InterMat Staff

Cohlton Schultz dropped his opening match at the Junior World Championships (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- After winning medals in each of the first five days of the Junior World Championships, the U.S. has fallen short of a medal on the final day of competition. It was a tough day for the Americans as the final four Greco-Roman wrestlers competing went a combined 0-4 on Sunday. None of the four were pulled back into repechage, putting an end to Team USA's week-long competition in Tampere, Finland. Randon Miranda, who finished seventh at last year's Junior World Championships, was edged 6-5 by Cadet world champion Turabek Tirkash of Uzbekistan in the round of 16 at 55 kilograms. Miranda found himself in an early hole after giving up a two-point exposure and four-point arm throw. Miaranda would rally late, scoring a four-point move to cut the deficit to one late, but Tirkash held on for the win. Miranda was knocked out of the competition when Tirkash fell to Kerem Kamal of Turkey in the semifinals. Domonick Demas, competing at 66 kilograms, lost by technical fall, 12-2, in his first match against Joilson De Brito Ramos of Brazil. The Brazilian held a 3-0 lead midway through the period before pulling away late. Wyatt Koelling dropped his first match to Sweden's Aleksandar Stjepanetic 3-1 at 84 kilograms. Stjepanetic used an arm throw to score the match's first two points before Koelling earned a reversal to make the score 2-1. Stjepanetic would add another point late in the first period off a passivity to go up 3-1 and held on for the victory. At 120 kilograms, Cohlton Schultz, the nation's top-ranked wrestler in the Class of 2019 by InterMat, lost narrowly, 4-3, to Estonia's Artur Vititin. Schultz led early before giving up a four-point throw, which proved to be the difference in the match. USA concludes the Junior World Championships with 11 medals won across the three styles and a team title in freestyle. Three American freestyle wrestlers won gold medals: Daton Fix, Mark Hall and Gable Steveson. Maya Nelson captured a gold in women's wrestling, while Kamal Bey became American's first Junior world champion in Greco-Roman since 1999.

Kamal Bey with the American flag after winning gold at the Junior World Championships (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- Kamal Bey was just a year old when the U.S. last crowned a Junior world champion in Greco-Roman … entering today. On Saturday, Bey snapped the 18-year gold medal drought for the United States, capturing a gold medal in Greco-Roman at 74 kilograms on the opening day of the Greco-Roman competition at the Junior World Championships in Tampere, Finland. Kamal Bey nearly secured a fall in the first period (Photo/Richard Immel) Bey, a Chicago native, dazzled all day with big moves match-after-match. In the gold-medal match, Bey met 2016 Cadet world champion Akzhol Makhmudov of Kyrgyzstan. The two wrestlers traded step out points in the first 20 seconds. Fifteen seconds later Bey locked up a throw and put Makhmudov on his back for four points, nearly securing the fall. The Kyrgyzstan scored a reversal and then attempted a throw of his own, but Bey countered and scored two points, making the score 7-2 in favor of the American. Makhmudov inched closer with a takedown and gut wrench to make the score 7-6. The two wrestlers then came to their feet and Bey threw Makhmudov to his back for four points to go up 11-6, which is how the opening period would end. Bey and Makhmudov battled for the first two minutes of the final period with no scoring. Then with 45 seconds left Makhmudov threw Bey to his back, but the American quickly reversed the action and a flurry ensued, which resulted in the scoring being 13-11 in favor of Bey with just over 30 seconds remaining. Bey would add a late takedown and win by five, giving the U.S. its first Junior world champion in Greco-Roman since Garrett Lowney accomplished the feat in 1999. Cevion Severado also wrestled for a gold-medal on Saturday, but was blanked 6-0 in the finals at 50 kilograms against Iran's Poya Dad Marz. The Iranian scored early with a step out, picked up a takedown midway through the first period and added a point off passivity to grab a 4-0 lead at the break. Dad Marz would add a takedown in the final period while preventing Severado from scoring. Taylor La Mont, a Junior world bronze medalist in 2016, was defeated in the bronze-medal match at 60 kilograms by Russia's Magomed Magomedov 2-1. Sunday is the final day of the Junior World Championships with the remaining four weight classes in Greco-Roman being contested. Randon Miranda (55 kilograms), Domonick Demas (66 kilograms), Wyatt Koelling (84 kilograms) and Cohlton Schultz (120 kilograms) will compete for Team USA.

Zaprian Petrov Zaprian Petrov, national champion wrestler for Bulgaria who later coached the sport in Mexico, passed away July 23. Born in Stransko, Bulgaria in 1958, Petrov was a four-time Bulgarian national wrestling champion before earning a postgraduate degree in physical culture in Sophia. In 1992, Petrov followed his wife to Mexico -- who had been hired as a gymnastics coach in Mexico City -- where he became head wrestling coach at the National Preparatory School Campus 3 of National University. It was there that Petrov became known as "Tatko" -- Bulgarian for "dad" -- because of his "charismatic, affable way of always being interested in the integral development of every athlete he met, not only his own team wrestlers," to quote United World Wrestling's tribute to Petrov. In his first stint as coach, Petrov guided his team to national team titles, as well as coached dozens of National Team members as well as Pan American and Central American champions. Petrov also was a tireless champion for promoting women's wrestling in Mexico. Petrov suffered a setback in 2010 when he was struck by a car, causing numerous fractures, and putting him a coma for nearly two weeks. However, he overcame those challenges to return to coaching four years later. In 2012, National University authorities named the wrestling hall where he coached for nearly twenty years in his honor, for his contributions to the wrestling program at the school, as well as the sport throughout Mexico.

