Junior Nationals freestyle finalist biographies

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
07/20/2013


100 lbs.

RED - Kirk Johansen, Glendale Heights, Ill.
Second in 2013 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… Fourth in 2013 FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle… 2013 Illinois Junior National Duals team in both styles… Sixth in 2012 Cadet Nationals in both styles… Attends Glenbard North High School… Son of Kirk Johansen and Brandi Thomas… Coached by Coach Hahn and Israel Martinez… Born: September 19, 1996… Age: 16

BLUE – Francis Edelen, Oak Forest, Ill.
Second in 2013 Illinois state freestyle championships… Competed at 113 pounds as a sophomore for Oak Forest High School with a 26-8 record…  Competed at 100 pounds as a freshman with a 29-11 record… Son of Meg and Bill Hults… Coached by Shawn Forst, Kyle Gubbins and Bryan Harney… Born: September 16, 1996… Age: 16

106 lbs.

RED - Joe Cisneros, Visalia, Calif.
Second in 2013 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… Fourth in 2012 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2013 Junior National Duals All-Tournament team in both styles… 2012 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team in freestyle…Competed at 106 pounds as a junior for Redwood  High School, with a 51-0 record… Competed at 106 as a sophomore with a 40-12 record… Competed at 103 as a freshman, with a 32-10 record… Son of Joe and Marie Cisneros… Coached by Dave Watts… Born: May 23, 1996… Age: 17

BLUE – Hunter Marko, Amery, Wis.
2012 USA Wrestling Cadet Triple Crown winner, winning national titles in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle.. 
2012 Wisconsin Cadet state champion in both styles… He is a three-time state champion in folkstyle, a four-time state champion in freestyle and a four-time state champion in Greco-Roman… 2010 USA Wrestling Schoolboy National Folkstyle champion… He is a five-time Folkstyle National All-American… Wisconsin State champion at 113 pounds as a freshman for Amery High School with a 47-2 record…. Son of Scott and Brooke Marko… Coached by Scott Marko, Greg Nichols, Brandon Paulson, Jared Lawrence, Jake Deitchler and Tim Hartung… Favorite Athlete: Aaron Rodgers… Born: October 7, 1997… Age: 15

113 lbs.

RED – Brian Rossi, Homer Glen, Ill.
2013 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… Seventh in 2012 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2011 Central Cadet Regionals in freestyle… 2009 Northern Plains Schoolboy Regional freestyle champion… Third in the Illinois state championships at 113 as a junior for Lockport Township High School with a 45-4 record… Third in the Illinois state championships at 106 as a sophomore with a 45-5 record… Competed at 103 as a freshman with a 21-7 record… Son of Joseph and Eileen Rossi… Coached by Josh Oster… Born: June 11, 1996… Age: 17

BLUE – Elijah Oliver, Cordova, Tenn.
Fourth in 2013 USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals… 2013 Junior National Duals All-Tournament Team in freestyle… 2013 Tennessee state freestyle champion… Tennessee state champion at 113 pounds as a sophomore for Christian Brothers High School with a 47-2 record… Tennessee state champion at 106 pounds as a freshman with a 39-2 record… Son of Eric and Katerina Oliver… Coached by Chris Lewis, Brian Baucke, Garrett House and Vince Gioiella… Born: November 26, 1996… Age: 16

120 lbs.

RED - Kaid Brock, Stillwater, Okla.
Second in 2013 FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Third in 2012 USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals… Second in 2012 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2012 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… Third in 2011 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… 2011 Southern Plains Cadet freestyle champion… Oklahoma state champion at 113 as a sophomore for Stillwater High School with a record of 37-0… Third in the Oklahoma states as a freshman at 106 pounds with a 38-7 record… Son of Kim and Pamela Brock… Coached by Todd Chesbro… Born: January 17, 1996… Age: 17

BLUE – Nathan Tomasello, Parma, Ohio
2011 and 2012 Junior Nationals freestyle champion… Second in 2013 FILA Junior Nationals in freestyle… 2013 Central Junior Regionals freestyle champion… Fifth in 2012 FILA Junior World Team Trials… Fifth in 2012 FILA Junior Nationals… Fourth at 2011 FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Fourth in 2011 FILA Junior Nationals in freestyle… 2010 FILA Cadet National champion… Second in 2009 FILA Cadet Nationals… Two-time Cadet National All-American… Four-time Ohio state champion… State champion as a senior at 120 pounds for for Cuyuhoga Valley Christian Academy with a 51-0 record…  State champion as a junior at 113 pounds with a 43-0 record… State champion as a sophomore at 103 pounds with a 43-0 record… State champion as a freshman at 103 pounds with a 37-5 record… Son of Sue and Tom Tomasello… Coached by Dan Lorence and Erik Burnett… ASICS All-American First Team member… Born: May 1, 1994… Age: 19

126 lbs.

