Sometimes there isn't much to say except, "Wow." The United States has been on the cusp of a breakthrough for several years and it seems the Junior team -- outfitted with some of the biggest names in high school and college wrestling -- was able to prove the USA's system a potent weapon on the world scale.
There is plenty of credit to be doled out for the freestyle team's recent successes. From individual wrestlers, to personal coaches, to the positive impact of the RTC and even the advent of more international wrestling on computers everyone can grab a share of the spotlight. But when you balance the performance of the senior team at the 2016 World Championships with the full senior team's performance in Spain and their technical acumen at the World Team Trials you need give significant credit to Bill Zadick. He knows the wrestlers, understands peaking for major tournaments and has so far proven to have a positive influence on the athletes.
Team USA will face tough competition in Paris, but when analyzing their support system and entrenched leadership they have proven to have a distinct advantage over the rest of the world. I for one am looking forward to seeing how it all shakes out in the City of Lights.
To your questions …
Junior world champs Mark Hall, Daton Fix and Gable Steveson (Photo/Richard Immel)Q: Do you see Mark Hall, Daton Fix or Gable Steveson challenging for a spot on the U.S. World Team as early as next year?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Mark Hall, Daton Fix and Gable Steveson each wrestled well this week in Finland, beating competitors who were former age-level world medalists. Winning a Junior world title is a massive accomplishment and their technical skills showed little difference with that of the nation's top athletes.
I think all three will challenge for spots on the U.S. World Team, partly because there will be 10 weights and partly because they've shown the capacity to win big matches.
The future of the USA freestyle team looks very bright.
Q: What has been your biggest takeaway from the Junior World Championships?
-- Mike C.
Foley: After three days I think it's as obvious now as it has been the last few years that our developmental program has favored freestyle wrestlers. The women's team probably performed to expectations yesterday, but I'd like to see some improvements in their quality of wrestling.
The next few years could be big for the women's program. My hope is that as the top-level women retire that they move into a combination of roles, mostly as coaches and ambassadors. Second, I think that an increase in visibility will bring more young athletes into the mix and allow for better youth development through skills training and access to adequate competition.
As for the men, we are seeing what happens with the input of RTC and the addition of a world-calls developmental coach in Kevin Jackson (arguably one of the best hires-to-task I can remember).
Q: There has been a lot of emphasis on the U.S. Junior world team title being the first since 1984. Who was on the 1984 team and how did they fare at the senior level?
-- Ryan R.
Foley: There should be a slight asterisk by the 1984 team title for the United States … the USSR did not attend the tournament (held in Washington) as did no other communist country.
That out of the way, the team was tough and headlined most notably by Ken Chertow and John Fisher who each won individual gold. Also taking gold was my college coach Lenny Bernstein, who later went on to be an All-American for North Carolina before a 13-year career as head wrestling coach at the University of Virginia.
Q: What do you think of Kyle Crutchmer and his move to California to start an MMA career? Do you think he will be successful as other wrestlers have in MMA?
-- Gregg Y.
Foley: Kyle will be very successful in MMA. He seems to have the right mentality, has surrounded himself with a winning program and is a natural athlete. If he picks up jiu-jitsu and works on striking (as he will) then there is no reason to think he won't make his way into a marquee promotion within the next 24 months. Very bright future.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
Mark Hall -- RISING
Behind the Scenes with Team USA at Junior Worlds
Highlights from Day 2 at Junior World Championships
Q: It's interesting that Grace Bullen is coming to America and wrestling in college. How do you think she will develop over the next few years in the United States?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Wrestling in the United States will give Grace access to a lot more top-level wrestling than she is currently enjoying in Norway. Grace is a mat rat who chases down tournaments around the world. Just yesterday she finished third at the Junior World Championships and will also be wrestling in three weeks at the Senior World Championships. One thing she's lacking is a diversity of training partners and good, technical coaching. Competition aside, her ability to train with college teammates and have constant access to technical advice will convert to huge gains for the Norwegian youngster.
Q: Any news on where any of the Boise State wrestlers have gone? I think the only one I know of is Fred Green going to Virginia.
-- Spencer S.
Foley: Fred Green seems to be the only transfer noted, though I was recently told a few of the wrestlers may look to join up with Fresno State.
Q: What's next for Daniel Cormier after losing to Jon Jones for the second time?
-- Mike C.
Foley: My hope is that Cormier retires. There is a lot that can be said about his career and that ending on a loss is less-than-desirable, but in my eyes I see no reason to take the punishment. He's edging towards 40, has a beautiful family and is one of the most popular studio analysts in the sport -- I don't think he has anything left to prove to fans.
I'd recommend this article by Greg Howard, which I think best captured Cormier's choices for the future …
Q: There has been talk of a potential Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar fight. How do you think that would play out?
-- Mike C.
Foley: WME-IMG is looking to make back some of their investment and wisely put it in Jones' ear that a fight with Brock Lesnar would have a chance to crack into the mainstream and pull down more than a million PPV buys. Jones, being a new-found company man, knew that this would be a money maker and for all intents and purposes an easy day of fighting.
How it plays out? Depending on Brock's level of aggression and desire to quickly close the distance, Jones either peppers Brock with leg kicks and jabs, or else fights off a raging bull takedown defense and scores a quick submission from an arm-in choke or guillotine.
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