InterMat Staff

Last week, Deron Winn learned that his original opponent for his UFC debut - Markus Perez -- had been forced to withdraw because of injury. This week, UFC officials have found a new opponent for Winn. The former wrestler turned emerging MMA star will now face Bruno Silva in a middleweight (185-pound) bout at UFC Fight Night 153 on Saturday, June 22 in Greenville, South Carolina. Here's what Winn posted on his Facebook page: "New opponent; same result. "Hey guys unfortunately my last opponent had to withdraw due to injury but thankfully the @ufc and @mickmaynard2 worked fast to find a replacement. I'll be fighting Bruno Silva now on June 22nd, in Greenville, South Carolina. Lets gooooooo!" Silva became the M-1 Global middleweight champion last fall. The 29-year-old Brazilian brings a 19-6 record in a pro career going back nine years. Sixteen of those wins are by KO or TKO, including the last four straight fights. Winn, also 29, is now 5-0 in his professional MMA career which he launched in March 2017. His first four fights ended in the first round. Winn's most recent victory was over veteran Tom Lawlor at Golden Boy MMA in Los Angeles in November 2018. Winn signed with UFC just days before Christmas in 2018. Prior to entering MMA competition, Winn was a three-time Missouri high school state wrestling champ, and twice a NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) titlewinner for St. Louis Community College, Meramec.

Kayla Miracle earned a spot in Final X at 62 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) RALEIGH, N.C. -- Victoria Anthony, Jenna Burkert and Kayla Miracle fell short at Final X last year. On Sunday, all three earned a chance to right last year's wrong. Anthony, Burkert and Miracle were among the 10 women's champions crowned at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on Sunday in Raleigh, N.C. Anthony, a two-time World Team member and three-time U.S. Open champion, is making a return trip to Final X after beating U.S. Open runner-up Erin Golston in two straight matches at 50 kilograms. Anthony won the first match 8-2 before closing out the series with a 4-3 victory. She will now face Whitney Conder at Final X. Conder defeated Anthony at last year's Final X as well as this year's U.S. Open. Burkert, who filled in for the injured Alli Ragan at last year's World Championships, was dominant in picking up two victories over Arian Carpio at 57 kilograms. She won 11-2 and 10-0. Burkers faces Becka Leathers at Final X, a rematch from this year's U.S. Open won by Leathers. Miracle, a three-time U.S. Open champion and four-time WCWA national champion, also dominated in the best-of-three finals. Facing Desiree Zavala, Miracle earned a first-period fall in the first match and closed out the series with a 10-0 technical fall. She will now face Mallory Velte in a rematch of last year's Final X. Velte defeated Miracle last year and then went on to capture a bronze medal at the World Championships. Maya Nelson, a 2017 junior world champion, secured her spot in Final X by defeating Macey Kilty, a Cadet world champion and Junior world silver medalist last year. Nelson blanked Kilty 5-0 in the first match before closing out the series with an 11-3 victory. Other World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champions crowned in women's wrestling included Katherine Shai (53 kilograms), Dominique Parrish (55 kilograms), Lauren Louive (59 kilograms), Alex Glaude (68 kilograms), Victoria Francis (72 kilograms) and Precious Bell (76 kilograms). Women's wrestling best-of-three finals results 50 kilograms: Victoria Anthony over Erin Golston, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Anthony dec. Golston, 8-2 Match 2: Anthony dec. Golston, 4-3 53 kilograms: Katherine Shai over Tiare Ikei, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Shai tech. fall Ikei, 10-0 Match 2: Shai pinned Ikei, 1:53 55 kilograms: Dominique Parrish over Areana Villaescusa, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Parrish dec. Areana Villaescusa, 6-0 Match 2: Parrish dec. Areana Villaescusa, 4-1 57 kilograms: Jenna Burkert over Arian Carpio, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Burkert dec. Carpio, 11-2 Match 2: Burkert tech. fall Carpio, 10-0 59 kilograms: Lauren Louive over Michaela Beck, 2 matches to 1 Match 1: Beck dec. Louive, 8-3 Match 2: Louive dec. Beck, 4-4 Match 2: Louive dec. Beck, 5-4 62 kilograms: Kayla Miracle over Desiree Zavala, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Miracle pinned Zavala, 1:15 Match 2: Miracle tech. fall Zavala, 10-0 65 kilograms: Maya Nelson over Macey Kilty, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Nelson dec. Kilty, 5-0 Match 2: Nelson dec. Kilty, 11-3 68 kilograms: Alex Glaude over Randi Beltz, 2 matches to 1 Match 1: Beltz pinned Glaude, 2:59 Match 2: Glaude dec. Beltz, 6-2 Match 3: Glaude dec. Beltz, 6-1 72 kilograms: Victoria Francis over Iman Kazem, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Francis tech. fall Kazem, 14-3 Match 2: Francis pinned Kazem, 1:47 76 kilograms: Precious Bell over Hannah Gladden, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Bell pinned Gladden, 2:53 Match 2: Bell dec. Gladden, 9-0

Isaiah Martinez defeated Jason Nolf to earn a spot in Final X (Photo/Larry Slater) RALEIGH, N.C. -- Four of the 10 champions crowned on Sunday in the freestyle competition at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament will be making return trips to Final X. 2018 Final X participants Thomas Gilman (57 kilograms), James Green (70 kilograms), Isaiah Martinez (74 kilograms) and Kyven Gadson (97 kilograms) claimed titles on Sunday in Raleigh, N.C. Three 2019 U.S. Open champions advanced to Final X: Alex Dieringer (79 kilograms), Pat Downey (86 kilograms) and Bo Nickal (92 kilograms). The other champions crowned on Sunday included Tyler Graff (61 kilograms), Zain Retherford (65 kilograms) and Gable Steveson (125 kilograms). Gilman, a 2017 world silver medalist, earned his spot in Final X by controlling Darian Cruz in two matches. Gilman blanked Cruz 4-0 in the first match and took the second match 5-2. He will face U.S. Open champion Daton Fix at Final X. Gilman defeated Fix at last year's Final X, but Fix came back to defeat Gilman at this year's U.S. Open. "I think I just need to keep doing the things I'm doing and read the referee and wrestle just a little bit smarter," said Gilman. "I gave up a couple points that I really just didn't need to give up. I need to read the referee a little bit better. If I do that, then I'm doing pretty good." Green, a two-time world medalist, picked up a 10-0 technical fall over 2019 NCAA champion Anthony Ashnault in their opening match at 70 kilograms. Ashnault sustained an injury in the match and was forced to forfeit the second match, giving Green the victory and berth in Final X. He will meet U.S. Open champion Ryan Deakin. Martinez needed three matches to top three-time NCAA champion Jason Nolf at 74 kilograms. The first match went to Martinez, 7-4. Nolf, who recently moved up from 70 kilograms, battled back to win the second match, scoring with a four-point move as time expired for a come-from-behind 7-5 victory. Martinez closed it out the series by winning the third and deciding match by technical fall, 12-2. He will now face Olympic champion and multiple-time world champion Jordan Burroughs at Final X. "I feel good," said Martinez. "I'm in a good place. I'm so excited to see where I'm at and try to win this and be the best in the world because that's ultimately what I want." Dieringer exacted revenge on Zahid Valencia from last year's World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. A year ago, Valencia dominated Dieringer, outscoring him 12-1 to earn a spot in Final X. This year it was all Dieringer as he claimed two straight technical falls over Valencia, outscoring him 24-3. Dieringer will meet returning world champion Kyle Dake at Final X. Downey, who won his first U.S. Open title in April, added a World Team Trials Challenge Tournament title to his resume by defeating Nick Heflin in two straight matches at 86 kilograms. Downey used a late takedown to win the first match 6-2 before closing out the series with a 4-0 victory. He will face world champion David Taylor at Final X. Nickal, a Dan Hodge Trophy winner and U.S. Open champion this year, was dominant in picking up two straight shutout victories over Michael Macchiavello. After claiming a 10-0 technical fall in the first match, Nickal closed out the series with a 5-0 win. Next up for Nickal: a meeting with world champion J'den Cox at Final X. Three-time age group world champion Gable Steveson advanced to Final X with a dominant victory over U.S. Open champion Adam Coon. Steveson, who placed third at the NCAAs this past season, claimed a technical fall in the first match and won 8-1 in the second match. He will meet Nick Gwiazdowski at Final X. Tyler Graff secured his spot in Final X at 61 kilograms by defeating U.S. Open champion Cody Brewer in two straight matches. The first match saw 38 points scored, with Graff coming out on top 22-16. Graff then earned a fall over Brewer to close out the series. Graff will take on returning world medalist Joe Colon at Final X. At 65 kilograms, Zain Retherford, a 2017 World Team member, advanced to Final X against Yianni Diakomihalis by edging Jordan Oliver in two matches. Oliver led 6-1 in the opening match before Retherford came back to win 7-6. Retherford then closed out the series with another 7-6 win. Freestyle best-of-three finals results 57 kilograms: Thomas Gilman over Darian Cruz, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Gilman dec. Cruz, 4-0 Match 2: Gilman dec. Cruz, 5-2 61 kilograms: Tyler Graff over Cody Brewer, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Graff dec. Brewer, 22-16 Match 2: Graff pinned Brewer 65 kilograms: Zain Retherford over Jordan Oliver, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Retherford dec. Oliver, 7-6 Match 2: Retherford dec. Oliver, 7-6 70 kilograms: James Green over Anthony Ashnault, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Green tech fall Ashnault, 10-0 Match 2: Green by forfeit over Ashnault 74 kilograms: Isaiah Martinez over Jason Nolf, 2 matches to 1 Match 1: Martinez dec. Nolf, 9-4 Match 2: Nolf dec. Martinez, 7-5 Match 3: Martinez tech. fall Nolf, 12-2 79 kilograms: Alex Dieringer over Zahid Valencia, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Dieringer tech. fall Valencia, 12-1 Match 2: Dieringer tech. fall Valencia, 12-2 86 kilograms: Pat Downey over Nick Heflin, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Downey dec. Heflin, 6-2 Match 2: Downey dec. Heflin, 4-0 92 kilograms: Bo Nickal over Michael Macchiavello, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Nickal tech. fall Macchiavello, 10-0 Match 2: Nickal dec. Macchiavello, 5-0 97 kilograms: Kyven Gadson over Ty Walz, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Gadson dec. Walz, 3-2 Match 2: Gadson dec. Walz, 3-0 125 kilograms: Gable Steveson vs. Adam Coon Match 1: Steveson tech. fall Coon, 13-3 Match 2: Steveson dec. Coon, 8-1