RED– Jered Cortez, Carol Stream, Ill.
Sixth in 2011 Junior Nationals in freestyle… 2010 Cadet Nationals freestyle champion… 2010 Central Regional Cadet freestyle champion… Second in 2010 FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2009 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Third in 2009 FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Three-time Illinois state champion… Illinois state champion as a junior at 126 pounds for Glenbard North High School with a 52-0 record… Illinois state champion as a sophomore at 120 pounds with a 51-0 record… Illinois state champion as a freshman at 112 pounds with a 39-4 record… Son of Robert and Nicole Cortez… Coached by Maru Hahn… Born: August 4, 1994… Age: 18

BLUE – PT Garcia, Lakewood, Colo.
Fifth in 2012 USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals… Two-time Colorado state Junior freestyle champion... Two-time Colorado state champion… State champion as a junior at 132 pounds for Bear Creek High School with a 40-2 record… State champion as a sophomore at 120 pounds with a 46-1 record…. Second in the state as a freshman at 112 pounds with a 33-2 record… Son of Paul and Deann Garcia… Coached by Steve Burdick and Scott Dooley… Born: October 17, 1995… Age: 17

132 lbs.

RED –Seth Gross, Rosemont, Minn.
2011and 2012 Cadet Nationals freestyle champion… 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… State champion as a junior for Apple Valley High School at 132 pounds with a 25-2 record…. State champion as a sophomore at 120 pounds with a 45-4 record… Third in the Minnesota state championships at 103 pounds as a freshman with a 40-7 record… Son of Troy and Rhonda Gross… Coached by Dalen Wasmund… Born: March 15, 1996… Age: 16

BLUE – Kyle Gliva, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Third in 2013 Northern Plains Regionals in freestyle… Seventh in 2013 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle Nationals… Sixth in 2011 Cadet Nationals… 2011 Northern Plains Cadet champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… Second in 2011 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… Sixth in 2010 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… 2010 Northern Plains Cadet champion in both styles… Fifth in 2010 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… Three-time Minnesota high school champion… State champion as a senior at 132 pounds for Simley High School with a 46-4 record… State champion as a junior at 113 pounds with a 31-2 record… State champion as a sophomore at 103 pounds with a 44-1 record… Second in Minnesota state meet as a freshman at 103 pounds with a 38-9 record… Son of Keith and Sue Gliva… Coached by Will Short, Jared Lawrence and Brandon Paulson… Born June 28, 1995… Age: 18

138 lbs.

RED –Joseph McKenna, Towaco, N.J.
2013 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion… Second in 2012 Junior Nationals in freestyle… Third in 2013 FILA Junior Nationals… 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals champion… Eighth at 2012 FILA Cadet World Championships… 2011 Cadet Nationals Greco-Roman champion and fifth in freestyle… 2010 Cadet Nationals Greco-Roman champion… Third in 2010 FILA Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2011 Cadet National Duals All-Tournament Team in both styles…Prep Nationals champion at 132 pounds as a junior for Blair Academy with a 28-1 record… Prep National champion at 120 pounds as a sophomore with a 32-2 record… Prep National champion at 103 pounds as a freshman… Son of James and Natalie McKenna… Coached by Solomon Fleckman and Matt Ciampa…Born: August 3, 1995… Age: 17

BLUE – Aaron Pico, Whittier, Calif.
2013 FILA Cadet Nationals champion in freestyle… 2013 FILA Junior Nationals champion in freestyle…. 2013 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… 2012 Cadet Triple Crown winner, with national titles in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle… 2011 Cadet Nationals freestyle and Greco-Roman champion… 2011 and 2012 California Cadet state freestyle champion… 2011 Western Regionals Cadet freestyle and Greco-Roman champion… California state champion as a freshman at 132 pounds for St. John Bosco High School with a 46-0 record… Son of Anthony and Gina Pico… Coached by  Omar Delgado and Valentin Kalika… ASICS All-American First Team member… Born: September 23, 1996… Age: 16 

145 lbs.

RED – Anthony Collica, Solon, Ohio
2012 Junior Nationals freestyle champion…. Fourth in 2011 Junior Nationals in freestyle… 2011 and 2012 Central Regional freestyle champion… 2011 Central Regional Cadet champion… Three-time Ohio state champion… Ohio state champion as a senior at 152 pounds for Solon High School with a 49-1 record… Ohio state champion as a junior at 145 pounds for with a 44-3 record… State champion as a sophomore at 130 pounds with a 45-3 record… State Qualifier as a freshman at 112 pounds with a 34-7 record… Son of Mike and Beth Collica… Coached by Tony Digluvanni and Jim Hewitt… Born May 6, 1994… Age: 19

BLUE - Blayne Briceno, Simi Valley, Calif.
2013 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion… 2013 West  Junior Regionals champion in both styles… Third in 2012 West Junior Regionals in Greco-Roman and fifth in freestyle… 2011 West Junior Regionals champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman…Seventh in 2010 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2008 Schoolboy National champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman, and second in folkstyle… Sixth in California state championships as a senior for Crespi Carmelite High School at 152 with a 54-6 record… Eighth in California states as a junior at 132 with a 52-5 record… Competed at 119 pounds as a freshman with a 42-16 record… Son of Carlos and Melanie Briceno… Coached by Mike Odman and Leonard Simon… Born: August 16. 1994… Age: 18

152 lbs.

