwater on June 3

By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling

The field has been finalized for Final X Stillwater, presented by Tezos, on Friday, June 3 at Gallagher-Iba Arena on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla.

Athletes qualified for Final X Stillwater either by winning a 2021 World medal, or based upon their placement at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Coralville, Iowa, May 20-21.

The winner of each Final X Championship Series will represent the Team USA at the Senior World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Sept. 10-18.

Continue reading →

14 Athletes Win World Team Trials Challenge Tournament Finals, to Advance to Final X Against a World Medalist

Seth Gross over Daniel Deshazer; Zahid Valencia over Mark Hall

CORALVILLE, Iowa – Final X 2022 has been completely determined, based upon the results of the final session at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on Sunday.

On Sunday night, 14 weight classes had a best-of-three series on Sunday night, with only the winner advancing to Final X, where they will face a 2021 World medalist who had already qualified for Final X. In the first session Sunday morning, the two semifinal winners at 16 other weight classes also advanced to compete in Final X.

Tonight’s best of three series included seven weights in men’s freestyle, six in women’s freestyle and one in Greco-Roman.

Of the 14 series, 11 were finished in two-match sweeps, while three series went the full three matches. Continue reading at teamusa.org →