David Taylor after beating Nick Reenan at Final X in State College (Photo/Richard Immel)STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- On Saturday night, David Taylor delivered in front of his home crowd at Rec Hall, just like he has done so many times.
The 27-year-old Taylor made his first U.S. World Team at 86 kilograms with two straight victories over Nick Reenan at Final X in State College, Pa.
In the first match, Taylor gave up the match's first takedown, but dominated the rest of the way, claiming a 13-2 technical victory. He closed out the best-of-three series with a 10-0 first-period technical fall shutout.
"This is not the end goal," Taylor said. "My goal is to be a world and Olympic champion. This is the first step, and unfortunately I haven't been here yet. But to do it here at home in front of these fans, it's pretty special."
Taylor acknowledged his home crowd after the victory and spoke about bringing Final X back to State College.
"Every single year we need an event here," Taylor said. "These fans love wrestling. They will support any single person that steps on that mat, with love and excitement and energy, and that's what we need."
Taylor now has his sights set on competing at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in October.
"In Budapest, I'm bringing my A game," said Taylor. "They're going to bring their A game, and we're going to battle. So I'm excited. I'm really excited for the opportunity to wrestle these guys on the world stage where it really matters. I'm going to be bringing everything I possibly can."
Logan Stieber, a 2016 world champion, topped Ohio RTC teammate Joey McKenna in two straight matches at 65 kilograms.
Stieber used four-point moves early in both matches. In the first match, McKenna battled back from a 4-0 deficit and to eventually take a 7-6 lead late in the second period. Stieber retook the lead with 30 seconds left and held on for a criteria victory after McKenna scored late with a step out. In the second match, Stieber led 4-0 at the break and added a takedown and two turns in the second to win 8-0.
"I feel really good making this World Team," Stieber said. "I've had an up-and-down year. I always believed in myself, but I feel really good about it right now."
It's Stieber's third U.S. World Team and first at 65 kilograms. In previous years he competed at 61 kilograms.
"I feel great," Stieber said of competing at 65 kilograms. "I don't have to cut any weight. I feel great out there. My energy level is awesome. I feel really strong. I like 65. I've always liked 65. I went down to 61 and it was always a short-term thing, to try to win a world title and come back up."
Kyle Dake defeated Zahid Valencia at 79 kilograms (Photo/Richard Immel)In arguably the most anticipated matchup of the night, Kyle Dake punched his ticket to the World Championships by defeating college star Zahid Valencia in two matches at 79 kilograms.
Dake blanked Valencia 4-0 in the first match. Valencia came out strong in the second match, scoring an early takedown to take a 2-0 lead. He held that lead through the first period before Dake scored a two-point counter to take a 2-2 criteria lead with 1:15 remaining. Dake added a gut wrench turn to extend his lead to 4-2. Valencia kept up the pressure and scored a late point off a caution to cut the deficit to one, but Dake held on for the victory.
"Zahid is a great opponent," said Dake. "He's got some serious length and athleticism, so having to go out there and compete with someone like him, his caliber, is pretty fun for me. I get to challenge myself. Hopefully he'll help me get ready for the World Championships."
In the women's competition on Saturday, Adeline Gray, Mallory Velte and Erin Clodgo were victorious.
Velte, a returning World Team member, came back to defeat Kayla Miracle, a three-time age-group world medalist and four-time WCWA champion, in three matches at 62 kilograms.
Miracle took the opening match 4-2. Velte battled back to win the second match 4-2 to force a third and deciding match. In the third match, Velte scored an early takedown, which was challenged unsuccessfully, giving her a 3-0 lead. Miracle was finally able to get on the board with a minute remaining, scoring off the shot clock. Velte, though, poured it on late with two takedowns in the final 35 seconds to win 7-1.
Adeline Gray was dominant at Final X (Photo/Richard Immel)Gray, a three-time world champion, was unchallenged in two matches at 76 kilograms, beating Korinahe Bullock 10-0 and by fall.
"Terry Steiner always says that you don't get these opportunities very often," said Gray. "The fact that I've had … what is this, eight chances now … has been amazing. Not many athletes get the opportunity to go out there and be at the top of their game for this long. It just feels like a privilege to still feel healthy, still feel motivated, and I feel all those things right now. So I'm excited and ready and looking forward to Budapest."
Clodgo won a hard-fought three-match battle over Rachel Watters at 72 kilograms to make her second U.S. World Team. Clodgo took the first match 4-2. Watters was dominant in the second match, winning 8-0. Clodgo edged Watters in the final match 4-4 on criteria.
The last Final X is set for next Saturday, June 23, at historic Grace Hall on the campus Lehigh University.
Freestyle results
65 kilograms: Logan Stieber def. Joey McKenna, 2 matches to 0
Match 1: Stieber dec. McKenna, 8-8
Match 2: Stieber dec. McKenna, 8-0
79 kilograms: Kyle Dake def. Zahid Valencia, 2 matches to 0
Match 1: Dake dec. Valencia, 4-0
Match 2: Dake dec. Valencia, 4-3
86 kilograms: David Taylor def. Nick Reenan, 2 matches to 0
Match 1: Taylor tech. fall Reenan, 13-2
Match 2: Taylor tech. fall Reenan, 10-0
Women's wrestling results
62 kilograms: Mallory Velte def. Kayla Miracle, 2 matches to 1
Match 1: Miracle dec. Velte, 4-2
Match 2: Velte dec. Miracle, 4-2
Match 3: Velte dec. Miracle 7-1
72 kilograms: Erin Clodgo def. Rachel Watters, 2 matches to 1
Match 1: Clodgo dec. Watters, 4-2
Match 2: Watters dec. Clodgo, 8-0
Match 3: Clodgo dec. Watters, 4-4
76 kilograms: Adeline Gray def. Korinahe Bullock, 2 matches to 0
Match 1: Gray tech. fall Bullock, 10-0
Match 2: Gray pin Bullock, 1:04
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