RED – Ryan Blees, Bismarck, N.D.
Second in 2013 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals… Second in 2012 Preseason Nationals… Second in 2012 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman… Fourth in 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Fourth in 2011 Cadet Nationals in both styles… 2011 Northern Plains Cadet champion in both styles… Three-time North Dakota state champion… State champion as a junior at 160 pounds for Bismarck High School… State champion as a sophomore at 138 pounds … State champion as a freshman at 130 pounds… Son of Jeff and Kris Blees… Coached by Jeff Schumacher, Chad Renner and Scott Knowlen… Born: July 9, 1995… Age: 18 

BLUE –Jake Short, Inver Grove Heights, Minn  
Third in 2012 Junior Nationals in freestyle…. Second in 2011 Junior Nationals in freestyle… 2011 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle Nationals champion… 2010 Cadet Nationals champion in freestyle… 2010 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion… Eighth in 2009 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Four-time Minnesota state champion…. State champion as a senior for Simley High School at 152 pounds with a 50-0 record… State champion as a junior at 145 pounds with a 49-1 record… State champion as a sophomore at 149 pounds with a 47-3 record… State champion at 130 pounds as a freshman with a 41-9 record…  Son of Wil and Jodi Short… Coached by Will Short… Born: October 24, 1994… Age: 18.

160 lbs.

RED – Markus Scheidel, Bay Village, Ohio
Sixth in 2011 Cadet Nationals in freestyle… Two-time Ohio state freestyle champion… Third in 2010 Central Cadet Regionals in freestyle… Second in Ohio state championships as a senior for St. Edward High School with a 37-5 record… Second in Ohio state championships as a junior with a 33-10 record… Fifth in the Ohio state championships as a sophomore with a 33-10 record… Competed as a freshman with a 14-7 record… Son of Ron and Debbie Scheidel… Coached by Greg Urbas and Mike Kulczyki… Born: May 29, 1995… Age: 18

BLUE - Davonte Mahomes, Oak Park, Ill.
2013 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion… 2013 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Junior Nationals champion… Third in 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… Third in 2011 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… Two-time Illinois Greco-Roman state champion, and one-time freestyle state champion… Third in Illinois state champion ships at 160 as a junior for Oak Park-River Forest High School with a 49-1 record… Third in Illinois states as a sophomore at 152 with a 37-2 record… Competed at 145 as a freshman with a 32-5 record… Son of Dashawn Harris…. Coached by Mike Powell and Brian Molini… Born: October 24, 1995… Age: 17

Note: Mahomes remains eligible for the Junior Triple Crown.

170 lbs.

RED – Tyler Askey, Newnan, Ga.
2013 Southeast Regional Junior freestyle champion… Second in 2012 USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals… Fourth in 2010 Cadet Nationals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman… Fourth in 2010 Southeast Cadet Regionals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman… 2010 Southeast Regional Cadet Greco-Roman champion… 2010 Southeast Regional Junior freestyle champion… 2010 Central Regional Cadet champion… Fifth in 2009 Cadet Nationals in freestyle and seventh in Greco-Roman… Four-time Georgia state champion… State champion as a senior at 170 pounds for Northgate High School with a 43-0 record… State champion as a Junior at 170 with a 45-0 record… state champion as a sophomore at 152 with a 49-0 record… state champion as a freshman at 140 with a 51-0 record… Son of Dan and Melissa Askey… Coached by Adrian Anderson and Arturo Holmes…Born February 25, 1994… Age: 19

BLUE –  Bo Nickal, Allen, Texas
2012 USA Wrestling Cadet Triple Crown winner, with titles in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle… 2013 FILA Cadet Nationals champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… 2011 Cadet National Duals All-Tournament Team… Second in 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and freestyle… Third in 2011 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman and seventh in freestyle… State champion as a junior for Allen High School at 160 with a 49-1 record…. State champion as a sophomore at 145 pounds with a 49-3 record… Second in the state as a freshman at 125 pounds with a 45-3 record… Son of Jason and Sandy Nickal… Coached by Jerry Best and Jason Nickal… Born January 14, 1996… Age: 17

182 lbs.