Kamal Bey defeated Per Albin Olofsson of Sweden to reach the finals (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- The U.S. Greco-Roman team delivered a strong performance in Saturday's opening session of the Junior World Championships in Tampere, Finland. Three of the four Americans competing on Saturday advanced to medal matches, with two, Cevion Severado (50 kilograms) and Kamal Bey (74 kilograms), reaching the finals. USA had not had a finalist at the Junior World Championships in Greco-Roman since 2000 when Joe Privitere won a silver medal at 69 kilograms in 2000. Garrett Lowney was the last American to win a Junior world title, accomplishing the feat in 1999 at 97 kilograms. Taylor La Mont, a returning world bronze medalist, will wrestle in the bronze-medal match for the third consecutive year. Cevion Severado reached the finals in his first World Championships (Photo/Richard Immel) Severado, who replaced the injured Elijah Varona, outscored his opposition 24-4 on his way to reaching the finals at 50 kilograms. His semifinal victory came over Japan's Kensuke Shimizu, who knocked off returning world champion Vladislav Melnikov of Russia by technical fall in the quarterfinals. He now meets Iran's Poya Soula Dad Marz for the gold medal. Bey, a U.S. Open champion, put on a throwing clinic on his way to reaching the finals at 74 kilograms. He won three of his four matches by technical fall. In the semifinals, Bey jumped out to a comfortable lead and appeared to be on his way to another technical fall, but his opponent, Nasir Hasanov of Azerbaijan, battled back and came within three points. Bey then won a wild, high-scoring semifinal match, 19-7, over Per Albin Olofsson of Sweden. Taylor La Mont defeated Sweden's Ardit Fazljija in the quarterfinals (Photo/Richard Immel) La Mont put together two strong matches to reach the semifinals at 60 kilograms. He opened with a 6-2 win over Cadet world bronze medalist Maksim Nehoda of Belarus, and then topped Sweden's Ardit Fazljija 8-3 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, La Mont met Ukrain's Oleksandr Hrushyn. The American scored first and took a 1-0 lead into the second period. Hrushyn came out strong in the second period, scoring first off a passivity and then getting a takedown and gut wrench turn to go up 5-1. The Ukranian would add an additional point off a step out to win by five. Returning world bronze medalist Tracy Hancock opened with two straight wins before dropping a tight 4-3 match in the quarterfinals to Suleyman Erbay of Turkey. Hancock was eliminated from the tournament when Erbay lost by technical fall in the semifinals to Cadet world champion Artur Sargsian of Russia. Saturday's final session is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. local time, 11 a.m. ET.

Former collegiate wrestler turned MMA star Michael Chandler, a trio of wrestling coaches and a book author will be among the guests to be featured on the Takedown Radio broadcast this Saturday, August 5. Join Scott Casber, Tony Hager and Brad Johnson for the two-hour broadcast from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Central available on KXNO 1460 AM radio and online at www.KXNO.iHeart.com or TakedownWrestle.com Here's this Saturday's guest list: 9 a.m. John Clark, Sacred Heart head wrestling coach 9:15 a.m. Kevin Emily, author of “Pathfinder: The Journey of the African-American Wrestler” 9:35 a.m. Sean White, Buena Vista University assistant wrestling coach 10 a.m. Michael Chandler, former University of Missouri All-American, now Bellator MMA fighter 10:20 a.m. Don McGuire, host of MMA radio show, “The Fighter's Voice” 10:40 a.m. Mark McGowan, USA Deaf and Challenged Wrestling head coach

Maya Nelson became America's first Junior world champ in women's wrestling since 2010 (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- For the first time since 2010, the United States has crowned a Junior world champion in women's wrestling. On Friday, Maya Nelson improved upon her bronze-medal finish from 2016, upgrading to a gold medal at the 2017 Junior World Championships in Tampere, Finland. Nelson capped off her dominant run to gold at 63 kilograms with a convincing 6-0 victory in the finals over Yuliana Yaneva of Bulgaria. "I'm elated," said Nelson, who finished the tournament with two shutouts, a technical fall and fall. "I'm so happy right now. But first and foremost all the glory goes to God. Without Him, without my faith I would not be here." In the gold-medal match, the 19-year-old American scored off a single leg attack just over 30 seconds into the match to take a 2-0 lead. The score stayed that way for the next four and a half minutes. With just over a minute remaining, Nelson shot a double leg, which she converted for a four-point takedown on the edge of the mat to extend her lead to 6-0. The two wrestlers battled for the next minute, but neither wrestler could score, giving Nelson the six-point victory and gold medal. "Once I got my hands on her and I snapped her down the first time, I was like, 'I got this,'" said Nelson, who trains at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. "I moved her around and I got my offense off so that was exciting for me." Nelson, a runner-up at the U.S. Open, becomes the first Junior world champion in women's wrestling for America since Victoria Anthony won her second consecutive world title in 2010. In 2014, Nelson became the first high school girl in Colorado state history both to qualify for big-school state competition and win a match. She qualified the next year in 2015 as well. Nelson's run to gold on Friday comes a day after Asia Ray won a bronze medal at 44 kilograms on the first day of the women's wrestling competition. Nelson was the lone American to reach a medal match on the final day of women's wrestling. Three other Americans, McKayla Campbell (48 kilograms), Ronna Heaton (55 kilograms) and Rachel Watters (72 kilograms), were eliminated in Friday's opening session. Japan ran away with the team title in women's wrestling, winning four of the eight gold medals, outdistancing second-place Russia by 19 points. USA finished fifth in the team standings. The U.S. has now won nine medals, including four golds, over the first four days of the Junior World Championships, which includes freestyle and women's wrestling competition. Greco-Roman wrestling is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time in Finland, 3 a.m. ET. Cevion Severado (50 kilograms), Taylor LaMont (60 kilograms), Kamal Bey (74 kilograms) and G'Angelo Hancock (96 kilograms) will compete for the Americans.

