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'26 USA U23 Nationals, 5/29-31, thread

Tom McAndrew

Tom McAndrew

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The 2026 USA U23 Nationals are taking place on May 29 through May 31, at Spire Academy, in Geneva, OH.

U23 Greco-Roman competition takes place on 5/29

U23 Freestyle preliminaries & consolation take place on 5/30, while the quarters, semis, consolation, medal matches, and best 2-out-of-3 finals on 5/31.

Please use this thread for all pre-tournament, in-tournament, and post-tournament discussion.
 
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Acacia

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Psalm 1 guy said:
My understanding from a mistake I made regarding this exact question last year is no, he can't.
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I may be confused but I thought the top3 who made the Senior team (and age eligible) could bump the U23 trials champ. Blaze took 3rd last year at 65kg and then wrestled at U23s.
 
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Acacia

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Busch lists 440entrants for U23s. I only see 2 prior All Americans Nico Ruiz and Hunter Garvin.

Basch … damn auto correct
 
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Psalm 1 guy

Psalm 1 guy

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CarolinaFan1 said:
I would have thought yes unless he is under the minimum age requirement. What is the reason he can’t be the rep?
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This is what is noted for U23 in the below-linked USA Wrestling document: "World team selection: (Listed in rank order for selection) 1. The highest ranked, age eligible, athlete from 2026 Senior Men’s Freestyle National Team (top 3) 1. Final X winner, Final X runner-up and 3rd overall senior athlete via the 2026 Senior Men’s Freestyle World Team Trials. 2. Deadline for this athlete to accept the position will be Monday, June 29th, 2026 @ 5:00pm Mountain Time 1. Confirmation sent to Joe Russell via email [email protected] 2. Fourth (4th) ranked, age eligible, athlete from the 2026 Men’s Freestyle World Team selection. 3. National team coaches will make a recommendation to the Men’s Freestyle Sport Committee for final approval."

If my reading is correct, then U20 placement is not a selection criteria, but Senior placement is. If none of the Senior-qualified wrestlers take the slot, then the U23 champion gets it. The selection criteria is complicated, but hopefully my interpretation is correct : )

 
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Acacia

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So potential top 3 Senior World Team age eligible to bump U23...

57KG Luke Lilledahl / Anthony Knox (Spencer Lee too old)
61KG Jax Forrest / Marcus Blaze / Ben Davino
65KG Bo Bassett ( Woods or Bartlett too old)
70KG Robideau or Henson (Retherford or Lovett too old)
74KG Jayden James (Carr or Green too old)
79KG Levi Haines (Marsteller or Wick/Kennedy too old)
86KG Aeoden Sinclair (Dake or Valencia to old)
92KG Seth Shumate (unsure of age) (Machchiavello or Hidlay too old)
97KG Kyle Snyder / Buchanan / Zillmer / Aiello --- all too old
125KG Coby Merrill or Isaac Trumble (Hendrickson or Parris too old)
 
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CarolinaFan1

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Psalm 1 guy said:
This is what is noted for U23 in the below-linked USA Wrestling document: "World team selection: (Listed in rank order for selection) 1. The highest ranked, age eligible, athlete from 2026 Senior Men’s Freestyle National Team (top 3) 1. Final X winner, Final X runner-up and 3rd overall senior athlete via the 2026 Senior Men’s Freestyle World Team Trials. 2. Deadline for this athlete to accept the position will be Monday, June 29th, 2026 @ 5:00pm Mountain Time 1. Confirmation sent to Joe Russell via email [email protected] 2. Fourth (4th) ranked, age eligible, athlete from the 2026 Men’s Freestyle World Team selection. 3. National team coaches will make a recommendation to the Men’s Freestyle Sport Committee for final approval."

If my reading is correct, then U20 placement is not a selection criteria, but Senior placement is. If none of the Senior-qualified wrestlers take the slot, then the U23 champion gets it. The selection criteria is complicated, but hopefully my interpretation is correct : )

Click to expand...

So my reading is Jayden placed 3rd overall at Senior World Team Trials last week (no need for true third since he beat third place finisher Joe Sealey). The Final X participants are both ineligible due to being over age limit so by criteria, Jayden gets the spot if he wants it.
 
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CarolinaFan1

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Acacia said:
So potential top 3 Senior World Team age eligible to bump U23...

57KG Luke Lilledahl / Anthony Knox (Spencer Lee too old)
61KG Jax Forrest / Marcus Blaze / Ben Davino
65KG Bo Bassett ( Woods or Bartlett too old)
70KG Robideau or Henson (Retherford or Lovett too old)
74KG Jayden James (Carr or Green too old)
79KG Levi Haines (Marsteller or Wick/Kennedy too old)
86KG Aeoden Sinclair (Dake or Valencia to old)
92KG Seth Shumate (unsure of age) (Machchiavello or Hidlay too old)
97KG Kyle Snyder / Buchanan / Zillmer / Aiello --- all too old
125KG Coby Merrill or Isaac Trumble (Hendrickson or Parris too old)
Click to expand...

