USA Wrestling's 14U Duals
What to Know:
Style: Freestyle & Greco-Roman
Date: June 7-12, 2023
Location: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center 100 Station Avenue Oaks, PA 19456
Where to Watch: FloWrestling
Brackets:
Schedule:
Thursday, June 8 (Greco Roman)
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Session 1 – Greco (Preliminary Pool Rounds 1-2-3)
3:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Session 2 – Greco (Preliminary Pool Rounds 4-5-6)
Friday, June 9 (Greco Continued)
8:00 AM to 2:0 PM - Session 3 – Greco Gold/Siler, Bronze/Copper, Red/Blue, Green/Yellow (3 Rounds)
2:30 PM to 4:30 PM - Session 4 – Greco Finals and Awards
Saturday, June 10 (Freestyle)
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Session 1 – Freestyle (Rounds 1-2-3)
3:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Session 2 – Freestyle (Rounds 4-5-6)
Sunday, June 11 (Freestyle Continued)
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Session 3 – FS Gold/Silver, Bronze/Copper, Red/Blue, Green/Yellow (3 Rounds)
2:30 PM to 4:30 PM - Session 4 – FS Finals and Awards (1 Round)
A look back to 2022 … Greco
New Jersey took care of business with wins over PA Blue, Washington, and Utah before knocking off Indiana Gold 50-32 for the title.
Tennessee was the only SE state to make the Bronze/Copper Pool after taking 3rd in Pool D. Tennessee finished the tournament 2-2 and 12th overall.
Alabama finished 3-5, Florida was 5-3, Georgia was 4-4 (losing to Florida 44-37), and North Carolina was 0-7.
The following showed out in Greco (as I said last year and in the 16U preview … not all records are created equal):
NOTE: undefeated or one loss with a minimum of 4 wins
71: Ariah Mills (GA) 8-0
77: Hudson Chittum (TN) 8-0
83: Cooper McArhur (GA) 5-1
87: Shamus Regan (TN) 7-1
87: Everett Stephens (FL) 7-1
92: William Atkinson (AL) 6-1
102: Gary High (TN) 8-0
106: Jovani Solis (FL) 7-1
125: Malachi Puckett (TN) 8-0
125: Jaxon Unger (AL) 7-0
125: Paxton Legatt (GA) 7-1
130: Kawaryran Vasquez (FL) 8-0
136: Mason Basile (FL) 8-0
149: Jack Harty (NC) 6-1
165: Mac Andrews (FL) 8-0
187: Coleman Sovine (AL) 6-1
187: Ryder Smith (TN) 7-1
187: Robert McCoy (GA) 7-1
A look back at 2022 … Freestyle
New Jersey went 2 for 2 with a title in Freestyle as well - this time 49-29 over Iowa.
Tennessee doubled up with another 12th place finish in Freestyle
Alabama finished 2-5 (losses to both TN and FL), Florida was 6-2, Georgia was 3-4, and North Carolina was 0-7
Outstanding individual performances included:
71: Ariah Mills (GA) 6-1
77: Hudson Chittum (TN) 8-0
77: Teequavious Mills (GA) 6-1
87: Jameson Thomas (AL) 6-1
87: Everett Stephens (FL) 7-1
92: Jaxon Lane (TN) 7-1
92: William Atkinson (AL) 6-1
97: Jovanni Tovar (FL) 7-1
97: Dylan Villers (TN) 7-1
106: Jovani Solis (FL) 8-0
119: Tyree Graham (FL) 8-0
125: Jaxon Unger (AL) 6-1
125: Paxton Legatt (GA) 6-1
130: Kawayran Vazquez (FL) 8-0
136: Mason Basile (FL) 8-0
149: Tedrick Lee Jr (FL) 7-1
165: Jake Rheaume (GA) 5-0
187: Ryder Smith (TN) 7-1
Looking at this coming week’s 14U Duals …
The Breakdown: Alabama 14U’s are missing 5 from their lineup … there is some talent in the group, but the team will struggle giving up so many points in a dual. Eli Carter, Griffin Gardner, and Drew Adams each competed in the 14U duals a year ago and should help lead the way. Caleb Gray-Lowe was outstanding as a 7th grader for Thompson this past year and Kaden Clark and others will be competitive, but with so many forfeits - the team will likely struggle as a whole.