RED – Michael Pixley, Gladstone, Mo.
2012 Cadet National champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman… Missouri state Junior freestyle champion… 2012 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion at 170 pounds… 2012 Missouri State Cadet champion in both styles… 2011 Southern Plains Regional champion in both styles… Missouri state champion as a junior at 182 pounds for Blue Springs High School with a 44-0 record…. Third in the Missouri state championships as a sophomore with a 50-2 record… Son of Keith and Dawn Pixley… Coached by Mike Hagerty and Jason Keck… Born: August 13, 1996… Age: 16

BLUE – Riley Lefever, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Second in 2012 Central Junior Regionals in Greco-Roman and fourth in freestyle…2013 ISWA Indiana Triple Crown winner… Two-time Indiana state champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman… Second in Indiana state championships at 170 pounds as a senior for Carroll High School, with a 46-1 record… Competed at 160 pounds as a junior, with a 38-3 record… Competed at 140 pounds as a sophomore with a 26-15 record… Competed at 125 pounds as a freshman, with an 11-18 record… Son of Kent and Nancy Lefever… Coached by Scott Raypole and Joe Caprino… Born: May 15, 1995… Age: 18

195 lbs.

RED –Joel Dixon, Edmond, Okla.
Oklahoma state champion at 195 pounds as a junior for Edmond North High School with a 42-0 record… Third in the Oklahoma state championships at 182 pounds as a sophomore with a 36-6 record… State qualifier as a freshman at 171 pounds with a 36-6 record… Son of Linda and Tom Dixon… Coached by Hardell Moore… Born: March 15, 1995… Age: 18

BLUE – Mitch Sliga, Fishers, Ind.
Seventh in 2013 FILA Junior Nationals in freestyle…. 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals freestyle champion… 2011 Cadet Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman, and fourth in folkstyle… 2010 Cadet Triple Crown winner, capturing USA Wrestling national titles in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle… Fifth in 2011 FILA Cadet Nationals…  Four-time Folkstyle Nationals champion… Two-time USA Wrestling Kids Triple Crown winner… 24-time ISWA Indiana state champion…. State champion as a senior at 195 pounds for Fishers High School with a 49-0 record… State champion as a junior at 195 with a 48-0 record… Third in 2011 state championships as a sophomore at 189 pounds with a 36-1 record … Third in 2010 state tournament at 189 pounds as a freshman … Son of Chris and Michele Sliga… Coached by Jake Harreld and Brady Eppert… Born January 10, 1995… Age: 18

220 lbs.

RED – Angus Cowell, Lakeville, Conn.
2013 New England Prep School champion for Hotchkiss School…. Competed at 195 pounds as a junior with a 36-6 record…. Son of Andrew and Heidi Cowell… Coached by Tald Davis and John Knapp… Born April 22, 1995… Age: 18

BLUE – Roy Nash , West Valley City, Utah
2013 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion… 2012 Cadet National champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2013 Western Regional Junior champion in both styles… 2013 FILA Cadet Nationals Greco-Roman champion and second in freestyle…2012 Western Regional Cadet champion in both styles… Fourth in 2011 FILA Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… 2010 Schoolboy National champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2010 Western Regional Triple Crown winner, taking gold in all three styles… State champion as a junior at Taylorsville High School at 220 with a 46-0 record… Son of Bob and Teriann Nash… Coached by Wayne Watts and Brandon Ruiz… Born January 11, 1996… Age: 17

285 lbs.

RED - Adam Coon, Fowlerville, Mich.
2012 Junior Triple Crown winner, with national titles in folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2013 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman champion… 2013 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Junior Nationals champion…  Second in 2013 FILA Junior World Team Trials in both styles… 2013 FILA Junior Nationals champion in both styles… 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… Four-time Michigan state champion… State champion as a senior at 285 for Fowlerville High School with a 55-0 record… State champion as a junior 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… Will attend the Univ. of Michigan… Born November 14, 1994… Age: 18

Note: Coon remains eligible for the Junior Triple Crown. He is attempting to become the first person to win two Junior Triple Crowns

BLUE - Nathan Butler, Leavenworth, Kansas
Fifth in 2013 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman… Three-time Kansas Junior state champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman… Third in 2012 USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle Nationals… 2011 Cadet Nationals All-American in Greco-Roman… Three-time Kansas state champion… State champion as a senior at 285 pounds for Leavenworth High School with a 44-0 record… State champion as a junior at 220 pounds with a 42-1 record… State champion as a sophomore at 215 pounds with a 44-3 record… Fifth in the state as a freshman with a 27-14 record… Son of Jeff and Kelly Butler… Coached by Jay Johnston, Adam Venegas and Clint Slyter… Born: February 22, 1995… Age: 18