This is my list as well.
 
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Psalm 1 guy

Psalm 1 guy

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CarolinaFan1 said:
So my reading is Jayden placed 3rd overall at Senior World Team Trials last week (no need for true third since he beat third place finisher Joe Sealey). The Final X participants are both ineligible due to being over age limit so by criteria, Jayden gets the spot if he wants it.
Click to expand...
I appreciate the correction! I would love to see Jayden compete at U23.
 
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zzs006

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Just listened to Basch and Willie and they said Jayden is the U23 rep if he wants it and they said it sounds like he is planning on competing at U23’s. That’s awesome to hear. He likely makes the U20 team as well. Making 2 age level world teams as a 17 year old is pretty ******* sweet. He is improving at such a rapid rate as well.Not throwing shade but Bassett is 19. In 2 years James is going to be on another level
 
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Psalm 1 guy

Psalm 1 guy

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zzs006 said:
Just listened to Basch and Willie and they said Jayden is the U23 rep if he wants it and they said it sounds like he is planning on competing at U23’s. That’s awesome to hear. He likely makes the U20 team as well. Making 2 age level world teams as a 17 year old is pretty ******* sweet. He is improving at such a rapid rate as well.Not throwing shade but Bassett is 19. In 2 years James is going to be on another level
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Sorry for the misinformation I gave you and others earlier. And this is why I am normally hesitant to weigh in on topics I haven't researched thoroughly. I should have caught that Jayden was top three at Senior WTT and thus eligible for U23.
 
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zzs006

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Psalm 1 guy said:
Sorry for the misinformation I gave you and others earlier. And this is why I am normally hesitant to weigh in on topics I haven't researched thoroughly. I should have caught that Jayden was top three at Senior WTT and thus eligible for U23.
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No worries. You always bring great information to this forum. I always appreciate your posts. All the world teams are straight forward except for U23’s which is anything but. I wonder if Luke and Blaze make the senior team if they will do U23’s as well?
 
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CarolinaFan1

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zzs006 said:
No worries. You always bring great information to this forum. I always appreciate your posts. All the world teams are straight forward except for U23’s which is anything but. I wonder if Luke and Blaze make the senior team if they will do U23’s as well?
Click to expand...

I suspect no. Levi in same position. As you know, they flipped the timing of U23 to before senior worlds this year unlike prior years where it was after. Given it is only about 2 weeks before Seniors, I suspect any eligible Final X winner is unlikely to do u23s.
 
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zzs006

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CarolinaFan1 said:
I suspect no. Levi in same position. As you know, they flipped the timing of U23 to before senior worlds this year unlike prior years where it was after. Given it is only about 2 weeks before Seniors, I suspect any eligible Final X winner is unlikely to do u23s.
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I agree. I just wish they kept it like before. 2 weeks before seniors is way too close unfortunately
 
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Acacia

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900+ Are Registered for U23 Nationals​


Some of the bigger names...

Weight Wrestler College
125 KG Koy Hopke Minnesota
125 KG Jimmy Mullen Virginia Tech
125 KG Juan Mora
125 KG Connor Mirasola Penn State
125 KG Dawson Bundy Penn State
125 KG Spencer Lanosga Navy
57 KG Troy Spratley Oklahoma State
57 KG Max Gallagher Lehigh
57 KG Vinnie Kilkeary Ohio State
61 KG Nic Bouzakis Ohio State
65 KG Koy Buesgens N C State
65 KG Pierson Manville Arizona State
65 KG Nathan Desmond Penn State
65 KG Dalton Perry Penn State
65 KG Kyison Garcia Penn State
70 KG Connor Pierce Penn State
70 KG Maddox Shaw Ohio State
70 KG Miguel Estrada Iowa
74 KG Nicco Ruiz Arizona State
74 KG Casey Swiderski Oklahoma State
74 KG Cross Wasilewski Penn
74 KG Ethn Stiles Ohio State
79 KG William Henckel Penn State
79 KG Matthew Singleton N C State
79 KG MJ Gaitan Iowa State
79 KG Sam Beckett Penn State
79 KG Sean Degl Penn State
86 KG Bennett Berge Oklahoma State
92 KG Mac Stout Pittsburgh
92 KG Adam Waters Ohio State
92 KG Gabe Sollars Indiana
92 KG Harvey Ludington Iowa
92 KG Patrick Brophy N C State
97 KG Garavous Kouekabalaho
 
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Lil Nicky Scarfo

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Dawson Bundy is an awesome name. Like a bouncer in a rowdy honky tonk or a member of the Legion of Doom along with Solomon Grundy and Brainiac
 
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CarolinaFan1

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GregPickel said:
Includes a look at U23s. If you spot any mistakes and/or omissions, please let me know.

www.on3.com

What's next for Penn State wrestling following the World Team Trials?

