Great job by Shepherd! Was down 6-2 but runs Dekraker down with 2 tds to win 6-6 on criteria!
'26 USA U20 World Team Trials, 5/29, thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
Clinton Shepherd vs. Tyler Dekraker, 65kg final for the right to face Bo Bassett
Alright finally watching this one. But the scoreboard nor the clock is working. And the audio is lagging. This is fun! What I'm sure of is Dekraker leads 6-2 after one.
The second period is underway. Shepherd is in on a deep shot but Dekraker somehow fends it off. It's still 6-2 Dekraker at the 2:02 mark as they start fresh in neutral. Shepherd is in on another double and finishes this one to make it 6-4 with 1:35 to go. Stalemate now at 1:34. It's still 6-4 Dekraker with a minute left to wrestle. Stalemate at :39. Shepherd shoots on a low single and tries to come around and certainly does for 6-6 tie and leads on criteria with 20 seconds left. Dekraker looks tired and is very slow to head back to the center of the mat. Shepherd wins.
Shepherd d Dekraker 6-6 (criteria: last score)
Alright finally watching this one. But the scoreboard nor the clock is working. And the audio is lagging. This is fun! What I'm sure of is Dekraker leads 6-2 after one.
The second period is underway. Shepherd is in on a deep shot but Dekraker somehow fends it off. It's still 6-2 Dekraker at the 2:02 mark as they start fresh in neutral. Shepherd is in on another double and finishes this one to make it 6-4 with 1:35 to go. Stalemate now at 1:34. It's still 6-4 Dekraker with a minute left to wrestle. Stalemate at :39. Shepherd shoots on a low single and tries to come around and certainly does for 6-6 tie and leads on criteria with 20 seconds left. Dekraker looks tired and is very slow to head back to the center of the mat. Shepherd wins.
Shepherd d Dekraker 6-6 (criteria: last score)
Cam Howard giving NCAA qualifier Will Denny a tough match. Denny leads 12-8 in the second. Howard was up 7-3 at the break
Lockett vs Routledge up on mat 4. Battle of OkSt wrestlers.
Routledge leads 1-0 at the break off a stepout point
Lockett wins 4-1. Will have Jayden James in the best of 3 final. Definitely my favorite matchup of the tournament. I think James wins and probably 2 straight. Lockett is great at freestyle though. Trying to make his 3rd straight U20 team and was world silver 2 years ago. Was 5th last year
Routledge leads 1-0 at the break off a stepout point
Lockett wins 4-1. Will have Jayden James in the best of 3 final. Definitely my favorite matchup of the tournament. I think James wins and probably 2 straight. Lockett is great at freestyle though. Trying to make his 3rd straight U20 team and was world silver 2 years ago. Was 5th last year
Last edited:
Full Penn State results so far
57kg:Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Dale O'Bila, NJRTC (1:56)
QF: Win by decision, 10-6, over Henry Aslikyan, Cliff Keen Wrestling
SF: Win by decision, 6-1, over Paul Kenny, Hawkeye RTC
F: Win by decision, 3-2, over Ronnie Ramirez, Oklahoma State
Challenge tournament champion. Will face Isaiah Cortez of Illinois in the finals
65kg
Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy
32)QF: Lost by decision, 14-8, to Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit
CR2: Win by technical fall, 12-2, over Maximus Brady, Panther Wrestling Club (5:16)
CRQF: Win by technical fall, 13-2, over Dawson Youngblut (2:41)
CRSF: vs. Arseni Kikiniou, Poway Wrestling
Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: Win by decision, 14-8, over Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee
SF: Win by decision, 12-7, over Kellen Wolbert, Askren Wrestling Academy
F: Win by decision 6-6 over Tyler Dekraker of Minnesota
Challenge champion. Faces Bo Bassett in the finals.
79kg
Asher Cunningham
R1: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (3:45)
QF: Lost by decision, 13-7, to Sullivan Ramos, Ranger Wrestling Club
CR2: Medical forfeit
Tournament over
I’m not sure if there is a minimum age. Google says that Ariah is 17 though so he’s old for his grade. There are a number of U17 guys in the tournament including Cam Howard and Kikiniou
Challenge tournament recap:
Three Penn State wrestlers must win a best-of-three series later today to make the U20 Team USA for this year's World Championships.
