InterMat Staff

Patrick Kennedy (Photo/Mary Christen, The Guillotine) Rising junior Patrick Kennedy (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.), already a two-time state champion, verbally committed to the University of Iowa on Monday night, as first reported on IAwrestle.com. The 2017 Super 32 Challenge champion is currently ranked No. 2 overall in the Class of 2020, and projects collegiately as a 184 pound wrestler. Kennedy finished the 2017-18 season ranked No. 4 nationally at 182 pounds, and is also a two-time UWW Cadet National freestyle All-American, along with placing third in the 2017 Cadet National freestyle tournament held in Fargo.

Justin Mejia celebrates after winning the Doc Buchanan Invitational title (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) FRESNO, Calif. -- The Fresno State Wrestling program and head coach Troy Steiner announced the signing of four-time California state champion Justin Mejia for the 2018-19 season on Monday. "We are excited to have Justin a part of the Bulldog Wrestling program," said Steiner. "Justin is part of a short list of four-time California State Champions and it is important to keep California's best wrestlers home." A projected 125/133-pounder for the Bulldogs, Mejia returns to the Valley and arrives at Fresno State after being a four-time California High School State Champion at nearby Clovis High School. One of only three preps to ever win four individual state championships in the state of California, Mejia was ranked as the No. 22 high school wrestler in the class of 2017 by InterMat. Mejia compiled a 168-1 overall record in his four years as a Cougar winning titles at 106 pounds (2014), 113 pounds (2015), 120 pounds (2016) and 126 pounds as a senior in 2017. Mejia was a FloNationals finalist in 2016 and earned Fresno Bee Co-Wrestler of the Year honors in 2017 completing a perfect 38-0 season. The Clovis native notched bonus point wins 128 times, including recording 89 falls, as a prep. Mejia joins spring signees Adam Kemp and Hunter Cruz along with South Dakota native Nick Casperson, Turlock native Isaiah Pitman and Vacaville native Lawrence Saenz as new Bulldogs for the 2018-19 season. "Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" - The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

J'den Cox is a -420 favorite against Hayden Zillmer (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Betting odds for Final X at Lehigh have been released by BetDSI. The event takes place Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at historic Grace Hall on the campus of Lehigh. To register for an online account and bet online, visit BetDSI.com. How betting works: If betting on a wrestler listed with a minus (-) sign, you must risk that number amount to profit $100 (and get your stake back). For example, risking $420 on J'den Cox (-420) would profit $100. If betting on a wrestler listed with a plus (+) sign, for every $100 you risk, you profit that amount. For example, risking $100 on Haley Augello (+190) would profit $190. When betting matches with point spreads -- like Nick Gwiazdowski (-2) vs. Adam Coon (+2), a minus (-) sign indicates the favorite, while a plus (+) sign indicates the underdog. Note: Betting odds are subject to change.

Jason Renteria competing at the Big Ten Championships (Photo/Richard Immel) Jason Renteria, who originally committed to University of Iowa before actually wrestling for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for one season, will be wrestling for the Hawkeyes after all. Renteria, a two-time Illinois state champ for Oak Park-River Forest High School just outside Chicago announced on Sunday on social media -- and mainstream media -- his plans to head east on I-80 from Lincoln to Iowa City. Here's what the newest Hawkeye posted on Twitter on Sunday: "Happy Father's Day to the old man that's made everything possible for me today. His surprise gift was seeing his son will be continuing his career at the University of Iowa. Without him and also my family this would of never happened. We did it Dad, love ya. #FightforIowa 🐤🐥 -- J-Rent (@JasonJayzilla) June 17, 2018 Renteria also shared his news with the Des Moines Register. "I fell in love again with the school," Renteria told the paper's Cody Goodwin Sunday. "Coming back and being on an official visit, I thought it was something special." Renteria completed his true freshman year at Nebraska -- compiling an 8-5 record -- before being granted release at the end of the 2017-18 season. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. The Chicago native is expected to wrestle at 133 pounds for Iowa.

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

NCAA Division I wrestlers will now be able to transfer without the permission of their current coach or university, thanks to new rules approved by the NCAA this week, to go into effect Oct. 15. The NCAA Division I Council approved a proposal that installs a "notification of transfer" model which not only allows wrestlers and other athletes to leave one school for another more easily, but also requires the school to enter the athlete's name in a national transfer database within two business days. Once the wrestler's name is in the database, any coach can contact that wrestler. Prior to this rule change, wrestlers had to receive permission from their current school to be contacted by another school before they could receive another scholarship. One major exception to this new rule: a conference can install stricter rules that would supersede this new NCAA procedure. In its press statement issued this week, the NCAA addressed the reason why the new transfer rule has been put in place. "The previous transfer rule, which required student-athletes to get permission from their current school to contact another school before they can receive a scholarship after transfer, was intended to discourage coaches from recruiting student-athletes from other Division I schools," according to the NCAA statement. "The rule change ends the controversial practice in which some coaches or administrators would prevent students from having contact with specific schools…" "Additionally, the proposal adds tampering with a current student-athlete at another school to the list of potential Level 2 violations, considered a significant breach of conduct."

NORFOLK, Va. -- Monarch wrestling head coach Steve Martin announced the addition of Steven Rodrigues to the coaching staff on Friday afternoon. Rodrigues replaces Daryl Thomas, who was promoted to assistant head coach on the ODU staff, Rodrigues will work closely with the middle and upper weights. Steven Rodrigues“We are pleased to announce the addition of Steven Rodrigues to our staff as an assistant coach. Steven is a perfect fit for our program as he knows how to develop young men on and off the mat,” Martin said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and coaching experience to the table already having experience at the collegiate level. It will be exciting to watch his recruiting presence in the talent rich states of Illinois and New York.” Rodrigues recently coached at Stanford University as an assistant coach. In the 2016-2017 season, Rodrigues helped the Cardinal bring nine wrestlers to the NCAA Tournament, a record amount of qualifiers for the institution. Stanford's 157-pound starter, Paul Fox made All-American to become the 20th All-American for the program. “I am thrilled to join the ODU coaching staff. I would like to thank Steve Martin and the Athletic Department for the opportunity,” Rodrigues explained. “I am looking forward for the opportunity to guide and mentor outstanding young men who will earn All-American honors and individual national championships.” Prior to joining the Stanford staff in 2016, Rodrigues had a decorated career at the University of Illinois. The New York native was a four-year starter and a three-time NCAA qualifier, finishing in fifth-place at the NCAA Championships in 2016 to earn All-American status. That same season, the middleweight took a third-place finish at the Big Ten Championships at 165 pounds. Rodrigues finished his career with an 88-42 record. Rodrigues earned his degree in sports management, being named to the Big Ten Academic Team four times and gaining NWCA Academic All-American honors in 2016.

Two-time NCAA wrestling champ Jeff McGinness is among the honorees to be inducted into the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018, the University of Iowa announced Thursday. Jeff McGinnessAs an Iowa Hawkeye, McGinness was a three-time NCAA All-American, winning national titles at 126 pounds in 1995 and at 142 at the 1998 NCAAs. The Iowa City native compiled a 127-16 record as a Hawkeye. In addition, McGinness earned a number of honors at Iowa, including being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and in 1998, earned Outstanding Wrestler of the Big Ten Championships and was selected as Iowa's Big Ten Medal of Honor winner. McGinness was an inaugural member of the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa in 2002, and welcomed into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame -- a facility that honors wrestlers, coaches and officials from the state of Iowa -- in 2006. In addition to McGinness, other members of the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018 include Kineke Alexander, Jared DeVries, Chris Hatcher, Sarah Lynch, Alexis Maday, Bob Sanders, and John Streif. The UI Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony is Friday, Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. inside the Grand Coral Ballroom at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. A hors d'oeuvres and cocktail reception precedes the induction ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The induction ceremony and reception is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased for $20 by going online at hawkeyesports.com/HOFtickets. For more information please call the Iowa Varsity Club office at (319) 335-9438.

