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Pico To Compete for Team USA at Wrestling World Cup
Young standout Aaron Pico will wrestle for Team USA at the Forum on June 11-12
LOS ANGELES (May 4, 2016) – One of the world’s top young wrestling stars, 19-year-old Aaron Pico (Whittier, Calif./Titan Mercury WC), will compete in his native Southern California for the United States at the 2016 Men’s Freestyle Wrestling World Cup at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., June 11-12.
The Freestyle Wrestling World Cup is one of the most important international events each year. Alongside Pico, members of the U.S. Olympic freestyle team will be on the U.S., in their final competition before heading to the Rio Olympic Games.
“I am super excited to be competing on the World Cup team. Anytime you can represent your country internationally is an honor,” said Pico. “The fact that this will be held in the USA is awesome. I will be part of a great team which will have members of the Olympic Team on it. I am going to focus on getting ready for the World Cup and putting on a great show.”
The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championships, as the eight best men’s freestyle teams will compete against each other. At the 2016 World Cup, the United States will be up against (alphabetically): Azerbaijan, Georgia, India, Iran, Mongolia, Russia and Turkey.
Pico has been one of the nation’s best young stars, winning a Cadet World title in 2013, a Junior World silver medal in 2014 and a Junior World bronze medal in 2015. He has also won numerous medals on the Senior level, competing against many of the best Olympic-caliber wrestlers in the world. Pico also boasts USA Wrestling age-group national titles on the Cadet and Junior levels.
Pico is coming off an impressive second-place finish at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa at the 65 kg/143 lb. weight class. Seeded seventh, Pico knocked off three of the top wrestlers – Jayson Ness, Jordan Oliver and Reece Humphrey – to reach the finals. He dropped an extremely close three-match Championship Series to Frank Molinaro (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) to finish as the runner-up.
“I came up short at the Olympic Trials, but I wrestled my heart out and put on a great show,” said Pico. “I still have Olympic goals. As the Olympic alternate, I am ready to go at all times. I will stay in great shape and be ready, in case something happens and I get to go to Rio.”
Pico will compete at 70 kg/154 lbs. at the World Cup, a non-Olympic weight class where he has won a number of international medals. This will be his first World Cup appearance, although he was a member of the U.S. team and trained for the tournament at the 2015 World Cup also held at the Forum in Inglewood.
This will be Pico’s first competition in California since 2013, when he won the California state high school title for St. John Bosco High School. Following the 2013 season, Pico ceased competing in high school wrestling to concentrate full-time on international freestyle wrestling and his Olympic dream.
Aaron Pico – St. John Bosco HS
“This is in my backyard. I’m a local kid, and it will be great to have my family and friends here to support me. I am excited to compete,“ said Pico. “I have so many fans in California. I have done a lot of clinics all across the state. I expect a lot of these fans to be there to support me and the USA team.”
The rest of the U.S. team is being finalized at this time, and will be announced when available.
This is the last chance for fans to see these world-class athletes in action one more time before the Summer Olympics. Attendees can purchase tickets for the popular international competition through Ticketmaster.
Teams will be randomly drawn into the two pools, which will be announced prior to the start of the competition. For more information, visit: http://www.wrestlingworldcup.com
The local organizing committee benefits from the talent and membership of Beat the Streets Los Angeles, California USA Wrestling, the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club and other premiere Los Angeles-based sports organizations.
The Freestyle World Cup was developed in 1973 in the United States, which has hosted the event 28 times since its inception – more times than any other nation.
FREESTYLE WRESTLING WORLD CUP SCHEDULE
Saturday, June 11
Session I – Round 1 & 2 of Pools (3 p.m.-7:30 p.m.)
Sunday, June 12
Session II – Round 3 of Pools, 5th & 7th Place Matches (11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Session III – 3rd Place Match, followed by 1st Place Match (5 p.m.-7:30 p.m.)
General admission for both the Saturday and Sunday sessions are just $60 total or $35 for individual days. Preferred seating options are available for $85 for both Saturday and Sunday, or $55 individually.