Penn State Class of 2027 signees Grey Burnett and Clinton Shepherd won the 57 and 65 kilogram challenge tournaments, respectively, on Friday afternoon.
Burnett beat second-year Oklahoma State wrestler Ronnie Ramirez 13-7 to set up a date with Illinois' Isaiah Cortez. Future classmate Clinton Shepherd, meanwhile, beat Minnesota 2026 signee Tyler Dekraker 6-6 on criteria, as he scored a late second period takedown to even the score and won because of it. He will face 2026 Virginia Tech signee Bo Bassett.
Last but not least, Jayden James, the Penn State Class of 2026 signee who was sitting in the 74-kilogram finals, will face Dee Lockett of Oklahoma State.
Beyond those three, two other Lions are in Ohio. Redshirt freshman Asher Cunningham medically forfeited out of the tournament after appearing to hurt his midsection during a quarterfinal round loss at 79 kilograms. Class of 2026 signee Sam Herring, then, is alive still in the consolation bracket and must win two more matches to finish third at 65 kilograms.
Three Penn State wrestlers must win a best-of-three series later today to make the U20 Team USA for this year's World Championships.
Penn State Class of 2027 signees Grey Burnett and Clinton Shepherd won the 57 and 65 kilogram challenge tournaments, respectively, on Friday afternoon.
Burnett beat second-year Oklahoma State wrestler Ronnie Ramirez 13-7 to set up a date with Illinois' Isaiah Cortez. Future classmate Clinton Shepherd, meanwhile, beat Minnesota 2026 signee Tyler Dekraker 6-6 on criteria, as he scored a late second period takedown to even the score and won because of it. He will face 2026 Virginia Tech signee Bo Bassett.
Last but not least, Jayden James, the Penn State Class of 2026 signee who was sitting in the 74-kilogram finals, will face Dee Lockett of Oklahoma State.
Beyond those three, two other Lions are in Ohio. Redshirt freshman Asher Cunningham medically forfeited out of the tournament after appearing to hurt his midsection during a quarterfinal round loss at 79 kilograms. Class of 2026 signee Sam Herring, then, is alive still in the consolation bracket and must win two more matches to finish third at 65 kilograms.
Saw a USA Wrestling article listing his birthday as September 10th of 2009. He's a class of 2029 recruiting so he's gonna be a few weeks younger than basset was for his grade. He's gonna turn 19 September of his senior year. Which, depending on 5 for 5 eligibility rules could see him reclass to his proper class of 2028 or who knows. Crazy.
Herring lost in the consolation semifinals and his tournaments over.
Once upon a time, Spencer Lee lost Cadet (now U17) trials to Fix, then won JR (now U20) trials and Worlds.
@Lil Nicky Scarfo Not **THAT** Spencer Lee.
Hey Greg, just pointing out this is incorrect. You have it correct in your results post. It should be 3-2 Grey.
I’ve heard that the Russians are calling the younger Spencer Lee “mini-Saitiev”. They’ve never seen anyone like him
Shh!! Spyker's hype train is gonna reach shinkansen speeds before the kid enrolls in 9th grade.
all times Eastern
Friday, May 29
10:00 AM - 2:15 PM: U23 Greco - Prelims, Quarters, Semis & Consis
10:00 AM - 2:30 PM: U20 Freestyle WTT - Prelims, Quarters, Semis & Consis & Challenge Tourney Finals
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: U23 Greco - Medal Bouts & 2 out of 3 Finals
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: U20 Freestyle WTT - Medal Bouts & 2 out of 3 Finals
Saturday, May 30
9:30 AM - 2:30 PM: U23 Free - Prelims & Consis
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM: U23 Free - Prelims & Consis
Sunday, May 31
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM: U23 Free - Quarters, Semis, Consis, Medal Bouts & 2 out of 3 Finals
Please read the stories. It's always in there. In multiple places. And it helps support us doing event coverage like this. Thanks!
No joking around here. Two mats going for round one. Then one mat for rounds 2 and 3 if neccessary.