Thomas Gilman advanced to the best-of-three finals at 57 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) RALEIGH, N.C. -- On Saturday, 2017 world silver medalist Thomas Gilman moved one step closer to a return trip to Final X. Gilman was among the 20 freestyle wrestlers to earn a spot in Sunday's best-of-three finals in freestyle. Gilman claimed a 10-0 technical fall in the Challenge Tournament semifinals to earn a spot in the finals at 57 kilograms. He will face Darian Cruz in the finals on Sunday. At 79 kilograms, Zahid Valencia defeated longtime rival Mark Hall 5-0 to secure his spot in Sunday's best-of-three finals. He will face Alex Dieringer in a rematch from last year, won by Valencia. Jason Nolf moved up a weight class from the U.S. Open and reached the best-of-three finals at 74 kilograms. He topped Logan Massa 7-2 in the Challenge Tournament to set up a meeting in the best-of-three finals against U.S. Open champion Isaiah Martinez. The winner of the Martinez-Nolf match will face Olympic champion and multiple-time world champion Jordan Burroughs at Final X. At 65 kilograms, Zain Retherford and Jordan Oliver reached the best-of-three finals. Retherford earned his spot with a victory over 2016 Olympian Frank Molinaro, while Oliver defeated Dom Demas. 2019 NCAA champion Anthony Ashnault put together an impressive run to the finals at 70 kilograms. He edged Jason Chamberlain 2-1 in the semifinals to set up a meeting on Sunday with two-time world medalist James Green. The two met at Beat the Streets earlier this year, with Green coming out on top 8-4. Gable Steveson, a multiple-time age group world champion, advanced to Sunday's best-of-three finals at 125 kilograms by beating Tony Nelson. Steveson will now face Adam Coon on Sunday for a chance to wrestle Nick Gwiazdowski at Final X. Freestyle best-of-three Finals matchups 57 kilograms: Thomas Gilman vs. Darian Cruz 61 kilograms: Tyler Graff vs. Cody Brewer 65 kilograms: Zain Retherford vs. Jordan Oliver 70 kilograms: James Green vs. Anthony Ashnault 74 kilograms: Jason Nolf vs. Isaiah Martinez 79 kilograms: Zahid Valencia vs. Alex Dieringer 86 kilograms: Nick Heflin vs. Pat Downey 92 kilograms: Michael Macchiavello vs. Bo Nickal 97 kilograms: Ty Walz vs. Kyven Gadson 125 kilograms: Gable Steveson vs. Adam Coon Freestyle Challenge Tournament finals results 61 kilograms: Tyler Graff dec. Nico Megaludis, 6-4 74 kilograms: Jason Nolf dec. Logan Massa, 7-2 79 kilograms: Zahid Valencia dec. Mark Hall, 5-0 86 kilograms: Nick Heflin dec. Sammy Brooks, 9-6 92 kilograms: Michael Macchiavello dec. Hayden Zilmer, 3-0 97 kilograms: Ty Walz dec. Kevin Beazley, 11-4 125 kilograms: Gable Steveson dec. Tony Nelson, 5-1 Freestyle semifinal results 57 kilograms: Thomas Gilman tech. fall Frank Perrelli, 10-0 Darian Cruz dec. Jack Mueller, 7-5 61 kilograms: Nico Megaludis tech. fall Tony Ramos, 11-1 Tyler Graff dec. Joey Palmer, 4-0 65 kilograms: Zain Retherford dec. Frank Molinaro, 6-1 Jordan Oliver dec. Dom Demas, 6-2 70 kilograms: James Green tech. fall Brandon Sorensen, 10-0 Anthony Ashnault dec. Jason Chamberlain, 2-1 74 kilograms: Logan Massa dec. Tommy Gantt, 5-4 Jason Nolf dec. Anthony Valencia, 7-0 79 kilograms: Zahid Valencia tech. fall Geno Morelli, 10-0 Mark Hall dec. Nick Becker, 6-4 86 kilograms: Nick Heflin dec. Myles Martin, 4-1 Sammy Brooks dec. Brett Pfarr, 5-3 92 kilograms: Hayden Zilmer dec. Kollin Moore, 12-10 Michael Macchiavello dec. Tim Dudley, 5-3 97 kilograms: Kevin Beazley dec. Ben Honis, 8-8 Ty Walz dec. Daniel Chaid, 12-8 125 kilograms: Tony Nelson dec. Derek White, 3-0 Gable Steveson dec. Dom Bradley, 7-3 Women's wrestling best-of-three finals matchups 50 kilograms: Erin Golston vs. Victoria Anthony 53 kilograms: Tiare Ikei vs. Katherine Shai 55 kilograms: Dominique Parrish vs. Areana Villaescusa 57 kilograms: Jenna Burkert vs. Arian Carpio 59 kilograms: Lauren Louive vs. Michaela Beck 62 kilograms: Kayla Miracle vs. Desiree Zavala 65 kilograms: Maya Nelson vs. Macey Kilty 68 kilograms: Randi Beltz vs. Alex Glaude 72 kilograms: Victoria Francis vs. Iman Kazem 76 kilograms: Precious Bell vs. Hannah Gladden Women's Wrestling Challenge Tournament finals results 53 kilograms: Katherine Shai dec. Haley Augello, 7-3 62 kilograms: Desiree Zavala dec. Alex Liles, 9-5 68 kilograms: Alex Glaude dec. Jayden Laurent, 5-2 76 kilograms: Hannah Gladden dec. Kenya-Lee Sloan, 10-2 Women's Wrestling semifinal results 50 kilograms: Erin Golston dec. Alleida Martinez, 8-1 Victoria Anthony tech. fall Amy Fearnside, 10-0 53 kilograms: Haley Augello dec. Shauna Kemp, 10-8 Katherine Shai tech. fall Gracie Figueroa, 14-3 55 kilograms: Dominique Parrish received a bye Areana Villaescusa dec. Alisha Howk, 5-0 57 kilograms: Jenna Burkert dec. Kelsey Campbell, 8-1 Arian Carpio tech. fall Cameron Guerin, 11-1 59 kilograms: Lauren Louive dec. Abigail Nette, 8-6 Michaela Beck dec. Lauren Mason, 5-2 62 kilograms: Desiree Zavala tech. fall Bri Csontos, 10-0 Alex Liles pinned Alexis Porter, 1:27 65 kilograms: Maya Nelson received a bye Macey Kilty dec. Julia Salata, 7-2 68 kilograms: Alex Glaude pinned Skylar Grote, 2:41 Jayden Laurent dec. Ashlynn Ortega, 4-1 72 kilograms: Victoria Francis tech. fall Nahiela Magee, 16-5 Iman Kazem tech. fall Rachel Watters, 10-0 76 kilograms: Hannah Gladden (Lion WC) received a bye Kenya-Lee Sloan (Campbellsville) dec. Destane Garrick, 4-4

