HERRIMAN, Utah – The championship dual meet of the 16U Freestyle National Duals on Saturday afternoon came down to a pair of underdogs, No. 4 seed California and No. 6 seed Pennsylvania. Both teams were impressive in powering through a gauntlet of excellent team to earn their spot on the raised mat in the Zions Bank Training Center.
When it was all said and done, California’s depth throughout the lineup and impressive freestyle skills led to a 43-28 victory over Pennsylvania, earning the championship team trophy.
California blasted out of the gate with three lightweight victories, with technical falls from Thales Silva (88) and Samuel Sanchez (100), which sandwiched a clutch 10-8 win by Thiago Silva over Gabe Benyo at 94 pounds.
The California run continued at 106, as Jax Vang scored a comeback win over Brayden Wenrich, 12-11. Wenrich jumped to a 7-4 lead early in the second period, when Vang powered back with eight straight points in less than 30 seconds to lead 12-7. Two late takedowns by Wenrich were not enough.
Pennsylvania stopped the streak at 112 when Shamus Regan shut down Emilio Escobar, 9-0. California won a highly-active match at 120, as Rocklin Zinkin hit a big four-pointer in the second period and closed out a 15-4 technical fall over Gabriel Ballard.
The California train kept rolling at 120, with a technical fall victory by Ashton Besmer, followed by a decision by Daniel Benavides at 126. Pennsylvania scored only its second win of the dual, when Jason Dube won a tough scrap against Ames-Michael Hoevker at 138.
Gregory Torosian got California back in its winning ways, with a 7-5 decision over Hudson Hohman at 144. Pennsylvania went on a mini-run, with technical fall victories by Mason Horwat (150) and Samuel Almendina (158). The Keystone Staters were within nine team points after their victories.
A huge win for California came at 165, when a close match was blasted wide open by Bailey Holman, who secured a 13-2 technical fall over Blake Hostetter. The momentum continued at 175, with Isai Fernandez having a big second period to defeat Nicholas Singer, 10-5. The match was blown open at 190 pounds, with David Calkins nailing a 10-0 technical fall over Kendahl Hoare, clinching the team victory.
The teams split the final two matches, with Brady Brown of Pennsylvania (215) and Noah Larios of California (285) closing out the dual meet with wins.
To reach the finals, California closed out its Pool A victory in the Gold/Silver bracket with two more wins, beating Georgia 47-25 and stopping No. 1 seed Indiana 43-33. California started its Pool A run with a 48-30 win over Illinois on Friday night.
In a nip-and-tuck battle to claim the pool, California won five straight weights to grab a lead it did not relinquish. Rocklin Zinkin (120) and Daniel Benavides (126) scored technical falls, then Matthew Orbata (138) received a forfeit. A victory by decision by Ashton Besmer (138) was followed by a big pin by Ames-Michael Hoevker (144) and California was on its way.
Pennsylvania had an excellent morning as well, knocking off No. 1 seed and returning champion Iowa in the final match of Pool B, 36-33. Earlier in the day, Pennsylvania stopped Wisconsin 46-26. Friday night, Pennsylvania defeated Utah Gold, 46-27 to start its Pool B action strong.
Against Iowa, in a huge battle between top stars, Brayden Wenrich of Pennsylvania stopped Hayden Schwab, 8-4 at 106 pounds. Pennsylvania started the dual with three straight wins from Caleb Tyler (285), Nathan Schuman (88) and Gabe Benyo (94), and later had another three match streak with Jason Dube (138), Hudson Hohman (144) and Mason Horwat (150).
2023 champion Iowa, which came in with the No. 1 seed, captured third place with a 44-28 win over No. 2 seed Indiana. Iowa closed out the victory with wins in the last four weight classes, with technical falls from Broedy Hendricks (175), Brayden Koester (190) and Mason Koehler (215) plus a decision from JT Kelso (285).
Wisconsin finished in fifth place, with a 43-32 victory over Illinois. Wisconsin went on a six-match run in the middle weight classes, with wins from Max Gonzalez (132), Hunter Stevens (138), Cade Aaberg (144), Bryston Scoles (150), Jacob Kidder (157) and Samuel Zanton (165).
For seventh place, Utah Gold handled Georgia, 52-25, winning six straight matches in the middle weights, and capturing three forfeits.
The rest of the tournament was also concluded, with the Bronze/Copper Pool, Red/Blue Pool, Green Pool and Yellow Pool completing action on Saturday afternoon.