Here we go. Burnett in blue
This is a rematch of the US open final which Cortez won in a tight match
Cortez gets the first point on a shot clock. 1-0. Then Cortez hits a nice double and gets 2. 3-0
3-0 at the break. No committed attacks from Burnett
Burnett in deep on a reattack. Cortez defending hard and wrestles back in and gets 1 on a step out. Good attack but better defense 4-0
Burnett taking injury time holding his shoulder. Never a good place to get injured. He’s ok though. Back to action
Burnett upping his fakes and movement. Gets in again but Cortez fights out. Now Burnett defending with a whizzer. Stalemate
:45 to go
Burnett in on a high crotch but Cortez kicks out. Cortez attacks and gets a stepout. 5-0
Burnett gets 1 on the edge. 5-1
it ends 5-1 for Cortez. Burnett got in deep on a bunch of shots but couldn’t finish. I think he can change the outcome for match 2
This is a rematch of the US open final which Cortez won in a tight match
Cortez gets the first point on a shot clock. 1-0. Then Cortez hits a nice double and gets 2. 3-0
3-0 at the break. No committed attacks from Burnett
Burnett in deep on a reattack. Cortez defending hard and wrestles back in and gets 1 on a step out. Good attack but better defense 4-0
Burnett taking injury time holding his shoulder. Never a good place to get injured. He’s ok though. Back to action
Burnett upping his fakes and movement. Gets in again but Cortez fights out. Now Burnett defending with a whizzer. Stalemate
:45 to go
Burnett in on a high crotch but Cortez kicks out. Cortez attacks and gets a stepout. 5-0
Burnett gets 1 on the edge. 5-1
it ends 5-1 for Cortez. Burnett got in deep on a bunch of shots but couldn’t finish. I think he can change the outcome for match 2
Last edited:
Shepherd vs Bassett
Sheppers gets two quick exposure then another quick two for a fast 4-0 lead. He had a lace potentially but no dice. Bassett shoots of the restart and quickly scores to cut the lead to 4-2 before a stalemate is called. Shepherd shoots and Bassett blocks it off with a front headlock. They break apart and Shepherd is back on Bassett's legs and then a stalemate is called. Shepherd shoots and Bassett counters with a takedown that he turns into 2 and 2 for a 6-4 lead with 3:50 left in the period. Shepherd back in on the leg and Baskett dives back in and gets four and locks up a cradle and decks Shepherd in 2:40.
Basset F Sheperd to lead 1-0. He scored 10 unanswered before the fall.
Sheppers gets two quick exposure then another quick two for a fast 4-0 lead. He had a lace potentially but no dice. Bassett shoots of the restart and quickly scores to cut the lead to 4-2 before a stalemate is called. Shepherd shoots and Bassett blocks it off with a front headlock. They break apart and Shepherd is back on Bassett's legs and then a stalemate is called. Shepherd shoots and Bassett counters with a takedown that he turns into 2 and 2 for a 6-4 lead with 3:50 left in the period. Shepherd back in on the leg and Baskett dives back in and gets four and locks up a cradle and decks Shepherd in 2:40.
Basset F Sheperd to lead 1-0. He scored 10 unanswered before the fall.
Jayden James vs. Ladarion Lockett
Jayden James shoots in on a counter and takes Lockett down for a 2-0 lead before a stalemate is called. Both wrestlers are warned for passivity at the 3:53 mark of the match. James throws Lockett by on a shot attempt as they continue to stay neutral. That's how the first period will end.
James 2-0 lead after one
Jayden James shoots in on a counter and takes Lockett down for a 2-0 lead before a stalemate is called. Both wrestlers are warned for passivity at the 3:53 mark of the match. James throws Lockett by on a shot attempt as they continue to stay neutral. That's how the first period will end.
James 2-0 lead after one
Jayden James vs. Ladarion Lockett
Jayden James shoots in on a counter and takes Lockett down for a 2-0 lead before a stalemate is called. Both wrestlers are warned for passivity at the 3:53 mark of the match. James throws Lockett by on a shot attempt as they continue to stay neutral. That's how the first period will end.
James 2-0 lead after one
The second is underway. Lockett gets a caution for slapping James, though James didn't seem to think it was intentional. Lockett ducks under and tries to get james into a takedown position and he does to tie the match at 2-2. Lockett ends up rolling him for four exposure points and a 4-2 lead and James gets an escape to make it 4-3 as they go off the edge. There is 1:43 left to wrestle. James shoots at 1:10 and Lockett gets a front headlock but James comes around near the edge for two and retakes the lead 5-4. There are 51 seconds left as they restart. James nicely fends off a Lockett shot at :30. He's now on a lwo single gets the other ankle but Lockett still has his as they scramble around. Stalemate at :06 with James leading 5-4. No more scoring.