RALEIGH, N.C. -- High school senior Cohlton Schultz did what few thought possible: Beat Olympian Robby Smith to earn a spot in Final X. Cohlton Schultz (Photo/Larry Slater)Schultz, a Cadet world champion and Junior world bronze medalist, was one of 10 Greco-Roman champions crowned at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament on Saturday in Raleigh, N.C. The 18-year-old Colorado native dropped the first match to Smith in the best-of-three finals, but rebounded to win the final two matches -- 2-1 and 5-1 -- to punch his ticket to Final X. Schultz previously trained with Smith. "He definitely had an impact on my journey so far," said Schultz. "To be able to beat him here was incredible. It's a crazy feeling. I've trained with him forever. I remember my first day at the OTC and him showing me body locks. It's crazy coming full circle." Schultz will now face returning world silver medalist Adam Coon on June 15 at Final X for a spot on the 2019 U.S. World Team. "The game plan doesn't change," Schultz said of facing Coon. "I'm just going to stay in my good position and make sure at the end of the day that I have more points than he does." U.S. Marines wrestlers Xavier Johnson (63 kilograms), Jamel Johnson (67 kilograms) and John Stefanowicz at (82 kilograms) won Challenge Touranment titles on Saturday. Xavier Johnson won in two consecutive matches over two-time U.S. Open finalist Sammy Jones. Johnson claimed a technical fall (8-0) in the first match before closing out the series with a 7-4 victory. Jamel Johnson topped 2016 U.S. Open champion Hayden Tuma in two straight matches. He will now face Ellis Coleman at Final X. Coleman was a 2012 Olympian and won the U.S. Open in April. Stefanowicz, a runner-up at the 2017 World Team Trials, cruised to a two-match victory over two-time World Team member Cheney Haight. The U.S. Marine picked up both victories by the identical score of 5-1. Pat Smith earned a spot in Final X at 77 kilograms by beating Mason Manville in two consecutive matches. Smith and Manville were teammates on the 2017 U.S. World Team. Smith blanked Manville 3-0 in the first match and closed out the series with a 3-2 win. Other World Team Trials Challenge Tournament champions crowned in Greco-Roman included Brady Koontz (55 kilograms), Ildar Hafizov (60 kilograms), Alex Mossing (72 kilograms), Ben Provisor (87 kilograms) and Lucas Sheridan (97 kilograms). Best-of-three finals results 55 kilograms: Brady Koontz over Dalton Duffield, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Koontz dec. Duffield, 6-4 Match 2: Koontz dec. Duffield, 5-0 60 kilograms: Ildar Hafizov over Randon Miranda, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Hafizov dec. Miranda, 7-0 Match 2: Hafizov dec. Miranda, 6-1 63 kilograms: Xavier Johnson over Sam Jones, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Johnson tech. fall Jones, 8-0 Match 2: Johnson dec. Jones, 7-4 67 kilograms: Jamel Johnson over Hayden Tuma, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Johnson dec. Tuma, 4-1 Match 2: Johnson dec. Tuma, 5-1 72 kilograms: Alex Mossing over Michael Hooker, 2 matches to 1 Match 1: Hooker tech. fall Mossing, 9-0 Match 2: Mossing dec. Hooker, 7-4 Match 3: Mossing over Hooker, fall 3:56 77 kilograms: Pat Smith over Mason Manville, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Smith dec. Manville, 3-0 Match 2: Smith dec. Manville, 3-2 82 kilograms: John Stefanowicz over Cheney Haight, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Stefanowicz dec. Haight, 5-1 Match 2: Stefanowicz dec. Haight, 5-1 87 kilograms: Ben Provisor over Patrick Martinez, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Provisor dec. Martinez, 1-1 Match 2: Provisor dec. Martinez, 3-1 97 kilograms: Lucas Sheridan over Daniel Miller, 2 matches to 1 Match 1: Miller dec. Sheridan, 7-5 Match 2: Sheridan dec. Miller, 5-0 Match 3: Sheridan dec. Miller, 4-3 130 kilograms: Cohlton Schultz over Robby Smith, 2 matches to 1 Match 1: Smith dec. Schultz, 2-1 Match 2: Schultz dec. Smith, 2-1 Match 3: Schultz dec. Smith, 5-1

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Men's Freestyle Junior World team is a mix of new faces and seasoned veterans with international experience. At 57 kilograms, Vito Arujau made his third World Team by defeating Malik Heinselman two-matches-to-none. Arujau made last year's U23 Team, but did not compete. He took silver at the 2016 Cadet World Championships. Elite Accelerator Program athlete Gabe Tagg, defeated his future Tar Heel teammate, Jaime Hernandez two matches to none. This is his first World Team. Northwestern's Yahya Thomas shut out Keegan O'Toole in two straight matches at 65 kilograms, 7-0, and 2-0 to make his first World Team. Brayton Lee avenged his 2019 UWW Junior Nationals loss to Sammy Sasso by beating him twice in a row, 11-8, and 8-1 in the 70-kilogram finals to make his first world team. Sasso won by a 10-0 technical fall in the Junior Nationals Finals. Read complete story on TheMat.com ... Finals Results 57 kilograms: Vito Arujau over Malik Heinselman, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Arujau dec. Heinselman, 13-5 Match 2: Arujau tech. fall Heinselman, 11-1 61 kilograms: Gabe Tagg over Jaime Hernandez, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Tagg tech. fall Hernandez, 10-0 Match 2: Tagg dec. Hernandez, 12-3 65 kilograms: Yahya Thomas over Keegan O'Toole, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Thomas dec. O'Toole, 7-0 Match 2: Thomas dec. O' Toole 7-0 70 kilograms: Brayton Lee over Sammy Sasso, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Lee dec. Sasso 11-8 Match 2: Lee dec. Sasso 8-1 74 kilograms: David Carr over Shane Griffith, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Carr dec. Griffith 6-3 Match 2: Carr dec. Griffith 6-4 79 kilograms: Aaron Brooks over Parker Keckeisen, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Brooks tech. fall Keckeisen 10-0 Match 2: Brooks dec. Keckeisen 9-1 86 kilograms: Trent Hidlay over Vincent Marcelli, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Hidlay dec. Marcelli, 12-7 Match 2: Hidlay dec. Marcelli, 11-4 92 kilograms: Lucas Davison over Brandon Whitman, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Davison dec. Whitman, 9-0 Match 2: Davison dec. Whitman, 5-0 97 kilograms: Tanner Sloan over Sam Schuyler, 2 matches to 0 Match 1: Sloan dec. Schuyler, 7-6 Match 2: Sloan dec. Schuyler, 6-4 125 kilograms: Mason Parris over Trent Hillger, 2 matches to 1 Match 1: Hillger dec. Parris, 7-6 Match 2: Parris tech. fall Hillger, 10-0 Match 3: Parris pinned Hillger, 0:39

50 kilograms: Erin Golston bye Alleida Martinez dec. Emily Shilson, 8-0 Amy Fearnside tech. fall Arelys Valles, 10-0 3:50 Victoria Anthony bye 53 kilograms: Haley Augello bye Shauna Kemp tech. fall Cody Pfau, 11-0 4:54 Gracie Figueroa bye Katherine Shai bye 55 kilograms: Dominique Parrish bye Alisha Howk bye Areana Villaescusa bye 57 kilograms: Jenna Burkert bye Kelsey Campbell dec. Alexandra Hedrick, 2-1 Cameron Guerin dec. Allison Petix, 8-2 Arian Carpio bye 59 kilograms: Abigail Nette bye Lauren Louive tech. fall Megan Black, 10-0 3:10 Lauren Mason pinned Maya Porter, 5-0 0:58 Michaela Beck bye 62 kilograms: Desiree Zavala bye Brianna Csontos bye Alexandria Liles bye Alexis Porter bye 65 kilograms: Maya Nelson bye Julia Salata bye Macey Kilty bye 68 kilograms: Alexandria Glaude bye Skylar Grote dec. Kayla Marano, 4-4 Ashlynn Ortega bye Jayden Laurent bye 72 kilograms: Victoria Francis bye Nahiela Magee dec. Stephanie Simon (Marines), 7-6 Rachel Watters bye Iman Kazem bye 76 kilograms: Hannah Gladden bye Destane Garrick bye Kenya Sloan bye

