2024 U20 Men’s World Team Trials, U23 Nationals Preview

Whoooo boy.

If any of you out there were under the impression that wrestling season was going on hiatus as the calendar turns to June – well, you were sorely mistaken.

But fret not, Hawkeye fans! This isn’t some last-minute ‘summer book club’ being thrust upon you by next year’s English teacher.

Rather, the ‘assignment’ both you and I have been tasked with is to watch a whole bunch of high-quality freestyle action this weekend as both the Under-20 World Team Trials and Under-23 Nationals take place in Geneva, Ohio.

So, if anything, we should be thanking our lucky stars for the coming days ahead.

That said, a tournament is only as good as the competitors in it – and in that respect, it’s the who Iowa fans can tune in to watch this weekend that truly makes this a must-see event.

Based on registration through USA Wrestling, a total of 15 current/future Hawkeyes will be entered in a bracket somewhere over the next three days.

It’s not a stretch to suggest that as many as half of those entries could conceivably nab a starting spot in Iowa’s 2024-25 lineup depending on various machinations, and in some instances this freestyle event could serve as an early indication as to where (i.e. which weight) guys may be looking to plant their proverbial ‘flag’ for the season ahead.

A full schedule for the upcoming festivities – all of which will be streamed live on FloWrestling – can be found at this link, but for a brief summary, Greco-Roman action (U20 and U23) will start and conclude on Friday (May 31), U20 Freestyle will do the same on Saturday (June 1) and U23 Freestyle will span both Saturday and Sunday (June 1-2).

The U20 divisions are considered ‘World Team Trials’ events, meaning the eventual first-place finisher in each weight class will earn themselves a berth on Team USA for the upcoming U20 World Championships to be held in Pontevedra, Spain (September 2-8).

These will be smaller, more exclusive brackets that have already been winnowed down by various qualifying criteria (found here). A ‘challenge tournament’ will be held amongst the competitors to determine which of them moves on to the best-of-three finals – where the winner of last month’s US Open awaits them.

Conversely, the U23 division is a ‘Nationals’ event, meaning pretty much anyone certified under USA Wrestling can compete if they so choose.

As I’ll detail later, that makes for much larger brackets at each weight (thus the two-day tournament). Meanwhile, there is no athlete automatically sitting out until the finals, so whomever advances through each half of the traditional bracket will square off against one another in a best-of-three series to determine the U23 National Champion.

One final caveat, however, is that winning this weekend does not automatically earn you a spot on Team USA for the upcoming U23 World Championships – set for October 21-27 in Tirana, Albania.

Why? Well, because any age eligible athlete who finished in the top three of their weight class at April’s Olympic Trials has ‘first dibs’ on the U23 spot at that weight if they so choose. There would be no wrestle-off between themselves and this weekend’s U23 first-place finisher – it would simply belong to the former.

Fortunately for Iowa wrestlers (and the rest of the U23 field), from what I can tell that provision is only met by two such athletes from the Olympic Trials – and both weights (57 and 74 kilograms) are unlikely to be won by Hawkeyes this weekend anyway.

But enough of the minutiae already. I’ve said it, you get it, now let’s move on – because aside from overall great wrestling there also happens to be some seriously interesting names/storylines to monitor with the Hawkeyes…starting with quite literally the ‘biggest’ one of them all.

Kueter enters U20 Trials – something or nothing?

In truth, my A1 storyline entering the weekend could quite possibly be a total ‘nothing burger’ when it’s all said and done – not because of any win/loss outcome on the mat, but because despite the World Team implications in play for almost every competitor at the event they very well might not apply to the wrestler I’m referring to now.

(Enter Ben Kueter.)

The last time Kueter – ever the source of fascination amongst Hawkeye fans given his ongoing dual-sport ambitions – competed at the U20 Trials not only did he win them, but just a few months later he’d go on to win the World title at 97 kilograms.

In fact, even prior to sealing the deal in the finals he’d already etched his name alongside true modern USA Wrestling legends:

Given his accolades both domestically and abroad my interest is always piqued just knowing Kueter is taking the mat.

But what really raised my ‘antenna’ this time was the fact that he’s electing to compete at all this weekend.

Kueter’s previous foray at U20 Trials wasn’t a year ago, but two – going into his senior year of high school as opposed to a freshman/sophomore year of college during which the far steeper demands of Hawkeye football are in play.

Up until this point, our understanding has been that during ‘football season’ Kueter is all-in on the gridiron (minus a few workouts with the team/Hawkeye Wrestling Club that he might be able to squeeze in to his schedule as allowed).

Based upon that premise, it made total sense why he wouldn’t even pursue U20 Trials a year ago – the reward for which would’ve been a U20 World Championships held in Amman, Jordan last August (14-20), smack dab in the middle of fall football camp.

The timing this year would appear to be even less ideal, as the September (2-8) World Championships in Spain just so happen to fall on the same exact week as a pretty important game – a September 7 home tilt against the rival Cyclones.