James d Lockett 5-4 to take a 1-0 lead in their 74kg final
Jayden James shoots in on a counter and takes Lockett down for a 2-0 lead before a stalemate is called. Both wrestlers are warned for passivity at the 3:53 mark of the match. James throws Lockett by on a shot attempt as they continue to stay neutral. That's how the first period will end.
James 2-0 lead after one
The second is underway. Lockett gets a caution for slapping James, though James didn't seem to think it was intentional. Lockett ducks under and tries to get james into a takedown position and he does to tie the match at 2-2. Lockett ends up rolling him for four exposure points and a 4-2 lead and James gets an escape to make it 4-3 as they go off the edge. There is 1:43 left to wrestle. James shoots at 1:10 and Lockett gets a front headlock but James comes around near the edge for two and retakes the lead 5-4. There are 51 seconds left as they restart. James nicely fends off a Lockett shot at :30. He's now on a lwo single gets the other ankle but Lockett still has his as they scramble around. Stalemate at :06 with James leading 5-4. No more scoring.
James d Lockett 5-4 to take a 1-0 lead in their 74kg final
What a match!! James scores with a minute left to win 5-4!!
James has gotten so much bigger and stronger since their match last year. Lockett was able to shoot his blast double and blow through James last year but this time James was able to catch him and bring him up with his underhook. James showed great head hands defense the whole match
James has gotten so much bigger and stronger since their match last year. Lockett was able to shoot his blast double and blow through James last year but this time James was able to catch him and bring him up with his underhook. James showed great head hands defense the whole match
Last edited:
Robideau beats Miller 5-0. Robideau just physically dominated Miller. He continued to take space and hand fight super hard. Miller kept trying to create space but Robideau gave him none. Miller is going to need a very different approach in match 2
Full Penn State results so far
57kg:
Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Dale O'Bila, NJRTC (1:56)
QF: Win by decision, 10-6, over Henry Aslikyan, Cliff Keen Wrestling
SF: Win by decision, 6-1, over Paul Kenny, Hawkeye RTC
F: Win by decision, 3-2, over Ronnie Ramirez, Oklahoma State
Challenge tournament champion. Will face Isaiah Cortez of Illinois in the finals
Best of three finals
R1: Lost by decision, 5-1, to Isaiah Cortez of Illinois
R2:
65kg
Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy32)
QF: Lost by decision, 14-8, to Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit
CR2: Win by technical fall, 12-2, over Maximus Brady, Panther Wrestling Club (5:16)
CRQF: Win by technical fall, 13-2, over Dawson Youngblut (2:41)
CRSF: Lost by decision, 6-2, to Arseni Kikiniou, Poway Wrestling
Tournament over
Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: Win by decision, 14-8, over Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee
SF: Win by decision, 12-7, over Kellen Wolbert, Askren Wrestling Academy
F: Win by decision 6-6 over Tyler Dekraker of Minnesota
Challenge champion. Faces Bo Bassett in the finals.
Best of three finals
R1: Lost by fall to Bo Bassett in 2:40
R2:
74kg
Jayden James
Best of three finals
R1: Won by decision over Dee Lockett of Oklahoma State, 5-4
R2:
79kg
Asher Cunningham
R1: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (3:45)
QF: Lost by decision, 13-7, to Sullivan Ramos, Ranger Wrestling Club
CR2: Medical forfeit
Tournament over
57kg:
Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Dale O'Bila, NJRTC (1:56)
QF: Win by decision, 10-6, over Henry Aslikyan, Cliff Keen Wrestling
SF: Win by decision, 6-1, over Paul Kenny, Hawkeye RTC
F: Win by decision, 3-2, over Ronnie Ramirez, Oklahoma State
Challenge tournament champion. Will face Isaiah Cortez of Illinois in the finals
Best of three finals
R1: Lost by decision, 5-1, to Isaiah Cortez of Illinois
R2:
65kg
Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy
32)QF: Lost by decision, 14-8, to Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit
CR2: Win by technical fall, 12-2, over Maximus Brady, Panther Wrestling Club (5:16)
CRQF: Win by technical fall, 13-2, over Dawson Youngblut (2:41)
CRSF: Lost by decision, 6-2, to Arseni Kikiniou, Poway Wrestling
Tournament over
Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: Win by decision, 14-8, over Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee
SF: Win by decision, 12-7, over Kellen Wolbert, Askren Wrestling Academy
F: Win by decision 6-6 over Tyler Dekraker of Minnesota
Challenge champion. Faces Bo Bassett in the finals.
