U20 and U23 Freestyle Recap

U20 WORLD TEAM TRIALS

Dylan Gilcher (Michigan, Detroit CC HS) and Josh Barr (Penn State, Davison), both fresh off winning their 4th MHSAA state titles, placed at the U20 World Team Trials. Gilcher took 4th at 65kg after finishing 4-2. Both losses came to last year's world team member Vince Cornella of Cornell. Gilcher picked up wins against Cannon (Ohio State), Chappell (Bucknell), Williams (Oklahoma State), and Brooks (Wyoming).

Josh Barr made a run to the challenge tournament finals at 79kg before falling to world team member Matt Singleton (North Carolina State).  Barr had wins over Heeg (Oklahoma State) and Riddle (Askren Wrestling) to advance to the finals.

The Wolverines had three other placers on the weekend Rylan Rogers (86kg) and Hayden Walters (97kg) finished 4th, while 2023 commit Beau Mantanona finished 7th at 70kg.

U23 NATIONALS

Three Michigan Grapplers placed at U23 Nationals, including one 4th and two 8th placers. Neil Antrassian (Virginia, Bedford HS) led the way, placing 4th at 86kg. Antrassian had wins over Voliva (Labette CC), Daly (Illinois), Ruth (Illinois), Pine (Clarion), Reiniche (Oregon State), and Valencia (Arizona State).

Ceasar Garza (Michigan State) and Carter Blough (Michigan State, Lowell HS) put together solid tournaments, finishing 8th at 79kg and 97kg, respectively. Garza reached the Round of 16 before falling to eventual champ Dustin Plott (Oklahoma State). Garza then rattled off 3 straight wins on the back side to place. Blough won his first match before running into the 1-seed Mitchell (Buffalo). In the consis, Blough won three straight matches to place, including a tech over the 8-seed Jacob Christensen (Northern Illinois).

‍