57 kilograms: Thomas Gilman bye Frank Perrelli tech. fall Zach Sanders, 14-3 4:58 Darian Cruz dec. Joshua Rodriguez, 3-2 Jack Mueller dec. Zane Richards, 7-5 61 kilograms: Nico Megaludis tech. fall Sean Fausz, 10-0 4:23 Tony Ramos dec. Cory Clark, 6-1 Tyler Graff dec. Earl Hall, 7-4 Joey Palmer dec. Shelton Mack, 7-1 65 kilograms: Zain Retherford tech. fall Dean Heil, 10-0 2:42 Frank Molinaro dec. Jaydin Eierman, 11-7 Dom Demas tech. fall Jayson Ness, 12-0 3:27 Jordan Oliver dec. Kanen Storr, 6-2 70 kilograms: James Green dec. Mario Mason, 5-3 Brandon Sorensen dec. Nazar Kulchytskyy, 5-1 Jason Chamberlain dec. Alec Pantaleo, 3-2 Anthony Ashnault dec. Hayden Hidlay, 5-4 74 kilograms: Thomas Gantt dec. Joey LaVallee, 9-3 Logan Massa dec. Richie Lewis, 5-0 Jason Nolf tech. fall Brian Murphy, 12-2 3:22 Anthony Valencia dec. Dan Vallimont, 6-0 79 kilograms: Zahid Valencia bye Geno Morelli dec. Matthew Finesilver, 7-1 Nick Becker dec. Stacey Davis, 8-0 Mark Hall tech. fall Ben Harvey, 10-0 3:22 86 kilograms: Nick Heflin tech. fall Nino Bonaccorsi, 10-0 2:37 Myles Martin dec. Nathan Jackson, 5-0 Brett Pfarr dec. Kenneth Courts, 6-0 Sam Brooks tech. fall Drew Foster, 14-4 4:11 92 kilograms: Hayden Zillmer bye Kollin Moore tech. fall Riley Lefever, 11-0 3:35 T.J. Dudley dec. Timmy McCall, 10-6 Michael Macchiavello dec. Scottie Boykin, 10-6 97 kilograms: Ben Honis bye Kevin Beazley dec. Michael Boykin, 3-2 Daniel Chaid tech. fall Jeremiah Imonode, 12-2 2:09 Ty Walz bye 125 kilograms: Tony Nelson dec. Garrett Ryan, 4-1 Derek White dec. Michael Kosoy, 4-0 Dom Bradley tech. fall Youssif Hemida, 10-0 2:25 Gable Steveson tech. fall Nick Nevills, 10-0 4:12

Thomas Gilman is the top seed at 57 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The freestyle seeds have been released for the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, which takes place Saturday and Sunday in Raleigh, N.C. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday. 57 kilograms: 1. Thomas Gilman 2. Zane Richards 3. Darian Cruz 4. Frank Perrelli 5. Zach Sanders 6. Josh Rodriguez 7. Jack Mueller 61 kilograms: *Sitting out to best-of-three finals: Cody Brewer 1. Nico Megaludis 2. Joey Palmer 3. Tyler Graff 4. Cory Clark 5. Tony Ramos 6. Earl Hall 7. Shelton Mack 8. Sean Fausz 65 kilograms: 1. Zain Retherford 2. Jordan Oliver 3. Jayson Ness 4. Frank Molinaro 5. Jaydin Eierman 6. Dom Demas 7. Kanen Storr 8. Dean Heil 9. Colton McCrystal 70 kilograms: 1. James Green 2. Hayden Hidlay 3. Alec Pantaleo 4. Brandon Sorensen 5. Nazar Kulchytskyy 6. Jason Chamberlain 7. Anthony Ashnault 8. Mario Mason 74 kilograms: *Sitting out to best-of-three finals: Isaiah Martinez 1. Tommy Gantt 2. Anthony Valencia 3. Jason Nolf 4. Logan Massa 5. Richie Lewis 6. Brian Murphy 7. Dan Vallimont 8. Joey LaVallee 79 kilograms: *Sitting out to best-of-three finals: Alex Dieringer 1. Zahid Valencia 2. Mark Hall 3. Nick Becker 4. Matt Finesilver 5. Geno Morelli 6. Stacey Davis 7. Ben Harvey 86 kilograms: *Sitting out to best-of-three finals: Pat Downey 1. Nick Heflin 2. Sam Brooks 3. Brett Pfarr 4. Myles Martin 5. Nathan Jackson 6. Kenny Courts 7. Drew Foster 8. Nino Bonaccorsi 92 kilograms: *Sitting out to best-of-three finals: Bo Nickal 1. Hayden Zillmer 2. Michael Macchiavello 3. Timothy Dudley 4. Kollin Moore 5. Riley Lefever 6. Timmy McCall 7. Scottie Boykin 97 kilograms: *Sitting out to best-of-three finals: Kyven Gadson 1. Ben Honis 2. Ty Walz 3. Daniel Chaid 4. Michael Boykin 5. Kevin Beazley 6. Jeremiah Imonode 125 kilograms: *Sitting out to best-of-three finals: Adam Coon 1. Tony Nelson 2. Gable Steveson 3. Dom Bradley 4. Michael Kosoy 5. Derek White 6. Youssif Hemida 7. Nick Nevills 8. Tate Orndorff 9. Garrett Ryan

After more than four decades as a wrestling official, Bruce Haselrig will be welcomed into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame for his officiating this Sunday, May 19 at State College. "I was at UPJ when I started officiating," the 74-year-old Haselrig told Mike Mastovich of the Johnstown (Pa.) Tribune-Democrat . "When we started the wrestling program at UPJ, I figured if I became an official, I could see some of the best wrestlers for recruiting." Bruce HaselrigBy any measure, Bruce Haselrig's wrestling referee resume is impressive. He's been a certified NCAA and PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) wrestling official for 47 years and has served as a District 6 Wrestling Rules Interpreter for more than 30 years. At the college level, Haselrig has worked the NCAA Division II Championships six times and officiated championship events in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference nine times, NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) championships three times, Eastern Wrestling League (10), Atlantic Coast Conference (one), Colonial Athletic Conference (two), NCAA Division I Eastern Regional Championships (five), and NCAA Division II Eastern Regional (17 times, 10 as head official). As for high school wrestling within the Keystone State, Haselrig has officiated 18 PIAA individual wrestling championships, three PIAA team championships, and has served as assistant supervisor of officials at the PIAA Wrestling Championship event for eight years. If that weren't enough, Bruce Haselrig served his community beyond wrestling, as a now-retired educator at Pitt-Johnstown and a former assistant city manager/city clerk for the City of Johnstown. And he's the uncle of Carlton Haselrig, Pitt-Johnstown's six-time national champion wrestler and former Pittsburgh Steelers lineman who, with Kevin Emily, has penned the new book, "Giant Killer: The Carlton Haselrig Story." This weekend's Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame is Bruce Haselrig's latest honor. He previously was inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame; Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame; Pitt-Johnstown Athletics Hall of Fame; and the District 6 Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. "It's a very deserving honor," Pat Pecora, Pitt-Johnstown wrestling coach, said of Haselrig's latest award. "I don't know of anybody who's been more involved in the sport of wrestling than Bruce Haselrig in so many facets - first from wrestling to coaching to refereeing. No matter where you go to watch a wrestling match, there is Bruce."

