The Best Greco-Roman Matches From JR & U23 Nationals
The Best Greco-Roman Matches From JR & U23 Nationals
A rundown of the best Greco-Roman matches from USA Wrestling's junior and U23 National Championships from Omaha.
Unlock this article, live events, and more with a subscription!
Already a subscriber? Log In
Greco only had one day to make an impression in Omaha, which meant cramming in a lot of matches -- and a lot of big moments -- within a compressed time-frame. A high number of hardened full-timers and well-rounded folkstylers who decided to enter the fray ensured both age-groups wouldn’t go unnoticed in the classical discipline, even with a brutal workload.
Full Results from USA Wrestling Junior & U23 Nationals
Brackets, teams scores & more inside FloArena
What did we see? We saw several known Seniors hit town to get their money’s worth, and sure enough, a few wound up with titles. At Junior, the story mostly belonged to all-style competitors with whom most were already familiar, though that didn’t take the shine out of their glittering performances. After all, it’s always nice to see their great, good work.
Omaha didn’t feel like Akron. It wasn’t supposed to. This was a different deal, with different circumstances and some uncommon match-ups. That’s partly what made
Friday so exciting, especially when it came to the final round.
Top 10 Finals
10. George Hooker (UA) def. Michael Loyola (UA) 6-2 -- 97 kg, U23 Final
Hooker’s edge in Senior experience played a significant role in securing his first National title and it came in extra handy against a game Loyola, who had scored a pin over Brady Vogel (UA) to make the final.The brunt of Hooker’s scoring (i.e., five of his six points) arrived in the first period and were brought to bear thanks to a nasty side lift.
9. Dylan Gregerson (UVRTC) def. Erik Spence (NMU/NTS) 9-0, TF -- 63 kg, U23 Final
‘19 U23 Trials runner-up Gregerson didn’t require too much time to get past Spence -- who also deserves a head nod for a strong overall performance on Friday. But Gregerson is locked in these days, and like most, was chomping at the bit to compete. He showed it against Spence, punctuating his untouchable day by launching a rocket-ship five before closing with a turn.
8. Chayse LaJoie (Spartan) def. David Stepanian (NYAC/NTS) 10-2, TF -- 60 kg, JR Final
When you do it at Fargo, everyone thinks you can do it everywhere. It’s not always true, particularly when going up against a full-timer who has developed as quickly as Stepanian. LaJoie apparently didn’t receive that memo. Instead, he simply cranked a message-sending front headlock from par terre that instantly changed the complexion of the match. Stepanian never stopped working, which is what makes LaJoie’s intense effort through the second period all the more impressive.
7. Taylor LaMont (Sunkist/UVRTC, 5PM #8) def. Randon Miranda (NYAC/CYC, 5PM #10) 3-1 -- 60 kg, U23 Final
They’ve done it before, they’ll do it again, and no matter how many times you watch them clash, LaMont and Miranda are never going to disappoint. This pair of high-level Seniors know each other’s tactics and positions so well that you can almost see their brains working as much as their bodies out there on the mat. In this case, what you got was a strategic war in the tie-ups that could produce more than enough video for an online clinic. It was LaMont who came away with the win via a second-period passive gutwrench, and that’s all it took. Nevertheless, if you’re down for some hardcore Greco movement and setups, this bout is a must-watch.
6. Jesse Porter (NYAC/NTS, 5PM #14) def. Tyler Dow (Wisconsin RTC) 10-1, TF -- 77 kg, U23 Final
Porter -- now the winner of all four U23 events the US has had to offer -- decisioned Dow in the consolation bracket at the ‘19 Senior Open 4-0. It is doubtful that stuck in his head, as if he wanted to make sure he dropped a whole lot more on Dow if they ever met again. At the same time, it’s entirely possible. Dow hung tough in the first period and even made enough of an impression on the officials to come away with the passive chance. That was that, however. Because after the restart, Porter came to life with a searing four-point headlock and then proceeded to hang six more points on the board in the second frame to put the finishing touches on yet another masterful performance.
5. Zach Grimes (UA) def. Calvin Germinaro (Minnesota Storm, 5PM #8) via fall -- 72 kg, U23 Final
One of the best stories from the U23 tournament was Grimes, whose momentum picked up huge speed following his semifinal win over Riley Briggs (NMU/NTS). His opponent in the final, two-time Senior National runner-up Germinaro, figured to have the pieces in place to go right ahead and find a way to somehow come away with a victory, one way or another. But, not so fast. Germinaro was certainly willing to open up -- and Grimes was equally intent on making Germinaro pay for it. Showing off good power, quick instincts, and a knack for adjusting on the fly, Grimes’ total wrestling ability resulted in a dramatic pin few would have predicted.
4. Justin McCunn (Viking WC) def. Jack Ervien (UA) 16-7, TF -- 77 kg, JR Final
It takes an extra gear to down a recent World Team member, especially when you’re not known as “Mr. Greco” yourself just yet. McCunn’s defeat of Ervien demonstrated why a wrestler who is always trying to score -- at all costs, regardless of the situation -- has a place in this discipline if he wants one. Ervien brought as much fight to the party as McCunn, and even owned a 7-3 lead heading into the second. Then all of the sudden, McCunn caught fire and couldn’t be stopped as he racked up 13 unanswered points to seal the deal.