Best of three finals
R1: Lost by fall to Bo Bassett in 2:40
R2:
74kg
Jayden James
Best of three finals
R1: Won by decision over Dee Lockett of Oklahoma State, 5-4
R2:
79kg
Asher Cunningham
R1: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (3:45)
QF: Lost by decision, 13-7, to Sullivan Ramos, Ranger Wrestling Club
CR2: Medical forfeit
Tournament over
Shepherd looked good for 2 minutes. Unfortunately that isn’t enough against Bassett. He got in deep over and over. If he can finish quickly he has the ability to score. Holding off Bo for 6 minutes is a huge task though
Shepherd/Bassett will be the first second round match on mat 3. It's now on deck. Not sure how much of a break they are giving these guys, though. As I post this, that match has been over for about 25 minutes.
Yes, and especially so given the age difference. Tough ask. Good start, but it'll take more than that to force a third round, of course.
Wow ! James is Only Gonna Get Better. Could very well end Up the Best Ever at PSU and that’s a mouthful.
Full round one results
57kg: Cortez d Burnett
61kg: Seidel TF Cortez
65kg: Bassett F Shepherd
70kg: Robideua d Miller
74kg: James d Lockett
79kg: Burton d Jeter
86kg: Sinclar d. Mantanona
92kg: Matsny F Tompkins
97kg: Boyle TF Kawczynski
125kg: Merrill TF Ross (11-0, it was impressive)
57kg: Cortez d Burnett
61kg: Seidel TF Cortez
65kg: Bassett F Shepherd
70kg: Robideua d Miller
74kg: James d Lockett
79kg: Burton d Jeter
86kg: Sinclar d. Mantanona
92kg: Matsny F Tompkins
97kg: Boyle TF Kawczynski
125kg: Merrill TF Ross (11-0, it was impressive)
Last edited:
Merrill takes the first match by tech 11-0 over Ross. Was up 3-0 but got a td and 3 laces to end it
Guess it would be too much trouble for the FLO guys to share what the timeline is here for the start of Round 2.
Burnett vs Cortez match 2
Cortez with a quick double for 2. 2-0
Cortez with a beautiful low double and right to a lace! 6-0. That was a quick shot
Cortez counters a shot for 2 and gets a turn for the 10-0 tech. Wow. Cortez looked great
Good tournament for Burnett. He beat a lot of tough kids in the challenge tournament. He is still super young. Just a first year U20 who has another year of high school
Cortez with a quick double for 2. 2-0
Cortez with a beautiful low double and right to a lace! 6-0. That was a quick shot
Cortez counters a shot for 2 and gets a turn for the 10-0 tech. Wow. Cortez looked great
Good tournament for Burnett. He beat a lot of tough kids in the challenge tournament. He is still super young. Just a first year U20 who has another year of high school
R2: Cortez and Burnett.
Cortez is in on a lightning-quick inside single and gets a takedown for a 2-0 lead. Cortez is back in on a takedown for a 4-0 lead. Lace to 6-0. Restart at 4:15. Cortez fends off a Burnet single for a takedown and 8-0 lead, gets a turn, and that's it.
Cortez TF Burnett 10-0 in 2:12. Cortez will represent Team USA at U20 Worlds at 57 kilograms.
Cortez is in on a lightning-quick inside single and gets a takedown for a 2-0 lead. Cortez is back in on a takedown for a 4-0 lead. Lace to 6-0. Restart at 4:15. Cortez fends off a Burnet single for a takedown and 8-0 lead, gets a turn, and that's it.
Cortez TF Burnett 10-0 in 2:12. Cortez will represent Team USA at U20 Worlds at 57 kilograms.