57 kilograms: Vito Arujau tech. fall Wyatt Henson, 14-4 Michael Colaiocco tech. fall Eric Barnett, 12-2 Challenge Tournament finals (57 kilograms): Vito Arujau tech. fall Michael Colaiocco, 12-0 61 kilograms: Roman Bravo-Young tech. fall Teague Travis, 10-0 Jaime Hernandez dec. Frankie Tal-Shahar, 9-6 Challenge Tournament finals (61 kilograms): Jaime Hernandez dec. Roman Bravo-Young, 10-5 65 kilograms: Keegan O'Toole dec. Andrew Alirez, 11-6 Lucas Revano dec. P.J. Ogunsanya Challenge Tournament finals (65 kilograms): Keegan O'Toole tech. fall Lucas Revano, 11-0 70 kilograms: Brayton Lee dec. Jacori Teemer, 12-9 Peyton Robb tech. fall Brock Mauller, 12-2 Challenge Tournament finals (70 kilograms): Brayton Lee dec. Peyton Robb, 17-8 74 kilograms: Danny Braunagel dec. D.J. Shannon, 8-4 Shane Griffin tech. fall Philip Conigliaro, 10-0 Challenge Tournament finals (74 kilograms): Shane Griffith tech. fall Danny Braunagel, 13-2 79 kilograms: Jake Allar dec. Dustin Plott, 13-6 Parker Keckeisen dec. Jake Hendricks, 7-6 Challenge Tournament finals (79 kilograms): Parker Keckeisen dec. Jake Allar, 7-6 86 kilograms: Victor Marcelli dec. Zachary Braunagel, 6-6 Jack Jessen dec. Christopher Foca, 20-13 Challenge Tournament finals (86 kilograms): Victor Marcelli dec. Jack Jessen, 9-6 92 kilograms: Jake Woodley tech. fall Dakota Howard, 11-1 Brandon Whitman tech. fall Kordell Norfleet, 10-0 Challenge Tournament finals (92 kilograms): Brandon Whitman dec. Jake Woodley, 5-3 97 kilograms: Tanner Sloan tech. fall Jake Boyd, 13-2 Kyle Lightner tech. fall Aric Bohn, 16-5 Challenge Tournament finals (97 kilograms): Tanner Sloan tech. fall Kyle Lightner, 11-0 125 kilograms: Trent Hillger tech. fall Zachary Knighton-Ward, 10-0 Mason Parris dec. John Borst, 7-4

55 kilograms: Dalton Duffield dec. Britain Longmire, 19-10 Brady Koontz tech. fall Ibrahim Bunduka, 9-0 60 kilograms: Ildar Hafizov tech. fall Taylor Lamont, 10-0 Randon Miranda dec. Dalton Roberts, 8-2 63 kilograms: Sam Jones dec. Lillashawn Coleman, 5-1 Xavier Johnson dec. Travis Rice, 3-2 67 kilograms: Hayden Tuma tech. fall Jarod Verkleeren, 8-0 Jamel Johnson dec. Austin Morrow, 3-1 72 kilograms: Alex Mossing dec. Nick Tarpley, 13-11 Michael Hooker dec. Alejandro Sancho, 5-4 77 kilograms: Pat Smith tech. fall Peyton Walsh, 8-0 Mason Manville dec. Corey Hope, 5-3 82 kilograms: Cheney Haight dec. Andrew Berreyesa, 6-1 John Stefanowicz tech. fall Geordon Speiller, 8-0 87 kilograms: Ben Provisor tech. fall Vaughn Monreal-Berner, 8-0 Barrett Stanghill dec. Kevin Radford, 5-1 Challenge Tournament finals (87 kilograms): Ben Provisor dec. Barrett Stanghill, 5-0 97 kilograms: Lucas Sheridan tech. fall Khymba Johnson, 9-0 Daniel Miller tech. fall Eric Twohey, 8-0 130 kilograms: Jacob Mitchell tech. fall Haydn Maley, 9-0 Cohlton Schultz dec. Toby Erickson, 6-0 Challenge Tournament finals (130 kilograms): Cohlton Schultz (Sunkist Kids) pinned Jacob Mitchell (Army WCAP), 5:23

Midland University announced today the appointment of Lawrence (Larry) Nugent as the new head coach of the men's wrestling program. Nugent most recently served as the head coach at Bethany College from 2015-2018 and will begin his tenure immediately. Larry NugentWith more than 30 years of decorated coaching and professional experience, Nugent brings a well-established wrestling pedigree to the institution, combined with an excellent track record of recruiting and developing high-quality student-athletes. "All of Larry's experience as a wrestler, coach, and mentor will serve him well," said Dave Gillespie, Midland University Athletic Director. "To consistently compete for and win championships, you need exceptional leadership, which is why we have invested in Larry for this opportunity. His passion for skill-building and mentoring young men will be invaluable in our team's successful development." Before his term at Bethany College, Nugent served as the Director of Development at USA Wrestling, tracking private donor support and corporate sponsorship revenue, as well as coordinating special events. In addition, Nugent worked as the Associate Producer and on-air talent with USA Broadcasting and USA Wrestling, working with sports media outlets including; ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox Sports, Oxygen Sports, and Public Television, earning NWMA Broadcaster of the Year in 2001. "This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our university's wrestling program," said Jody Horner, President of Midland University. "The addition of Lawrence Nugent to our campus is another example of the strategic momentum of relentless relevance to reassert Midland as a leading higher education institute. Larry shares and embraces our institutional values, and we are thrilled to welcome him as part of our Warrior family." Nugent's coaching career ignited in 1980 as an Assistant Coach at Southern Oregon University where he led the eight-time, top-five NAIA team to one National Championship, produced nine individual National Champions, and twenty NAIA All-Americans over nine years. Nugent has additionally served as the Head Wrestling Coach and Adjunct Instructor at Pacific University, where he produced 6 All-Americans. At Brigham Young University (BYU), Nugent led as the Assistant Wrestling Coach where he helped qualify two wrestlers to the NCAA D-I Championships, attained the first Conference Championship in several years, as well as produced 4 NCAA qualifiers. Coach Nugent will begin recruiting for the 2019-20 Warrior Wrestling season at Midland immediately.

B.J. Futrell gets his hand raised after winning the Dave Schultz Memorial International at 65 kilograms (Photo/Larry Slater) B.J. Futrell has called it a career. On Friday, Futrell announced his retirement from competitive wrestling in a letter to the sport of wrestling posted on Twitter. The former University of Illinois standout qualified for the World Team Trials at 65 kilograms this weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina, but was unable to compete due to injury. Futrell tore his ACL at the U.S. Open, which will require his eighth surgery in nine years. He concluded his letter by writing, "Ultimately I am incredibly thankful for this journey because of all the people I met, the opportunities I had, and the personal growth I experienced. Most of all, I'm thankful for my wife, family, friends, fans, and sponsors that have supported me along the way. To all of you, I say thank you! It's the end, but really it's just a new beginning." Futrell trained at the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center and represented the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club. He previously trained with the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club. Futrell placed as high as third at both the World Team Trials and U.S. Open. He was a silver medalist at the University World Championships in 2014. Prior to his international wrestling career, Futrell was a two-time All-American for the Illini.

57 kilograms: Vito Arujau tech. fall Matthew Ramos, 12-0 3:35 Wyatt Henson dec. Justin Cardani, 16-7 Michael Colaiocco dec. Kyle Biscoglia, 10-3 Eric Barnett dec. Rayvon Foley, 10-9 61 kilograms: Roman Bravo-Young tech. fall Timothy Decatur-Luker, 12-1 1:31 Teague Travis tech. fall Jarrett Trombley, 14-4 3:51 Jaime Hernandez dec. Jordan Decatur, 12-6 Frankie Tal-Shahar tech. fall Jevon Parrish, 10-0 3:38 65 kilograms: Andrew Alirez bye Keegan O'Toole tech. fall Edward Scott, 10-0 4:10 P.J. Ogunsanya bye Lucas Revano dec. Joshua Saunders, 8-6 70 kilograms: Brayton Lee tech. fall Justin McCoy, 13-3 6:00 Jacori Teemer tech. fall Jaden Van Maanen, 10-0 3:30 Brock Mauller dec. Jared Franek, 5-4 Peyton Robb bye 74 kilograms: Danny Braunagel bye D.J. Shannon dec. Jarrett Jacques, 4-2 Philip Conigliaro dec. Travis Wittlake, 6-5 Shane Griffith tech. fall Aaron Bancroft, 11-0 2:21 79 kilograms: Dustin Plott bye Jake Allar dec. Michael O'Malley, 6-4 Jake Hendricks dec. Tyler Dow, 9-8 Parker Keckeisen tech. fall Jackson Turley, 13-1 4:55 86 kilograms: Zachary Braunagel tech. fall Beau Yineman, 15-5 5:47 Victor Marcelli tech. fall Peter Acciardi, 10-0 4:29 Jack Jessen tech. fall Gavin Hoffman, 11-1 2:53 Christopher Foca dec. Cameron Caffey, 8-8 92 kilograms: Jake Woodley bye Dakota Howard dec. Joel Shapiro, 6-3 Kordell Norfleet bye Brandon Whitman bye 97 kilograms: Tanner Sloan bye Jake Boyd dec. Tyler Bagoly, 11-5 Kyle Lightner dec. Owen Trephan, 7-4 Aric Bohn bye 125 kilograms: Trent Hillger bye Zachary Knighton-Ward dec. Austin Emerson, 6-2 Mason Parris bye John Borst bye

