42KG/92.5lbs
Top Entrants
Ryan Chauvin, CO (8) – 2014 Tulsa Nationals 4th
Jordan Crace, OH (8) – 2014 Central Regional FS RU
Rhett Golowenski, OK (8) – 2013 USAW Schoolboy FS 7th
Riley Gurr, WA (8) – 2014 USAW Cadet Folk 3rd
Malik Heinselman, CO (8) – 2013 USAW Schoolboy FS Champ
Jason Holmes, AZ (9) – 2014 USAW Cadet Folk Champ
Logan Macri, PA (8) – 2014 Tulsa Nationals 3rd
Patrick McKee, MN (8) – 2014 USAW Cadet Folk 5th
Zack Murillo, CT (11) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS RU
Cody Phippen, KS (8) – 2014 USAW Cadet Folk Champ
Gavin Teasdale, PA (8) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS Champ
Chase Zollman, CA (8) – 2013 USAW Schoolboy FS 5th
Breakdown: As is generally the case, this weight class is composed primarily of incoming freshman; nearly all of who are making their debut at the FILA Cadet level. Of this group, the most accomplished is Teasdale, who has unanimously been considered to be among the nation’s elite middle school wrestlers for quite some time. On the flip side, the other top contender is Murillo, who has at least a couple years of age on nearly the entire field. Also among those most likely to make a stab at the Cadet World Team are 2014 Cadet Folkstyle champions Holmes and Phippen.
Predicted Finish: Teasdale, Murillo, Phippen, Holmes
46KG/101.25lbs
Top Entrants
Roman Bravo-Young, AZ (8) – 2014 USAW Cadet Folk 4th
Brandon Courtney, AZ (9) – 2014 USAW Cadet Folk RU
Louie Hayes, IL (9) – 2014 USAW Junior Folk RU
Dom Lajoie, MI (9) – 2014 State Champ
Nathan Lendt, IA (8) – 2013 Tulsa Nationals 3rd
Drew Mattin, OH (9) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS 6th
Randon Miranda, CA (11) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS 5th
William Moss, PA (9) – 2012 USAW Schoolboy FS RU
Cade Olivas, CA (8) – 2014 USAW Cadet Folk Champ
Dack Punke, IL (9) – 2014 State 3rd
Zachary Sherman, NJ (9) – 2014 National Prep RU
Breakdown: There’s no shortage of talent at 46 kilos, but Olivas stands alone as the clear favorite to secure a world team spot at this weight. Considered by many to be the country’s top wrestler in the class of 2018, Olivas was a bronze medalist in Greco at the 2013 FILA Cadet World Championship. Furthermore, he’s won a pair of Cadet Folkstyle national titles prior to wrestling his first high school match. Beyond Olivas, there is minimal separation in the field, and there are a handful of names that I would not be surprised to see opposite his in the finals. My pick is Sherman, who is still fresh off of a breakout runner-up finish at National Preps. Others expected to be in the mix include returning FILA Cadet FS AA’s Miranda and Mattin.
Predicted Finish: Olivas, Sherman, Miranda, Lajoie
50KG/110.25lbs
Top Entrants
Breandan Coughlin, MD (11) – 2013 USAW Junior Folk RU
Ben Freeman, MI (9) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS 5th
Kaden Gfeller, OK (9) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS RU
Austin Gomez, IL (9) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS Champ
Spencer Lee, PA (9) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS Champ
Braxton Ocana, UT (11) – 2014 State 3rd
Ian Parker, MI (10) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS 3rd
Joey Prata, VA (10) – 2012 USAW Cadet FS 5th
Justin Ratkovec, WI (10) – 2014 USAW Cadet Folk 6th
Ian Timmins, NV (9) – 2014 USAW Cadet Folk 5th
Denzel Tovar, NJ (11) – 2014 State Qualifier
Jaden Van Maanen, WI (9) – 2014 State 3rd
Danny Vega, AZ (10) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS Champ
Bryce West, IA (9) – 2014 State 3rd
Drew West, IA (9) – 2014 State Champ
Breakdown: This is arguably the tournament’s strongest weight class, but it would be a shock to see anyone other than Lee emerge as champion. Lee pinned and TF’d his way to world team spot at this weight last year, and in the 12 months since has recorded one of the most impressive freshman seasons in recent memory. However, Lee is not the only returning Cadet World Team member entered at 50 kilos; he is joined by Gomez, last year’s representative at 42 kilos. Furthermore, Gfeller was runner-up to Gomez at this event last year, but went on to avenge the loss under the spotlight in the finals at Fargo a few months later. Parker and Freeman, FILA Cadet FS AA’s at 46 kilos last year, round out the most likely candidates to earn a shot at Lee in the finals.