So, what’s different this go around?

Would Kirk Ferentz – or perhaps more specifically, Phil Parker and Seth Wallace – really allow a promising redshirt freshman linebacker to trek across the Atlantic during the season for an international wrestling event?

That feels unlikely.

Does this signal a desire from Kueter to lend more of his time/focus to wrestling – a decision that so many folks have speculated as being inevitable (toward either sport) given the demands of attempting to excel at both?

I don’t have the slightest clue.

More than likely (at least based on what we know now) the answer is far less earth-shattering – i.e. maybe he just wants to go scrap with some high-level competition at the beginning of June before football kicks back into high gear and draws his full focus from mid-summer until the New Year.

That said, consider me to be taking a wait-and-see approach with all of this – something I’d encourage the rest of you to do as well.

Until we hear something concrete from Kueter it’s merely fun speculation, as opposed to constructive conversation as to what any of this does/doesn’t mean.

Now, as it pertains to hearing more from Kueter himself, the good news is Flo/USA Wrestling almost always interviews the winners of these major events immediately following the finals – and Kueter can most definitely win this weekend.

Registered at 125 kilograms (~275.6 pounds), he’ll be joined in the bracket by fellow Hawkeye heavyweight Bradley Hill – Iowa’s 2024 NCAA qualifier who finished runner up at the 2023 U20 US Open and seventh at this event a year ago.

They’ll have to contend with a loaded 11-man field featuring seven of the top eight finishers from last month’s US Open.

Some top competitors to keep in mind:

‘New weight’ Drake?

Another fascinating development as I was scrolling through entries for this weekend – Drake Ayala is set to take on the U23 field at 61 kilograms, roughly 10 pounds heavier than where he’s previously competed for the Hawkeyes, as well as the corresponding 57-kilogram (125.7-pound) freestyle weight class at his disposal.

Murmurs and speculation have already been out there as to whether a potential bump up to 133 pounds next season could be in the works for Ayala – your 2024 NCAA runner up at 125 – and this certainly does nothing to dispel the possibility.

Having said that, it’s also possible that he’d simply rather not cut a bunch of weight during his summer ‘offseason.’

Among Drake’s biggest competition this Saturday/Sunday will be Ohio State redshirt freshman Nic Bouzakis – a three-time U20 World teamer (bronze in 2023) – as well as previous NCAA All-American’s Anthony Noto (Lock Haven) and Aaron Nagao (Penn State).

Ayala’s last foray into the freestyle scene was a 5 place finish at 57kg back in 2021 at U20 Nationals.

It’s quite feasible an even higher podium finish could be in order this time around so long as he can navigate the 93-man bracket standing in his way.

(I’m breathing heavily after just typing that last figure, BTW.)

One of those 92 other wrestlers will be Iowa teammate Jesse Ybarra.

A redshirt junior, Ybarra’s does have past freestyle credentials – most notably a runner up finish back in 2019 at the U17 Trials.

Arnold looks to take the next step

Iowa’s other premier true freshman – who showed even more extensive flashes of brilliance than did Kueter this past season – Gabe Arnold enters this weekend seeking a measure of redemption after falling just one win shy of making the U20 World team a year ago.

A 14-man field of 79-kilogram (174.2 pounds) competitors awaits, including seven of the top eight finishers from April’s US Open.

Chief among them will be incoming Penn State freshman Zach Ryder – a two-time U17 World bronze medalist who sits in the best-of-three finals (a spot Arnold occupied in 2023).

The #5 overall prospect in the Class of 2024 by Flo, Ryder’s closest match at the US Open was a 4-3 quarterfinal decision against 2025 Nittany Lion commit William Henckel (ranked eighth in the Class of 2025).

There’s a better-than-decent chance Arnold will need to best both of them in order to win the spot at this weight – a task I believe the young Hawkeye is more than up to if he’s on his game.

PK staying up as opposed to going down?

Elsewhere at 79 kilograms – ‘elsewhere’ being an entirely different bracket – Patrick Kennedy will throw his hat in the ring at U23 Nationals.

Similar to Ayala, it’s not his entry but the weight class that somewhat surprised me.

Despite his bumping up to fill in a hole at 174 pounds this past season, Kennedy has always been viewed as a most natural 165-pounder. However, with the insertion of Michael Caliendo into the fold in 2023-24 it’s been thought (including by yours truly) that PK might either have to A) flip the result of their last ‘wrestle-off’ match, or B) try to make the cut down to 157 if he wants to make the lineup next season.

His wrestling at 79kg in early-June certainly doesn’t preclude either of those future scenarios from taking place, but it could hint that perhaps his eye is on challenging Arnold at 174 as a fallback option instead.

Regardless, PK was incredibly impressive at this event back in 2022, winning his bracket at 74 kilograms over a slew of college All-Americans. Unfortunately, his spot on the World team was ‘swiped’ by Iowa State’s David Carr via the latter’s top-three finish at Senior Trials that same year.

