Mike Poeta works for a takedown against Matt Brown in the finals. G. Wyatt Schultz photo.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Mike Poeta has a skill set suited for freestyle wrestling.

Slick, fast and technically sound, Poeta put his vast arsenal on his feet on display in winning the Final Olympic Trials Qualifier in freestyle wrestling on Saturday at the UNI-Dome. 

Poeta, a past NCAA runner-up for Illinois, looked dominant in downing Matt Brown 2-1, 6-0 in the finals at 74 kg/163 lbs. Poeta was one of 14 wrestlers to land spots in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, set for April 21-22 in Iowa City.

“I was feeling a lot of pressure to qualify for the Trials, but I was happy with the way I wrestled,” Poeta said. “It was a relief to get qualified. I’m obviously not satisfied because I think I can beat every guy in the U.S. at my weight. Now I can focus completely on winning the Trials.”

The top two finishers in each weight class in Cedar Falls, who haven’t previously qualified, earned berths into the Olympic Trials.

Past World silver medalist and Olympian Cary Kolat also looked strong in winning the title at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Second in the U.S. Open last year, the powerful Kolat swept past NCAA All-American Joe Johnston 2-0, 1-0 in the finals.

Kolat, 38, had already qualified for the Olympic Trials prior to Saturday.

“I came out to get some rust off and compete,” Kolat said. “There is still some stuff to work on. I feel a lot better than I did last year. I hurt my neck last year right before the World Team Trials, but I’m feeling good again.”

Past NCAA champion and U.S. National Team member Chris Pendleton scored a 1-0, 3-0 finals win over past NCAA champion Max Askren at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

“I’m at a new weight class, and I think I will stay at 96 for the Trials,” Pendleton said. “Some of the guys don’t feel that big to me, except (Craig) Brester. I’m just focusing on my wrestling and trying to stay healthy.”

Four-time NCAA All-American Zach Sanders downed Michael Martinez 2-0, 2-0 in the finals at 55 kg/121 lbs.

Past NCAA Division III champion John Helgerson, who competed for nearby Wartburg College, outlasted Justin Grant 2-1, 1-2, 1-0 in the finals at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Tyrel Todd swept Joe LeBlanc 5-0, 2-0 in a battle of past NCAA All-Americans in the finals at 84 kg/185 lbs.

Drew Headlee earned a 4-0, 4-3 decision over Andrew Hochstrasser in the finals at 60 kg/132 lbs.

The Final Olympic Trials Qualifier for Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle competition is set for Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

FINALS RESULTS

55 kg/121 lbs.
Zach Sanders (Minnesota Storm) dec. Michael Martinez (Cowboy WC), 2-0, 2-0

60 kg/132 lbs.
Drew Headlee (Sunkist Kids) dec. Andrew Hochstrasser (Bronco WC), 4-0, 4-3

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Cary Kolat (NCRTC) dec. Joe Johnston (Gator WC), 2-0, 1-0

74 kg/163 lbs.
Mike Poeta (New York AC) dec. Matt Brown (Nittany Lion WC), 2-1, 6-0

84 kg/185 lbs.
Tyrel Todd (New York AC) dec. Joe LeBlanc (Cowboy WC), 5-0, 2-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Chris Pendleton (Gator Wrestling Club) dec. Max Askren (New York AC), 1-0, 3-1

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
John Helgerson (Wartburg) dec. Justin Grant (Husky WC), 2-1, 1-2, 1-0

OLYMPIC TRIALS QUALIFIERS

55 kg/121 lbs.
Sanders, Martinez

60 kg/132 lbs.
Headlee, Hochstrasser

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Johnston, Zack Bailey (Victory Wrestling)

74 kg/163 lbs.
Poeta, Brown

84 kg/185 lbs.
Todd, LeBlanc

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Pendleton, Askren

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Helgerson, Grant