Anthony Valencia – St. John Bosco HS
When Nick Feldman signed in 2021, he became the fifth #1 overall recruit to ink with the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Tom Ryan-era (2006-present). Here is a look back at the top wrestlers from each class going back to 2005. Rankings are from several media outlets:
The Open Mat: 2018 – present
D1CW: 2011-2017
Intermat: 2005-2010
| Year | Name | High School | Home State | Weight | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Nick Feldman | Malvern Prep | Pennsylvania | 285 |  |
| 2021 | Shayne Van Ness | Blair Academy | New Jersey | 141/149 |  |
| 2020 | Keegan O’Toole | Arrowhead | Wisconsin | 165 |  |
| 2019 | Carson Kharchla | Olentangy Liberty | Ohio | 165 | |
| 2018 | Gable Steveson | Apple Valley | Minnesota | 285 |  |
| 2017 | Daton Fix | Sand Springs | Oklahoma | 125 |  |
| 2016 | Mark Hall | Apple Valley | Minnesota | 174 | |
| 2015 | Anthony Valencia | St. John Bosco | California | 165 |  |
| 2014 | Kyle Snyder | Good Counsel | Maryland | 197 | |
| 2013 | Bo Jordan | Graham | Ohio | 174 | |
| 2012 | Jason Tsirtsis | Crown Point | Indiana | 149 |  |
| 2011 | Morgan McIntosh | Calvary Chapel | California | 197 | |
| 2010 | Logan Stieber | Monroeville | Ohio | 133 | |
| 2009 | David Taylor | Graham | Ohio | 157 | |
| 2008 | Jason Welch | Las Lomas | California | 157 | |
| 2007 | Cody Gardner | Christiansburg | Virginia | 285 |  |
| 2006 | David Craig | Brandon | Florida | 184 |  |
| 2005 | Dustin Schlatter | Massillon Perry | Ohio | 149 | |
The 2021 USA Wrestling Junior and 16U National Championships will be held at the FargoDome in Fargo, N.D., July 17-23, with competition in men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle. This summer will mark the 50th USA Wrestling Junior National Championships, a major national high-school competition which has had a tremendous impact on the sport in our nation for a half-century.
Location & Dates
FargoDome – July 17-23, 2021
1800 University Drive North
Fargo, North Dakota
Full Schedule
Saturday, July 17
16U Women Freestyle: Preliminaries and Consolations
8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
16U Freestyle: Preliminaries and Consolations
8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
16U Freestyle: Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, and Consolations
3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
16U Women Freestyle: Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Consolations, and Consolation Semifinals
3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 18
Junior Men’s Freestyle: Preliminaries and Consolations
8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
16U Women Freestyle: Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
16U Freestyle: Consolations and Semifinals
4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Junior Men’s Freestyle: Preliminaries and Consolations
4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Monday, July 19
16U Freestyle: Consolations and Consolation Semifinals
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Junior Men’s Freestyle:1/8 Championships, Quarterfinals & Consolations
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
16U Freestyle: Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Junior Men’s Freestyle: Semifinals, Consolations and Consolation Semifinals
5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday. July 20
Junior Freestyle: Consolation Semifinals (IF NEEDED)
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Junior Women: Preliminaries and Consolations
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Junior reestyle: Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Junior Women Freestyle: 1/8 Championship, Quarterfinals and Consolations
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday. July 21
Junior Women Freestyle: Session III Semifinals and Consolation
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
16U Greco-Roman: Session I – Preliminaries and Consolations
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Junior Women Freestyle: Session IV Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Junior Greco-Roman Medical Check and Weigh-in
4:00 PM
16U Greco-Roman: Session II – 1/8 Championship, Quarterfinals and Consolations
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursday, July 22
16U Greco-Roman: Session III Semifinals and Consolations
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Junior Greco-Roman: Session I – Preliminaries and Consolations
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
16U Greco-Roman: Session IV Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Junior Greco-Roman: Session II – 1/8 Championship and Consolations
4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Friday, July 23
Junior Greco-Roman: Session III – Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Consolations
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Junior Greco-Roman: Session IV Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Finals Schedule for 2021 Championships
Sunday, July 18 – 16U Women’s Freestyle Finals at 1:30 p.m. CT
Monday, July 19 – 16U Men’s Freestyle Finals at 1:00 p.m. CT
Tuesday, July 20 – Junior Men’s Freestyle Finals at 1:00 p.m. CT
Wednesday, July 21 – Junior Women’s Freestyle Finals at 1:30 p.m. CT
Thursday, July 22 – 16U Greco-Roman Finals at 2:00 p.m. CT
Friday, July 23 – Junior Greco-Roman Finals at 2:00 p.m. CT
All FloWrestling Ranked Registered Wrestlers per Fargo Division
| Division | Style | Fargo Weight | Rank | Name | Team |
| 16U | GR | 106 | 7 | Isaiah Quintero | California |
| 16U | MFS | 106 | 7 | Isaiah Quintero | California |
| 16U | MFS | 120 | 2 | Aden Valencia | California |
| JR | GR | 106 | 11 | Ray Ray Harris | California |
| JR | GR | 132 | 15 | Maxximus Martinez | California |
| JR | GR | 145 | 18 | Nicco Ruiz | California |
| JR | MFS | 132 | 15 | Maxximus Martinez | California |
| JR | MFS | 138 | 20 | Kimo Leia | California |
| JR | MFS | 145 | 16 | Henry Porter | California |
| JR | MFS | 145 | 18 | Nicco Ruiz | California |
| JR | MFS | 152 | 8 | Luka Wick | California |
| JR | MFS | 152 | 15 | Gabriel Schumm | California |
| JR | MFS | 160 | 14 | Manuel (M.J.) Gaitan | California |
Nationally Ranked Girls
Brianna Gonzalez (No. 3 at 100)
Emelie Gonzalez (No. 11 at 100)
Madison Avila (No. 19 at 100)
Paige Morales (No. 4 at 106)
Nyla Valencia (No. 7 at 106)
Kiely Tabaldo (No. 11 at 106)
Marisol Rodriguez (No. 21 at 106)
Presley Anderson (No. 20 at 112)
Carissa Qureshi (No. 6 at 117)
Elena Ivaldi (No. 9 at 117)
Arieana Arias (No. 11 at 117)
Gianna DiBenedetto (No. 20 at 122)
Jennifer Soto (No. 5 at 127)
Adrienna Turner (No. 9 at 127)