16U FREESTYLE NATIONAL DUALS
At Herriman, Utah, June 14
Color Pool Competition
Gold/Silver Pool (Places 1-8)
1st Place - California
2nd Place - Pennsylvania
3rd Place - Iowa
4th Place - Indiana
5th Place - Wisconsin
6th Place - Illinois
7th Place - Utah Gold
8th Place - Georgia
1st Place Match - California defeated Pennsylvania 43-28.
88 Thales Silva (California) over Nathan Schuman (Pennsylvania) TF 14-4
94 Thiago Silva (California) over Gabe Benyo (Pennsylvania) Dec 10-8
100 Samuel Sanchez (California) over Jake Benyo (Pennsylvania) TF 10-0
106 Jax Vang (California) over Brayden Wenrich (Pennsylvania) Dec 12-11
113 Shamus Regan (Pennsylvania) over Emilio Escobar (California) Dec 9-0
120 Rocklin Zinkin (California) over Gabriel Ballard (Pennsylvania) TF 15-4
126 Daniel Benavides (California) over Brady Slicker (Pennsylvania) Dec 10-6
132 Ashton Besmer (California) over Wyatt Fry (Pennsylvania) TF 10-0
138 Jason Dube (Pennsylvania) over Ames-Michael Hoevker (California) Dec 7-6
144 Gregory Torosian (California) over Hudson Hohman (Pennsylvania) Dec 7-5
150 Mason Horwat (Pennsylvania) over Nathan Cauwel (California) TF 11-0
157 Samuel Almedina (Pennsylvania) over Isaac Padilla (California) TF 11-0
165 Bailey Holman (California) over Blake Hostetter (Pennsylvania) TF 13-2
175 Isai Fernandez (California) over Nicholas Singer (Pennsylvania) Dec 10-5
190 David Calkins (California) over Kendahl Hoare (Pennsylvania) TF 10-0
215 Brady Brown (Pennsylvania) over Daniel Moylan (California) Fall 1:45
285 Noah Larios (California) over Caleb Tyler (Pennsylvania) Dec 11-6
3rd Place Match - Iowa defeated Indiana 44-28.
88 Cameron Schofield (Indiana) over Damien Yeoman (Iowa) Dec 14-7
94 Chase Watkinson (Iowa) over Kellen Schoeff (Indiana) Dec 3-3
100 Case Bridge (Indiana) over Ethan Humphrey (Iowa) TF 13-0
106 Hayden Schwab (Iowa) over Case Bell (Indiana) Dec 9-0
113 Jensen Boyd (Indiana) over Alexander Pierce (Iowa) Dec 5-3
120 Gavin Landers (Iowa) over Colin Strayer (Indiana) TF 10-0
126 Gage Spurgeon (Iowa) over Gavin Lewis (Indiana) Dec 5-5
132 Dawson Youngblut (Iowa) forfeit
138 Clinton Shepherd (Indiana) over Justis Jesuroga (Iowa) TF 12-1
144 Peyton Hornsby (Indiana) over Ethan Christoffer (Iowa) TF 11-0
150 Maximus Dhabolt (Iowa) over Thomas Gibbs (Indiana) TF 12-1
157 Jaxon Miller (Iowa) over Matthew Staples (Indiana) Dec 10-4
165 Lucas Boe (Indiana) over Macklin Penner (Iowa) TF 10-0
175 Broedy Hendricks (Iowa) over Michael White (Indiana) TF 19-8
190 Brayden Koester (Iowa) over Conner Hoar (Indiana) TF 10-0
215 Mason Koehler (Iowa) over Kellen Fellure (Indiana) Fall 1:46
285 JT Kelso (Iowa) over Hayden Smith (Indiana) Dec 4-3
5th Place Match - Wisconsin defeated Illinois 43-32.