At present, 103 athletes make up the field at 79kg – most notable of which are oft top-10 ranked Nebraska 184-pounder Lenny Pinto (a two-time NCAA qualifier) and Cornell fifth-year junior Julian Ramirez (a three-time NCAA Round of 12 finisher at 165 pounds).

Joining PK in the field will be fellow Hawkeye junior Sebastian Robles.

Rathjen’s response

Much like Kennedy was forced to adapt/respond to the addition of a high-powered transfer to the room in 2023-24, junior-to-be Caleb Rathjen faces a comparable situation entering 2024-25.

Four-time All-American Kyle Parco enters the fray via Arizona State, leaving Rathjen (the incumbent starter at 149 pounds) a few options:

His entry into an almost comically large 140-man bracket at 70 kilograms (154.3 pounds) doesn’t exactly tip his hand in either direction, which turns my attention toward his performance instead.

(I know, what a wild concept.)

Rathjen was third at this weight in this very event last year, dropping an 11-8 semifinal match against NC State’s Ed Scott.

Scott – a 2023 NCAA All-American (5) for the Wolfpack – is registered again in 2024 and will be worth looking out for as the tournament progresses.

The same goes for Stanford sophomore Daniel Cardenas (4 at 157 pounds at NCAA’s), Scott’s NC State teammate Jackson Arrington, and talented Iowa State Cyclone Paniro Johnson – who’s set to return from NCAA gambling-related suspension next year just like a couple of Hawkeyes.

Heck, I’ll be fascinated just to see which guys can stay on their feet for an entire six-minute match after a tournament run that could require as many as 8-9 wins to stand atop the podium.

The ‘Iceman’ faces a timely follow-up test

A nightmare finish to an otherwise phenomenal season probably mars how quite a few folks view the year that was from Iowa 197-pounder Zach Glazier – and that’s a real bummer.

But two months later, there’s no better time to get back on the proverbial ‘horse’ and put NCAA’s firmly behind him than with a return to the excellent form we watched him overwhelmingly display from November up until mid-March.

In this writer’s estimation, a quality finish at 92 kilograms (202.8 pounds) this weekend would do just that, as Glazier will vie for a U23 title against several credentialed opponents in the 48-man bracket.

A few foes of note:

Not to be overlooked, Glazier is no slouch on the freestyle scene either – having finished runner up at U20 Nationals in 2021 (92kg) to eventual World champion Rocky Elam (Missouri).

The rest of the registered

An additional quartet of Iowa wrestlers is also registered for U23 competition this weekend.

At 57 kilograms redshirt freshman Joey Cruz (an Oklahoma transfer this past season) may very well be auditioning for a potential starting gig next year if it turns out Drake Ayala does in fact bump up to 133 pounds.

Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Jace Rhodes will test himself at 65 kilograms (143.3 pounds), and Isaiah Fenton and Drake Rhodes will do the same up at 74kg (163.1 pounds).

An eye toward the future

While neither of Iowa’s two most highly regarded 2024 prospects – Angelo Ferrari and Miguel Estrada – will be in action this weekend (both skipped the US Open as well), Hawkeye fans do still have a pair of exciting prospects to keep tabs on.

Almost sure to be the crown jewel of Iowa’s 2025 class, New Jersey native Leo DeLuca enters as the second-ranked 120-pounder in the country and the sixth overall prospect in next year’s recruiting cycle (per Flo).

The Hawkeye commit will take part in perhaps the most exciting bracket of the entire weekend as he locks horns with a veritable who’s who of top young lightweights for the distinction of representing Team USA at 57 kilograms at the upcoming U20 World Championships.

However much they’re charging for admission in Ohio over the next few days, that field alone might be worth the price.

And finally, it’s long past due that we put some shine on Iowa’s lone Greco entry of the weekend.

Thanks to his US Open win last month, recent 2024 commit Otto Black (Colorado) has the good fortune of waiting for his next opponent in the best-of-three U20 finals at 63 kilograms (138.9 pounds).

Should he prevail in that series, Black would make his second age-level World team following a U17 appearance during which he lost a pair of tight bouts in both the semifinal and bronze medal matches back in 2021.

Short time

So, there you have it.

I believe every ‘stone’ has now been turned, every ‘nook and cranny’ searched.

(Basically, I’m pretty much out of things to say about this weekend’s action.)

And as I’m sure some of you are familiar with by now, it often takes that long-overdue realization from yours truly in order to finally (mercifully) bring things to a close.

If I’m certain of anything, it’s that we’re in store for a whole lot of fun, high-caliber wrestling over these next few days – which is more than enough for me personally.

That said, it could potentially also be quite informative as to the 2024-25 season that Iowa fans have been looking forward to ever since NCAA’s came to an unsatisfactory close in March.

Either way, there’s great wrestling to be consumed, meaning we all win no matter what.

Be sure to check back in early next week for my recap of proceedings and as always, thanks for reading.

‘Till next time.

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