Janida Garcia (No. 4 at 132)
Taydem Khamjoi (No. 6 at 132)
Samantha Barragan (No. 8 at 132)
Hailey Chapman (No. 14 at 132)
Savannah Gomez (No. 6 at 138)
Leah Brown (No. 22 at 138)
Avangeline Turner (No. 10 at 144)
Lily El-Masri (No. 11 at 164)
Maliya Castillo (No. 16 at 180)
Sam Calkins (No. 4 at 200)
Annika Miles (No. 12 at 225)
Jasmine Guerrero (No. 13 at 225)
Registered Wrestlers
Men’s – USA Junior Freestyle
106 Brandon Baldonado, Ethan Grimminger, Keith Moreno, Jeremy Oani
113 Dominic DeAltonaga, Austin Fredrickson, Paul Kelly, Isaiah Kainoa Medina, Dominic Mendez, Tyler Riley
120 Anthony Anderson, Christopher Calderon, Grigor Cholakyan, Dylan McDonald, Ethan Perryman, Isaiah Rubio, Logan Valledor, Zeth Romney
126 Tallon Chambers, Bobby Cuevas Jr., Tyson Escobedo, Benjamin Hernandez, Edvin Sanchez
132 Devin Avedissian, Anthony Bernardo, Raul Jimenez, Nathan Aguilar, Johnny Lopez, Maxximus Martinez, Justin Rodriguez
138 Eric Almarinez, Michael Folch Jr., Kimo Leia, Michael McGruder, Zachary Parker, Alexander Ramos, Koa Ruiz, Sean Solis
145 Jasper Centeno, Anthony Ching, Ethan Grubach, Cade Lucio, Henry Porter, Nicco Ruiz, Dakota Stephens, Noah Tolentino, Justin Wells
152 Oscar Aranda, Ethan Birch, Devyn Che, Luke Gayer, Victor Jacinto, Gavin Kaminski, Gabriel Schumm, Luka Wick
160 Timothy Cowan, Angelo Esposito, Manuel (M.J.) Gaitan, Abraham Galicia, Richard Garcia, Evan Gilbert, Paul Ortiz
170 Airamis Mendoza, Gabriel Taylor, Brian Thorpe, Tye Monteiro, Taythan Silva
182 Stefan Bakiev, Jacob Campos, Cade Creighton, Seth Miller, Wesley Wilson
195 Ryan Arrington, Jack Clarke, Logan Kuehl, Braden Pease, Max Voelkel, Hunter Weimer
220 Jai Guerra, Caleb Madrid, Bradley Moore II, Nathan Northrop
285 Jamikael Lytle, Aidan Roe
Men’s – USA Junior Greco-Roman
106 Keith Moreno, Brandon Baldonado, Ethan Grimminger, Ray Ray Harris, Jeremy Oani
113 Tyler Riley, Dominic DeAltonaga, Austin Fredrickson, James Gauntlett, Dylan McDonald, Isaiah Kainoa Medina, Dominic Mendez
120 Zeth Romney, Logan Valledor, Isaiah Rubio, Anthony Anderson, Christopher Calderon, Grigor Cholakyan, Paul Kelly, Ethan Perryman
126 Edvin Sanchez, Bobby Cuevas Jr., Tyson Escobedo, Benjamin Hernandez
132 Nathan Aguilar, Justin Rodriguez, Devin Avedissian, Aaron Ibarra, Raul Jimenez, Johnny Lopez, Maxximus Martinez
138 Koa Ruiz, Sean Solis, Eric Almarinez, Alexander Ramos, Michael McGruder, Alec Peralta
145 Dakota Stephens, Noah Tolentino, Nicco Ruiz, Justin Wells, Jasper Centeno, Anthony Ching, Ethan Grubach, Cade Lucio
152 Oscar Aranda, Ethan Birch, Devyn Che, Victor Jacinto, Gavin Kaminski
160 Arian Khosravy, Mark Takara, Manuel (M.J.) Gaitan, Abraham Galicia, Richard Garcia, Desi Lobos, Paul Ortiz
170 Gabriel Taylor, Taythan Silva, Brian Thorpe
182 Wesley Wilson, Stefan Bakiev, Jacob Campos, Seth Miller
195 Max Voelkel, Ryan Arrington, Jack Clarke, Tyler Garone, Logan Kuehl, Braden Pease
220 Jai Guerra, Caleb Madrid, Bradley Moore II, Nathan Northrop
285 Aidan Roe, Jamikael Lytle
Women’s – USA Junior Freestyle
100 Brianna Gonzalez, Emilie Gonzalez, Kaili Oshiro, Alexis Garza, Megan Valdez, Mikayla Garcia, Madison Avila, Jalen Bets
106 Saryna Garcia, Paige Morales, Kiely Tabaldo, Greta Gustafson, Marisol Rodriguez, Carmen Perez
112 Presley Anderson, Mia Sanchez, Briseis Serrano, Valeria Ahumada, Nyla Valencia
