JUNIOR AND CADET NATIONALS
Coon doubles up on Triple Crowns
By Craig Sesker FARGO, N.D. - Michigan’s Adam Coon made history. Coon rolled to championships in Greco-Roman and freestyle
during the ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet Nationals on July 13-20 at the Fargo Dome. He became the first wrestler to win back-to-back USA
Wrestling Junior Triple Crowns. It was another successful event in Fargo with more than
4,000 total participants. The numbers of entries increased in each of the seven tournaments held at the Fargo Dome. Here are some of the top performances from Fargo: Junior freestyle
Coon scored a quick takedown and followed with a succes-
sion of leg laces to earn a 10-0 technical fall over Nathan Butler of Kansas and win a Junior Nationals freestyle title. “It’s a huge honor to be able to accomplish something like
this,” Coon said. “I want to thank USA Wrestling for providing wrestlers like me with the opportunity to wrestle for a Triple Crown. This is a great tournament with a lot of amazing athletes competing. It’s been a great experience for me to wrestle here.” Coon, a University of Michigan recruit, captured his second
straight Junior Nationals freestyle title after winning his third straight Junior Nationals Greco-Roman title earlier in the week. He won his second straight Junior Folkstyle Nationals title in
April in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The powerful Illinois team capped a phenomenal week by winning the Junior Nationals freestyle team title. Illinois won team titles in all four boys events in Fargo – Cadet Greco- Roman and freestyle, and Junior Greco-Roman and freestyle. Ohio’s Nathan Tomasello earned his third straight Junior Nationals title, building a quick six-point lead before defeating Oklahoma’s Kaid Brock 14-4 in the 120 finals. He became just the 12th wrestler to win three Junior Nationals freestyle titles. “I love this tournament – it’s one of my favorite tournaments to
go to,” Tomasello said. “I’ve always looked up to people that have won this like Logan Stieber and Jamie Clark. This was my last chance to compete here and show what I’m made of. It’s amazing to be able to wrestle here.” 2012 Cadet Triple Crown winner Aaron Pico of California put
his dazzling skill set on display in downing Junior Nationals Greco champion Joseph McKenna of New Jersey 10-0 in the 138 finals. Pico was named Outstanding Wrestler. Ohio’s Markus Scheidel scored a takedown in the closing sec-
onds to rally past Davonte Mahomes of Illinois 7-6 in the 160 finals. Mahomes was bidding to win a Junior Triple Crown. 2010 Cadet Nationals champion Jered Cortez of Illinois struck
12 USA Wrestler
Michigan’s Adam Coon became the first wrestler to win back-to-back Junior Triple Crowns. John Sachs photos.
gold again in Fargo by topping Colorado’s PT Garcia 4-0 in the 126 finals. Ohio’s Anthony Collica repeated as Junior freestyle champion
after cradling and pinning California’s Blayne Briceno late in the first period of the 145 finals. 2012 Cadet Triple Crown winner Bo Nickal of Texas rolled to
a 10-0 win over Georgia’s Tyler Askey in the 170 finals. Nickal piled up points with a succession of leg laces and finished the match with an ankle pick for a takedown. Past Cadet Triple Crown winner Mitch Sliga of Indiana stormed out fast in defeating Oklahoma’s Joel Dixon 10-0 in the 195 finals. 2012 Cadet Triple Crown winner Hunter Marko of Wisconsin
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