USA Wrestling has announced that five men’s freestyle athletes have been as wildcard selections for the 2010 World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa, June 11-12.

The following athletes who have applied for wildcard selections have been approved and have been added to the field in Council Bluffs. (listed in weight order):

55 kg/121 lbs. – Mark McKnight, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Lehigh Valley WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Brent Metcalf, Iowa City, Iowa (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Corey Jantzen, Shoreham, N.Y. (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Max Askren, Columbia, Mo. (Sunkist Kids)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Kirk Smith, Boise, Idaho (Bronco WC)

A bit about each of those selected as wildcards:

• McKnight placed fifth at the 2009 Sunkist Kids International and second in 2010 Northeast Regionals. He was fourth in the 2008 NCAA Championships for Penn State.

• Metcalf was a two-time NCAA champion for Iowa, placed second at the 2009 U.S. Open, and competed in the 2006 FILA Junior World Championships. 

• Jantzen, who is on a redshirt year from Harvard, won a bronze medal at the 2009 New York AC International and competed on the 2010 U.S. World Cup team.

• Askren won the 2010 NCAA Championships for Missouri and was eighth in the 2006 FILA Junior World Championships.

• Smith placed second in the 2010 NCAA Championships for Boise State. He won the 2008 FILA Junior World Team Trials and was second at the 2009 FILA Junior World Team Trials.

Athletes who wished to be considered for a wildcard selection notified the National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones by Tuesday in order to be considered.

Under the current procedures, the wildcard nominations by the National Freestyle Coach were reviewed and approved by a three-member sub-committee headed by the chairperson of the Freestyle Sport Committee. The sub-committee did not have to fill all 10 wildcard spots, and were allowed to appoint multiple wildcards in a specific weight class if they chose to do so.

As the committee has approved only five wildcards at this time, additional wildcards could be added to the field prior to the competition. A number of applicants have been placed on pending status, while others have had their application denied.