WORCESTER -- WPI Director of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Dana L. Harmon announced the hiring of Matt Oney '90 as the head wrestling coach. He takes over the program from fellow alumnus Steve Hall '87, who retired following the program's best season since the Phil Grebinar era. Oney returns to Boynton Hill following a two-year stop at Kansas Wesleyan where he boasted three NAIA national qualifiers, five KCAC Champions, two KCAC Most Outstanding Wrestlers, and the program's first All-America. His debut campaign, as well as the program's first full season, yielded the school's first national qualifier and 2016-17 KCAC Coach of the Year accolades. Academically, Oney touted the program's first NAIA All-American and NWCA All-Academic honoree. Prior to leading the Coyotes, Oney served as an assistant men's and women's coach at Wayland Baptist for two years. Matt Oney"We welcome back Matt Oney '90 to the WPI Athletics Family," said Harmon. "Matt has distinguished himself at the high school, college, national and international levels of coaching and we are excited to have him lead our very successful wrestling program now and into the future. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences to the position that will help our student-athletes reach their full potential not only in competition, but also more importantly in the classroom and in the community." Before making the move to the collegiate ranks, Oney was a math and physics teacher at Punahou School, a top-tier ethnically diverse college preparatory school, in Honolulu, HI for over two decades. As head coach, he guided the boys' team to six consecutive state titles and the girls' team to three in-a-row while collecting numerous league and state accolades along the way. "I am very excited about having Matt take the helm of the WPI Wrestling program," remarked Hall. "He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will help lead the program to even greater heights." Off campus, the USA Wrestling GOLD Certified Coach is well traveled, having been to Turkey and Russia as part of the organization's Coaches Apprentice Program in 2009 and 2010. He was later on the women's freestyle staff for the Pan-Am Cadet Championships from 2012 to 2015 and the Pan-Am Junior Championships in 2017. The 2013 team claimed the title while the 2012, 2015 and 2017 lineups placed second, and the 2014 team earned bronze. Oney was also involved at the state level from 2003-2012. "I would like to thank Dana Harmon and the entire search committee for the time and energy they put in on behalf of the WPI Wrestling Family and it's student-athletes throughout the process," commented Oney. "As an alum, I am truly grateful to be able to give back to the program and school in this way, and am excited for the opportunity to lead these young men moving forward." The electrical engineering major posted a dual meet record of 21-10 (.667) with 12 pins - without being pinned himself - and was third in the region at 142 as a sophomore and as a senior. Both All-New England performances led to NWCA Scholar All-America honors while 1989-90 co-captain also helped the team to a second-place showing regionally and No. 15 nationally. The Oney Era begins Saturday, November 10 at Ursinus while his home debut is a week later versus Norwich and Stevens in a super quad at the Sports & Recreation Center.

David Taylor (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The photo on Twitter speaks volumes. It shows David Taylor and Kyle Dake standing together and smiling following a recent workout at Penn State. "Our time is now," Taylor posted with the photo. "We are ready." Nobody is more ready or more excited to wrestle in Final X than David Taylor. More than four years after wrestling his final collegiate match at Penn State, Taylor will return to State College for USA Wrestling's Final X competition on Saturday night. Taylor's club has attracted a number of top young wrestlers, including some who drive in from as far as an hour away to attend practices. Taylor works with the wrestlers along with three-time NAIA national champion Eric Thompson and past Penn State All-American Mark McKnight. Among Taylor's wrestlers are two sons of Penn State assistant coach Casey Cunningham. "Our club is really growing quickly -- we have kids who have improved a lot already," he said. "What we are trying to create is a great wrestling environment. It's really exciting to watch the progress these kids are making. We have a really good group. I have a great support team with Eric and Mark working as coaches. We just moved to a new facility and everything is going really well." The curriculum, technique and training are based on what Taylor has done in his career. It is geared toward Taylor's aggressive and entertaining style of wrestling where you push the pace and score a large number of points. "I am really enjoying doing it," he said. "It's been pretty special to be a part of it." David Taylor after dominating Alexander Gostiev of Azerbaijan at the World Cup (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Taylor said his international career is far from finished. "I plan on wrestling through the 2024 Olympic cycle," he said. "I have a lot of support that allows me to do this. The Nittany Lion Wrestling Club has been awesome. They really support me and give me an opportunity to compete at this level." Taylor doesn't have to look far to find quality workout partners. "I think we have the best training situation in the world at Penn State," he said. "We have great coaches and great workout partners. Plus, we have guys that come in and want to train with us. I'm tested in practice every day. I get challenged all the time." For Taylor, his time is definitely now. "I've been preparing for this moment for a long time," he said. "I've had a goal of being a world and Olympic champion since I was 5 years old. I know I'm in position to break through and do that." Craig Sesker has written about wrestling for more than three decades. He's covered three Olympic Games and is a two-time national wrestling writer of the year.

Add Massachusetts to the list of states that will have a separate girls' wrestling championship. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association announced this week the creation of a postseason girls' mat tournament to conclude the 2018-19 season. This new event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. For now, this new girls' postseason championship will be the only event during the 2018-19 season designed exclusively for females. During the regular season, girls within the Bay State will continue to be members of their existing high school teams and compete with boys. However, as the Boston Globe reported, girls will now have a choice for end-of-season competition once Sectional competition is over: to enter the new girls-only tournament or compete against boys in the "mixed gender" All-State championship which begins one day earlier, on Feb. 22. One unique aspect of the Massachusetts girls' tournament: it will use the Madison Grouping format -- a system that will create the tournament bracket based on age and weight, rather than traditional weight classes that have long been a staple of amateur wrestling tournaments. As for how many girls compete in wrestling in Massachusetts ... according to statistics compiled by the National Federation of High Schools, 102 girls were involved in wrestling within the state during the 2016-17 school year. Now those Massachusetts girl wrestlers will have new choices for post-season competition. "We are thrilled to provide an opportunity to showcase the tremendous female wrestlers that work tirelessly throughout the season," said Phil Napolitano, wrestling liaison for the MIAA. "We look forward to the continued growth of girls' wrestling in the state of Massachusetts." At least one young female wrestler is eager to participate in the new end-of-season event. "I am extremely excited about the newly approved girls state tournament," Bristol County Agricultural wrestler Allie Maitland of Dighton, Mass. told the MIAA. "When I started wrestling, I did it to step out of the standards for women and be different. Lately I've been questioning if I'm doing the right thing, but this opportunity proves to me I'm following the right path and keeping true to myself." Massachusetts joins a number of states that have sanctioned wrestling events specifically for high school girls. In recent months, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Missouri and Oregon have announced separate competitions for girl wrestlers ... joining existing programs in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Texas and Washington State, with other states exploring the option.

