By Allen Smith, PSWC Membership Co-Chair
Let me get this out o the way before beginning my Saturday recap — MITCHELL MESENBRINK IS YOUR 2025 WORLD CHAMPION AT 74KG!!!!!!!!
With that out of the way, let me continue with the day’s results. Remember; 57, 70, 79 and 125kg started early this morning and were wrestled all the way through and including the semifinals.
Luke Lilledahl (57kg): With a bye in round 1, Lilledahl got his offense going in round 2 with a 10-0 technical superiority win. A push out, passivity point and takedown, the young Nittany Lion led 4-0 after one. Two takedowns and a turn finished the bout before the second period was half over.
In his next bout, Lilledahl found himself behind 0-2, which didn’t last long. Lilledahl turned it on for the rest of the period, getting three takedowns for a 6-2 advantage. A lost challenge and another Lilledahl takedown made it 9-2. A pushout by the Iranian made it 9-3 before the wrestlers traded takedowns for the final score of 11-5. Lilledahl moves on to the semifinals!
In the semifinals, as is normal, the competition was much stiffer. The wrestlers battled evn for most of the first period, until a Lilledahl takedown and a passivity point made it 3-0. A step out cut the lead to 3-1, and an opponent takedown would put Lilledahl behind 3-3 on criteria. He then did what most of our guys do when matches are close – Lilledahl went on the offensive instead of playing defense! In the final minute Lilledahl earned two more takedowns, winning 7-1 against a very tough opponent. He’s in the finals tomorrow at noon!!
PJ Duke (70kg): A tough first round opponent saw Duke take a slim 3-0 lead after one period with a takedown and passivity point. The lead widened to 5-0 before a push out made it 5-1 with less than two minutes remaining. A final takedown with less than a minute to go made it 7-1 Duke, as the match ended.
In round two, Duke earned five takedowns in under two minutes to easily take a 10-0 technical superiority win.
In the quarterfinals, Duke was in a tightly contested 3-2 bout…until it wasn’t! n impressive 4-point throw made it 7-2 as Duke gave himself some breathing room. A final takedown for Duke made it 9-3, not really indicative of how close the bout was. On to the semifinals.
In the semis, the competition was as close as it could get, with mostly handfighting in the first period. Duke did earn a takedown to take the 2-0 lead at the break. Then in the second, Duke’s opponent got the go-ahead takedown in under 30 seconds, trapped Duke’s arm and was able to turn him three times for a 2-8 lead. Duke managed the next takedown to cut the lead to 4-8, but it wasn’t enough as his opponent earned two more takedowns and a turn to win 4-14. Duke automatically moves to the Bronze Medal bout which will be contested tomorrow.
Levi Haines (79kg): With a bye in the first, Haines found himself facing last year’s U23 Champion and this year’s U20 Champion from Iran. “To be the best, you must beat the best” is a long-time saying in wrestling (and all sports frankly), but it doesn’t seem quite right that two of the favorites face-off this early. Such is the dynamics of world wrestling. Haines relishes the challenge! Today, Haines was the better wrestler, winning 7-0 and in total control the whole match. A first period passivity point and takedown gave the Lion a 3-0, and two second period takedowns, all hardfought, wrapped up the scoring.
Haines’ second bout was much easier, as he built a 7-0 lead in the first before winning 10-0 by technical superiority less than one minute into the second period. On to the semis!
Here Haines faced an opponent that wanted to fight more than wrestle, and the scene was a disgrace. The final was 11-4 in Haines’ favor, with several hard-fought takedowns in a bout that was closer than the score, except for all the extracurriculars. Hard head slaps gave Haines one penalty point, and several slaps that more resembled punches, gave Haines several more later. Add to that the fake injury timeouts (one of which the referee ignored, telling the wrestler to get up and continue!) among other behaviors, and it was a disgrace. The better wrestler won, and Haines moved on to tomorrows finals!!
At 125kg, Daniel Herrera won his first two bouts before losing in the semifinals. He sits at the Bronze Medal bout which will be contested tomorrow.
Well, that wraps up today’s action. I am so proud of all the wrestlers from the USA, which includes the Greco-Roman and Women’s Wrestling teams. They all represent our country with class, grace, and dignity. More to come tomorrow; 61, 65, 86 and 97kg will start early in the morning, with Marcus Blaze and Rocco Welsh as part of those four weight classes!!
