The World Team Trials Challenge Tournament took place this weekend in Raleigh, NC.  In this tournament, the top wrestlers in the U.S. competed for a spot in the Final X later this summer. The winners of the  Final X will represent the U.S. at the 2019 World Championships.

Zain Retherford (65 kg) scored two 7-6 victories over former 2X NCAA Champion and multiple time U.S. National team member Jordan Oliver to win the best of three finals at the World Team Trials Tournament.  On his was to the finals Zain defeated former NCAA Champ Dean Heil by technical fall and earned a hard fought victory over former Olympian and teammate Frank Molinaro. 

Bo Nickal (92 kg) had a bye to the best of three finals after his U.S. Open Title last month. Bo defeated NCAA Champion Michael Macchiavello by scores of 10-0 and 5-0 to win the title.

Ben Provisor (87 kg) dominated in three straight matches to win the Greco-Roman Challenge Tournament and then defeated Patrick Martinez by scores of 1-1 criteria and 3-1 to win the best of three finals.

Several Other NLWC Wrestlers also had Fine Performances
Competing for the first time up a weight at 74 kg, Jason Nolf won the challenge tournament before dropping the final match in the best of three series.  Mason Manville, competing in Greco at 77 kg had three straight victories before losing in the best of three finals.  Roman Bravo-Young (61 kg) finished second in the Junior Freestyle challenge tournament while Mark Hall (79 kg) also earned a silver.  Josh Rodriguez (57 kg) and Riley Lefever (92 kg) both earned third place with Josh defeating 2019 NCAA runner-up Jack Mueller, 11-8, and Riley tech falling 2019 NCAA runner-up Kollin Moore in their bronze medal matches.   Jarod Verkleeren, Geno Morelli (79 kg) and Nick Nevills (125 kg) wrestled but fell short of placing.

Former NLWC wrestlers Nico Megaludis, Frank Molinaro, and Dan Vallimont also competed. Both Nico and Frank had outstanding tournaments, finishing true 2nd in their weight classes.