The next of the Final X series lands in State College tomorrow with a headlining matchup between teammates Joey McKenna and Logan Stieber. Familiarity breeds contempt, but with these two there seems to be nothing but mutual respect. Does that mean McKenna is ceding the spot without struggle? No. That's what you'd see in India when wrestlers have to face off against Sushil Kumar. McKenna will bring it. Will he win? I'm doubtful, but anything is possible when teammates collide, including a whole hell of a lot of nothing. I'll stay out of the Kyle Dake vs. Zahid Valencia breakdown as I whiffed hard on his chances at the World Team Trials. Still, color me impressed if Valencia gets past a motivated Dake. My predictions … Freestyle: 65 kilograms: Logan Stieber over Joey McKenna, 2 matches to 1 79 kilograms: Kyle Dake over Zahid Valencia, 2 matches to 1 86 kilograms: David Taylor over Nick Reenan, 2 matches to 0 Women's wrestling: 62 kilograms: Mallory Velte over Kayla Miracle, 2 matches to 1 72 kilograms: Erin Clodgo over Rachel Watters, 2 matches to 1 76 kilograms: Adeline Gray over Korinahe Bullock, 2 matches to 0 To your questions … Q: Thoughts on the new NCAA transfer rule? And did you see the new ad from USA Wrestling about "once a wrestler, always a wrestler?" The premise is great, certainly hit home, but curious about self-mocking with headgear and singlet. Isn't that what we're fighting against from others? -- @Tony_Rotundo Foley: The NCAA is rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The entire system is broken. I don't want to applaud the NCAA for allowing its athletes free movement of unpaid athletes. That just encourages bad behavior. Is allowing these kids the ability to speak to other coaches after they make their intentions known really all that impressive? As for the promotion of wrestling via singlets and headgear? That would likely fall with staying inside the norms as much as possible when appealing to the masses. The slick two-piece getup we saw posted via Nike with Alex Dieringer and the little girl wrestler made an impact on me. I think the advertisement was a more attractive way to showcase wrestling, but for now it'll be a one-off and not the standard bearer. Kyle Dake (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Q: Who's the most infuriating wrestler for team USA in a talent vs. what they do with it standpoint? Why is it Kyle Dake? -- @halfagain Foley: That's a fair criticism of 2017 Kyle Dake, but in watching him compete at the Ivan Yarygin and the World Cup I have to disagree. I recognize that Dake may not be a high scorer, but he has (given an exception here or there) generated a lot more offense the past six months than he did in the previous three years on the circuit. One reason might be the rules, or the aggression of his opponents. I tend to think it's because Dake is finally starting to get the international experience he'd missed due to injury. The opponents he faces are pulling out of him more offense, and creative defense, then his typical carousel of local challengers. Dake is rising to the challenge and if we know anything about him it's that as the stakes increase he is more apt to perform and deliver. Q: Do any Iranian footballers playing in Russia have a connection to the sport of wrestling? -- @ChAsedGod_ Foley: Wonderful query. I really don't know. What I can tell you is that the last time I was in Iran I had a few fun conversations about what soccer's rise in popularity would mean to the nation's traditional wrestling homes (zoorkhaneh). The opinion of my local friends tended towards support and enjoyment of the nation's success on the global stage, but some hesitation about what it might mean for their future on the mat. Wrestling, especially in the more rural communities, provides an attachment to each other and religion, as the in-house training is centered around prayer. Daton Fix (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Q: I heard Daton Fix is wrestling off for the Junior World Team spot. Assuming he does (and makes the team), do you expect him to win another world title? And can USA can repeat as team champions in freestyle at the Junior World Championships? -- Mike C. Foley: I think Daton Fix will win the Junior World Championships. Team USA has a shot at repeating, but Georgia and Russia are both scheduled to bring monster lineups to the Junior Worlds and U23's. Q: Are U23's picking up traction (i.e. importance) globally? @willieatflo Foley: That all depends on how we want to measure traction and weight those indicators against other indicators. It might be that the best measure of the tournament's traction is the number of national federations willing to spend money to send their athletes to the championships. A quick look shows that there is major engagement and sizable numbers: 2017 Euro U23 Championships: 370 athletes 2018 U23 World Championships: 383 athletes 2016 Junior World Championships: 506 athletes 2017 U23 World Championships: 575 participants Overall, I think that the European and World numbers show that organizers are able to host at a profit and national federations are willing to fund trips -- likely because they can convert any winnings into financial support from their National Olympic Committee (ie. USOC). Growth to other regions hasn't been successful. Africa was scheduled to host this year but found a lack of interest. That outcome wasn't a total shock but the disappointment provides some bookend to how far the U23 movement has traveled. As a note, the Americas were also toying with the idea of a U23, but was shelved it until after 2020 as they have Olympic qualification and the 2019 Pan American Games which requires the full attention (and funding) of most the smaller national federations. Q: Like wrestling, amateur MMA has a world championship. Do you ever think we will see amateur MMA in the Olympics? -- Gregg Y. Foley: No. Amateur MMA and pankration will never be in the Olympics. While the promotions are thriving, there is little to no appetite from national federations to create the organizational infrastructure to support another combat sport. Additionally, the IOC has been explicit about their preference in keeping MMA out of the Olympic Games and without their approval (nay, nudging) very few new sports get added to the Olympics. Given the brutality of the sport and difficulty in creating a healthy, competitive single tournament, I'd agree that the sport just isn't conducive to being modeled as an Olympic sport. Q: Has there ever been a run of top-level heavyweights like we are seeing right now? Between Gable Steveson, Daniel "Greg" Kerkvliet, Cohlton Schultz, Seth Nevills, and Braxton Amos to name a few. Looks like our upperweights will be stacked. Who do you think has the highest ceiling? -- @jferg24 Foley: Probably. I think the increased media attention and visibility of the physicality and athleticism of these wrestlers lends to increased hero worship. Also, because there are more national and international tournaments each year for these guys to seek out, which adds ribbons to their bedroom wall and ink to their accomplishment lists. The best heavyweights also have a chance to prove themselves at the international stage with the return of the Cadet World Championships. Prediction of the Week By Keith F. OK, here we go. I am going to call for an upset. I've been so impressed over the course of Zahid Valencia's career as he has gone from a best in the nation 106-pounder to a best in the nation 174-pounder (higher in high school). His offense is that of a smaller, more active wrestler and I think he is going to force Kyle Dake into inactivity. Dake is most effective against passive wrestlers, but less so against really high output guys … I think that's going to happen. I'm reaching, but I'm taking Zahid in 3. In the third match, I really believe Dake will tighten at the thought of coming so close, but not making the team. Zahid is a future Olympic champion at 86 kilograms. Sorry, David Taylor. We'll see how it plays out.

Jack Davis Jack Davis has decided he'd rather be a Nittany Lion than a Panther. The two-time national preps champ for Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pa. had made a commitment to wrestle at the University of Pittsburgh … but has changed his mind and will be now competing at Penn State, according to multiple media reports Thursday. Davis announced his change of heart on Twitter: Davis is expected to wrestle at either 133 or 141 pounds for the program that won the 2018 NCAA Division I team title three months ago … and joins a recruitment class ranked No. 1 by InterMat. Davis is confident he could make an immediate contribution to the Nittany Lions squad that has won seven NCAA team titles in the past eight years. "Knowing how I've been in my past, I feel like anything is possible if I put my mind to it," Davis told the Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice. "If I continue to work hard and push myself... I don't doubt seeing myself in the starting lineup and pushing myself to be great." While at Wyoming Seminary, Davis won three Pennsylvania preps titles and placed fifth in the 2016 Cadet World Championships … in addition to winning his first national title at 120 pounds in 2016, then adding a second at 132 in 2018.

Willie Miklus is a three-time All-American (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com) Willie Miklus is coming home. The three-time All-American for the University of Missouri is returning to his home state of Iowa for his sixth year of eligibility and attending Iowa State University to wrestle for the Cyclones. Miklus missed most of the 2013-14 and 2016-17 seasons due to injuries and was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA for the 2018-19 season. He won a MAC title this past season and followed it up with an eighth-place finish at the 2018 NCAA Division I Championships competing at 197 pounds. Miklus placed sixth at the NCAAs in 2016 and seventh in 2015. A native of Altoona, Iowa, Miklus attended Southeast Polk High School and claimed two Iowa state championships.