A suspect in the murder of the two-time European junior freestyle wrestling champion Yury Vlasko of the Russian Federation has been arrested, the Russian website RAPSI reported Thursday. He was 20. Yury Vlasko One week after winning the junior title in the under 96-kilogram category in competition at Ulan-Ude, Vlasko was found dead on the shore of Lake Baikal in Siberia on Saturday, July 29. He had been stabbed in the neck and chest. According to BloodyElbow.com, Vlasko came to the rescue of friends who had reported being attacked by locals on the beach. When the brawl ended, Vlasko's bloodied body was found lying on the beach. Vlasko had dreamed of wrestling at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Mikhail Mamishvili, president of the Wrestling Federation of Russia, expressed his condolences. "Yury was an open, honest, strong, and lucid guy without a shadow of aggression, a team spirit. A real strong Russian guy with clear goals and objectives," he told TASS.

Nazem Amine, two-time Olympic wrestler and father and grandfather of a handful of University of Michigan wrestlers, died in Dearborn, Mich. in mid-July. He was 90. Nazem AmineBorn in Lebanon in 1927 as one of nine children, Nazem Amine took up wrestling at age 16. He qualified for the Lebanese Olympic wrestling team twice, competing at the 1956 Melbourne Games. Then, four years later at the 1960 Rome Olympics, Amine earned a bronze medal, according to the Dearborn Press and Guide. (InterMat was able to verify that Amine wrestled lightweight in Greco-Roman competition in Rome, but could not confirm from independent sources that he received a medal.) Two of Nazem Amine's sons -- Mike and Sam Amine -- wrestled for the Michigan Wolverines, while three grandsons -- Malik, Jordan, and Myles -- also earned scholarships to wrestle at the Ann Arbor school. The senior Amine left Lebanon, bringing his family to Dearborn in 1967 where he worked as a butcher. He later served as a driver for Spirit Airlines, working until he was 88. "He wanted us to always be the best in everything we do regardless of the consequences," his daughter Hoda told the Press and Guide. "He loved us unconditionally and always paved the way by walking the walk and talking the talk."

Maya Nelson defeated Russia's Mariia Kuznetsova to reach the gold-medal match (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- Maya Nelson will be upgrading her world medal a year after winning a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships. She advanced to the gold-medal match at 63 kilograms on Friday in Tampere, Finland, blanking Russia's Mariia Kuznetsova 4-0 in the semifinals. It was a rematch from last year's bronze-medal match, also won by Nelson. Nelson held a 2-0 lead until late in the match. Kuznetsova attacked with 15 seconds left and able to get to Moore's leg, but the American countered and scored a takedown of her own in the closing seconds to seal the victory. She will face Bulgaria's Yuliana Yaneva for the gold medal. "I've gotten so much better since last year," said Nelson, a Denver, Colorado native. "I've been nervous all day. It probably doesn't show in my face when I'm wrestling out there. I had a couple breakdowns this morning. It just showed me that I can overcome adversity and get on the mat and do what I love to do … and just have fun." Nelson was dominant in her first two matches. She opened with a 12-1 technical fall over Ying Zhang (China), and then in the quarterfinals picked up a fall in the second period over Nicole Depa of Canada. Nelson was the lone American to reach a medal match on the final day of women's wrestling. Three other Americans, McKayla Campbell (48 kilograms), Ronna Heaton (55 kilograms) and Rachel Watters (72 kilograms), were eliminated in Friday's opening session. Campbell dropped her first match by technical fall, 12-2, to India's Ankush Ankush of Indiana. She was eliminated from the competition after Ankush dropped her next match. Ronna Heaton cruised to a technical fall in her first match (Photo/Richard Immel) Heaton, a two-time Cadet world finalist, cruised to a 10-0 technical fall in her opening match at 55 kilograms against New Zealand's Anastasia Dmitrivna. In the round of 16, Heaton faced Russia's Viktoriia Vaulina, a past cadet world champion. The match was competitive early as the two wrestlers traded takedowns in the first minute. But Vaulina dominated the rest of the way, getting three more takedows and two turns to end the match in the first period. Heaton's tournament officially ended when Vaulina fell in the semifinals to Cuba's Lianna De Montero Herrera. Watters, competing at 72 kilograms, came from behind to win her first match in the closing seconds, getting a late exposure to win 3-2 over Poland's Natalia Strzalka. In her second match, Watters faced Taipei's Hui Tsz Chang, and appeared to be on her way to another close victory. Trailing 4-2 with 15 seconds remaining, Watters took a shot and was awarded a go-ahead takedown in the closing seconds. However, the call was challenged and reversed, giving Chang the victory.

The USA's Junior men's freestyle team won three individual gold this week in Finland to win their first team title since 1984. The team placed seven of eight wrestlers overall. 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.

Two-time state runner-up Anthony Walters (Bishop McCort, Pa.) verbally committed to Drexel University during a podcast with PA Power Wrestling on Thursday evening. The projected 197 pound wrestler is currently ranked as the No. 71 overall prospect in the Class of 2018. Walters joins Antonio Mininno (Gateway Woodbury, N.J.) as a top 100 commit in this class for the Dragons. Walters is also a two-time Flo Nationals placer, including his runner-up finish this spring at 195 pounds. He also ended the 2016-17 season as the No. 19 ranked wrestler in the country at 195 pounds.

