Jesse Thielke was named Outstanding Wrestler of the FILA Junior Nationals Greco-Roman competition on Thursday in Cleveland. John Sachs photo.

CLEVELAND – Jesse Thielke is hoping for another shot at competing in the Junior World Championships.

Thielke fell short of placing in back-to-back trips to the Junior Worlds in 2009 and 2010, but the standout wrestler from Wisconsin is hoping to change his fortunes this season.

Thielke took a big step toward having that opportunity after winning the FILA Junior Nationals Greco-Roman competition on Thursday night at the Cleveland Public Auditorium.

Thielke downed Minnesota’s Justin Lavalle 1-0, 1-0 to earn the title at 60 kg/132 lbs. Thielke was named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.

“I was wrestling up a weight, so it was tough wrestling some of these bigger guys,” Thielke said. “I want to be a Junior World champion. I know I’m right there with the best guys and I’m excited to see what I can do this year.”

The Junior age group consists of 17-20 year olds, featuring some of the nation’s top wrestlers, as well as underclassmen from the college level.

The champions in each of the seven Olympic weight classes, plus 50 kg/110 lbs., advance to the best-of-3 finals for the FILA Junior World Team Trials unless there is a returning Junior World medalist in that weight class. The Junior World Team Trials are set for May 19-20 in Franklin, Ind.

Ellis Coleman is the lone returning Junior World medalist in Greco-Roman. He won a Junior World bronze medal last year at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. He is not competing this weekend because of an injury.

The top six finishers in the seven Olympic classes, plus 50 kg, qualify for the Junior World Team Trials.

Champions crowned Thursday also included Colton Howell (50 kg/110 lbs.), Mike Fuenffinger (55 kg/121 lbs.), Jamel Johnson (63 kg/138.75 lbs.), Joseph Locksmith (66 kg/145.5 lbs.), Justin Koethe (70 kg/154 lbs.), Josh Castellano (74 kg/163 lbs.), Jake Waste (79 kg/174 lbs.), Devin Peterson (84 kg/185 lbs.), Marcus Finau (96 kg/211.5 lbs.) and Toby Erickson (120 kg/264.5 lbs.).

Johnson beat his former college teammate, Daniel Ownbey, 3-1, 1-0 in the finals. Johnson and Ownbey were teammates at UNC Greensboro, which is dropping wrestling.

“It was pretty hard, wrestling a teammate,” Johnson said. “He’s a tough kid and he’s hard to wrestle. He came after me and it was a good match. It feels good to win this.”

The U.S. Open for men’s and women’s freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling will take place on Friday and Saturday. The FILA Junior Nationals freestyle competition is set for Sunday.

FILA JUNIOR NATIONALS GRECO-ROMAN FINALS RESULTS

50 kg/110 lbs.
Colton Howell (Tri Lakes Wrestling) dec. Antonio Juarez Jr. (Unattached), 0-6, 1-0, 1-0

55 kg/121 lbs.
Mike Fuenffinger (Minnesota Storm) dec. Robert Dyar (NYAC-Harlem), 2-0, 0-4, 6-0

60 kg/132 lbs.
Jesse Thielke (Sunkist Kids) dec. Justin Lavalle (Minnesota Storm), 1-0, 1-0

63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Jamel Johnson (YES Wrestling) dec. Daniel Ownbey (YES Wrestling), 3-1, 1-0

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Joseph Locksmith (Navy Mat Club) dec. Danny O’Malley (Terrapin Wrestling Club), 1-0, 0-2, 3-0

70 kg/154 lbs.
Justin Koethe (Trojan Wrestling Club) dec. Christopher Castillo (Victory Wrestling Club Central), 7-0, 2-0

74 kg/163 lbs.
Josh Castellano (USOEC) dec. Geordian Speiller (Florida JETS), 0-1, 1-0, 2-0

79 kg/174 lbs.
Jake Waste (Minnesota Storm) dec. Rick Goerke (Attrition), 5-0, 5-1

84 kg/185 lbs.
Devin Peterson (Wisconsin Rapids) dec. Cody Johnston (MoWest), 6-0, 1-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Marcus Finau (USOEC) dec. Trevor Rupp (Wolverine Wrestling Club), 3-0, 1-0

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Toby Erickson (Bronco Wrestling Club) dec. Parker Betts (Minnesota Storm), 6-0, 2-1