The online sportsbook BetDSI.com posted betting odds on Saturday's Final X in State College, Pa. Let's examine the best bets based on the betting odds. Note: Betting odds are subject to change. Value plays Kayla Miracle is -175 to defeat Mallory Velte (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Kayla Miracle over Mallory Velte (62 kilograms): -175 Miracle is one of America's young, rising stars in women's wrestling. She has three age-group world medals, and earlier this year claimed her fourth WCWA national title wrestling for her father Lee at Campbellsville University. Miracle also has two U.S. Open titles and three University Nationals titles. She has competed well internationally this year. She is currently ranked No. 1 in the world at 62 kilograms based on her points earned during the new ranking series events. The 22-year-old claimed a gold medal at the Klippan Lady Open and a bronze medal at the Pan American Championships. While Velte is a returning U.S. World Team member, she has not had the same international success as Miracle. She has never won a world medal at any age level. Recently she placed eighth at the Klippan Lady Open. These two met in the U.S. Open finals, with Miracle coming out on top 3-0. While the score was close, Miracle was never seriously threatened in the match. Kayla Miracle vs. Mallory Velte (62 kilograms), 2 matches: -150 As mentioned above, Miracle is the superior, more accomplished wrestler. While there is no guarantee she wins in two matches (or at all), it seems like the most likely outcome. As we have seen so far at Final X, the wrestler who wins the first match typically takes the second match too. All seven matches at Final X in Lincoln last Saturday were decided in two matches. Logan Stieber vs. Joey McKenna (65 kilograms), Under 11.5 points in Match 1: -115 On the surface, this looks like an Over. Both like to put points on the scoreboard and have a lot of different ways to score. However, Stieber and McKenna have been training partners for the past year and know each other's styles well. Their matches on Saturday will likely be very strategic, resulting in low-scoring, defensive battles. Stieber scored 10 points in each of his two World Team Trials matches against Jaydin Eierman, but don't expect that kind of offensive output against McKenna. McKenna gave up just three points in five matches at the U.S. Open. Four of his five victories were shutouts. I would expect there to be 10 or less points scored in their first match. Logan Stieber over Joey McKenna (65 kilograms): -140 Stieber, a 2016 world champion, is still wrestling at a very high level at the age of 27. He notched a win over three-time world champion Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan at the Freestyle World Cup in April. While he did take a surprising loss to Jaydin Eierman at the U.S. Open, he came back avenge the loss with two victories over the Missouri Tiger in the finals of the World Team Trials. McKenna, a past Junior world silver medalist, was not only a surprise champion at the U.S. Open, but dominated the competition, outscoring his opponents 50-3. McKenna is savvy and technically sound. Stieber, despite his U.S. Open setback, is still the man to beat in this weight class domestically and America's best chance for a world medal at 65 kilograms. Also, don't overlook the big-brother syndrome. Ever since McKenna arrived in Columbus last summer, Stieber has been a mentor to him. With the way McKenna has been wrestling and the familiarity between the two, I wouldn't be shocked to see the young Buck pull out a victory. I just don't see him beating Stieber twice. Zahid Valencia dominated Alex Dieringer in the finals of the World Team Trials (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine) Kyle Dake vs. Zahid Valencia (79 kilograms), Under 12.5 in Match 1: -115 I don't see much value betting on the winner of the best-of-three series between Dake and Valencia. While I favor Dake, Valencia, as a massive underdog, looked phenomenal in dominating Alex Dieringer in the finals of the World Team Trials. He as aggressive and seemingly scored when he wanted to. Dake should win, which is why he is -350, but it doesn't mean he will. Valencia is very capable, and you can be sure Arizona State coaches Zeke Jones and Chris Pendleton will have a well-devised game plan against Dake. Instead, of forcing a play on the side, I like the Under 12.5. Valencia shut down Dieringer, surrendering only one point in two matches. Dake's incredible defense has been well documented. He has shut down not only some of America's top wrestlers, but also some top foreign wrestlers.

Rick Thompson is to be named head wrestling coach at nationally-ranked Bethlehem Catholic High School, LehighValleyLive.com -- website for the Express-Times newspaper in northeast Pennsylvania -- reported Wednesday evening. The website reported the announcement could be made as soon as this week. When contacted by phone Wednesday, Thompson declined to comment. Rick ThompsonIf hired, Thompson would fill an opening left when Jeff Karam stepped down in April after a decade at Bethlehem Catholic. Thompson would bring an impressive resume as wrestler and coach to the Bethlehem Catholic mat program which is ranked No. 17 in the nation in InterMat's Fab 50 national high school rankings. Thompson, a 1973 Phillipsburg High graduate, was a two-time New Jersey state champion (1971, 1973). After graduating from Pennsylvania's Slippery Rock State University in 1977, Thompson launched a coaching career that included three stints at his high school alma mater, where, as head coach, he compiled a 268-54-1 overall record. Over the course of his career, he has coached at a number of high schools, most recently at Bangor High for the past decade.

Chris Hixon, wrestling coach and athletic director at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, along with fellow coaches Aaron Feis and Scott Beigel, will be honored with the Best Coach Award posthumously at the ESPY Awards show on July 18, the ESPN network announced Wednesday. Chris HixonFamily members of the coaches who gave their lives protecting students and others at the Parkland, Fla. school during a mass shooting Feb. 12 that killed 17 will receive the awards on behalf of their deceased family members. It is the first time in the 25-year history of the ESPYs that the coaching award will not be presented to coaches strictly for their work on the field, according to the ESPN announcement. The three Stoneman Douglas coaches are being honored for "their immeasurable bravery in the face of danger and for their ultimate sacrifice to protect the lives of countless students," said Alison Overholt, vice president and editor in chief of ESPN The Magazine. Chris Hixon, 49, had been named Broward County Athletic Association's athletic director of the year just last year. The native of Easton, Pa. had a long career as a coach and in sports administration in high schools in south Florida, interrupted only by a deployment to Iraq as a U.S. Naval Reservist in 2007. Hixon left behind a wife and two children. Hixon was recently honored posthumously at the Celebrate Wrestling eventsponsored by the Princeton, N.J. chapter of Wrestlers In Business Network. An American flag fashioned of metal and inscribed with a message honoring coach Hixon's heroism will be presented to the Florida school. Aaron Feis, assistant football coach at Stoneman Douglas, was described in an Associated Press report as "someone who counseled those with no father figure and took troubled kids under his wing. He was always there for the students, whether it was chatting in his golf cart or helping them fix their cars. No one was surprised when they learned Feis died shielding students." In reports immediately after the shooting, Stoneman Douglas head football coach Willis May said Hixon and Feis both served as school security guards. May labeled both coaches as heroes because they ran toward the scene to try to help others to safety, saying, "when something goes down, they are the first ones to rush in." Scott Beigel, 35-year-old cross-country coach and geography teacher, "helped students enter a locked classroom to avoid the gunman, and paid for the brave act with his life," according to the AP. "Several surviving students said they don't think they would be alive without Beigel's help." Danica Patrick will host the ESPY awards broadcast on ABC-TV on July 18.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Jeric Kasunic will move from excelling on the mat into chairs next to the mat after being hired as an assistant coach for the American University wrestling program, head coach Teague Moore announced Tuesday. Kasunic, who recently graduated from AU, will be responsible for assisting the heavier weights for the Eagles - assisting the 184-pounders and up. He is a two-time NCAA qualifier and led the Eagles with a 35-7 overall record and a 13-0 mark in dual matches as a senior in 2018. Moore is excited about having an accomplished and recent alumnus of the program be able to stay and provide a live role model for the future classes of Eagles. "Having Jeric join our staff as an assistant coach and the primary upper-weight coach helps our program immensely," said Moore. "Jeric understands our program and what we are trying to accomplish. His career was a constant improvement over his four years, culminating in a Freestyle University National title last summer (2017), followed by an impressive senior campaign which ranked him as high as eighth in the country. "We're excited to have Jeric with our talented upper-weights, especially with redshirt Niko Camacho who will step in at heavyweight, and also the addition of 184 Junior College national champion transfer, Tanner Harvey, from Southwest Oregon Community College. Jeric can help both of these young men achieve big results on the mats." Kasunic was voted AU's Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year across all sports in 2018. With a career record of 102-41, he is one of the most successful wrestlers in Eagle history, tying for sixth on AU's all-time list in career victories. He finished his four seasons second on the career list with 40 falls, behind only NCAA champion and Cassell Hall of Famer Josh Glenn, who had 44. Kasunic is the only Eagle in history to appear on the single-season list in falls in each of his four seasons (5th, 11, 2014-15… T6th, 10, twice, 2015-16 & 2017-18… T11th, 9, 2016-17). He is a two-time NCAA qualifier and a three-time place-winner at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships. He finished fourth as a junior and senior after placing fifth as a sophomore. Kasunic was one of four Eagles to be honored this spring by the National Wrestling Coaches Association on its All-Academic Team. He is a two-time selection on the Academic All-EIWA Team. He graduated this spring from AU with a bachelor's degree in finance.

