The University of Iowa will be sending five of their athletes to Rochester, Minnesota to compete in this weekend’s Junior World Team Trials. In addition to the five current University wrestlers, incoming recruit Anthony Cassioppi is also expected to compete in the field. Winners of the event earn the right to represent the United States at the Junior World Tournament which takes place this September in Slovakia.
Two Hawkeye wrestlers have already qualified for the finals of their respective weight-classes by virtue of winning the US Open last month in Las Vegas. Redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Moody won the 74 kg bracket and true freshman Jacob Warner was the 92 kg champion. Both wrestlers will await the winners of the challenge tournament for a best-of-three showdown for the World Team spot.
Wrestlers that will be competing in the challenge tournament include Max Murin (65 kg), Alex Marinelli (74 kg), Myles Wilson (86 kg), and Cassippoi (125 kg). Murin was the US Open runner-up while Wilson finished eighth in his bracket last month.
The lone Junior that did not compete at the Open is Marinelli, who should be the favorite to advance to the finals to face off with teammate Moody. A year ago Marinelli took runner-up at both the US Open and at the Trials to eventual Junior World Champion Mark Hall.
Iowa’s other favorite to clinch a spot on the Junior team is Warner, who finished third at this event a year ago up at 96 kg, is a former World bronze medalist at the Cadet level (2016).
Iowa Hawkeye Roster at UWW Junior World Team Trials:
Max Murin – 65 kg
Jeremiah Moody – 74 kg
Alex Marinelli – 74 kg
Myles Wilson – 86 kg
Jacob Warner – 92 kg
Anthony Cassioppi – 125 kg
Event Schedule:
Friday May 18
Session I
UWW Junior Freestyle: 1st Round, Quarterfinals and Consolation
10:00 am – 2:00 pm – UWW JR Freestyle (3 MATS) – Fieldhouse
Session II
UWW Junior Freestyle: Semi-Finals, Finals, 3rd Place, Consolation
4:00 pm – 7:30 pm – UWW JR Freestyle (3 MATS) – Fieldhouse
Saturday May 19
Session III – No Junior Freestyle during this session
Senior Men’s Freestyle: 1st Round, Quarterfinals and Consolation
10:00 am – 2:30 pm – Senior Men’s Freestyle (2 MATS) – Performance Court
Session IV
UWW Junior Freestyle: Best 2 out of 3 Championship
1:00 pm – 4:45 pm – UWW JR Freestyle (1.5 Mats) – Fieldhouse