Takedown Report

IOWA’S KNAACK, ROSS WIN TRIPLE CROWNS; KENTUCKY’S RANEY DOUBLES UP AGAIN; ILLINOIS WINS TEAM TITLE IN 16U GRECO-ROMAN

Fargo, North Dakota – A pair of Iowans completed their second trips of the week to the top of the podium on Saturday night at the Fargodome, while Illinois regained control of Greco-Roman at the 16U level as the 2023 USMC 16U Greco-Roman National Championships came to a close in Fargo, North Dakota.

Individually, Iowa’s Kyler Knaack and Dreshaun Ross were the stars of the week, each winning their second titles here and both adjoining them with folkstyle national titles won in April to earn them the prestigious USA Wrestling Triple Crown.

The team title was tight heading into the consolation finals and medal rounds, but Illinois’ 4-2 record in placement matches combined with Iowa’s 1-8 performance before the finals gave the champions a bit of breathing room heading into the last 17 bouts where both states combined for 13 of the 34 competitors.

When the final whistle blew, Illinois and Iowa each had three champions, but Illinois came away with its 10th 1U Greco-Roman team title with 213 points and 13 All-Americans. Iowa set a state record with 15 medalists in the style and finished second with 191 pounds.

Knaack delivered in his opportunity to win the Triple Crown, capturing a 16U Greco-Roman title after a gritty 4-3 win over Illinois’ Jimmy Mastny. Knaack built a 4-1 lead before giving up two late and holding off a late takedown attempt. Knaack’s Greco-Roman title completes the rare triple titles of men’s freestyle, which he won earlier this week, and a folkstyle title, which he won following the high school season in April.

Ross wrestled as if his goal was to spend as little time as possible on the mat in the most possible championship bracket matches. Ross outscored his opponents 50-0 en route to a resounding championship at 195 pounds, giving Iowa a second Triple Crown and giving Ross his third 16U title overall to go with men’s freestyle titles last year and earlier this week. Ross dispensed with California’s David Calkins 9-0 in 37 seconds to join Iowa legend David Kjeldgaard as the only three-time 16U champion in state history across both freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Kentucky’s Jayden Raney completed his 16U career with his second straight Greco-Roman title and his fourth title in the age group, becoming the 17th wrestler in history to double up in both 16U years. Raney teched Colorado’s Austin Collins 10-2 to win the 120-pound championship. Raney is the first wrestler to complete feat since Carson Manville did it for Pennsylvania in 2018. … rest of story at … Teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2023/July/22/16U-Greco-Roman-wrap

July 28, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized