J'den Cox defeated Bo Nickal in two straight matches at Final X: Rutgers (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Two of the biggest wrestling events of the year are being held this month with back-to-back Final X events.
It was good to see all three styles competing in this year's Final X, with Greco-Roman being included along with men's and women's freestyle.
The first Final X event featured an excellent atmosphere and top-notch wrestling while being held on Saturday at Rutgers University.
The second Final X event will be held this weekend in Lincoln with Olympic and world champions Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Snyder headlining a star-studded lineup.
The Final X winners advance to this fall's World Championships in Kazakhstan.
The U.S. is expected to contend for world team titles in men's and women's freestyle again this year.
Here are my top takeaways from the Final X at Rutgers.
J'den Cox: All he does is win
It seems like every year that someone new is being picked to knock off J'den Cox. But the world champion and Olympic medalist continues to beat them all. Cox made his fourth straight world or Olympic team by downing Hodge Trophy winner Bo Nickal in men's freestyle at 92 kilograms. Let's give Cox his due. He's a hell of a wrestler who continues to compete at a very high level. He knows how to perform when the stakes are highest. Nickal is very talented, but is a little undersized for this weight class. Nickal wrestled at the non-Olympic weight of 92 kg this year with reigning world champion and Nittany Lion Wrestling Club teammate David Taylor at 86 kg. Cox looks poised to win another world title this year. It will be interesting to see which weight classes Cox and Nickal compete in during the Olympic year in 2020.
Zain Train overcomes Yianni
One of the most anticipated battles lived up to the hype when Zain Retherford avenged a U.S. Open setback by defeating Yianni Diakomihalis to make the world freestyle team at 65 kilograms. The battle between Cadet world and NCAA champions was a treat for fans in New Jersey to watch even with a controversial and disputed finish. It's too bad the U.S. can't send both guys to the World Championships. They are both really good wrestlers. We can look forward to more matchups between these two young stars in the very near-future.
Burkert receives another shot
Veteran Jenna Burkert continues to excel and persevere, and she's back on the women's world team. Burkert swept 2017 world bronze medalist Becka Leathers to earn a trip to Kazakhstan at 57 kilograms. Burkert is another wrestler with the experience and talent to excel at the top level.
Da Flying Squirrel
2012 Olympian Ellis Coleman has battled his share of injuries in recent years, but the past Junior world medalist looked like the Flying Squirrel of old in turning in a dominating performance in making the Greco-Roman world team. Coleman is a talented and gifted wrestler who has a chance to win a medal at the Senior World Championships. He can still put on a show when he competes.
No Dake, no Taylor
It's unfortunate that Kyle Dake and David Taylor will miss out on the Final X events because of injuries. And unfortunate for the fans who will miss seeing two world champions compete. The good news is that Dake received an extension and will be battling Alex Dieringer for the 79-kilogram spot at a later date. Those matches are going to be interesting and entertaining. Dake is very good, but Dieringer battled him close last year and has had a heck of a season. I can't wait to see those two studs battle on the mat. Taylor is done for this season, but no doubt will be back and ready to make a run at Olympic gold in 2020.
Will this be Whitney's year?
Whitney Conder continues to make world teams in women's freestyle wrestling and she did it again with a strong performance against veteran Victoria Anthony at 50 kg. Now will Conder, a past Junior world champion, finally break through at the Senior World Championships? She certainly has the ability and the experience to do it.
Pat Smith knocks off Bey
Veteran Pat Smith fell by an 11-2 technical fall in his first match against explosive and talented Kamal Bey. But Smith fought back to win the next matches to knock off Bey, who was seventh at the 2018 World Championships. Smith made his second world team on the Senior level. He showed why it's so tough to make a U.S. team. You have to beat the same person twice and that's no easy feat.
Gwiz back on big stage
Two-time world bronze medalist Nick Gwiazdowski had his hands full against age-group world champion Gable Steveson. But the Gwiz prevailed in the men's freestyle heavyweight battle to make his third straight world team. Gwiz is an athletic and mobile wrestler who definitely has a shot to contend for a gold medal this year. Steveson continues to progress and his future looks extremely bright on the Senior level. He just finished his freshman season of college and he's already showing he's going to be a force on the Olympic level.
Kudos to Mad Max
You can't help but root for a guy like Max Nowry, a dedicated wrestler who has persevered and worked for many years for a day like this to arrive. It finally did when Nowry made his first Senior world team in Greco-Roman. He's a classic case of showing what hard work can truly accomplish.
Rave reviews
It was good to see the first Final X event being held at Rutgers in a place where a sport like wrestling is truly appreciated. A number of athletes said they enjoyed competing there and were appreciative of the atmosphere and fan support provided during the event. These Final X events feature some high-level wrestling. Be sure to check out the Final X event this weekend in Lincoln. You won't be disappointed.
Craig Sesker has written about wrestling for more than three decades. He's covered three Olympic Games and is a two-time national wrestling writer of the year.
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