55 kilograms: Dalton Duffield tech. fall Sean Sesnan, 8-0 0:39 Britain Longmire pinned Jemone Carter, 6-5 4:46 Ibrahim Bunduka dec. Joe Deangelo, 8-5 Brady Koontz tech. fall Jabari Moody, 8-0 1:47 60 kilograms: Ildar Hafizov bye Taylor Lamont tech. fall Liam Cronin, 12-0 1:14 Randon Miranda pinned Bruce Hrynciw, 9-0 0:40 Dalton Roberts bye 63 kilograms: Sam Jones pinned Delon Kanari, 8-0 0:38 Lillashawn Coleman pinned Alston Nutter, 4-4 1:05 Xavier Johnson pinned Dylan Gregerson, 6-2 5:09 Travis Rice tech. fall Jon Massey, 9-0 2:02 67 kilograms: Hayden Tuma pinned Nolan Baker, 11-2 5:08 Jarod Verkleeren dec. Morgan Flaharty, 4-3 Austin Morrow tech. fall Jessy Williams, 8-0 1:23 Jamel Johnson dec. Benjamin Peak, 2-0 72 kilograms: Alex Mossing pinned Ravaughn Perkins, 5-2 2:01 Nick Tarpley dec. Lenny Merkin, 6-3 Alejandro Sancho tech. fall Colin Schubert, 9-0 4:07 Michael Hooker dec. Eleazar Deluca, 4-2 77 kilograms: Pat Smith tech. fall Eddie Smith, 8-0 0:47 Peyton Walsh dec. Jesse Porter, 7-5 Corey Hope dec. Brandon Mueller, 2-1 Mason Manville tech. fall Burke Paddock, 9-0 2:48 82 kilograms: Andrew Berreyesa dec. Spencer Woods, 3-0 Cheney Haight dec. Terrence Zaleski, 6-2 John Stefanowicz dec. Chandler Rogers, 11-8 Geordon Speiller pinned Vladyslav Dombrovskiy, 9-0 5:07 87 kilograms: Ben Provisor tech. fall Jaime Miranda, 8-0 0:44 Vaughn Monreal-Berner pinned James Souza, 2-2 1:25 Kevin Radford pinned George Sikes, 8-0 5:31 Barrett Stanghill dec. Barret Hughes, 7-2 97 kilograms: Lucas Sheridan pinned Keaton Fanning, 4-0 0:52 Khymba Johnson dec. Roy Nash, 8-4 Eric Twohey tech. fall Pete Gounaridis, 8-0 4:52 Daniel Miller dec. Nicholas Boykin, 10-4 130 kilograms: Jacob Mitchell bye Haydn Maley pinned Wes Catheart, 10-2 1:19 Cohlton Schultz tech. fall Ike Okoli, 8-0 1:07 Toby Erickson pinned Thomas Helton, 2:41

The World Team Trials Challenge Tournament is set to start on Friday and run through Sunday. The event will choose which athletes will go on to face the top wrestlers in each weight class at Final X. Any selection process is apt to be imperfect. For an ever-democratic process like USA Wrestling has implemented there are a number of tournaments to enter, plus the real possibility that the less internationally potent wrestler may happen to wiggle on to a spot. However, there is also no question that every wrestler is given a fair opportunity to make their world and Olympic dreams come true. That is decidedly not the case in many, many countries. The Russian system is actually much better than it used to be, forcing most athletes to compete for their position. Notable exceptions like Abdulrashid Sadulaev are allowed to sit out given they've never lost in-country or at the continental championships and carry a number of promotional and leaderships responsibilities. Still, for the most part wrestlers must make their way through a fair (albeit winding) yearlong route to make the World Team. Iran once had the cleanest selection process, with a single tournament determining the team. However, that was the follow-up to a system that was pure corruption with coaches taking all liberties to select the athlete they think would compete best internationally. With Rasoul Khadem no longer manning the federation, that system may soon be back in place. Japan has two tournaments. If the winner isn't the same in both tournaments they proceed to a one-match wrestle-off. It's about as fair a process as you can have, though there are some complications to the system when top competitors are injured. In those circumstances, rules are sometimes manipulated to ensure that those athletes have a fair shot (not too dissimilar to the USA's old rules on injured competitors). The rest of the world is a hodgepodge, but for the most part they aren't forced to compete at the national level if they've won international accolades. Why bother? There are other weights to fill and if you have someone capable of returning glory then don't take the risk that a lifelong teammate can take them out. To your questions … Jason Nolf gets in on a shot against James Green in the U.S. Open semifinals (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Q: Thoughts on Jason Nolf's move up to 74 kilograms? Do you view him as a serious contender to make the 2020 team? -- Mike C. Foley: Word around the campfire is that Nolf had always wanted to be up at 74 kilograms, but that the decision was made to go 70 kilograms for the U.S. Open. After his loss, Nolf was further committed. Do I think he is a contender? Of course. Any three-time NCAA champion has to be considered a threat to win matches at the national level, even in freestyle. The biggest hinderance Nolf faces in the 2019 season is that he's significantly less experienced in freestyle than many of his top opponents, including but not limited to Jordan Burroughs. At the U.S. Open there were a few instances where Nolf drove an opponent out of bounds for one point rather than look for the takedown on the edge. The risk on the edge is always reduced and from what I saw he could have attacked more in those positions. While he also showed incredible resilience and toughness in coming back against Alec Pantaleo, the mistakes that got him there need to get cleaned up, including defense that can threaten opponents from shooting all while not ceding too much ground; front headlocks and reshots gets the job done for most top-level guys. One thing I think Nolf has more of than anyone else at 74 kilograms is a feel for scoring from entangled positions. On multiple occasions he's turned near stalemate calls into positive points. If he can limit his defensive errors and increase his aggressiveness on the edge I think he'll be someone who could show up at Final X. Q: Which foreign wrestler has the most entertaining Wikipedia page? I nominate Khetag Gazyumov. "...truly equivalent to gold." Related, unrelated: If you want to see how deep Russia is in freestyle, particularly Dagestani and Ossetian Russians representing Russia or other nations, check out Kyle Snyder's international senior results. Snyder, one of the best pound-for-pound wrestlers in the world, has suffered almost all of his defeats to Russians representing Russia or Azerbaijan. And most of these aren't even to the same guy. It takes nothing away from Snyder, but shows how deep they run over there. However, if he loses to any more people with ties to Russia, we're going to have to start calling him Hillary Clinton. -- Nate S. Foley: I see you're trying to rile up the comment board. The point on Snyder is well-taken, though I wonder if there are other international wrestlers at that weight who really compare. With some of the lighter weights, and even heavyweight there is a variety of regional talent. With 97 kilograms it's pretty much three guys and as you noted they are Russian. The number of Russians competing outside of Russia is one of the reasons that it's now notably tougher to win a world title than it was in the 1960's, 70's and 80's. The other reason being that the former Soviet Republics like Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan are now able to compete within their own national federations. Related, unrelated: There is a good chance that we will see Khadzhimurat Gatsalov gear up for the 2019 World Championships … and not for Russia. Helen Maroulis' gold-medal victory over Saori Yoshida of Japan. Bajrang never stops wrestling Q: I'm planning on making my first trip to the World Championships either in 2019 or 2021. What does Nur-Sultan offer, other than the amazing wrestling sure to go down, to entice me to make it this year? -- Yellow Medal Foley: Nur-Sultan, formerly Astana, is a relatively modern city. The nation was facing a lot of corruption in the mid-90's so the president decided to build a brand-new capital city in the middle of the nation. That means the infrastructure is fantastic, the hotels are modern, and even the power lines are buried. That, and great horse meat should be enough! While the 2021 World Championships in Oslo will be fun, I don't think the event will appeal to you as much as the Nur-Sultan version, if only because the 2021 World Championships are nowhere near as consequential. The top six finishers in Nur-Sultan all qualify their nation for the Olympic Games, whereas there are plenty of athletes who take off the entire 2021 season. Also, I don't know your circumstances, but chances are pretty good that you could accidently find yourself in Oslo in the future, whereas you need a lot of motivation to visit Nur-Sultan outside of a wrestling competition. Q: What's the deal with Helen Maroulis? Is she wrestling this year? Is she retired? -- Brian N. Foley: No, she is not retired. Helen put out a tweet last week saying that she is getting better and that she would be back on the mats. Will that be at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament? I think so, but there won't be final confirmation until the morning of weigh-ins. For what it's worth, I have no expectations for Helen. She deserves to pursue whatever makes her tick, and if that's wrestling, then all-the-better. Helen is a warrior, and even as her life has been complicated by injuries and setbacks, I think it's important to remember that she's a Queen Slayer and will forever be known as arguably the most dominant wrestler for any three-year stretch (2015-2017). Q: I noticed the Final X at Rutgers is scheduled to begin at noon. Any idea how long the event will go? Thinking about attending. -- Mike C. Foley: Me too! I don't get to too many USA Wrestling events, but with Final X so close to home I'd like to check out the action. One of the best (maybe THE best) freestyle wrestling nation in the world, and the team selection is only an hour away. I'd be a fool to skip it. My guess is that the majority of the freestyle finals will be on the 7 p.m. ET card. By the way, the Flo site mentions a BrewFest from 4-6 p.m. Interesting.