Bryan Medlin CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois wrestling Head Coach Jim Heffernan announced the hiring of Bryan Medlin as the program's Director of Operations on Thursday. In addition to being the Director of Operations for the team, Medlin will also serve as the Head Coach of the Illinois Regional Training Center. The addition completes Coach Heffernan's coaching staff after Mike Poeta was hired as an assistant coach in June. Medlin's hire is pending completion of the university hiring processes and Board of Trustees approval. "Bryan brings a tremendous amount of experience and success to our program," Coach Heffernan said of Medlin. "I've gotten to know Bryan over the past several years. I have great trust in him, as he has the skills and desire to help Illinois continue to build a comprehensive program. He's a great fit and a very logical choice for our program." Medlin comes to Illinois following a 10-year stint at Washington Community High School in Illinois. Inheriting a program that had never won a regional title as of 2007, Medlin coached Washington to seven regional titles in 10 years and has won each of the last two Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 2A dual state championships. Individually, 40 individuals have medaled at IHSA State Championships in the last eight seasons under Medlin. "I am honored and humbled to be part of such an incredible staff," said Medlin upon accepting the position. "The University of Illinois is an outstanding program with a rich tradition, and I am excited to do my best to help to extend that excellence. We get into coaching to be a part of the sport we love, and to, hopefully, at some point, be part of something that is bigger than ourselves. Since I feel wholeheartedly that there is the potential for greatness here [at Illinois], this position hits both marks." A native of Washington, Illinois, Medlin has been honored for his efforts at his alma mater throughout his time on the Washington High School bench. In 2015, Medlin was honored by the IHSA as its High School Coach of the Year and also earned the 2015 Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Coach of the Year. Medlin has also been named the Central Illinois Coach of the Year ten times in his career. In addition to his coaching at Washington, Medlin has also been a vital part of Team Illinois' recent Freestyle and Greco success, twice being named the National Greco-Roman Coach of the Year. Earlier this month, Medlin helped Team Illinois sweep the team title in both styles at Fargo Nationals. In total, Medlin boasts 10 national dual team championships, 19 Fargo Nationals team titles and more than 50 individual national champions. For complete coverage of Fighting Illini wrestling, go to FIGHTINILLINI.com and follow @IlliniWrestling on Twitter and Instagram.

Asia Ray claimed a bronze medal at 44 kilograms (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- On Thursday, Asia Ray added to USA's medal haul at the Junior World Championships in Tampere, Finland. The 19-year-old from Arlington, Texas, competing in her first World Championships, captured a bronze medal at 44 kilograms. She dominated Canada's Alexia Seal in the bronze-medal match 10-2. Her medal gives USA eight medals over the first three days of competition. Ray controlled her bronze-medal match from start to finish, getting a takedown just over a minute into the period and taking a 2-0 lead into the break. She extended her lead to 6-0 after two takedowns early in the second period. Seal looked to mount a comeback, scoring a takedown off a double leg with just under a minute remaining in the match to cut the deficit to four points. But Ray finished strong, getting a four-point, feet-to-back takedown with 20 seconds remaining to win by eight. "I was scared when I first came in, but now I feel like I really deserve to be here," said Ray. "I'm excited. I'm ready for next year. I'm going to try to win next year." Ray will be heading to Wayland Baptist University to compete in the Women's College Wrestling Association (WCWA). "I was worried that I wouldn't be at the same level as the college girls," said Ray. "Competing in this tournament and actually placing gave me a lot of confidence that I would be able to keep up with those college girls." Cameron Guerin reached the bronze-medal match at 51 kilograms, but fell to 12-2 to Bolor Bat Orshikh of Mongolia. Orshikh shot a double leg early in the match that resulted flurry that gave the Mongolian four points and Guerin two points. Orshikh scored another four-point takedown a short time later to go up 8-2. Then she ended the match with another takedown and exposure. Gracie Figueroa (59 kilograms) and Alexandria Glaude (67 kilograms) competed on Thursday morning, but failed to advance to medal matches. Both lost in the quarterfinals and were not pulled back into repechage. The final day of women's wrestling will take place tomorrow. McKayla Campbell (48 kilograms), Ronna Heaton (55 kilograms), Maya Nelson (63 kilograms) and Rachel Watters (72 kilograms) will compete for Team USA.

Tyler Graff BLACKSBURG -- First-year Virginia Tech head coach Tony Robie announced Thursday the hiring of four-time NCAA All-American and 2016-17 USA Wrestling National Team member Tyler Graff as director of performance-wrestling. Graff, the 133-pound NCAA runner-up in 2014 while at Wisconsin, placed third at the Olympic Trials in 2012 and 2016. Along with his duties on Robie's staff, Graff will continue to train in freestyle with the Southeast Regional Training Center. "We're all incredibly excited to add Tyler to our staff. Tyler's toughness, work ethic, discipline and lifestyle embodies everything that we convey to our guys on a daily basis," Robie said. "As a competitor, Tyler has won at every level in our sport and will bring that same mindset and knowledge to our program. He will also be a tremendous addition to the Southeast Regional Training Center as a resident athlete, as he trains for the 2020 Olympic games." In Madison, Graff registered a career record of 128-25 and never finished lower than fifth in the country in four years. He won his first of three University Nationals championships in 2010 and was a Junior World Team Member in 2007. Graff wrestled for current Tech assistant coach Jared Frayer at Wisconsin, where the two helped lead the Badgers to consecutive top-10 finishes in 2010 and 2011. After graduation, the Loveland, Colorado native won the 2015 Dave Schulz Memorial, placed second at U.S. World Team Trials and third at Olympic Trials in 2016. Graff was a four-time Colorado high school state champion and compiled a 162-1 record. Graff joins Frayer and assistant coach Frank Molinaro as Hokie coaches who have been named to a national team. Career Highlights (via USA Wrestling) - Third in U.S. Olympic Team Trials (2012, 2016) - Three-time University Nationals champion (2010, 2013, 2015) - 2007 U.S. Junior World Team member - 2016 U.S. World Team Trials runner-up - 2017 Pan American champion - Two-time Dave Schultz Memorial International champion (2015, 2017) - 2015 Bill Farrell International champion - 2016 Canada Cup champion - Second in 2014 NCAA Championships for University of Wisconsin - Four-time NCAA All-American

