Fargo, North Dakota—Straight lifts, head pinches, and throws—it’s all Greco-Roman, and Wisconsin saw it all today as the Junior and 16U teams got their start in the final of the three Olympic disciplines at nationals.

“Our hammers are where they need to be,” Junior Head Coach Ty Pelot said after the morning session. Two returning All-Americans—Amryn Nutter (138) and Brett Back (157)—are in the quarterfinals. Nutter, 4-0, won all his matches at 138 pounds by tech. Back, also 4-0, had just one opponent push the match into the second period, which he won by criteria 4-4. Other than that, the No. 1 seed fresh off a Pan Am title in Peru last week, was on and off the mat in short bursts. Back seeks to improve on a 4th-place finish from 2023.

At 150 pounds, it would be shocking if Jake Hall didn’t log one of the fastest falls of today. The graduated senior from Stevens Point collected falls in 14 seconds, 18 seconds, and 92 seconds, plus a tech in the round of 16 in just 47 seconds. He’ll face Tennessee’s Hunter Sturgill in the quarters.

After an 8-0 showing at National Duals, No. 1 seed Hunter Vander Heiden (285) looks sharp and is one of five who will start tomorrow in the round of 16. Also at 285 is Grant Stromberg, Ian Smith is at 215, and then Breyson Kelley and Jayden Delao at 190 are all in the round of 16.

Returning All-Americans Brayten Casey and Easton Cooper will hunt for a podium spot at 120-pounds. The pair met in the round of 32 with Casey winning on criteria, 3-3. Now, on the backside, they’re on opposite ends of the bracket and each poised to wrestle back as far as the 3rd place medal match.

Also advancing to the final day of competition on the backside are Adam Whittier (144), Cael Zelinski, Jacob Durocher (157), Lucas Peters (132), Mason Dewing (126), Sullivan Ramos (157), Jacob Range (175), and Vincent Cook (175). Whittier, Durocher, Ramos, Zelinski, all made into the round of 16 before taking a loss.

The junior session concluded at 3:30 and the team has a nice break before coming back in the morning. “We’re going to make sure they’re ready and taking care of their bodies tonight so when they come back tomorrow, they’re not too sore,” Coach Pelot said. “They’re going to have a tough road to go through, but we’ve had a lot of guys do it before so making sure they keep battling and taking it one match at a time is key.”

16U tackles Friday afternoon session
Wisconsin’s 16U Greco team left everything on the mat during their standalone session on Friday afternoon. Two advanced to the championship quarterfinals and seven more will battle in the consolations.

William Christoper is in the quarterfinals at at 138 pounds. He has techs over Ryan Richie (IL) and Zackery Motzkus (WA), and a win by decision over Wesley Hayden of California.

At 215 pounds, Preston Krueger hit a sick throw for a victory in the round of 32. He then clinched his place in the quarters with a fall at 1:23 in the round of 16. He’s 3-0 after the first day of competition.

Heavyweight Chase Shams advances with a 3-1 record in the consolations. He lost in the first round, and since then put together two wins by fall and a tech. Alexander Penzkover (132) was all energy after a 22-second tech pushed him into day two over Cash Prado of Georgia. Cashtyn Botting also advances at 132 pounds. Rounding out the wrestlers in podium contention on the second and final day of competition are Caden Bock (88), Murphy Beyer (157), Reed Falk (190), and Teghan Moore (106).

Coming up
There's still a whole lot of wrestling ahead! Wrestling resumes for both divisions at 9am on the final day at the Junior and 16U National Championships. The round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and consolations will be from 9am-1pm. Cons, cons semifinals and 3rd-8th place medal matches from 3pm-5pm, and the championship finals are scheduled for 6pm. Be ready to watch some exciting matches from Team Wisconsin tomorrow in person, or on Flo! 

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