How do you honor a legendary high school wrestling coach who's already been welcomed into eight Halls of Fame? Armand "Ace" CacciatoreYou dedicate the wrestling room in his honor. Niagara Wheatfield High School in upstate New York will name its wrestling room after Armand "Ace" Cacciatore, successful coach who launched the Falcon mat program nearly six decades ago. The dedication ceremony -- which is open to alumni, friends and former NW wrestlers and coaches -- will take place at the Niagara Wheatfield Senior High School, 2292 Saunders Settlement Road in Sanborn, N.Y. on Wednesday, June 26 at 6 p.m. Cacciatore started the wrestling program at Niagara Wheatfield in 1961. With him at the helm, NW won more NFL (Niagara Frontier League) league titles, Sectional class titles, Sectional team titles and individual Sectional titles than any other wrestling teams in Section Six. Among the highlights of Cacciatore's coaching career at NW, by the numbers: a 330-30 overall record ... class sectional champs 23 times ... 17 NFL titles ... and three New York State championships. Cacciatore managed to send more than 35 wrestlers to the New York State finals. 1961 Niagara Wheatfield wrestling team For these impressive accomplishments, coach Cacciatore has been welcomed into the Section Six Hall of Fame, Western New York Wrestling Coaches HOF, Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling HOF, Greater Buffalo Sports HOF, NYSPHSAA Wrestling HOF, Niagara Falls HOF and NW athletic HOF and Wall of Fame. Guests are asked to arrive by 5:45 p.m. on June 26 and gather at the entrance to the gymnasium. A reception will be held immediately following the dedication.

It is the second year of USA Wrestling's experiment with Final X, which means that the 2019 World Team will not actually be decided at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. Instead, the winners will earn spots at the Final X event where they will face off against a returning world medalist or U.S. Open champion for a spot on the World Team. Despite the format, the stakes remain very high and there are several key storylines for fans and pundits. The following are five key questions heading into the 2019 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. Who will emerge to challenge the injured David Taylor? After falling against J'den Cox in the finals of the 2017 World Team Trials, David Taylor had won 37 matches in a row. During the streak, he won via fall 12 times and technical fall 17 times. However, that streak officially came to an end via medical forfeit against NCAA champion Drew Foster at Beat the Streets' recent "Grapple at the Garden" event. Taylor appeared to injure his knee early in the contest. He tried to give it a go for a few seconds before bowing out of the match. Since the injury he has posted workout videos on social media, but there have not been any announcements about his status for Final X. As a returning world gold medalist he is sitting in Final X waiting for an opponent. Pat Downey emerged as the top contender at the U.S. Open. In the semifinals he scored a come-from-behind victory over NCAA third-place finisher Myles Martin. Then, in the deciding match, he used an outstanding counter throw to defeat Nick Heflin. Those wrestlers, along with the Open top seed Sammy Brooks, will all be looking for another shot against Downey in the finals of the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. Can Chandler Rogers go straight from folkstyle to Final X in Greco? The former Oklahoma State Cowboy did not have the end to his collegiate career that he was probably looking for. He lost a wrestle-off against teammate Joe Smith and missed out on a chance to score another All-American finish. However, following the season, he quickly transitioned into the international styles with a gold medal performance at the Pan American Championships in freestyle. Rogers then turned some heads when he entered the U.S. Open at 82 kilograms in Greco. Things did not get off to the best start as he dropped a 3-2 match against Jacob Fisher. However, he bounced back on the backside with five victories to place third. Veteran Kendrick Sanders will be waiting in Final X, and this will be a deep field at the trials. If Rogers is able to pull it off and then win at Final X, the U.S. Greco World Team will have a member right off the Division I mats for the second straight year after Adam Coon made the team last season. Jordan Oliver talks with his coaches during his semifinal match at the U.S. Open (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Who becomes the next to scramble with Yianni Diakomihalis? It is tough to pinpoint exactly when this run for Diakomihalis started, but it might be an understatement to call it impressive. He returned from injury during the college season, and it took him a bit to get back to being himself. Once he did, the Cornell wrestler ran through the NCAA tournament on the way to his second title. From there, he came out of a crowded field to win the U.S. Open at 65 kilograms. Along the way, he knocked off Frank Molinaro, Jordan Oliver and Zain Retherford in consecutive bouts. To put a cherry on top of it all, Diakomihalis then knocked off India's Bajrang Punia at Beat the Streets recently after he ascended to the top of the UWW world rankings. 65 kilograms remains one of the deepest fields domestically. Diakomihalis' last two NCAA finals opponents, Bryce Meredith and Joey McKenna, failed to even qualify for this weight at the World Team Trials. However, Molinaro, Oliver and Retherford will be back and looking for a rematch at Final X. Diakomihalis' challenger at Final X will be determined via the winner of the best-of-three finals at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. Tiare Ikei won a U.S. Open title last month (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Less than two weeks after her 18th birthday, can Tiare Ikei reach Final X? Last year Tiare Ikei burst onto the international scene with a bronze medal performance at the Cadet World Championships. She turned 18 on May 8, and she probably celebrated by getting in a workout since she is currently sitting in the finals of the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament. She earned that spot with a strong run at the U.S. Open. She defeated former national team members Katherine Shai and Cody Pfau. However, Ikei's toughest test will likely come from fellow Cadet World medalist Gracie Figueroa. At the U.S. Open, Figueroa lost in the semifinals against Shai. However, she got back on track with a victory at the recent Junior National World Team Trials. In the finals, she defeated Ikei in two out of the three matches. In the deciding match, Figueroa scored a late fall to take the spot on the Junior World Team. Is it possible to simultaneously wrestle and fight MMA at a high level? Less than a week after Ben Askren returned to his wrestling roots for a match against Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs, former World team member Chris Gonzalez made his Bellator debut on the undercard of Bellator 211. The Greco wrestler easily took the decision on the judges' cards to improve to 2-0 as a professional. Despite starting an MMA career, Gonzalez still intends to compete in Greco. He entered the U.S. Open and struggled to an 0-2 finish. As a member of the 2016 Non-Olympic World Team, he qualified for the World Team Trials and according to reports, he has entered. Many have tried to compete in wrestling in MMA at the same time and ultimately decided it is better to focus on only one. Former freestyle national team member Deron Winn recently made that decision. However, a strong finish here might keep both goals in mind for Gonzalez.