88 Dreyton Kren (Wisconsin) over Faris Farah (Illinois) Fall 0:38
94 Colton Wyller (Illinois) over Riley Longdin (Wisconsin) TF 12-2
100 Vincent DeMarco (Illinois) over Bryson Busler (Wisconsin) TF 14-4
106 Camden Rugg (Wisconsin) over Pierce Bultmann (Illinois) TF 10-0
113 Lukas Foster (Illinois) over William du Chemin (Wisconsin) Dec 13-8
120 Rocco Cassioppi (Illinois) over Logan Schad (Wisconsin) TF 10-0
126 Jason Hampton (Illinois) over Alois Schlumpf (Wisconsin) Inj 1:53
132 Max Gonzalez (Wisconsin) over Bruno Cassioppi (Illinois) Dec 7-5
138 Hunter Stevens (Wisconsin) over Brandon Green (Illinois) Dec 12-10
144 Cade Aaberg (Wisconsin) over Aiden Arnett (Illinois) TF 10-0
150 Bryston Scoles (Wisconsin) over Ethan Sonne (Illinois) TF 10-0
157 Jacob Kidder (Wisconsin) over Leonardo Rosas (Illinois) Dec 9-2
165 Samuel Zanton (Wisconsin) over Alexander Tack (Illinois) TF 10-0
175 Brody Kelly (Illinois) over Landen Grow (Wisconsin) TF 13-2
190 Owen Burling (Wisconsin) over Blake Livdahl (Illinois) TF 10-0
215 Josh Hoffer (Illinois) over Cael Leisgang (Wisconsin) Fall 1:14
285 Brendan Grabot (Wisconsin) over Jeremy Marshall (Illinois) Fall 2:59
7th Place Match - Utah Gold defeated Georgia 52-25.
88 Ariah Mills (Georgia) over Gavyn DeCol (Utah Gold) TF 10-0
94 Cody Clarke (Georgia) over Thomas Gorst (Utah Gold) Fall 0:23
100 Kacen Jones (Utah Gold) forfeit
106 Trexden Olsen (Utah Gold) forfeit
113 Samuel Moody (Utah Gold) over Eli Flowers (Georgia) TF 12-2
120 Kaleb Blackner (Utah Gold) over Major Chambers (Georgia) TF 10-0
126 Christopher Phillips (Georgia) over Grady Roybal (Utah Gold) TF 12-1
132 Riker Ohearon (Utah Gold) over Jonderious Williams (Georgia) TF 12-0
138 Austin Ellis (Utah Gold) over James Sievers (Georgia) Fall 0:32
144 Ladd Holman (Utah Gold) over Cruz Hezel (Georgia) Dec 9-4
150 Noah Bull (Utah Gold) over Paxon Legatt (Georgia) TF 16-6
157 Shepard Stephens (Utah Gold) over Callum Mccormack (Georgia) TF 14-4
165 Kaizen Detoles (Utah Gold) over Ethan Secoy (Georgia) Dec 15-12
175 Dylan Reel (Georgia) over Calvin Harding (Utah Gold) TF 10-0
190 Ronan An (Georgia) over Connor Kennedy (Utah Gold) Dec 17-8
215 Sam Tanner (Utah Gold) over Robert McCoy (Georgia) TF 13-0
285 Caden Young (Utah Gold) forfeit
Pool A
Indiana 49, Georgia 27
California 48, Illinois 30
Indiana 49, Illinois 26
California 47, Georgia 25
California 43, Indiana 33
Illinois 44, Georgia 31
Pool B
Iowa 45, Wisconsin 28
Pennsylvania 46, Utah Gold 27
Iowa 44, Utah Gold 25
Pennsylvania 46, Wisconsin 26
Illinois 44, Georgia 31
Pennsylvania 36, Iowa 33
Bronze/Copper Pool (Places 9-16)
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Minnesota Blue
2nd Place - Missouri
3rd Place - Idaho
4th Place - Florida
5th Place - Washington
6th Place - Minnesota Red
7th Place - Michigan
8th Place - Maryland
1st Place Match - Minnesota Blue defeated Missouri 40-33.