117 Karen Salais, Elena Ivaldi, Eden Hernandez, Carissa Qureshi, Arieana Arias
122 Leilani Lazaro, Adrienna Turner, Baylee Carrillo, Gianna DiBenedetto, Carmella Foley, Ysabella Hinojosa, Alejandra Valdiviezo, Jennifer Soto, Sara Sterner, Ariah Barragan
127 Janida Garcia, Kayla Edwards, Taydem Khamjoi, Sophia Gomez, Savannah Lewis, Destiny Campbell, Isabelle Hawley, Vienna Garcia, Makynna Loepp, Samanatha Barragan
132 Hailey Chapman, Slate Delsman
138 Savannah Gomez, Ellisa Jimenez, Leah Brown, Michelle Fierro
144 Avangeline Turner, Celeste Cubillo, Reyna Montenegro, Kelli Johnston
152 Kendall Branchaud, Abby Siecienski
164 Lily El-Masri
180 Mia Delgado, Maliya Castillo, Kiley McClain
200 Sam Calkins
225 Annika Miles, Jasmine Guerrero
Men’s – 16U Freestyle
94 Devin Bobzien, Moses Mendoza
100 Anthony Ayon, Abram Cline, Elijah Poe, Edwin Sierra
106 Manuel Martir, Jason McDonald, Elias Navida, Isaiah Quintero, Caleb Tatad
113 Jagger French, Jackson Heslin, Brock Mantanona, Billy Townson, Carlos Vazquez
120 Moses Mirabal, Aden Valencia, Daniel Zepeda, Timothy Murabito
126 Travis Grace, Collin Guffey, Caleb Park, Joshua Perez, Eziequel Vela, Andrew Barbosa, Mario Sandoval
132 Atridad Feizi, Ruben Le, Logan Lopez, EJ Parco, Jaydon Rodriguez, Yazir Tellez, Laird Root
138 Miguel Acuna, Jack Estevez, Coby Merrill, Dylan Pile, Thomas Thongseng, Wanderlei Whittington, Angelo Posada
145 TJ Arvizu, Eric Cortez, Christian Diaz, Ammar Khan, Gor Vardanyan, Ray Waller, Jayson Suetos, Ray Gulmatico
152 Franklin Enkhmandakh, Ryan Badgett, Ryan Clink, Gavin Fernandez
160 Ryder Dearborn, Arjun Nagra
170 Cody Merrill
182 Ryland Whitworth, Mark Ayala, Ricky Campos
195 Diego Costa, Adam Farha
220 Nolan Frank, Makoa McCreadie, Nicholas Sahakian, Mills Sweany
Men’s – 16U Greco-Roman
94 Devin Bobzien, Moses Mendoza
100 Anthony Ayon, Abram Cline, Elijah Poe, Edwin Sierra
106 Manuel Martir, Jason McDonald, Elias Navida, Isaiah Quintero, Caleb Tatad
113 Jackson Heslin, Carlos Vazquez, Billy Townson
120 Moses Mirabal, Daniel Zepeda, Timothy Murabito
126 Travis Grace, Collin Guffey, Joshua Perez, Andrew Barbosa
132 Atridad Feizi, Ruben Le, Logan Lopez, EJ Parco, Laird Root, Yazir Tellez
138 Coby Merrill, Dylan Pile, Angelo Posada, Miguel Acuna, Wanderlei Whittington
145 TJ Arvizu, Eric Cortez, Christian Diaz, Ammar Khan, Gor Vardanyan, Ray Waller, Jayson Suetos
152 Ryan Badgett, Ryan Clink, Franklin Enkhmandakh, Gavin Fernandez, Arvin Khosravy
160 Arjun Nagra, Ryder Dearborn
170 Cody Merrill
182 Mark Ayala, Ricky Campos, Ryland Whitworth
195 Diego Costa, Adam Farha
220 Nolan Frank, Nicholas Sahakian, Mills Sweany
Women’s – 16U Freestyle
94 Megan Valdez
100 Mikayla Garcia, Alexis Garza
106 Paige Morales, Kiely Tabaldo
112 Mia Sanchez, Presley Anderson, Briseis Serrano
117 Eden Hernandez, Elena Ivaldi, Carissa Qureshi
122 Alejandra Valdiviezo, Leilani Lazaro, Gianna DiBenedetto, Baylee Carrillo, Ysabella Hinojosa, Carmella Foley
127 Makynna Loepp, Sophia Gomez, Taydem Khamjoi, Kayla Edwards
138 Avangeline Turner
180 Kiley McClain
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Team Rankings
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 106 lbs.
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 126 lbs.
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 120 lbs.
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 113 lbs.
