Junior National Greco-Roman finalist biographies

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
07/17/2012


98 pounds

RED: J.J. McClelland, Viroqua, Wis.
2012 Wisconsin state freestyle and Greco-Roman champion… 2012 Junior National Duals team member… Eighth in 2012 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals… State qualifier at 106 pounds for Viroqua High School as a sophomore with a 43-6 record… Competed at 103 pounds as a freshman with a 33-11 record… Son of Joe and Darcy McClelland… Coached by Eric Anderson, Bill Hannah and Lucas Steldt… Favorite movie: Semi-Pro… Favorite athlete: Rocky Balboa… Born: August 29, 1995… Age: 16

BLUE: Jabari Moody, Country Club Hills, Ill.
2011 Cadet Nationals freestyle champion and second in Greco-Roman… Second in 2012 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle Nationals… 2012 Northern Plains Regional Greco-Roman champion… 2012 Illinois Junior National Duals team member… 2011 and 2012 Illinois state freestyle champion… 2011 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle national champion… 2012 Northern Plains Junior Regionals champion in Greco-Roman… 2010 Northern Plains Schoolboy champion in Greco-Roman and runner-up in freestyle… 2011 Eighth Grade Illinois state champion in folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman… Attends Rich Central High School… 6-0 record at 106 pounds as a freshman… Son of Jaleel and Keithra Moody… Coached by Baxter Stewart and Quintroy Harrell… Favorite movie: Serenity… Favorite athlete: Floyd Mayweather… Born December 9, 1995… Age: 16…

106 pounds

RED: Nkosi Moody, Country Club Hills, Ill.
2012 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals champion… 2011 Junior Triple Crown winner, winning national titles in all three styles… 2011 Junior Nationals freestyle and Greco-Roman champion… 2011 Junior Folkstyle champion…Fourth at the 2010 Junior Nationals… Fifth at the 2010 FILA Cadet Nationals in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle… Second in Son of Keithra Moody and El Jaleel… Second in Illinois state meet as a junior for Rich Central High School with a 33-2 record… coached by Baxter Stewart and Quintroy Harrell…  Born May 4, 1993…Age 18… 
Note: Moody is still eligible for Junior Triple Crown

BLUE: Tommy Pawelski, Park Ridge, Ill.
Second in 2011 Junior Nationals in freestyle… Three-time state freestyle champion and one-time state champion in Greco-Roman…  Fourth in 2011 FILA Cadet Nationals…. State champion at 106 pounds as a junior for Montini Catholic High School, with a 47-4 record… Fourth in the Illinois state championships at 103 pounds as a sophomore with a 40-18 record… Competed at 103 pounds as a freshman… Son of John and Agnes Pawlewski… Coached by Israel Martinez…. Favorite movie: Taladega Nights… Favorite wrestler: Jordan Oliver… Warmup music: Eminem… Born: July 6, 1995… Age: 17

Note: This is a rematch of the 2011 Junior Nationals freestyle finals, won by Moody.

113 pounds

RED - Javier Vieyra, Salina, Kan.
Fifth in 2011 Junior Nationals  in freestyle and seventh in Greco-Roman… 2010 and 2012 Kansas Junior National Duals team member… Third in Kansas state Junior and Greco-Roman Championships at 120 pounds… 2011 Southern Plains Junior Greco-Roman champion… Third in 2010 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and sixth in freestyle… Second in 2010 Southern Plains Cadet Championships in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle… Third in 2010 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Cadet Nationals… Second in the Kansas state championships three times as sophomore, junior and senior for Salina South High School… State qualifier as a freshman… Son of David and Irene Vieyra… Coached by Rich Zimmerman… Favorite movie: Avengers… Favorite athlete: Henry Cejudo… Warmup music: Call me Maybe… Will attend Augustana College… Born: April 4, 1994… Age: 18

BLUE: Jared Oftendahl, Chaska, Minn.
2011 and 2012 Northern Plains Regional champion in both styles… 2012 Minnesota Junior National Duals team member… 2012 Minnesota Junior state champion in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… Third in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman and seventh in freestyle… Fourth in 2011 FILA Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… Fifth in Minnesota state championships as a junior at 113 pounds at Benilde-St. Margarites High School with a 39-2 record… Second in state meet as a sophomore at 103 pounds with a 38-3 record… State qualifier as a freshman… Son of Stan and Karen Oftendahl… Coached by Larry Allar and Brandon Paulson… Favorite movie: Ted… Favorite athlete: Reid Lyden… Warmup music: Eminem… Born October 19, 1994… Age: 17

