Lilledahl, Blaze lead experienced men’s freestyle team at U20 World Championships

The 2024 U20 World Championships begin on September 2 in Pontevedra, Spain, where Team USA will be represented by a skilled men's freestyle team. Competing at the Pontevedra Municipal Sports Hall through September 8, this team includes five past age-group World Champions and athletes with significant international experience.

Luke Lilledahl, a three-time age-group World medalist, including one gold and two silver medals, will compete at 57 kg in Spain. Lilledahl has consistently competed on the World stage for the past three years. In the time since the 2023 U20 World Championships, Lilledahl placed fifth at the 2023 Senior Nationals and competed at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in April.  

Senior National Team member Marcus Blaze, a 2023 U17 World Champion, is slated to compete at 61 kg. The 17 year-old has transitioned from age-group success to senior level success in 2024. His experience will serve him well as he aims for gold at the U20 level.

Ladarion Lockett, another U17 World Champion from 2023, brings his own blend of success and excellence to the tournament at 74 kg.

At 125 kg, Ben Kueter stands out as a 2022 U20 World Champion. Kueter's draws experience from a previous World Championship tournament, and looks to translate that success on the mat to Spain.

Another previous age-group World Champion, Bo Bassett, is set to compete at 65 kg. Bassett won gold at the 2021 U17 World Championships, and will add this tournament to his long list of freestyle credentials. Bassett also placed 12th at the 2021 U17 World Championships in Greco-Roman.

Two-time World bronze medalist Zack Ryder is also primed for the U20 World Championships in Spain at 79 kg. Ryder’s consistency at the U17 level highlights his potential on the World stage. Ryder has placed in the top three at every U.S. event that he has competed in, and he looks to continue this streak with a gold medal in Pontevedra.

At 92 kg, Connor Mirasola has been a standout athlete in 2024, securing gold at the U20 Pan-American Championships and a top finish at the U.S. Open. Mirasola is a two-time Junior National champion and placed fourth at the 2023 Senior Nationals in December.

PJ Duke, who has had an exceptional year, enters the competition with a gold at the U20 Pan-American Championships. His victories at the U20 World Team Trials and U.S. Open position him as a top contender at 70 kg.

Competing at 86 kg, Josh Barr makes his World Championships debut in 2024. Barr previously placed at the U20 World Team Trials in 2022 and 2023, securing a spot on the team in 2024. Barr’s previous achievements, including Junior Freestyle titles in 2021 and 2022, highlight his readiness for international competition.

Justin Rademacher, a four-time Fargo All-American, rounds out the team at 97 kg. In 2024, Rademacher's success at the U20 World Team Trials and his runner-up finish at the U.S. Open underscore his competitive edge. His extensive experience and skill make him a key player in the 97 kg weight class.

The 2024 U20 World Championships begin on September 2, and all of the action can be broadcast live on FloWrestling. USA Wrestling will provide updates on social media and themat.com. The full schedule is listed below, and Pontevedra, Spain, is six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time.

At Pontevedra, Spain, September 2-8

57 kg: Luke Lilledahl (St. Charles, Mo./Nittany Lion WC)

61 kg: Marcus Blaze (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg WC)

65 kg: Bo Bassett (Windber, Pa./Bishop McCort HS/Young Guns WC)

70 kg: PJ Duke (Slate Hill, N.Y./KD Training Center)

71 kg: Ladarion Lockett, Stillwater, Oklahoma (Cowboy WC)

79 kg: Zack Ryder, Westtown, New York (M2 Training Center)

86 kg: Josh Barr (Davison, Mich./Nittany Lion WC)

92 kg: Connor Mirasola (Jackson, Wis./Askren Wrestling Academy)

97 kg: Justin Rademacher (Corvallis, Ore./All-Phase WC)

125 kg: Ben Kueter (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC)

Training Partner: Cole Mirasola

Coach: J’den Cox

Coach: Cornell Robinson

Coach: Kerry McCoy

Personal Coach: Scott Burnett

Personal Coach: Cory Crooks

Personal Coach: Casey Cunningham

Personal Coach: Nick Lee

Personal Coach: Cody Sanderson

Personal Coach: Bill Bassett

Personal Coach: Khaled Dassan

Personal Coach: Tom Brands

Personal Coach: Zo El Ouarraqe

Athletic Trainer: Chad Smidt

Athletic Trainer: Lauren Werner

Medical Doctor: Ryan Hadden

Official: Randall Balch

Official: Ron Fazio

Official: James Stinson

Team Leader: Zac Dominguez

Men’s freestyle Team Leader: Tim Manning

Men’s freestyle Chaplain: Darryl Colbert

Women’s freestyle Chaplain: Andrea Shuler

NF Official: Christian Flavin

NF Official: Josh Schamberger

NF President: Bruce Baumgartner

NF Sec. General: Rich Bender

NF Media: Crescenzo Fano

*all times listed are local to Pontevedra, Spain, six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern

Monday, September 2

10:00 a.m. - Greco-Roman Qualification rounds: 55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg

5:00 p.m. - Opening Ceremony

6:00 p.m. - Greco-Roman Semifinals: 55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg

Tuesday, September 3

10:00 a.m. - Greco-Roman Repechage: 55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg and Qualification rounds: 60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg, 97 kg

4:45 p.m. - Greco-Roman Semifinals: 60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg, 97 kg

6:00 p.m. - Greco-Roman Finals and Awards: 55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg

Wednesday, September 4

10:00 a.m. - Greco-Roman Repechage: 60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg, 97 kg and Women’s freestyle Qualification rounds: 50 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 68 kg, 76 kg

4:45 p.m. - Women’s freestyle Semifinals: 50 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 68 kg, 76 kg

6:00 p.m. - Greco-Roman Finals and Awards: 60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg, 97 kg

Thursday, September 5

10:00 a.m. - Women’s freestyle Repechage: 50 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 68 kg, 76 kg and Women’s freestyle Qualification rounds: 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 65kg and 72 kg

4:45 p.m. - Women’s freestyle Semifinals: 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 65kg and 72 kg

6:00 p.m. - Women’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 50 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 68 kg, 76 kg

Friday, September 6

10:00 a.m. - Women’s freestyle Repechage: 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 65kg and 72 kg and Men’s freestyle Qualification rounds: 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg and 97 kg

4:45 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Semifinals: 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg and 97 kg

6:00 p.m. - Women’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 65kg and 72 kg

Saturday, September 7

10:00 a.m. - Men’s freestyle Repechage: 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg and 97 kg and Men’s freestyle Qualification rounds: 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg and 125 kg

4:45 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Semifinals: 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg and 125 kg

6:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg and 97 kg

Sunday, September 8

4:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Repechage: 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg and 125 kg

6:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg and 125 kg