Former Iowa Hawkeye All American Sammy Brooks defeated Myles Martin of Ohio State in two straight matches to win the U23 World Team Trials at 86 kg (189 lbs.). Brooks had a great tournament at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN that started off with two tech falls before defeating Minnesota All American Brett Pharr 4-0 in the semifinals. Brooks defeated Ohio State 2016 national champion Myles Martin 9-5 and 13-8 to sweep the best of three series in the finals.
Brooks will now represent Team USA in the first ever U23 (Under 23 years of age) World Freestyle Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, November 21-26. From my understanding, U23 has replaced Universities as an International World Championship. Brooks was a two-time All American for the University of Iowa at 184 lbs. in 2016 and 2017.
Alex Meyer also had a very good tournament by placing fourth at 80 kg (176 lbs.) in Greco-Roman. After winning an 11-8 quarterfinal match, Meyer dropped a very close match to reigning Junior GR World champion Kamal Bey in the semifinals, 9-7. Meyer responded with a tech fall before dropping a decision to place fourth. Considering this was Meyer’s first Greco-Roman competition since he was in high school over five years ago, I thought this was a great showing. Give Meyer some more specific GR training and he will be a force in the GR World Team Trials next year. Meyer was an All American at Iowa in 2016 at 174 lbs.
The performance of Brooks and Meyer will only add to the momentum that Iowa Wrestling has going for them with Thomas Gilman’s World Freestyle Silver performance this summer and a team ready to roll for the upcoming season. This is also great for the Hawkeye Wrestling Club that has had a huge spike in members, a new head coach, and increased fundraising recently.
Having an Iowa Hawkeye representing Team USA in a World Freestyle Championships at 189 lbs. will also be a nice addition to the recruiting pitch for Iowa Wrestling to prospective recruits.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
86 KG
Champ. Round 1 – Samuel Brooks (NYAC/HWC) won by tech fall over Shabaka Johns (Indiana Pride Wrestling Academ) (TF 10-0)
Quarterfinal – Samuel Brooks (NYAC/HWC) won by tech fall over Nick Thompson (Rochester Community) (TF 10-0)
Semifinal – Samuel Brooks (NYAC/HWC) won by decision over Brett Pfarr (Minnesota Storm) (Dec 4-0)
Finals FS 86
Round 1 – Samuel Brooks (NYAC/HWC) won by decision over Myles Martin (Ohio State/Ohio RTC/TMWC) (Dec 9-5)
Round 2 – Samuel Brooks (NYAC/HWC) won by decision over Myles Martin (Ohio State/Ohio RTC/TMWC) (Dec 13-8
GR 80 KG
Champ. Round 1 – Alex Meyer (Hawkeye Wrestling Club) received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Alex Meyer (Hawkeye Wrestling Club) won by decision over Carter Nielsen (NMU-OTS) (Dec 11-8)
Semifinal – Kamal Bey (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club) won by decision over Alex Meyer (Hawkeye Wrestling Club) (Dec 9-7)
Cons. Semi – Alex Meyer (Hawkeye Wrestling Club) won by tech fall over Aaron Trygstad (Otero County WC) (TF 8-0)
3rd Place Match – Carter Nielsen (NMU-OTS) won by decision over Alex Meyer (Hawkeye Wrestling Club) (Dec 7-2)