120 pounds

RED: Kevon Powell, Romeoville, Ill.
Two-time Illinois state freestyle and Greco-Roman champion… 2011 and 2012 Illinois Junior National Duals Team… 2010 Central Regional Cadet champion… Fourth in 2009 Junior Nationals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman… Seventh in 2008 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Second in Illinois state championships as a junior and a senior for Montini Catholic High School… As a senior, second at 120 pounds and as a junior, second at 112 pounds… State champion as a sophomore at 103 pounds… Third in state as a freshman at 103 pounds… Son of Deborah Powelll… Coached by Israel Martinez… Favorite movie: Benchwarmers… Favorite athlete: Lebron James… Born: November 22, 1993… Age: 18

BLUE: Josh Newberg, Woodland, Wash.
2012 Northwest Cadet Regional champion in both styles… Seventh in 2011 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2011 Washington state Cadet champion in both styles… Fifth in 2010 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… Has won four Northwest Regional titles… State champion as a junior for Kelso High School… state champion as a sophomore… sixth in the state meet as a freshman… Son of Kyle and Gerilyn Newberg… Coached by Bovy Freund and Merle Crockett… Favorite athlete: Ray Lewis… Born May 21, 1995… Age: 17

126 pounds

RED: Joel Shump, Batavia, Ill.
Seventh in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… Illinois state Greco-Roman champion and freestyle runner-up… Second in 2011 FILA Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… Competed at 120 pounds as a junior for Batavia High School… State qualifier as a sophomore at 112 pounds… State qualifier as a freshman at 103 pounds… Son of Jay and Michelle Shump… Coached by Scott Bayer and Kerry Boumans… Favorite movie: Little Nikki… Favorite athlete: John Smith… Born October 28, 1994… Age: 17

BLUE: Cory Clark, Pleasant Hill, Iowa
Third in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle… Four-time state champion for Southeast Polk High School… State champion at 126 pounds as a senior… at 119 pounds as a junior, at 112 pounds as a sophomore and at 103 pounds as a freshman… Son of Robin VanHeeswyk… Coached by Jason Christensen… Favorite athlete: Brent Metcalf… Will attend the Univ. of Iowa… Born: May 26, 1993… Age: 19

132 pounds

RED: Tyson Dippery, Harrisburg, Pa.
Two-time Pennsylvania state freestyle champion… 2011 Cadet All-American in Greco-Roman… Sixth in 2009 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Second in the Pennsylvania state meet as a junior for Central Dauphin High School at 126 pounds… Third in the state as a sophomore at 119 pounds… state qualifier as a freshman at 103 pounds… Son of John and Gwen Dippery… Coached by Jeff Sweigard and Ricky Baublitz… Favorite movie: Never Back Down… Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant… Born: April 18, 1994… Age: 17

BLUE: Zane Richards, Carbondale, Ill.
2011 Junior Nationals freestyle champion… Second in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2011 FILA Cadet World Team member… 2010 Cadet Nationals Greco-Roman champion… 2010 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion… 2009 Cadet Nationals Greco-Roman champion… Third in 2009 and 2010 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… State champion at 132 pounds as a senior for Carbondale High School with a 47-1 record… State champion at 125 pounds as a junior for with a 45-0 record… Second in state championships at 125 pounds as a sophomore with a 45-2 record… State qualifier at 119 pounds as a freshman with a 37-7 record… Son of Jerry Richards and Kelly Buschar… Coached by Dennis Ragan and Pat McNamara… Favorite movie: Pulp Fiction… Favorite wrestler: Besik Kudukov… Will attend the University of Illinois… Born: February 4, 1994… Age: 17

138 pounds

RED: Mitch Bengtson, St. Cloud, Minn.
Three-time USA Wrestling Greco-Roman All-American and one-time freestyle All-American… Second in Minnesota state meet as a junior for St. Cloud Apolo High School at 126 pounds… Three-time State champion as an eighth grader, freshman and sophomore… Son of Tim and Tammy Bengtson… Coached by Tim Bengston, Champ Hesch…  Born: 5/17/94…

BLUE: Hayden Tuma, Boise, Idaho
2012 FILA Cadet Nationals champion in Greco-Roman… 2012 Northwest Regionals champion in both styles… 2011 Cadet Nationals freestyle champion and second in Greco-Roman… 2011 FILA Cadet National champion in Greco-Roman and freestyle runner-up… 2010 Cadet Nationals Greco-Roman champion… 2010 Western Regional champion in Greco-Roman and freestyle… State champion at 132 pounds as a sophomore for Centennial High School with a 42-2 record…State champion at 119 pounds as a freshman at as a freshman with a 47-2 record… Son of Michael and Jane Tuma… Coached by Ivan Ivanov and Collin Robertson… Favorite Movie: Step Brothers… Favorite athlete: Derek Rose… Born: July 27, 1995… Age: 15… 