Justin Kihn Justin Kihn is the new head coach of the newly revived Wilmington College wrestling program, the Ohio-based NCAA Division III school announced this week. Kihn takes the reins of the Wilmington mat program which had been put on hiatus in 2011 until its return was announced in May. The Quakers will return to action in fall 2018. Kihn comes to Wilmington having wrestled and served as an assistant coach at Ohio Athletic Conference rival Heidelberg in northern Ohio. As a wrestler at Heidelberg, Kihn earned All-American honors at the NCAAs, having placed fourth in the 141-pound bracket. As a senior, Kihn was the OAC Wrestler of the Year as a senior, as well as an Academic All-American his senior year. "We are thrilled to have a coach at W.C. with such impeccable wrestling knowledge and a great set of coaching mentors," said Wilmington's Vice-President for Athletics Administration, Terry Rupert. "Justin has major recruiting roots in some of the most fertile wrestling areas of Ohio that will serve our program very well." Jeff Jordan, head wrestling coach at nationally-ranked prep powerhouse St. Paris-Graham High School, offered his insights into Kihn, having worked with the new Wilmington wrestling coach for eight seasons at his Jeff Jordan State Champ Camp. "I am really excited to see a young man like Justin Kihn hired as the head wrestling coach at Wilmington College," said Jordan. "He is very connected in southwest Ohio, as well as the rest of the state. I have seen Justin build great relationships with many wrestlers, and he has positively impacted their lives. I'm confident he will build a winning tradition for the Fighting Quakers." Located in southeast Ohio between Cincinnati and Columbus, Wilmington College is a four-year, private school affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers. The school has approximately 1,000 students. The Fighting Quakers sports teams -- including wrestling -- compete in the Ohio Athletic Association and NCAA Division III.

Asia Ray gets her hand raised after a victory at the Junior World Championships (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- Two U.S. women will wrestle for bronze medals at the Junior World Championships on Thursday. Asia Ray (44 kilograms) and Cameron Guerin (51 kilograms) both went 2-1 in the first session on Day 3 in Tampere, Finland, to reach the bronze-medal match. Two other U.S. women, Gracie Figueroa (59 kilograms) and Alexandria Glaude (67 kilograms) fell in the quarterfinals and were not pulled back into repechage. Ray advanced to the semifinals by getting falls over Esra Koc of Turkey and Beata Kosla of Poland. In the semifinals, Ray faced Asian champion Yumei Chen and fell 13-2. Chen nearly secured a fall against Ray at the end of the first period and took a 7-0 lead into the break. Ray came out strong in the second period, picking up an early takedown off a double leg to cut the deficit to five. Chen would respond a short time later with a takedown and exposure to end the match. Cameron Guerin defeated Yeonseo Choi of Korea in her first match at the Junior World Championships (Photo/Richard Immel) Guerin cruised to a 10-0 technical fall over Yeonseo Choi of Korea in her first match, scoring four turns off high guts to end the match midway through the first period. She then faced returning Junior world champion Kseniia Nezgovorova of Russia in the quarterfinals and lost by fall. Guerin led 1-0 after the opening period, scoring a point off the shot clock. Nezgovorova scored a takedown early in the second period off an ankle pick before driving Guerin to her back to secure the fall. Gracie Figueroa opened her tournament with a win over Leanco Stans of South Africa (Photo/Richard Immel) Figueroa, a Cadet world bronze medalist in 2016, started her tournament with a 10-0 technical fall over Leanco Stans of South Africa. She faced European bronze medalist Ilona Prokopevniuk of Ukraine in the quarterfinals, and jumped out to a 4-2 lead at the break, scoring two first-period takedowns. In the second period, Prokopevniuk scored a takedown off her shot and put Figueroa on her back to get the fall. Figueroa was eliminated from the competition when Prokopevniuk lost to Japan's Yuzuru Kumano in the semifinals. Alexandria Glaude went 1-1 at the Junior World Championships (Photo/Richard Immel) Glaude started her day with a victory, beating Hyeonyeong Park of Korea 7-4 to reach the quarterfinals. She was then blanked 8-0 by Alexandra Anghel of Romania. Her competition officially came to a close when Anghel was pinned by two-time Cadet world champion Khanum Velieva of Russia in the semifinals. The final round on Thursday is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time, 11 a.m. ET.

