2025 World Team Trials Men's Freestyle Preview

The 2025 World Team Trials get underway tomorrow. Friday and Saturday, some of our nation's best will head to Louisville, Kentucky in search of a spot in Final X. There is at least one wrestler per weight in Final X currently, as all US Open champions advanced. Additionally, returning world/Olympic medalists competing at their 2024 weight also automatically advanced to Final X. That means there are two weights in men’s (57/61 kg) and women’s freestyle (57/65 kg) that will not be contested in Louisville. 

We’ve already seen some usual results at the US Open and that’s to be expected in the first year of a new Olympic cycle. Those years typically feature a handful of retirements and weight changes. With that in mind, I’d expect some unpredictability in Louisville. 

The second of our two previews will focus on the men’s freestyle tournament. There will be plenty of talented men who haven’t secured a spot in Final X, but are still seeking a berth on the 2025 world team. Among them, a two-time Olympic medalist and a two-time world medalist- plus plenty of others with age-group credentials. 

Men’s Freestyle 

65 kg

1.   Jesse Mendez (Ohio RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

2.   Brock Hardy (Nebraska RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

3.   Bo Bassett (Titan Mercury WC)

4.   Aden Valencia (California RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

5.   Real Woods (Cliff Keen WC/Titan Mercury WC)

6.  Beau Bartlett (Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC)

7.  Seth Gross (MATPACK WC/Titan Mercury WC)

8.  Marcus Blaze (Titan Mercury WC)

9.  Carter Young (Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

Waiting in Final X: Joey McKenna

The Open finals saw an Ohio State alum knock off the Buckeye’s current superstar when Joey McKenna got by two-time NCAA champion Jesse Mendez. With McKenna already in Final X, Mendez is one of the top contenders. He’s made three age-group world teams highlighted by a silver medal at U20’s in 2023. 

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