145 pounds

RED: Ryan Blees, Bismarck, N.D.
Fourth in 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Fourth in 2011 Cadet Nationals in both styles… 2011 Northern Plains Cadet champion in both styles… State champion as a sophomore at 138 pounds for Bismarck High School… State champion as a freshman at 130 pounds… Son of Jeff and Kris Blees… Coached by Jeff Schumacher, Chad Renner and Scott Knowlen… Favorite movie: McGruber… Favorite Athlete: Rick Mathern… Born: July 9, 1995… Age: 17

BLUE: Grant LaMont, Mapleton, Utah
2012 FILA Cadet Nationals champion… 2011 USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals champion… Third in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… Third in 2011 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Three-time state champion for Maple Mountain High School… State champion as 138 pounds as a junior, at 130 pounds as a sophomore and at 119 pounds as a freshman… Son of Craig and Dianne LaMont… Coached by Justin Judkins and Craig LaMont… Born: September 23, 1995… Age: 16

152 pounds

RED: T.J. Fox, Suffield, Ohio
2012 Central Regional champion in Greco-Roman and second in freestyle… Fourth in 2011 USA Wrestling PreSeason Nationals… 2011 Ohio Junior National Duals team member… Second in 2010 Northeast Cadet Regionals in Greco-Roman… Third in the Ohio state championships as a senior for Field High School at 145 pounds… Second in the state as a junior at 140 pounds… Seventh in the state as a sophomore at 130 pounds…. State qualifier as a freshman at 125 pounds… Son of Tim and Julie Fox… Coached by Joe Retherford and Sonny Marchete… Favorite Movie: Act of Valor… Favorite Athlete: Mark Henry… Born: January 4, 1994… Age: 18

BLUE: Oliver Pierce, Allen, Texas
2012 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Junior Nationals champion… Second in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman and fifth in freestyle… 2011 FILA Cadet Nationals champion and member of World Team… 2010 Cadet Nationals freestyle champion and fourth in Greco-Roman… 2009 Cadet National Greco-Roman champion and fourth in freestyle… USA Wrestling Kids Triple Crown winner… Second in the state as a junior for Allen High School…Third in the state as a sophomore at 152 pounds with a 47-1 record… State champion as a freshman at 140 pounds with a 37-0 record… Son of Geno Pierce and Anne Heck… Coached by Jerry Best… Born: June 2 1994.. Age: 17
Note: Pierce is still eligible for Junior Triple Crown

160 pounds

RED: Matt Gray, Twin Lakes, Wis.
Fourth in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… Eighth in 2010 Junior Nationals in freestyle… Third in the Wisconsin state meet as a senior at 160 pounds for Wilmot Union High School… Second in the state as a junior at 152 pounds… Fourth in the state as a sophomore at 145 pounds… Son of Time Gray and Belinda Lunt… Coached by John Watson and Ben Askren… Favorite movie: Step Brothers… Favorite athlete: Aaron Rodgers… Born August 27, 1993… Age: 18

BLUE: Geordan Speiller, Oviedo, Fla.
2012 FILA Junior World Team Trials champion… 2012 FILA Junior Nationals champion… 2011 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion… Seventh in 2010 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… State champion as a senior at Oviedo High School at 170 pounds with a 46-1 record… State champion as a junior at 160 pounds with 50-2 record… state champion as a sophomore at 160 pounds with a 50-2 record… state qualifier as a freshman at 152 pounds with 45-3 record… Son of Paul Speiller and Nedia Chedik… Coached by J.D. Robbins… Favorite athlete: Anderson Silva… Will train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center next year… Born March 31, 1993… Age 18

170 pounds

RED: Alex Meyer, Pleasant Hill, Iowa
2012 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Junior Nationals champion… 2012 Northern Plains Regional Greco-Roman champion… Second in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… 2011 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle National champion… 2011 Northern Plains Junior freestyle champion… Third in 2010 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… State champion as a senior at 170 pounds at Southeast Polk High School with a 46-1 record…  Fifth in the state championships as a junior with a 40-5 record… Sixth in the state as a sophomore at 152 pounds with a 32-10 record… Competed at 130 as a freshman with a 28-16 record… Son of Todd and Lorna Meyer… Coached by Jason Christianson… Favorite movie: School of Rock… Favorite athlete: Jessman Smith… Will attend the Univ. of Iowa… Born May 2, 1994… Age 18
Note: Meyer is still eligible for Junior Triple Crown

BLUE: Justin Koethe, Coralville, Iowa
Three-time FILA Cadet Nationals champion… 2009 Cadet National freestyle champion and second in Greco-Roman… Five-time All-American in Fargo… Second in Iowa state meet as a senior at 160 pounds for Iowa City West High School… Third in the state as a junior at 160 pounds… Third in the state as a sophomore at 152 pounds… Fourth in the state as a freshman at 135 pounds… Son of Mark and Cheri Koethe… Coached by Mark Reiland… Favorite movie: Ted… Born: October 4, 1993… Will attend the Univ. of Wisconsin… Age: 18