Team USA won the team title at the Junior Worlds (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- With the team title on the line at the Junior World Championships, Gable Steveson delivered. Steveson came through to win the gold medal at 120 kilograms, which propelled USA to its first freestyle title at the Junior/Espoir Championships since 1984. USA edged Russia 68-67 in the team score. Iran finished third. "We had a tough squad," said Steveson, who won Cadet world titles in 2015 and 2016. "Everybody wrestled well. Everybody pitched in to be world champs. It was real fun being here with them." USA finished the competition with seven medals in the eight weight classes contested, highlighted by gold medals from Steveson and Daton Fix (55 kilograms) on Wednesday, and Mark Hall (74 kilograms) on Tuesday. Ryan Deakin (66 kilograms) and Zahid Valencia (84 kilograms) both reached the finals on Wednesday before losing. Gable Steveson celebrates after winning the gold medal (Photo/Richard Immel) After getting technical falls in his first four matches, Steveson defeated Iran's Naeiim Hassanzadeh 6-1 for the title. Fix capped off a dominant run to the title at 55 kilograms with a 12-1 technical fall over Russia's Ismail Gadzhiev. Fix, who will be attending Oklahoma State, scored a takedown in the first 10 seconds of the gold-medal match against Russia's Ismail Gadzhiev and never took his foot off the gas. Another takedown and exposure extended his lead to 6-1 at the break. He added three more takedowns in the second period to end the match. "It's something that I've always dreamed of doing," said Fix. "It's indescribable, really." Daton Fix after winning the gold medal at 55 kilograms (Photo/Richard Immel) He outscored his competition 53-1 in the tournament. Fix adds a world gold to a collection that includes a Cadet world bronze medal in 2015 and Junior world bronze medal in 2016. Deakin was outgunned in the finals at 66 kilograms, losing by technical fall, 10-0, to Russia's David Baev. The Russian built an 8-0 lead off three first-period takedowns and an exposure, and then put the match away with a lace. Valencia fell 7-5 to Russia's Artur Naifonov in the gold-medal match at 84 kilograms. Valencia gave up a caution and two in the first period, but still led 5-4 at the break. Naifonov capitalized off an overaggressive attack by Valencia in the second period and scored a takedown to go up 6-5. A short time later Valencia got in on a body lock, but Naifonov turned the tables and scored with a step out to extend his lead to 7-5, which is how the match would end. The Junior World Championships resume on Thursday with the start of the women's wrestling competition. Action gets underway at 10 a.m. local time, 3 a.m. ET. Asia Ray, Cameron Guerin, Gracie Figueroa and Alex Glaude will compete for USA on Thursday.

Elias George, Pennsylvania high school state champ who went on to wrestle at Indiana University and Oklahoma State before embarking on a long career as high school coach, passed away July 26. He was 92. Elias GeorgeBorn in Washington, Pa. in October 1924, Elias George Jr. was a multi-sport athlete at Canonsburg High School, where he was a wrestler, ran track and played football. However, his first love was wrestling. George was a two-time WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) champion in 1942 and 1943, winning a PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) state wrestling championship in 1942. George continued his academic and athletic career, first at Indiana University, where he won the 145-pound title at the 1946 Big Ten conference championships. He then headed west to Oklahoma State, where he was a two-time NCAA qualifier, earning All-American honors at the 1949 NCAAs by placing fourth in the 145-pound bracket. As a Cowboy, George compiled an overall record of 14-3, with five falls. After graduating from Oklahoma State, Elias George began a coaching career in wrestling and football that spanned a half-century. After initial assignments in Kansas and suburban Chicago, George came to Evanston Township High School in 1958, where he served as head coach for 42 years. George's long tenure included eight top 10 finishes at the Illinois High School Association state finals, including a tie for second place in the team standings in 1967, the best finish in ETHS history. In addition, George coached nine individuals to state titles. He concluded his coaching career with 614 wins, 158 losses and 25 ties in dual meet competition. After stepping down from his post as head coach at ETHS, George said, "No one can ever take away the rapport I've had with the kids over the years. They knew I had their best interests at heart. I got the wrestling bug when I was in fourth or fifth grade, and wrestling's been my life ever since." Elias George left a powerful impression on all who knew him. "Wrestling lost yet another hero with Elias George, PIAA state champion from Canonsburg, who passed away July 26," said Pennsylvania wrestling guru Tom Elling. "George won his state title in 1942 at 133 pounds. His late brother Tony also won a state title at 133, in 1943. Fittingly, their resting places are next to each other. Their names forever be immortalized in Pennsylvania wrestling annals." Funeral services have already been held. Memorial contributions may be made to the Elias George Scholarship Fund, c/o Martha George, 1041 Ridge Road, Wilmette, IL 60001.

J Robinson, 1972 Greco-Roman Olympian and iconic Minnesota head wrestling coach, to go "On the Mat" on Wednesday, August 2. “On the Mat" is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The show can be heard live on the Internet at 1650thefan.com or locally in Northeast Iowa this Wednesday at 5 p.m. Central on AM 1650, The Fan. A podcast of the show is available on mattalkonline.com. E-mail dgmstaff@nwhof.org with any questions or comments.