88 Trey Kraemer (Minnesota Blue ) over Colton Larimer (Missouri) TF 10-0
94 Owen Parish (Minnesota Blue ) over Wyatt Dannegger (Missouri) Dec 13-11
100 Landon Thoennes (Minnesota Blue ) over Cade Crawford (Missouri) Fall 0:17
106 Turner Ross (Minnesota Blue ) over Rowdy Angst (Missouri) TF 10-0
113 Jordan Bell (Missouri) over Kyler Thier (Minnesota Blue ) TF 12-2
120 Garrett Beane (Missouri) over Miklo Hernandez (Minnesota Blue ) Dec 16-16
126 Gage Bjerga (Minnesota Blue ) over Carsten Burkemper (Missouri) TF 10-0
132 Jet Brown (Missouri) over Grayson Eggum (Minnesota Blue ) Dec 3-2
138 Miller Sipes (Missouri) over Jake Kos (Minnesota Blue ) Dec 9-8
144 Lake Waters (Missouri) over Tyson Newman (Minnesota Blue ) TF 10-0
150 Chance Ruble (Missouri) over Zane Engels (Minnesota Blue ) Dec 13-6
157 Cooper Rowe (Minnesota Blue ) over Kellen Long (Missouri) Dec 12-6
165 Mark Svoboda (Minnesota Blue ) over Dominic Stinson (Missouri) TF 12-1
175 Carter Brown (Missouri) over Judah Heeg (Minnesota Blue ) Dec 10-2
190 Carter Temple (Missouri) over Cael Fier (Minnesota Blue ) TF 11-1
215 Jace Renfro (Missouri) over Matthew Veroeven (Minnesota Blue ) Dec 6-2
285 Caleb Loomis (Minnesota Blue ) over Kyler Kuhn (Missouri) Fall 3:04
3rd Place Match - Idaho defeated Florida 44-31.
5th Place Match - Washington defeated Minnesota Red 41-34.
7th Place Match - Michigan defeated Maryland 43-35.
Pool A
Maryland 40, Missouri 38
Idaho 42, Minnesota Red 30
Missouri 50, Idaho 22
Minnesota Red 44, Maryland 35
Missouri 55, Minnesota Red 21
Idaho 42, Maryland 35
Pool B
Minnesota Blue 47, Florida 25
Washington 39, Michigan 36
Minnesota Blue 55, Michigan 21
Florida 44, Washington 28
Minnesota Blue 51, Washington 26
Florida 45, Michigan 30
Red/Blue Pool (Places 17-24)
1st Place - Virginia
2nd Place - Kansas
3rd Place - Colorado
4th Place - Texas Gold
5th Place - Louisiana
6th Place - New Jersey
7th Place - Nebraska
8th Place - South Dakota
1st Place Match
Virginia defeated Kansas 0-0
Kansas lost by forfeit
3rd Place Match - Colorado defeated Texas Gold 37-32.
5th Place Match - Louisiana defeated New Jersey 45-24.
7th Place Match - Nebraska defeated South Dakota 40-37.
Pool A
Colorado 45, New Jersey 28
South Dakota 47, Virginia 31
Virginia 46, Colorado 35
New Jersey 43, South Dakota 29
Colorado 46, South Dakota 27
Virginia 41, New Jersey 26
Pool B
Kansas 34, Nebraska 32
Texas Gold 44, Louisiana 26
Kansas 34, Texas Gold 31
Louisiana 44, Nebraska 27
Kansas 41, Louisiana 31
Texas Gold 43, Nebraska 30
Green Pool (Places 25-33)
1st Place - Oklahoma Outlaws Blue
2nd Place - Arizona
3rd Place - South Carolina
4th Place - Utah Black
5th Place - North Dakota
6th Place - North Carolina
Arizona 52, North Carolina 28
Oklahoma Outlaws Blue 66, Utah Black 12
South Carolina 40, North Dakota 35
Oklahoma Outlaws Blue 59, North Dakota 16
Utah Black 42, North Carolina 26
Arizona 53, South Carolina 25
Arizona 58, North Dakota 18
Oklahoma Outlaws Blue 77, North Carolina 2
South Carolina 37, Utah Black 31
Arizona 39, Utah Black 32
Oklahoma Outlaws Blue 58, South Carolina 24
North Dakota 50, North Carolina 21
Oklahoma Outlaws Blue defeated Arizona 64-10.
Utah Black defeated North Dakota 44-33.
South Carolina defeated North Carolina 48-25.
Yellow Pool (Places 34-39)
1st Place - Oregon
2nd Place - Oklahoma Outlaws Red
3rd Place - Texas Red
4th Place - Montana
5th Place - Arkansas
Oklahoma Outlaws Red 59, Montana 23
Oregon 49, Texas Red 20
Texas Red 44, Arkansas 21
Oregon 51, Montana 17
Oregon 56, Arkansas 9
Oklahoma Outlaws Red 58, Texas Red 22
Oklahoma Outlaws Red 56, Arkansas 16
Texas Red 44, Montana 27
Montana defeated Arkansas 42-25.
Oregon defeated Oklahoma Outlaws Red 40-35
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