The World Team Trials Challenge Tournament is set for May 17-19 at the Reynolds Coliseum on North Carolina State's campus in Raleigh, N.C. This weekend will determine the remaining 30 spots for Final X across all three styles. Final X is the last step in the Senior World Team Trials process. The Senior Greco-Roman Trials will begin Friday with the best-of-three finals taking place Saturday afternoon. The men's and women's freestyle tournaments will start Saturday with completion scheduled for Sunday. Running alongside the Senior Greco Trials will be the Junior Men's Freestyle Trials. The winners of the Junior Trials will go on to represent the United States at the Junior World Championships in Tallinn, Estonia, in August. Tickets are on sale NOW! It is best to buy them online so as to avoid any long lines and the potential for missing any of the exciting action. Buy them HERE! Tickets are the same price online as at the door: General Admission: $60 - Three Day Pass (Good for all sessions) Team GA (buy 10 or more): $40 each - Three Day Pass (Good for all sessions) General Admission: $35 - One day pass Team GA (Buy 10 or more): $25 each - One day pass

Teague Moore coaching at the NCAAs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) American University head wrestling coach Teague Moore grew up wrestling in rugged and talent-rich Western Pennsylvania. An NCAA champion and three-time All-American, Moore joins Chad Dennis for Episode 27 of The MatBoss Podcast. Among the topics discussed on this episode are Moore's background, why Pennsylvania's been primed to produce so many Division I wrestlers, the balancing act as a coach with RTC's, making sure your program is valuable to the university, recruiting in the age of social media and some unique proposals involving dual meets and scheduling. About MatBoss: Created by coaches for coaches, MatBoss for iPad® integrates wrestling stats directly into the video you record for each match, completely replacing the need for labor-intensive pencil and paper scoring systems. It's the wrestling stats app our sport has been waiting for. Focus on coaching, not busy work Improve through video analysis Make data an advantage Eliminate scoring errors Increase exposure Become a digital coach For more information, visit MatBossApp.com. Follow MatBoss on Twitter and subscribe to the show @MatBossApp | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Spreaker | Google Play Music | RSS

Kansas Wesleyan has decided to discontinue the sport of men's wrestling, effective immediately. Launched in 2015, the wrestling program has been well below a full squad in each of its three competitive seasons. The 2018-19 team had seven wrestlers but only four competed in the KCAC Championship where the team finished sixth of six teams. The sport has 10 weight classes, and teams can bring 12 wrestlers to post-season events. Kansas Wesleyan's wrestling program did have bright spots with four wrestlers earning berths to the NAIA Championship over the three years, including Taylor Moeder, who finished fourth in the nation and earned All-America honors in 2018. Lexington Plummer qualified for nationals this past year, going 1-2 at the event as a heavyweight. Tanner O'Donnell, who was a 2018 national qualifier, was the 2017 KCAC Most Outstanding Wrestler while Moeder earned the KCAC honor in 2018. The university will honor the scholarships for any of the students that remain at the university and will assist with any wrestler that wishes to transfer. Per NAIA rules, the students would be immediately eligible at another institution. As such, Kansas Wesleyan gives any institution permission to contact members of the wrestling team. Head coach Jason Schweer joined the program in July and was the third coach in the program's short history. The university is working to assist Schweer and assistant coach Derek Arnold, who is also a graduate student, in the transition.

The last remaining uncommitted top-100 senior recruit announced his commitment on Monday. Ryan Vulakh (Pope John II, Pa.), the nation's No. 29 senior recruit, committed to Rutgers University. Vulakh originally committed to George Mason before decommitting earlier this year. Vulakh won a Division II state title in Pennsylvania this past season. He finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation at 152 pounds by InterMat. He won tournament titles this season at the Beast of the East, Powerade and Escape the Rock.

National champion Menlo captured the inaugural NAIA Women's Scholar All-American team title MANHEIM, Pa -- On Monday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced that Menlo College captured the inaugural NAIA Women's Scholar All-American team title with a 3.4 GPA, edging out Eastern Oregon University's 3.34 team GPA. Link: SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICAN TEAMS Link: INDIVIDUAL SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICANS This national championship caps a historic season for the Menlo College women's squad that saw the Oaks win a pair of titles at the WCWA National Championships and the Inaugural NAIA Women's National Invitational. Menlo also led the Individual Scholar All-American awards with ten wrestlers earning spots on the team. Of their ten award winners, half were NAIA finalists and four captured national titles. Team runners-up, Eastern Oregon followed with seven individual honorees while three other schools had two apiece (Central Christian College of Kansas, University of Providence, and Waldorf University). The NAIA has been a leader in the growth of women's wrestling on the collegiate level for many years and they took another step when they implemented the National Invitational this season which was hosted by the University of Jamestown. "We are proud to honor this year's Scholar All-Americans and their success in the classroom," Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director." A special thanks to the coaching and support staffs as well as the leadership at each of these institutions for their tireless efforts in helping to better the lives of their student-athletes."

Competitors line up for introductions the Beat the Streets event in New York City (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) NEW YORK, May 13, 2019 -- The excitement of a night of world-class wrestling at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, in which a sold-out, record-breaking crowd of 5,000 was treated to 13 electrifying matches, spilled over into the post-event Beat the Streets Benefit Celebration at The Wilson on Monday. And while the victories by Olympic champions Jordan Burroughs (2012, gold), Kyle Snyder (2016, gold) and J'den Cox (2016, bronze) and local favorites like Nick Suriano (Rutgers University) and James Green (Willingboro, N.J.) stole the show on the mat during "Grapple at the Garden," it was the Beat the Streets youth wrestlers who were the real winners, as $1.3 million was raised for this worthy not-for-profit in support of programs which empower young people in New York City through the great sport of wrestling. "It's hard to put into words what the support of everyone involved in this great night means to these kids and our mission," said Brendan Buckley, Beat the Streets Executive Director. "The wrestling community responds year after year to this important cause, and not only did they get to enjoy an amazing night of unbelievably high-level wrestling at a historic venue like the Hulu Theater at MSG, but they also went away with the knowledge that they make everything we do at Beat the Streets a reality. We couldn't me more pleased and can't wait to grow this even bigger next year." The award winners announced at the Benefit Celebration include: Junior League Female Wrestler of the Year: Sujeydy Matos, Inwood Academy for Leadership Junior League Male Wrestler of the Year: Sulayman Bah, MS 129 Become Your Own Dream Foundation Scholarship: Adrian Rosario Beato, Mott Haven Campus -- This financial scholarship is given annually to a New York City student-athlete who has overcome obstacles, worked through hardship, and plans to continue wrestling in college. Female Student Athlete of the Year: Lyn Kajihara, The Bronx High School of Science -- This career achievement award is given to a female athlete who exhibits the greatest combination of academic and extracurricular success. Male Student Athlete of the Year: David Berkovich, Poly Prep Country Day School -- This career achievement award is given to a male athlete who exhibits the greatest combination of academic and extracurricular success. Grit Award: Michael Babbcort, George Wingate Educational Campus -- This career achievement award is given to the New York City wrestler who has embraced the grind and shown improvement through their tireless effort and dedication to the sport. Lady Liberty: Shola Cascen, Harry S. Truman High School - This career achievement award is given to the New York City female wrestler who has stood as the beacon of opportunity and promise, representing all that is strong and proud of New York City women's wrestling. Atlas Award: Terry Adams, Monsignor Farrell High School - This career achievement award is given to a male athlete who has picked up New York City wrestling and taken it to new heights. Junior League Coach of the Year: Jonathan Khoury, Eagle Academy for Young Men Girls High School Coach of the Year: Ted Cook, Harry S. Truman High School Boys High School Coach of the Year: Michael Stern, Queens Metropolitan High School Assistant Coach of the Year: Barry Hart, George Wingate Educational Complex Volunteer of the Year: Jake O'Hara, Columbia University ('14) Beat the Streets Benefit competitions, which began in 2010, have since become a major showcase of the best of international wrestling. This unique annual event has helped Beat the Streets raise millions of dollars to support local youth wrestling programs which empower young people in New York City. The first Beat the Streets Benefit was held on the U.S.S. Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. Since then, the benefit has taken place at other notable New York City spots like Grand Central Station and Times Square. Team USA has faced off against teams from around the world including Japan, Cuba, Russia and Iran. Last year, the competition was hosted at the new Pier 17 in the Seaport District and included the highly anticipated Burroughs vs. Frank Chamizo match. New York City's Madison Square Garden is one of the most famous sporting and entertainment venues in the world. The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden is an impressive venue with the capacity to seat over 5,000. The theater has hosted notable wrestling events including the 1998 Goodwill Games wrestling competition and the 2017 Grapple at the Garden college wrestling event. About Beat the Streets The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTS works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to bring the life changing sport of wrestling to over 3,000 New York City student-athletes to help them achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTS and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of grit, personal responsibility and teamwork, physical fitness and nutrition, and life-long learning. The goal of fostering strong, well-rounded student-athletes is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, life skills workshops, and summer camps. More information can be found at www.btsny.org. About USA Wrestling USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. Simply, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. It has over 230,000 members across the nation, boys and girls, men and women of all ages, representing all levels of the sport. Its president is Bruce Baumgartner, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender. More information can be found at TheMat.com.