Cornelius Wiggins, a Florida state wrestling champion and University of the Cumberlands mat alum, drowned in a boating accident in central Florida this weekend. He was 32. Wiggins, who won the 130-pound Florida Class A state title for Plant City in 2002 then went on to wrestle at what was then called Cumberland College in southern Kentucky*, drowned in a lake near Lakeland in central Florida Saturday night. He had dived into the water from a boat after his sunglasses fell off his face. A companion threw a chair cushion towards him, then dove into the water in an attempt to rescue the former wrestler, but to no avail. Wiggins' body was retrieved nearly 24 hours later on Sunday. Wiggins had overcome personal tragedies and a serious car crash in his young life. During his senior year at Plant City High School, Wiggins' foster mother died of congestive heart failure. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Wiggins had considered giving up wrestling but instead returned to mat, concluding his prep career as a four-year starter with a 126-16 overall record. As a freshman at Cumberlands, Wiggins was in a car crash that killed a teammate and left him with a fractured skull, broken leg and blood clot in his brain. Advised to sit out a semester, he went right back to class instead. "It's the kind of thing a kid can shut down from, feel sorry for himself," Wiggins' high school wrestling coach Mark Ackett told the Tampa Tribune back in 2003. "But he didn't." In fact, the opposite appears to be the case. Friends of Wiggins - who called him Corn - described a fun-loving individual whose appearance and sense of humor reminded them of comedic actor Kevin Hart. A GoFundMe.com page has been set up to honor Cornelius Wiggins by raising funds for a memorial scholarship for future wrestlers. Funeral services have yet to be announced. * Not to be confused with Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee. Wiggins' alma mater changed its name to University of the Cumberlands in 2005.

Daton Fix gets his hand raised after beating Afgan Khashalov (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- Four-for-four. 14-0. That's how the American freestyle team fared in Wednesday's first session at the Junior World Championships in Tampere, Finland. Team USA put all four wrestlers in the finals, going 14-0 in the process. Daton Fix (55 kilograms), Ryan Deakin (66 kilograms), Zahid Valencia (84 kilograms) and Gable Steveson (120 kilograms) advanced to the finals on Day 2. Team USA's freestyle team has now secured seven medals in eight classes at the Junior World Championships. Russia had three finalists on Wednesday and will go head-to-head with USA in all but one of the finals matches. Fix, a returning Junior world bronze medalist, was unscored upon with four technical falls en route to reaching the gold-medal match at 55 kilograms. His most notable victory was a 10-0 round of 16 win over returning Junior world champion Afgan Khashalov of Azerbaijan. In the finals Fix will face Russia's Ismail Gadzhiev, a past European champion and Youth Olympic Games champion. Gable Steveson had four technical falls in four matches in the first session (Photo/Richard Immel) Steveson, a two-time Cadet world champion, had four technical falls in four matches on his way to reaching the finals at 120 kilograms. The high school senior and nation's top wrestling recruit had not given up a point until his semifinal match against Zaur Kozonov (Russia), a match he won 21-10. Steveson's finals opponent is Naeiim Rah Hassanzadeh of Iran. Zahid Valencia reached the finals at 84 kilograms (Photo/Richard Immel) Valencia opened his tournament by beating Gadzhimura Magomedsaidov of Azerbaijan 11-2, avenging a loss from last year's Junior World Championships. The match was competitive early, but Valencia turned it up in the second period, scoring three takedowns to win by nine. He followed up that win with two technical falls, with his semifinal victory coming over Deepak Punia of India. Valencia now faces Russia's Artur Naifonov, who won by technical fall in all but one of his matches. Deakin was a major surprise for Team USA, reaching the finals of the Junior World Championships in his first international wrestling tournament. He was a fifth-place finisher in Fargo a year ago. Deakin, who wrestles at Northwestern, opened with a technical fall. In his quarterfinal match, Deakin found himself in a 6-0 hole after the opening period against Mongolia's Temuulen Enkhtuya. The American battled back in the second period, picking up three takedowns to take the victory. He rode that momentum to a convincing 10-2 semifinal victory over Amirhossei Hosseini of Iran. Tonight Deakin meets David Baev of Russia, a past Cadet world champ and European champ. Baev was unchallenged in the opening session, getting four technical falls in four matches. The final session on Wednesday is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. local time, 11 a.m. ET.

State champion Quinn Kinner (Kingsway Regional, N.J.) verbally committed to North Carolina State late on Tuesday afternoon. The three-time state placer and three-time Flo Nationals placer ended the 2016-17 season as the No. 19 ranked 132 pound wrestler in the country, and is currently ranked No. 54 overall in the Class of 2018. Quinn's older brother Trace, a multi-time state placer, is an enrollee at North Carolina State for the 2017-18 academic year. Quinn projects to compete as a 141/149 in college. He joins No. 52 Jarrett Trombley (Lake Fenton, Mich.), No. 77 Jakob Camacho (Danbury, Ct.), No. 86 Tyler Barnes (Ballston Spa, N.Y.), and No. 88 Matthew Grippi (Fox Lane, N.Y.)

Mark Hall repeated as Junior world champion (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- For the second straight year, and third time in four years, Mark Hall is a world champion. Hall won in grand fashion on Tuesday night in the gold-medal match at the Junior World Championships in Tampere, Finland. The 20-year-old Hall used a front headlock roll-through to secure a fall in the first minute against Isa Shapiev of Uzbekistan in their finals match at 74 kilograms. "It feels good," said Hall. "Walking back, Coach Casey [Cunningham] just kind of told me it was a great way to round out the last year. I won Junior Worlds. And then pulling my redshirt and winning an NCAA championship, and then coming back and winning another Junior world title is a pretty awesome feat. At the same time, there is a lot that I can work on. But I'm just grateful." Hall went 4-0 in the first session earlier in the day, which included wins over a past Cadet silver medalist from Russia and an Asian champion from Iran. Hall was a Cadet world champion in 2014 and claimed his first Junior world title last year. Earlier this year he won an NCAA title as a true freshman at Penn State. Mitchell McKee, who wrestles at the University of Minnesota, reached the gold-medal match at 60 kilograms before losing by fall to Abdula Akhmedov of Russia by fall. Akhmedov, a European bronze medalist, raced out to an 8-0 lead in the first minute before getting the fall. Team USA's third medal of the day came from Ohio State wrestler Kollin Moore, who won by technical fall in the bronze-medal match over Ilja Matuhin of Germany. Moore's lone loss in the tournament came in the semifinals to Givi Matcharashvili of Georgia. The second day of freestyle action is set for tomorrow with Americans Daton Fix (55 kilograms), Ryan Deakin (66 kilograms), Zahid Valencia (84 kilograms) and Gable Steveson (120 kilograms) set to compete.