Logan Stieber (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Logan Stieber's list of wrestling achievements during this Olympic cycle are impressive. He's knocked off a three-time world champion. He was a member of American squads that won team titles at the World Championships and World Cup. And he reached one of his lifelong dreams by winning a world title. Even with all that he has accomplished, the best may be yet to come for the driven 27-year-old Stieber. Stieber will look to make his third straight world team when he competes at USA Wrestling's Final X on Saturday night in State College, Pa. "I'm really excited," Stieber said. "Any time you have a chance to make a world team it is a great opportunity to compete. I'm looking forward to it." Stieber, who won four NCAA titles for Ohio State, will battle current Buckeye All-American Joey McKenna in a best-of-three series in freestyle at 65 kilograms. The winner advances to October's World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Stieber will face a familiar foe in McKenna. They trained together frequently during the college season and they traveled together to Pennsylvania this week. Like Stieber, McKenna won a Junior world silver medal for the United States. McKenna placed third at the 2018 NCAA tournament for Ohio State before winning the U.S. Open in late April to clinch a Final X berth. "It should be a good matchup," Stieber said. "We have a lot of similar skills. We've trained together quite a bit and we've helped each other a lot." Wrestling someone who trains in the same room with so much at stake is something Stieber has experienced before. "I've been in this situation before with Reece Humphrey, so it's nothing new," Stieber said. "It's a good problem for us to have with two guys who train in the same room battling for the world team. We just have to treat it as professionals. He is a very good wrestler and I know I will have to be ready to go." Stieber made his first world team in 2016 and took full advantage, capturing a world title at 61 kilograms in Budapest. Logan Stieber was a member of USA's world championship team in 2017 (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Stieber made the world team again in 2017 and was a member of the American squad that won it all. But the weight cut to 61 took too much of a toll on him. He fell short of medaling in Paris. Stieber moved back up to the Olympic weight class of 65 kilograms this season. "Ultimately, it was just too hard. It made my life miserable," he said of competing at 61. "My wrestling wasn't getting better. I didn't feel good and I didn't enjoy wrestling. Now I can focus on wrestling and enjoy life and live normally. "And I can lift weights now. I couldn't lift for a year and a half when I was wrestling at 61." Stieber earned a huge win at 65 kilos at April's World Cup in Iowa City. He scored a 6-3 win over three-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan as Carver-Hawkeye Arena fans stood and cheered. Logan Stieber defeated three-time world champion Haji Aliyev at the World Cup (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) "Aliyev is an awesome wrestler who has done well at numerous weight classes," Stieber said. "It's always good to have big wins over guys who are stars in your weight class." Stieber was then upset by Jaydin Eierman at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas before finishing third. But Stieber bounced back to sweep Eierman 10-5 and 7-1 to win the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament last month in Rochester, Minn. "I didn't finish a couple of my shots and I let him keep it close," Stieber said of the setback in Vegas. "The match in Rochester, I finished all of my attacks and my defense was better. I wrestled smarter and more controlled." The event in State College on Saturday is the second of three Final X events that will determine the 2018 U.S. world team in men's freestyle wrestling. Stieber watched online when the first Final X event was held this past Saturday in Lincoln, Neb. "I don't need much to get excited to wrestle, but it was inspiring to watch that," he said. "It definitely got me pumped up for this weekend." The first four spots on the 10-man U.S. team were determined in Lincoln. Olympic and world champions Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Snyder landed spots on the team along with world silver medalists Thomas Gilman and James Green. "We are going to have a really good world team again this year," Stieber said. "We have four really good guys on the team already and I'm excited to have an opportunity to be on there with them." Stieber has been a teammate in college and internationally with Snyder, a 22-year-old standout who is the youngest American to win the Olympics and World Championships in wrestling. Snyder won his second world title last year to lead the U.S. to the team title over Russia. "It's really special to see what Kyle is doing," Stieber said. "It's a luxury to have a guy like him training every day in the same room with us. His work ethic is extraordinary. It's motivating for everybody to see. It's great to look down there and see how hard he is pushing himself. It's impressive." Stieber benefited from a recent chance to train with former Buckeye assistant Lou Rosselli, now the head coach at Oklahoma. Rosselli is one of the country's top freestyle coaches. "Lou was in town, and he came in and we did a couple technique sessions and some conditioning," Stieber said. "We had a chance to work on some things he saw and get a different point of view." Stieber also works closely in freestyle with Buckeye assistant coach Tervel Dlagnev, a two-time Olympian. Logan Stieber with coaches Bill Zadick and Tervel Dlagnev (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) "Tervel is doing an awesome job," Stieber said. "I love his way of teaching. He's an athletes' coach and he's very well-liked around here." Stieber will compete Saturday on the campus of Penn State, a team Ohio State has battled for national supremacy in recent years at the collegiate level. "I think it will be a good atmosphere," he said. "I'm sure there will be a lot of people there." Stieber said he is eager for that first whistle to sound on Saturday. "I feel great," he said. "I'm ready to compete and I'm ready to roll. I can't wait to get out there." Craig Sesker has written about wrestling for more than three decades. He's covered three Olympic Games and is a two-time national wrestling writer of the year.

