The presence of two new weights and same day weigh-ins has created a layer of intrigue this entire freestyle season that will reach its penultimate point in Rochester, MN next weekend. The first of those weights on the men's freestyle side was a no-brainer, creating a 79kg spot between 74kg and 86kg.

For years, American fans always wondered how well Kyle Dake could do at the world championships. He was behind Jordan Burroughs, but was he the second best in the world, or somewhere further down the ladder?

WATCH 2018 WORLD TEAM TRIALS LIVE ON FLO

WHEN: May 19-20 | WHERE: Rochester, MN

So far in 2018, he has proven himself to be a top three competitor at the new weight. His only loss at 79kg was in the Yarygin finals to European champion Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov of Russia. The good news for American fans is that his potential opponents for Final X State College in Alex Dieringer and Zahid Valencia are also world class.

One final note before we get to the preview. Dake is wrestling four-time world and Olympic medalist Livan Lopez Azcuy of Cuba at Beat the Streets on May 17th. If you can make it to New York, purchase tickets here. If not, be sure to watch live here.

In Final X: Kyle Dake

WTT Qualifiers

Commentary: Over the past 18 months, Kyle Dake has met Alex Dieringer four times, and each time Ringer has made the result closer and closer. Their U.S. Open final was a contentious 5-5 match in which both corners threw challenge bricks at crucial moments of the bout. The clips of the match circulating on social media, and the ensuing dialogue they produced, highlight the fact that Dieringer is right up there with the best in the world at 79kg.

At the Outstanding Ukrainian Memorial in February, he teched Omid Hassanbatar (IRI) and then beat Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE) in the finals. Hassanbatar won the Takhti Cup, Iran's premier tournament, and Hasanov was just bronze at Euros. Of note, Hassanbatar also beat Ainuar Geduev at the World Clubs Cup in December. Additionally, Dieringer pinned Zelimkhan Khadjiev of France in the Bill Farrell finals at the end of March. Khadjiev would then drop down to 74kg for Euros and make the finals.

All the way back in 2013, Dieringer was a junior world silver medalist, and would then win NCAA titles each of the next three years. The other junior world silver medalist in this field did not compete at the Open. Zahid Valencia, fresh off an NCAA title of his own for Arizona State, will be on the bottom side of the bracket as the two seed.

Valencia made three straight junior world teams, culminating in that world final appearance last year in Finland. The guy he lost to in the finals is Artur Naifonov of Russia, who just won a European title at 86kg. The Sun Devil sophomore qualified for the Trials by winning NCAAs, capping an undefeated season in which he was a Hodge finalist. His season started and ended the same way: by beating Mark Hall.

WTT Previews: 57kg | 61kg | 65kg | 70kg | 74kg

The public will have to wait a little longer for Hall and Valencia to meet in freestyle as the Penn State star did not qualify for Rochester. However, the two-time junior world champ just won a Pan Am title and will hopefully compete at the U23 trials in Akron.

Someone who did qualify but will not be in Rochester is Jon Reader. The new Wisconsin assistant won the Dave Schultz in dominating fashion, teching two-time All-American Josh Asper in the finals in just 68 seconds; Asper would go on to finish third in Las Vegas. The 2011 NCAA champ is battling injuries, but is working towards competing again next year.

Besides Asper, there will be a couple other multiple-time AAs in the field. Mike Evans went 6-6-6 (mark of the beast) for Iowa and is now an assistant at Campbell. Nate Jackson, originally from Illinois, landed on the podium twice for Indiana and is now coaching at Princeton. Evans and Jackson should meet in the quarterfinals, with the winner getting Dieringer.

Finalizing the field are Ben Harvey, who made a Round of 12 appearance for Army West Point this past season, and Stacey Davis of the Wolfpack WC.

Valencia is a wunderkind, he has been national level tournaments since he was in elementary school. His offense has only gotten better with time, and he has embraced the coaching of Zeke Jones and Chris Pendleton at ASU. He'll shoot off the whistle, run you all over the mat, and still somehow make most of his leg attacks high percentage and efficient. But is he ready for Dieringer? The limited data of him on his feet against David Taylor suggests he is.

In all likelihood, Zahid won't stop making world teams now that he is on the senior level, particularly in non-Olympic years when 10 weights are in play. He probably won't even fall prey to Dieringer's devastating tricep carry that turns into 4-pointers so easily. I feel very strongly Zahid plays a major role in the future of USA Wrestling, but Ringer looks as good as ever. Watching him battle J'Den Cox at FanFest in between breaks at the NCAA championships made it clear, he's the guy Kyle Dake is going to have to go through next month in Bethlehem. Two close ones, but the Cowboy takes it.

Nomad's Picks

Finals: Dieringer over Valencia two matches to none

Third: Asper over Jackson