Mark Hall gets his hand raised after a victory at the Junior World Championships (Photo/Richard Immel) TAMPERE, Finland -- Team USA started the Junior World Championships in Tampere, Finland, with a bang. Two Americans, Mark Hall (74 kilograms) and Mitchell McKee (60kg), advanced to tonight's finals. Another, Kollin Moore (96 kilograms), will wrestle for a bronze medal. Team USA won its first seven matches on Tuesday. Hall, a returning Junior world champion, won four matches in the first session on Tuesday -- capped off by a 10-3 win in the semifinals over Turkey's Muhammet Kucukyildirim -- to punch his ticket to tonight's finals at 74 kilograms. Hall's run to the finals included a 6-2 quarterfinal win over past Cadet silver medalist Radik Valiev of Russia, as well as a dominant 10-0 victory in the semifinals over Asian champion Mohammad Mottaghinia of Iran. He will meet Isa Shapiev of Uzbekistan for the gold tonight. Shapiev has been dominant throughout the competition, picking up a fall, technical fall and 8-1 semifinal victory over Yajuro Yamasaki of Japan. Mitchell McKee (Photo/Richard Immel) McKee put together an impressive string of victories to reach the finals at 60 kilograms. He won high-scoring thrillers in both the quarterfinals and the semifinals. After edging Turkey's Utku Dogan 11-9 in the quarterfinals, McKee came from behind to beat Ravinder Ravinder of India 16-14 in the semifinals. Ravinder led 8-2 at the break, but McKee battled back in the second period and eventually took a 14-10 lead. Ravinder scored a takedown to cut the deficit to two. He then was awarded four points for a throw, which was challenged and overturned. McKee held on for the two-point victory, and will now face Abdula Akhmedov of Russia. Kollin Moore (Photo/Richard Immel) Moore won his first two matches to reach the semifinals. He opened with a 10-5 win over Iran's Danyal Shariatinia, scoring three takedowns in the final two minutes of the match. In the quarterfinals, Moore won by technical fall over Alisher Yergali (Kazakhstan) 10-0. His run in the championship bracket came to a hault in the semifinals when he lost by technical fall to Givi Matcharashvili (Georgia). Malik Heinselman won his first match at 50 kilograms, beating European bronze medalist Horst Lehr of Germany 5-4. He dropped his second match to Rakhat Kalzhan of Kazakhstan 8-2, and was eliminated when Kalzhan fell in the semifinals to Karen Zurabyan of Armenia. Tonight's final round is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. local time, 11:30 a.m. ET.

Tony Gizoni was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame this year (Photo/Larry Slater) Funeral services have been announced for Tony Gizoni, two-time NCAA wrestling champ for Waynesburg College who was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame just two months ago, who passed away Friday, July 28. He was 87. Memorial Mass for Victor A. Gizoni will be held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church, 4571 John R. Road, Troy, Mich., with visitation at church that morning beginning at 9 a.m. Memorial tributes may be made to Gleaners Food Bank, 2131 Beaufait, Detroit, MI 48207. Gizoni wrestled for Washington High School in Washington, Pa. where he became the fourth wrestler in state history to win three state championships, capturing the title at 101 pounds in 1946, at 103 pounds in 1947 and at 112 pounds in 1948. Gizoni continued his academic and athletic career in southwest Pennsylvania at Waynesburg College, where won back-to-back NCAA Division I championships, first in 1950 at 121 pounds -- earning Outstanding Wrestler honors that year -- then at 123 pounds at the 1951 NCAAs. He was declared ineligible as a senior due to competing in dual meets and tournaments that were not approved by the NCAA Rules Committee. Gizoni finished his college career with a 52-0 record, and his overall record for high school and college was 120-3-1 with the three losses and the tie occurring in his freshman year of high school. A lasting legacy: Gizoni had a move he used for a come-from-behind win at the NCAAs, incorporating hand control, back pressure and a hip heist to get a reversal and gain the upper hand in a tight match, which remains known as the "Gizoni Special" 65 years later. After concluding his wrestling career, Gizoni served in the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star for bravery in combat. In November 2016, Tony Gizoni was one of four former wrestlers announced for induction as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla. The induction ceremony was held in early June 2017 in Stillwater. Speaking for the Hall, Executive Director Lee Roy Smith said, "We are sorry to hear of the passing of Tony (Babe) Gizoni, but also grateful that he and his family were able to be here in June when he was inducted as a Distinguished Member. Tony was a tremendous wrestler, a veteran, an educator and a coach who will forever be immortalized in our sport through his signature move, the Gizoni Special." Tom Elling, dean of wrestling journalists in the Keystone State, told InterMat, "Tony Gizoni was a true Pennsylvania wrestling legend. Not only does a wrestling move exist that still bears his name, but Tony's mat prowess was storied with the very best Pennsylvania and the nation had to offer. He was not a large man in stature, but he was, indeed, one of the most prominent men ever to grace a horsehair mat in our wrestling fraternity. Largely because of him, Waynesburg became a town and collegiate name that was synonymous with wrestling."