182 pounds

RED: Kevin Beazley, Howell, Mich.
Third in 2012 FILA Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman and sixth in freestyle… Second in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… Fifth in both styles at 2011 FILA Cadet Nationals… Fourth in 2010 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… State champion as a senior at 189 pounds for Detroit Catholic Central with a 48-1 record… State runnerup at 171 as a junior with a 43-7 record… Seventh in state as a sophomore at 160 with 53-7 record… State qualifier as a freshman at 130 pounds… Son of David and Dacia Beazley… Coached by Mitch Hancock and David Beazley… Will attend Old Dominion University… Born March 17, 1994… Age 17

BLUE: Sam Brooks, Oak Park, Ill.
Third in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle… Seventh in the 2010 Cadet National in Greco-Roman…Second in the 2009 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and freestyle… State champion as a senior at Oak Park-River Forest High School at 182 pounds… Second in the state as a junior at 171 pounds… State champion at 160 pounds as a sophomore … Will attend the Univ. of Iowa… Born August 4, 1994… Age: 18

195 pounds

RED - Alen Turchinhodzic, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Second in 2012 Northeast Regionals in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… Second in 2012 Pennsylvania state meet in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… Competed at 220 pounds as a junior for North Hills High School… Competed at 189 pounds as a sophomore and 171 pounds as a freshman… Sond of Adis and Amelia Tuchinhadzic… Coached by Jose Martinez, Vertus Jones and Matt Kocher… Favorite movie: Rambo… Favorite athlete: Zlatan Ibrachimovic… Born: October 6, 1994… Age: 17

BLUE - Ryan Solomon, Milton, Pa.
2011 Junior All-American in both styles… 2010 Cadet All-American in both styles… State champion at 195 pounds as a junior for Milton Area High School… Second in the state at 215 pounds as asophomore… Sixth in the state at 189 pounds as a freshman… Son of Greg and Kelly Solomon… Coached by Mike Snyder and Russ Hughes… Favorite movie: Ted… Favorite athlete: Jake Herbert… Born: March 9, 1994… Age: 18

220 pounds

RED – Daniel Chaid, San Jose, Calif.
California Junior National Duals team member… California FILA Juniors state champion in both styles… Sixth in 2010 Western Junior Regionals in freestyle… Third in California state high school championships at 195 pounds as a senior for Bellarmine High School… Eighth in California state championships as a junior at 189 pounds… Competed at 189 pounds as a sophomore… Son of NCAA champion and Team USA member Dan Chaid, and Theresa Chaid… Coached by Dan Chaid, Ian Bork and Armando Gonzalez… Favorite movie: Pineapple Express… Warmup music: Taylor Swift… Favorite athlete is his dad and his uncle Mark… Will attend the University of Oklahoma… Born: April 12, 1994… Age: 18

BLUE: Kyle Snyder, Woodbine, Md.
2011 Cadet Nationals freestyle champion and second in Greco-Roman… Two-time Prep National champion and State independent school champion at Good Council High School… State champion at 215 pounds with a 55-0 record as a freshman and state champion at 220 pounds as a sophomore with a 61-0 record… Two-time Beast of the East champion…  Son of Steve and Tricia Snyder… Coached by Skylar Saur and Dan Ricker… Favorite movie: Friday night lights… Warmup music: Country… Favorite athlete Lebron James… ASICS All-American First Team… Born: November 20, 1995…  Age 16

285 pounds

RED: Adam Coon, Fowlerville, Mich.
2012 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Junior Nationals champion… 2011 FILA Cadet World champion in freestyle… 2011 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion… Undefeated at 2012 Junior National Duals… 2011 FILA Cadet Nationals champion… 2010 Cadet Nationals champion in Greco-Roman, and second in freestyle… Second in 2010 Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… State champion as a junior at Fowlerville High School at 285 pounds with a 50-0 record… state champion as a sophomore at 215 pounds… State champion as a freshman at 215 pounds… Son of Dan and Dana Coon.., Coached by Dan Coon… Favorite movie: Avengers… Favorite athlete: Wes Welker… Born November 14, 1994… Age: 17
Note: Coon is still eligible for Junior Triple Crown

BLUE: Josh Marchok, Schaumberg, Ill.
Fourth in 2011 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman and fifth in freestyle… 2012 Illinois Junior Nationals Duals team… Eighth in 2010 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… Second in 2009 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… Illinois state high school champion as a senior for Schaumberg High School at 220 pounds… state champion as a junior at 215 pounds… Third in the state as a sophomore at 215 pounds… Son of Dave and Leah Marchok… Coached by Mike LeVanti and Hector Gomez.. Favorite movie: Talladegha Nights… Favorite athlete: John Elway… Will attend Stanford University… Born: October 5, 1993… Age: 18