USA Wrestling announced today that all freestyle spots for the 2015 World Championships would be contested June 13-14th in Madison, Wisconsin at the World Team Trials. This is different for both the Men and Women, who held a majority of the qualifying spots in Madison and then held back a couple other weights to be completed at a different time and venue.
The Women’s freestyle team typically contested four of the World spots at the Trials, and then held the other four at a later date. Last year, then Men’s freestyle team held competition for the six Olympic weights in Madison, and then later held the two non-Olympic weights at the Fargo high school championships.
Wrestlers can earn an automatic bye to the best of three finals at World Team Trials by winning the U.S. Open on May 9th in Las Vegas. Last year Hawkeye wrestler Brent Metcalf put together a dominant performance at the U.S. Open, blanking his opponents 39-0 to clinch his World Team Trials finals appearance.
Taking place the Friday before the Senior World Team Trials will be the Junior World Team Trials on Friday, June 12th. Last season saw Hawkeye wrestler Thomas Gilman win the 55 kg weight class, which later led to him winning a bronze medal in Croatia. It also saw Iowa State breakout freshman Dante Rodriguez claim the 60 kg Greco-Roman spot.
As for the Senior World Trials the Hawkeye Wrestling Club returns 2014 World Team members Tony Ramos (57 kg) and Brent Metcalf (65 kg) who will look to stay atop the heap to compete at the 2015 World Championships in Las Vegas. The Hawkeye Wrestling Club will also feature 2014 U.S. National Team member and World University bronze medalist Matt McDonough (57 kg) and Phil Keddy (86 kg).
The Cyclone Wrestling Club will look to stake it’s claim as well, led by 2013 World Team member Angel Escobedo (57 kg) who will look to knock off Ramos. They will also be led by 86 kg wrestler Deron Winn, who is looking to make his way back since dropping from 97 kg.
Panther Wrestling Club will be led by USA’s #2 ranked Joe Colon (57 kg).
Saturday, June 13
Senior Men’s Freestyle: 57 kg, 70 kg, 86 kg and 125 kg
Senior Women’s Freestyle: 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 75 kg
Sunday, June 14
Senior Men’s Freestyle: 61 kg, 65 kg, 74 kg, and 97 kg
Senior Women’s Freestyle: 48 kg, 55 kg, 60 kg and 69 kg