9 Landscape Shifting Upsets At Cadet Trials
9 Landscape Shifting Upsets At Cadet Trials
At Cadet Trials, some of the nation's top young talent established themselves as future stars. Here are the upsets that helped make that happen.
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The 2021 Cadet World Team Trials attracted much of the top talent from around the country, and since there was no Cadet World Team Trials in 2020, it set the stage for a number of wrestlers to pull big upsets that will change the way they're perceived as recruits and on a national level.
80 kg - Ryder Rogotzke over Gabe Arnold
Ryder Rogotzke made the Cadet Greco-Roman team on Friday in dominant fashion and showed off his prowess at the international styles. That's why his round of 32 match with Gabe Arnold was circled as a must-watch early bout of the tournament. Rogotzke pinned Arnold in a lat whip, and while that particular technique might be hard for Rogotzke to replicate against Arnold, he did have a chance to prove that the win wasn't a fluke when he beat Arnold 3-1 on the back side.
Ryder Rogotzke's round of 32 victory over Gabe Arnold
51 kg - Nathanael Jesuroga over Marc-Anthony McGowan
Jesuroga vs McGowan was probably the most anticipated semifinal of the tournament due to each guy's excellence and their opposing styles. McGowan's lightning-fast leg attacks and persistent finishing ability earned him the first two points of the match, but Jesuroga's hand fighting and pace created an opportunity for a late opening that ultimately earned Jesuroga the top spot in the country.
Nate Jesuroga's semifinal victory over Marc-Anthony McGowan
71 kg - Joseph Sealey over Antrell Taylor
High Point, North Carolina freshman Joe Sealey has been in competitive matches with national level guys all year, but his quarterfinal victory over Antrell Taylor helped establish him as one of the premier freshmen in the country. Taylor would avenge the loss in the 5th place match, but Sealey's impressive display made a major impact on his perception.
Joe Sealey's quarterfinal victory over Antrell Taylor
55 kg - Cael Hughes over Mason Gibson
Cael Hughes was dominant this year in a tough weight class in Oklahoma, but he hadn't seen some of the other top guys at 120 until this weekend. He had a big opportunity in the quarterfinals against Super 32 champ and two-time finalist Mason Gibson. He got the victory there, and while Gibson reversed the result in their third place match, Hughes reminded the nation that he's a top tier lightweight.
Cael Hughes' quarterfinal bout with Mason Gibson
60 kg - Brock Bobzien over Ryder Block & Emilio Ysaguirre
Immediately after winning the Cadet World Team Trials, Brock Bobzien kept his hot streak rolling to the freestyle finals. Along the way, he took out ranked wrestlers Emilio Ysaguirre and Ryder Block. The Block result was particularly important as Ryder Block had just defeated Bobzien the week before at the Ultimate Club Duals.
Brock Bobzien's upset over Ryder Block
71 kg - Braeden Scoles over Antrell Taylor
Sophomor Braeden Scoles has stood out in Wisconsin, but this weekend he made his mark on a national stage with a fourth place finish at 71 kg. His most impressive victory came in the consolation semifinals over Nebraska commit Antrell Taylor. Scoles will be on the scene for a while.
Braeden Scoles match with Antrell Taylor
60 kg - Dylan Gilcher over Ryder Block & Tyler Kasak
Detroit Central Catholic's Dylan Gilcher had a strong weekend at Cadets as well. After a controversial loss to Brock Bobzien, Gilcher stood out with upset wins over Tyler Kasak and Ryder Block. Gilcher went from a solid guy just outside the rankings to a top 20 132-pounder.
Dylan Gilcher's consolation match against Tyler Kasak