Penn State wrestlers will be back on the mat next week after some were at the World Team Trials last week in Louisville.
www.on3.com www.on3.com
Click to expand...

Unlike Luke and Levi (who already have the spot win or lose), Blaze has to win Final X to get first shot at u23 spot as both he and Jax are U23 eligible. I believe the current list of highest place eligible guys for u23 spots is:

57kg - Luke
61kg - winner of Blaze v Forrest
65kg - Bassett
70kg - winner of Robideau v Henson
74kg - Jayden James
79kg - Levi
86kg - Sinclair
92kg - open
97kg - open
125kg - Merrill

It is certainly possible I missed something so hoping others correct if necessary. I also agree with your article that Final X winners are more likely to NOT go u23 this year.
 
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GregPickel

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CarolinaFan1 said:
Unlike Luke and Levi (who already have the spot win or lose), Blaze has to win Final X to get first shot at u23 spot as both he and Jax are U23 eligible. I believe the current list of highest place eligible guys for u23 spots is:

57kg - Luke
61kg - winner of Blaze v Forrest
65kg - Bassett
70kg - winner of Robideau v Henson
74kg - Jayden James
79kg - Levi
86kg - Sinclair
92kg - open
97kg - open
125kg - Merrill

It is certainly possible I missed something so hoping others correct if necessary. I also agree with your article that Final X winners are more likely to NOT go u23 this year.
Click to expand...
D'oh. You are correct! Fixed.
 
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zzs006

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CarolinaFan1 said:
Unlike Luke and Levi (who already have the spot win or lose), Blaze has to win Final X to get first shot at u23 spot as both he and Jax are U23 eligible. I believe the current list of highest place eligible guys for u23 spots is:

57kg - Luke
61kg - winner of Blaze v Forrest
65kg - Bassett
70kg - winner of Robideau v Henson
74kg - Jayden James
79kg - Levi
86kg - Sinclair
92kg - open
97kg - open
125kg - Merrill

It is certainly possible I missed something so hoping others correct if necessary. I also agree with your article that Final X winners are more likely to NOT go u23 this year.
Click to expand...
That’s a pretty salty lineup. Would expect to bring home a bunch of medals with that team
 
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zzs006

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wrestlingfan22 said:
Senior Worlds will be a big factor with the date being tbd. Most of that team has a chance to be on the Senior team so likely wouldn't double up unless u23s were after Seniors
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Definitely but one of Jax or Marcus, one of Robideau or Henson, James, Sinclair, and Merrill is still a hell of a 5 man team. I think Luke and Bassett have a great shot at making the senior team but I doubt anyone would be shocked if they both lost at Final X. Hell, even Levi isn’t anything close to a sure thing against Chance. There is a real possibility that all 8 of those guys don’t make the senior team. I’m definitely not picking that but I can see it happening. The timing of the tournaments just blows though. It makes things way too difficult to do both
 
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wrestlingfan22

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zzs006 said:
Definitely but one of Jax or Marcus, one of Robideau or Henson, James, Sinclair, and Merrill is still a hell of a 5 man team. I think Luke and Bassett have a great shot at making the senior team but I doubt anyone would be shocked if they both lost at Final X. Hell, even Levi isn’t anything close to a sure thing against Chance. There is a real possibility that all 8 of those guys don’t make the senior team. I’m definitely not picking that but I can see it happening. The timing of the tournaments just blows though. It makes things way too difficult to do both
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Yea u23s being in USA makes it better but doing another tourney 2 weeks before Senior worlds would be crazy
 
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CarolinaFan1

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If u23 eligible guys win Final X and do not take u23 spot, my reading of process would be (I think):

57kg - Knox
61kg - loser of Blaze v Forrest
65kg - open (Manville 5th at Open)
70kg - winner of Robideau v Henson
74kg - Jayden James
79kg - open (Henckel 5th at Open)
86kg - Sinclair
92kg - open (Bechtold 5th at Open (Brophy was 4th at Open but not sure age))
97kg - open (Rademacher 4th at Open)
125kg - Merrill

For open spots, I believe the selection committee would nominate the choice. Doesn’t have to be u23 tournament winner but could be. I included who I believe is the highest eligible placer from US Open (no WTT at any of the open weights) who could also be considered.
 
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