At the age of 27, Torivio Gallegos signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Eastern Oregon For many wrestlers, it's a rite of spring ... and a rite of passage: student-athletes signing a letter of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers in college. Most of these signees are fresh-faced teenagers. There are exceptions ... such as Torivio Gallegos, an alumnus of Fruitland High School in Idaho who this spring signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Eastern Oregon University at age 27 ... and was the subject of a feature this week in the Argus Observer. Over the years, InterMat has written about college wrestlers who don't fit into the traditional 18-22-year-old age group. Earlier this decade, we profiled Justin Decker, former University of Iowa wrestler who, as an assistant coach at Upper Iowa University, discovered he still had a year left on his college eligibility at age 33. Four years ago, we told you about Rick Chipman, the 44-year-old first responder/wrestling coach who decided to go back to college ... and get back to wrestling. Then there are the guys whose college wrestling careers were delayed by military service. Oklahoma Sooner superstar Dan Hodge was a married father of an infant son, approaching his 25th birthday, when he won his third NCAA title in 1957 ... because he had served in the U.S. Navy immediately after graduating from high school. Torivio Gallegos' situation is nothing like those described above ... because the 27-year-old who just signed that letter of intent has battled -- and seems to be beating -- a nearly decade-long addiction to opioids that resulted in multiple arrests, alienation from his family ... and, if that weren't enough, nearly cost him his marriage. For Gallegos, signing with Eastern Oregon was the next chapter in his redemption. This week, Gallegos' story was the subject of a 2,000-word feature article in the Argus Observer newspaper published Monday. Sportswriter Nick Steng tells the story of a high school wrestler who admits to being lazy in the classroom ... in the wrestling room ... and in competition. In his senior year at Fruitland High, Gallegos placed sixth in the IHSAA State Wrestling Tournament. "I was a natural athlete who didn't work hard," Gallegos told Steng. He had dabbled in drug use throughout his young life ... but, by age 19, started to be a steady user of opiates. Gallegos managed to go cold turkey and remain clean. He even helped coach a local wrestling team ... until he slipped a disk in wrestling practice. About this time, he also had oral surgery for which he was prescribed opiate painkillers. The addiction began again. His wife, unaware of his past battles, threatened to leave him. This time, Gallegos sought professional help. A local doctor gave him the expert guidance and counseling he needed to break this latest addiction. He also got the help of one of his middle school teachers who served as a mentor nearly a decade-and-a-half after being his instructor. Gallegos also found redemption in wrestling. He learned that Eastern Oregon University was bringing back its varsity wrestling program. "Wrestling has been the only thing that was always consistent with my life," Gallegos told the Argus Observer's Nick Steng. "I'm vulnerable in many areas. But wrestling is not one of those." Gallegos reached out to a friend who knew Eastern Oregon coach Dustyn Azure, who gave Gallegos a call. After listening to Gallegos' story, coach Azure told Gallegos he should come to the school for a tryout. Upon arriving on campus, Gallegos was met with a surprise. "Before we got in the wrestling room, he had the business director there and he wrote up the letter of intent right there," Gallegos said to Steng. "I don't get too excited about things. But, the thrill, it was like nothing I've ever felt before. I thought there was no way is this happening to me. It was beyond explanation." Coach Azure figured bringing Gallegos onto the team would help his recovery ... while he got a college education. As Azure told Steng, "Wrestlers are all goal-oriented and it's a sport that requires that discipline. And when you surround yourself with people like that it's just a good fit for him." "I don't believe you can just be defined by something in your past like that," Gallegos' college coach continued. "He's on the right path." Learn more about Torivio Gallegos' battles with opioid addiction -- and how his involvement in wrestling is helping him achieve a more productive life -- by reading Nick Steng's moving profile in the Argus Observer.

Adeline Gray cruised to a U.S. Open title in April (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) The second stage of Final X takes place this Saturday in State College, Pa. The card will determine several additional members of the 2018 U.S. World Team. Headlining the event are a pair of longtime rivals, Kyle Dake and David Taylor. This time, they will avoid each other and instead try to turn back a pair of hungry collegiate challengers. All bouts will be conducted as a best-of-three series. The following is a weight-by-weight preview of the event with predictions. 65 kilograms: Joey McKenna vs. Logan Stieber After transferring to Ohio State, McKenna became an All-American for the second time. The former Stanford wrestler made it to the semifinals before dropping a one-point bout against Bryce Meredith. McKenna ended up knocking off Jaydin Eierman in the third-place match. Prior to the NCAA season, McKenna represented the U.S. at the U23 World Championships. He lost his second match to the eventual champion. He qualified for the repechage and finished with a bronze medal. The Buckeye earned his spot in Final X by winning the U.S. Open. At the tournament, he won his first four matches via a combined score of 43-0 and then defeated Eierman in finals with a 7-3 score. Despite making the U.S. World Team last year, Stieber had to win the World Team Trials before earning his spot in Final X. He failed to medal at the 2017 World Championships. At this year's Open he fell victim to an upset in the quarterfinals. Stieber had an early lead on Eierman but ended up falling 6-5. The pair rematched in the best-of-three Trials final. This time, Stieber defeated Eierman in two-straight matches, 10-5 and 7-1. On the international circuit, Stieber had a slow start to the year. He went 1-2 at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in January and failed to place. Then, at the World Cup, Stieber won three out of four matches including a victory over three-time world champion Haji Aliyev. In his most recent international action, Stieber defeated three opponents via a 30-0 score to win a title at the Pan American Championships. McKenna is at his best when he is able to shut down his opponents and prevent them from scoring or scrambling. That is certainly a hard task against Stieber. On the other hand, Stieber's hyper offensive style does leave him open for counters. If McKenna is able to take advantage of those opportunities, he has a chance. However, at this point, Stieber should be able to break through with enough offense to take the series. Prediction: Stieber in 3 62 kilograms: Kayla Miracle vs. Mallory Velte Miracle earned her spot in Final X with a gold-medal performance at the U.S. Open. In the finals, she defeated Velte via a 3-0 score. Miracle began her year with a victory at the Klippan Open. There, she defeated world silver medalist Yulia Tkach (Ukraine). One month later, Miracle represented the U.S. at the World Cup. She went 2-2 in the tournament and picked up wins over Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Emily Schaefer (Canada) and Emma Johansson (Sweden). In her most recent action, Miracle picked up a bronze medal at the Pan American Championships Velte had a tough start to her year with an eighth-place finish at the Klippan Open. However, she had a much better showing at the World Cup. Velte went 3-1 in the dual tournament and defeated Asian champion Orkhon Purevdorj (Mongolia). After falling against Miracle at the Open, Velte needed to win the World Team Trials in order to qualify for Final X. After receiving a bye to the finals, she bested Brenda Reyna in a pair of matches with a combined 23-2 score. This match could easily turn into a defensive struggle. In their first match, only one takedown was scored, and the referee had to allow major continuation for it to happen. In theory Velte's status as a veteran could make the difference. However, Miracle's movement and footwork gives her an advantage in terms of passivity. In a match that could come down to shot-clock points, Miracle takes the edge. Prediction: Miracle in 3 72 kilograms: Erin Clodgo vs. Rachel Watters Clodgo was mostly out of action this year. She returned at the U.S. Open and earned a spot in Final X. Clodgo won her first three matches at the Open without giving up a point. In the finals, she edged Watters to win the bracket. Clodgo got out to a 6-4 lead early in the second period and held on for a 6-5 victory. After losing to Clodgo, Watters needed to win the World Team Trials in order to qualify for Final X. In the finals, she defeated Hannah Gladden in two-straight matches via 11-1 and 10-3 scores. Watters recently finished her sophomore year at Oklahoma City University. In her second year of college, she finished third at the WCWA championships while wrestling up at 170 pounds. While Watters is quickly rising up the ranks, Clodgo might still be too much of a challenge for her at this point. Their first match was close, but Clodgo showed that she has a strength and physicality advantage. If she scores a few takedowns early, she will be able to slow the match down and sit on a lead. Prediction: Clodgo in 2 79 kilograms: Kyle Dake vs. Zahid Valencia When UWW expanded the weight classes, wrestling fans in the U.S. immediately saw an opportunity for Dake to make his first senior-level world team. So far, he has looked like the man to beat at the new weight. The former Cornell wrestler began his year with a silver medal performance at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix. He won his first two bouts, including a victory over Junior world champion Alan Zassev (Russia), before falling against European champion Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (Russia) in the finals. Dake had a standout performance at the World Cup. He ran through his first three opponents, including world silver medalist Sohsuke Takatani (Japan), by a combined score of 31-0. In the final dual, Dake knocked off two-time world bronze medalist Yabrail Hasanov (Azerbaijan). To reach Final X, Dake won the U.S. Open. He ran through his first three opponents in only 3:57 and did not surrender a point. In the finals, Dake held on at the last minute to claim a 5-5 victory on criteria over Alex Dieringer. Valencia earned his spot in the World Team Trials challenge tournament via his NCAA title. In his sophomore season at Arizona State, he went undefeated and knocked off returning champion Mark Hall in the finals. At the Trials, he moved to the finals with a 10-0 victory over veteran Josh Asper. In the finals, he upset Dieringer in two-straight matches and only surrendered a single point. Valencia's last two major challenges, Hall and Dieringer, are both defensive stalwarts. However, Valencia has had the offensive skill, technique and persistence to score on the feet. Dake represents another strong defensive wrestler for the Arizona State wrestler. Unlike Hall and Dieringer, Dake the ability to turn his defense into offense. He can, and often does, score from counter positions. If Valencia constantly attacks, it could end up giving Dake more opportunities to score. Prediction: Dake in 3 76 kilograms: Adeline Gray vs. Korinahe Bullock Gray won back-to-back world championships in 2014 and 2015. She was the gold-medal favorite for the 2016 Olympics, but she unexpectedly finished seventh. Gray took most of 2017 off before returning in the fall. So far this year, she has won the Flatz Open, Klippan Open and the Pan American Championships. At the Klippan Open, she defeated 2017 world champion Yasar Adar (Turkey). To qualify for Final X, Gray won three straight matches at the U.S. Open. In the finals, she defeated Leilani Camargo-Naone via 11-0 technical fall. It is safe to say that nobody had Bullock making Final X when the series was first announced. She recently completed her freshman season at McKendree where she finished eighth at the WCWA championships and became an All-American for the first time. Bullock placed fourth at the Open after losing in the semifinals to Camargo-Naone. The result qualified her for the World Team Trials. At the Trials, she won a two-person tournament against Mariah Harris of Campbellsville. Gray remains one of the best wrestlers in the world at this weight. Bullock has made a surprising run to Final X, but her luck will run out in State College. Look for Gray to bully Bullock in the ties and get to her leg attacks whenever she wants. Prediction: Gray in 2 David Taylor celebrates after a victory at the Freestyle World Cup (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) 86 kilograms: David Taylor vs. Nick Reenan For two years now, Taylor has been on quite a run at 86 kilograms. Last year, he seemingly did everything until running into J'den Cox in the finals of the World Team Trials and failing to make the team. This year, he has won every event he has entered, and Cox will not be standing in his way. He began his year with a victory at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix. There, Taylor defeated Olympic silver medalist Selim Yasar (Turkey) and pinned 2018 European champion Artur Naifanov (Russia). A few months later, the former Penn State wrestler was back in action at the World Cup. He picked up four technical fall victories in the tournament with a combined score of 45-5. To make Final X, Taylor won the U.S. Open. He needed to go through one of the larger brackets and did so seemingly with ease. Taylor surrendered only two points in five matches and defeated Richard Perry in the finals. In his most recent action, he won a gold medal at the Pan American Championships where he picked up a second close victory over Cuban standout Yurieski Torreblanca Queralta. Reenan might be the biggest surprise of Final X on the men's side. This past season, he redshirted for North Carolina State after qualifying for the NCAA tournament as a freshman. Reenan needed to place at the U.S. Open in order to qualify for the World Team Trials. Things did not get off to a good start as he lost his first match to Perry. However, he won six straight matches in the consolation bracket, including wins over Pat Downey and T.J. Dudley, to finish third. At the Trials, Reenan reversed a previous loss against Joe Rau and then also got revenge against Perry in two straight matchers in the final. Taylor has been a man on mission recently. While Reenan scored a string of upsets to qualify, he is facing a different kind of test with Taylor. His top position scoring continues to improve at this stage in his career. If he ever ends up on top, he has a chance to finish the match. On top of that, Taylor will have the home-crowd advantage in this one. Prediction: Taylor in 2