Predicted Finish: Lee, Gfeller, Gomez, Parker
54KG/119lbs
Top Entrants
Vitali Arujau, NY (9) – 2014 State Champ
Edward Chalifoux III, TN (10) – 2013 Cadet FS 7th
Tanner Cox, UT (10) – 2012 USAW Cadet FS 6th
Dylan Duncan, IL (10) – 2014 State Champ
Paul Fitterer, MN (11) – 2013 USAW Cadet Folk 3rd
Daton Fix, OK (10) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS Champ
Brent Jones, MN (9) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS 3rd
Joshua Kramer, AZ (11) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS 7th
Josh McClure, MO (10) – 2014 State Champ
Jack Mueller, TX (10) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS Champ
Corbin Nirschl, KS (9) – 2014 USAW Cadet Folk 7th
Travis Piotrowski, IL (10) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS 6th
Brock Rathbun, IA (10) – 2014 State RU
Ethan Reel, IL (10) – 2014 State RU
Andrew Smith, WI (10) – 2013 USAW Cadet Folk 7th
Kanen Storr, MI (10) – 2013 State Champ
Jon Trowbridge, KS (8) – 2013 USAW Schoolboy FS RU
Dylan Udero, NM (10) – 2014 USAW Junior Folk 4th
Breakdown: Fix and Muller are the leading candidates for the 54KG spot on this year’s world team. Both won Cadet FS titles in Fargo last July, but will be hard pressed by a field that is among this year’s deepest and most balanced. Among those also capable of winning this weight are respective state champions Duncan, Arujau, and Storr.
Predicted Finish: Fix, Mueller, Storr, Duncan
58KG/127.75lbs
Top Entrants
Kyle Bierdumpfel, NJ (10) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS 5th
Chris DeBien, TN (11) – 2013 USAW Cadet Folk RU
Adam Flatt, GA (11) – 2014 State RU
Aaron Grigsby, AR (11) – 2014 State Champ
Carter Happel, IA (10) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS Champ
Taylor LaMont, UT (10) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS Champ
Nick Lee, IN (9) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS RU
Hunter Marko, WI (10) – 2013 USAW Junior FS Champ
Mitchell McKee, MN (10) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS 3rd
Andrew Mehrholz, IL (10) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS 4th
Richard Montoya, NM (11) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS 6th
Matt Noble, NJ (11) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS 7th
Juaquin Olivas, AZ (11) – 2014 State Champ
Taylor Ortz, PA (10) – 2014 State 3rd
Shane Oster, IL (10) – 2014 State 3rd
Ted Rico, AZ (11) – 2013 State Champ
Dan Shear, MI (11) – 2014 USAW Junior Folk 3rd
Corey Shie, OH (9) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS 7th
Patrick Spray, WI (10) – 2014 State RU
Gabriel Townsell, IL (10) – 2013 USAW Cadet FS RU
Coltan Williams, TX (11) – 2013 FILA Cadet FS 4th
Breakdown: This is probably the tournament’s strongest field from top to bottom. Lee returns as the marginal favorite after a runner-up finish at this weight a year ago, but is just one of several premier wrestlers whose sights are firmly fixed on a Cadet World Team spot. Others within that group include 4 wrestlers who were Cadet FS Finalists in Fargo last summer; champions Happell and Lamont, and runners-up McKee and Townsell. Furthermore reigning Junior FS Champ Marko and returning FILA Cadet FS AA’s Merholz and Williams also figure to be squarely in the mix.
Predicted Finish: Lee, McKee, Lamont, Townsell
Become a Grappler Gold member and get access to premium Grappler articles and videos. Now only $12.99/month!