The Breakdown: Coaches JT Taylor, Steve Mocco, Jose Tovar, and Tim Boda have compiled an outstanding group that should be in the hunt for a spot in the top 8. This group lacks USA wrestling duals experience with just 3 having wrestled at the 14U duals in 2022, but there are some outstanding wrestlers on the roster. Jovanni Tovar and Jovanni Solis were outstanding last year at the 14U duals going a combined 15-1 in freestyle and 12-4 in Greco … there is no doubt they will lead the way this year. Bruce Li also has 14U duals experience and could be counted on in some important duals. If you are bringing one team to duals … this looks like the way to do it … having about 5 ready to step in if needed (it is a lot of wrestling in 2 days). As most 14U’s we don’t know many of the names just yet, but in looking at the lineup you can’t help but notice some of these names … Peter Mocco, Wilkinson Sejour, and Benito Barnhart, Javin Taylor and others. Someone in this lineup will surprise a lot of people … who will it be?
The Breakdown: A year ago - Team North Carolina struggled to an 0-7 record. That was largely due to holes throughout their lineup … that will not be the case this coming week as Team NC was just two forfeits. Jack Harty used this platform to excel last summer … who will do it in 2023? Coaches Geoff McIntosh, Ryan Camp, and Stan Banks bring a very inexperienced lineup with none of the squad having competed at 14U duals a year ago. There will be some bumps along the way, but there should also be plenty of success (at least on the individual level). Michael Woodard was 4th in Freestyle at 83, Efrain Davis was 2nd at 110, and Jeshrun Mills was 4th at 165 - all three to watch based on SE Regions a few weeks ago.
The Breakdown: Coach Brett Clark has assembled a solid group of 14U’s and Team Georgia has their sights set on a top 8 finish this coming week in Pennsylvania. The team has a nice combination of new faces and those with 14U duals experience. Ariah Mills was 6-1 in Freestyle and 8-0 in Greco last year at 14U duals and along with fellow returners Cruz Hezel, Bear Bringer, and Mihai Necula will be counted on lead the way for Team Georgia. With Hezel, Bringer, and Necula holding down the top of the lineup and Mills and Cody Clarke down on the bottom - the key for Team Georgia will be from 87 to 119 … probably amongst the most competitive weights at 14U duals. Bryson Drennen won 92 lbs. in Freestyle at SE Regions, Tanner Hunt was 2nd at 97, and Walker Woodard was 1st at 114 … and those three will be huge in determining where Georgia finishes the week.
The Breakdown: How good can Coach Matt High’s 14U squad be? It is a great question. Team Tennessee, as a whole, has exploded with talent and they are doing a great job of developing those athletes. Tennessee was close to top 8 a year ago … 2023 will likely be no different. This is a team that has the ability to be All American - but they will need to win some close duals to make it happen. Tennessee, like every other team, has absolute hammers in their lineup and then others that are new to this stage. Jaxon Lane, Dylan Villers, Gary High, Dominic Cordero, and Blake Johnson all won matches at last year’s 14U duals … Lane and Villers were 7-1 in Freestyle and High was 8-0 In Greco. But that’s just 5 weights so others will have to step up if Tennessee is going to make the top 8. Jha’kai Roller was a SE Region Champ at 71, but that was it … at least in terms of Freestyle. 130-250 will determine how far Tennessee goes … Team TN will score points down low and should be in every dual up to 119 - the question is - what happens from there?
I don’t believe South Carolins put together a 14U squad. If I am wrong please send me an email.