Mark Manning and Bryan Snyder coaching Jordan Burroughs at the World Championships (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Nebraska Head Coach Mark Manning and Associate Head Coach Bryan Snyder have been named winners of the 2017 Terry McCann Freestyle Co-Coaches of the Year by USA Wrestling after guiding Jordan Burroughs to a world title and James Green to a world silver medal last year. In addition to their duties with the NU program, Manning and Snyder work together as coaches for the Nebraska Regional Training Center, where a number of top men's freestyle athletes train. The pair serve as the personal coaches of Burroughs , an Olympic gold medalist four-time world champion, and Green, a two-time world medalist. Burroughs and Green both retained their spots on the USA Wrestling World Team for the 2018 season by winning finals series at their respective weight classes at Final X at the Bob Devaney Sports Center last Saturday. The 2017 season was another remarkable campaign in the careers of Burroughs and Green, capped off by performances at the 2017 World Championships in Paris, France, where the pair helped the United States to its first team title since 1995. Burroughs won his fourth world championship in 2017, as he became the second American men's freestyle wrestler to win four world golds, following wins in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Burroughs also won Olympic gold in 2012, and he is tied for second in U.S. history with five combined World and Olympic titles. Green earned his best finish at the World Championships in 2017, as he earned the silver medal in Paris. He also earned a bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships. Both wrestlers won titles at the U.S. Open in 2017, as well as the Grand Prix of Spain. The two clinched their spots on the 2017 World Team by winning their weight classes at the World Team Trials held in Lincoln. Green also won a title at the 2017 Pan-American Championships. Manning earns the Terry McCann Award for a third time, to go along with previous awards in 2011 and 2015. Snyder earns the honor for the first time, and 2017 marks the first year that USA Wrestling has honored two coaches with the award since it was initiated in 1992. Manning recently completed his 18th season at the helm of the Nebraska program after leading the Huskers to a ninth-place finish with three All-America honors at the 2018 NCAA Championships. Snyder, a four-time All-American at NU, wrapped up his eighth year on the Husker staff in 2017-18. Manning and Snyder have guided Burroughs and Green to notable wins so far in 2018. In addition to their wins at Final X, Green won the 70 kg title at the Pan-American Championships for the second year in a row, while Burroughs defeated the 2017 world champion at 70 kg Frank Chamizo of Italy, in a Super Match contested at 74 kg at Beat the Streets New York. The 2018 Freestyle World Championships are set for Oct. 20-28 in Budapest, Hungary, where Burroughs will look to defend his title and Green will look to claim world gold for the first time. This award is named after the late wrestling legend Terry McCann, a 1960 Olympic champion wrestler. McCann was a long-time coach with the successful Mayor Daley Youth Foundation club, which won numerous national titles in freestyle and Greco-Roman and produced champion athletes for the United States. McCann also served as USA Wrestling President and a United World Wrestling Bureau member. Past Terry McCann Award Winners as Freestyle Coach of the Year 2017 - Mark Manning, Lincoln, Neb., Nebraska RTC and Bryan Snyder, Lincoln, Neb., Nebraska RTC (co-winners) 2016 - Lou Rosselli, Norman, Okla., New York AC 2015 - Mark Manning, Lincoln, Neb., Nebraska RTC 2014 - Terry Brands, Iowa City, Iowa, Hawkeye WC 2013 - Lou Rosselli, Columbus, Ohio, New York AC 2012 - Cael Sanderson, State College, Pa., Nittany Lion WC 2011 - Mark Manning, Lincoln, Neb., Sunkist Kids 2010 - Sean Bormet, Naperville, Ill., New York AC 2009 - John Smith, Stillwater, Okla., Gator WC 2008 - Sean Bormet, Naperville, Ill., New York AC 2007 - Lou Rosselli, Columbus, Ohio, New York AC 2006 - Sean Bormet, Naperville, Ill., New York AC 2005 - Mike Duroe, Iowa City, Iowa, Hawkeye TC 2004 - Bobby Douglas, Ames, Iowa, Sunkist Kids 2003 - Tom Brands, Iowa City, Iowa, Hawkeye WC 2002 - Tom Brands, Iowa City, Iowa, Hawkeye WC 2001 - Zeke Jones, Morgantown, W.Va., Sunkist Kids 2000 - John Smith, Stillwater, Okla., Sunkist Kids 1999 - Greg Strobel, Bethlehem, Pa., New York Athletic Club 1998 - John Smith, Stillwater, Okla., Sunkist Kids 1997 - Greg Strobel, Bethlehem, Pa., New York Athletic Club 1996 - Bruce Burnett, Colorado Springs, Colo., National Freestyle Coach 1995 - Bruce Burnett, Colorado Springs, Colo., National Freestyle Coach 1994 - Gene Davis, Colorado Springs, Colo., Athletes In Action 1993 - Joe Seay, Oklahoma City, Okla., Sunkist Kids 1992 - Bobby Douglas, Ames, Iowa, Sunkist Kids

Kyle Dake is a -350 favorite against Zahid Valencia (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) Betting odds for Final X in State College (Pa.) have been released by BetDSI. The event takes place Saturday at 6 p.m. ET at Rec Hall on the campus of Penn State. To register for an online account and bet online, visit BetDSI.com. How betting works: If betting on a wrestler listed with a minus (-) sign, you must risk that number amount to profit $100 (and get your stake back). For example, risking $350 on Kyle Dake (-350-) would profit $100. If betting on a wrestler listed with a plus (+) sign, for every $100 you risk, you profit that amount. For example, risking $100 on Mallory Velte (+110) would profit $110. When betting matches with point spreads -- like Logan Stieber (-2) vs. Joey McKenna (+2), a minus (-) sign indicates the favorite, while a plus (+) sign indicates the underdog. Note: Betting odds are subject to change.

Jason Blair Roberts, founder of an anti-gun violence group in the Quad Cities and son of African-American wrestling pioneer Simon Roberts, was shot to death early Saturday morning in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa. Jason Blair Roberts was 46. Roberts was shot at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday morning just west of downtown Davenport. First responders took him to a nearby hospital where he died. Jason Blair RobertsJason Blair Roberts was a founder of "Boots on the Ground" a grassroots organization established to end gun violence in the Quad Cities, a metropolitan area consisting of a number of communities on either side of the Mississippi River including Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline and Rock Island, Illinois. The Roberts family issued this statement: "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the senseless murder of our sweet Jason Blair. Jason was a loving son, brother, husband, uncle and friend. Most importantly he was a father to four beautiful young ladies who will miss him dearly. We ask that the media respect our privacy at this time. Our family and friends need this time to both grieve and celebrate his life. Please remember that Jason was a caring and peaceful man. He would expect us to be compassionate toward one another at this time, despite our pain." Others who knew Jason Roberts expressed their reaction to Roberts' murder. "It's just a shock because he wasn't involved in the street life or a gang," Dwayne Hodges, a longtime friend who played sports and attended Davenport Central High School with Roberts in the late 1980s, told the Quad-City Times. "I don't know one person who would have a bad word to say about him; he was a devoted community person." "It's sad that somebody in the community would take this man away from his family and everyone that loved him," he continued. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact he's no longer here." The Rev. Daniel Teague, a leader within the Boots on the Ground organization and cousin to the now-deceased man, told WQAD-TV, the ABC affiliate in the Quad Cities, "That was a good man. He wouldn't hurt a fly. No one deserves to die in the streets like that." Some in the family believe that someone within the community knows who the killer is and should come forth with that information. "My prayer right now is that loyalty he showed friends in life, that they show him in death and help bring closure to this situation we're in right now," said Teague. No suspects have been caught as of Tuesday afternoon. Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to arrest of the person or people responsible for the Jason Roberts homicide. Jason Blair Roberts earned an associate degree in liberal arts from Black Hawk College in Moline and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of New Mexico, according to his LinkedIn profile. He had worked at Progressive Insurance since 2000. The murder victim's father, Simon Roberts, was a groundbreaking individual within the sport of wrestling. Si Roberts, who wrestled at what is now Davenport Central High School, was the first black wrestler to win an Iowa state title in 1954. Three years later, the elder Roberts made history again, as the first African-American to win a national mat championship at the 1957 NCAAs, wrestling for the University of Iowa. Si Roberts later became the first wrestling coach of color in the Quad Cities at Alleman Catholic High School. He was a noted civil rights leader within the Quad Cities area who now lives in Kansas City, Mo. In addition to his father and mother Betty, Jason Blair Roberts is survived by his wife Yolanda French, daughters Jalynn Rose, Olivia Jae, Kashé and Déja Robinson; sisters Paula McDowell of Kansas City, Dori (Byron) Canady of Santa Rosa, CA, Melanie “Missy” Roberts of Kansas City, Jodi (Maurice) Brown of Indianapolis and Kristen Roberts of Davenport; his brothers Anthony (Robin) Roberts of Davenport, Patrick (Aimee) Roberts of Moline and Bradley Roberts of St. Louis; numerous nieces and nephews; aunts, uncles and extended family. UPDATE: Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 15, 2018 at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main Street, downtown Davenport. Burial will be in Oakdale Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Buena Vista University (BVU) Director of Athletics, Jack Denholm, has announced the hiring of Mark Rial, as the University's next head wrestling coach, pending the completion of a standard background check. Rial has been employed by Royal Flooring in Urbandale, Iowa, since 2017 where he works with builders and home owners on new construction and retail projects from start to finish. In addition to those duties, he has remained closely involved with the sport of wrestling and is gearing up to take the U.S. Greco-Roman Cadet Team to Zagreb, Croatia in July after being named as a co-coach of the team earlier this year. He was named the Iowa USA Person of the Year in 2017. Mark Rial"I'm very excited to become the next head wrestling coach at Buena Vista University," says Rial. "I met a lot of great people during my time on campus for the interview process which makes it even more exciting. There are a lot of great things going on both on campus and within the wrestling program that makes it an attractive place to be. I feel very motivated to lead and to carry on the tradition of BVU wrestling, and with such passionate alumni here, it makes it even more exciting." From 2010-17, Rial was an assistant coach at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge where he was also heavily involved with recruiting. During his tenure with the Tritons program, he was part of a pair of NJCAA National Championship finishes. Prior to joining the ICCC staff, he served as the wrestling strength and conditioning coach at the University of Northern Iowa from 2008-10, where he assisted with the development and goals of Division I athletes. Rial was a three-time letter winner and a co-captain in wrestling at UNI where he became an NCAA qualifier as a senior in 2001. Following graduation, he was part of USA Wrestling from 2002-08 and he went on to become a national champion in 2008. He was a five-time National Greco Roman All-American and a three-time University Nationals All-American. He placed sixth at the Olympic Trials in 2004. "We are thrilled to announce Mark Rial as the new head wrestling coach at Buena Vista University," says Denholm. "His wrestling background is very impressive and he is motivated to create a successful program here. All of his valuable experience and leadership skills will give him the tools to make an impact." A native of Fort Dodge, Rial was a two-time state champion for the Dodgers. He was a four-time state qualifier and a three-time state finalist, earning individual titles in both 1994 and 1996 while finishing as a runner-up in 1995. He also earned both the Henry W. Schultz and Kevin Lind Scholarship awards. "The sport of wrestling is a demanding one, but not to be lost is also the demand of being a student-athlete," adds Rial. "It takes some adjusting to find that balance, but I'm ready to get here, work extremely hard and show lots of passion for the program and to get it back to the high level. There is so much upside in place and I'm looking forward to the challenge and am extremely confident we can get there." Rial has also volunteered some of his free time serving as a referee and timekeeper at several youth wrestling tournaments over the years and also serving as a guest speaker on both sports and athletics at various local elementary and high schools. Rial graduated from UNI with a Bachelor of Arts degree in general studies in 2001.