Jake Herbert captured a silver medal during his first appearance at the World Championships in 2009.

But he lost to Cuba’s Reineris Salas in the first round of the 2010 Worlds. Salas went on to win a World bronze medal.

Herbert has bounced back from that setback to wrestle well this season. He looked strong in winning April’s U.S. Open freestyle title at 84 kg/185 lbs. 

The win by Herbert at the U.S. Open clinches him a spot in the best-of-3 finals series at the World Team Trials, set for June 10-11 in Oklahoma City.

Herbert downed past NCAA champion Keith Gavin in the finals of the U.S. Open. Gavin, second to Herbert at the 2010 World Team Trials, placed second at the Pan American Championships. 

Bryce Hasseman, second in the 2009 World Team Trials, took third at the U.S. Open. Past NCAA champion Max Askren placed fourth at the Open.

Brandon Sinnott followed by placing fifth in the U.S. Open with Raymond Jordan sixth and Tyrel Todd seventh.

Past Olympic and World Team member Andy Hrovat is another wrestler to watch in this division.

Past National Team member Chris Pendleton also has qualified for the Trials. Pendleton placed third in the 2005 World Team Trials.

2011 NCAA champions Quentin Wright and Jon Reader also are in the field.

Wright won the University Nationals title this year after winning the University World Team Trials last year. Reader placed fourth in the 2009 World Team Trials.

2004 Olympic gold medalist and Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson also is a possibility in this class. Sanderson won the Northeast Regional earlier this year at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., but he formerly competed at 84 kilos.

2011 U.S. Open results at 84 kg/185 lbs. in freestyle
1st – Jake Herbert, Evanston, Ill. (New York AC) dec. Keith Gavin, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC), 2-2, 3-2
3rd – Bryce Hasseman, Oklahoma City, Okla. (New York AC) won by forfeit over Max Askren, Hartland, Wis. (Sunkist Kids)
5th – Brandon Sinnott, Chapel Hill, N.C. (Gator WC) won by injury default Raymond Jordan, Phoenix, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
7th – Tyrel Todd, Bozeman, Mont. (New York AC) dec. James Yonushonis, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC), 2-0, 1-0

World Team qualifiers at 84 kg/185 lbs. in freestyle
U.S. Open Champion – Jake Herbert, Evanston, Ill. (New York AC)
U.S. Open, second place – Keith Gavin, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley AC)
U.S. Open, third place – Bryce Hasseman, Oklahoma City, Okla. (New York AC)
U.S. Open, fourth place – Max Askren, Hartland, Wis. (New York AC) 
U.S. Open, fifth place – Brandon Sinnott, Chapel Hill, N.C. (Gator WC)
U.S. Open, sixth place – Raymond Jordan, Phoenix, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Open, seventh place – Tyrel Todd, Bozeman, Mont. (New York AC)
Northern Plains Trials Champion – Chris Pendleton, Laramie, Wyo. (Gator WC)
Past U.S. Olympic Team member – Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
University Nationals Champion 84 kg – Quentin Wright, Wingate, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
University Nationals runner-up 84 kg – Mack Lewnes, Annapolis, Md. (Cornell)
University Nationals Champion 79 kg – Colt Sponseller, Glenmont, Ohio (Ohio RTC)
National Coach wild card – James Yonushonis, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC)
National Coach wild card – Jon Reader, Davison, Mich. (Sunkist Kids)