3. Conor Knopick (MWC) def. Billy Sullivan (LOG) 12-5 -- 55 kg, JR Final
Angles. Speed. Flow. Tie-ups and attempts that actually mean something. Light guys know how to put on a show, and in the 55-kilo JR final, that’s exactly what Knopick and Sullivan did. Two wrestlers with relevant experience and similar trajectories -- Knopick, a Cadet World Teamer last year while Sullivan stormed through Fargo -- have a habit of bringing the best out of each other. That’s what happened here. Sullivan put on display a clean side lift to race out in front, and also unfurled a few glossy attempts that kept Knopick honest. But in the end, it was the Iowa State-bound Knopick who had more answers on this day, as well as a throw-by that will continue to serve him well down the road.
2. Jack Darrah (Xtreme) def. Tyler Hannah (Dubuque WC) 4-3 -- 87 kg, JR Final
A nail-biting ending that put legit Greco people on the edge of their seats. What else should you expect with a pair of top-level upper-weight prospects? Cadet Pan Am gold Darrah and ‘19 Cadet World Teamer Hannah weren’t messing around, and seemed to have a very clear understanding of how they wanted this bout to unfold. So, it had to be plodding. It had to have its own definitive, deliberate pace where just one wrong decision could spell devastation. Both are too good to slip on banana peels out of nowhere, which is why this one went down to the wire with Hannah nearly pulling out a last-second win and Darrah coming up clutch defensively.
1. Payton Jacobson (Ringers) def. Logan Hatch (EAP) 5-3 -- 63 kg, JR Final
It could have gone either way. No other final in the Junior division offered the same brand of authentic Greco-Roman as Jacobson/Hatch. The hand-fighting, the footwork, the give and take and the focus on legs driving position -- were all heads and shoulders above the field. Bombastic throws and slick arm spins are vital for putting fans in bleachers and in front of their screens. But for those who want to catch a front-row seat to what it actually takes for wrestlers to even get those attempts, a match like this is all you need to watch.
Top 5 Special Mentions
One of the best qualities Greco has to offer, particularly at age-group, is that you’re guaranteed to catch plenty of high-flying techniques and thunderous throws. Action matters (developmentally-speaking, even more than victories).
To close out, we have a mix of bouts that shed a light on this very concept. A handful of the wrestlers highlighted below might not be closely-associated with Greco-Roman competition, though that’s sort of the point to all of this. Look at what they can do when given the chance. But for good measure, there are several accomplished Greco athletes whose methodologies and dynamics still demanded attention.
“Slyter the Side Lifter”
Keegan Slyter (UA) def. Caleb Gross (Jackrabbit WC) 16-16 -- 60 kg, JR Quarterfinal
Gross brought the heat and brandished some nifty scoring ability but it was Slyter’s trio of booming side lifts, including a clutch four-pointer late in the second period, that helped turn this one into an instant classic.
“Alright fellas, calm down for a second.”
Dane Harter (UA) def. Zion Carpenter (Cougar WC) 18-16 -- 82 kg, JR Quarterfinal
A high-scoring match in a light weight category is one thing, but when one occurs in an upper-weight, you tend to open your eyes a little bit more. And speaking of “open”, that’s exactly what Harter/Carpenter was all about. Throws, takedowns, scrambles… You might get tired just watching the thing but it’s definitely worth a watch.
“Wait for it…”
Nolan Baker (NYAC, 5PM #7) def. Duncan Nelson (NMU/NTS) via fall -- 67 kg, U23 Quarterfinal
This was a quarterfinal that meant something. Two Illinois athletes, both young, both with skills, though Baker the more established of the pair. And, we know why. Baker has a killswitch headlock that doesn’t just change matches, it ends them. Nelson knew his opponent’s strength, and like many before him, still couldn’t stop it.
“Bodylock City”
Billy Sullivan (LOG) def. Jacob Cochran (NMU/NTS) 16-6, TF -- 55 kg, JR Semifinal
Cochran was in this match through most of the way and made Sullivan work virtually each and every time they made contact. The first period alone showcased why Cochran could eventually turn into a real threat. He knows how to battle. The problem here? Sullivan’s technique -- particularly when it came to setting up clearings to the body -- was just too much to handle. For a wiry lightweight, Sullivan sure knows how to display some power.
“Till They Meet Again”
Benji Peak (Sunkist/NTS) def. Lenny Merkin (NYAC) 8-5 -- 67 kg, U23 Semifinal
Peak’s primary motivation to enter both 67 brackets on Friday was so that he might have a chance to face Merkin at U23. Both wrestlers are considered top candidates for the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier in March -- and they hadn’t wrestled each other before Friday. Naturally, this was something a lot of people wanted to see. Their first go-round didn’t disappoint and it was Peak who emerged victorious thanks to a takedown and turn late in the second period.
Follow Tim Hands on Twitter and catch more of the best Greco-Roman wrestling coverage in the country at 5 Point Move.