Incoming Iowa Wrestling recruits Anthony Cassioppi (Hwt) and Nelson Brands (160) closed out strong at Junior Nationals in Fargo, ND. Cassioppi had secured the tech fall when he scored the pin in 1:14 over Nash Hutmacher of South Dakota to win his second straight national title in freestyle at Hwt.
Cassioppi won every match by fall or tech fall. For the great tournament that Cassioppi had with dominate wins over Parris and Hutmacher he was named as the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. Cassioppi will now defend his national title at Hwt in Greco-Roman in his quest to become a rare two-time Triple Crown winner.
Nelson Brands defeated Robert Kanniard of New Jersey by tech fall to place third at 160. This was a very good tournament for Brands as he won four straight matches after an early day loss on day 2. With what I saw out of Brands at this tournament, his stock went up quite a bit and he has a very promising future as an Iowa Hawkeye.
Cassioppi, from Hononegah High School (Roscoe, IL), is ranked #4 at Hwt by Intermat and is attempting to repeat as a rare Triple Crown winner. Cassioppi and Brands, from Iowa City (West HS), IA are joined by Joe Kelly of West Liberty, IA and Aaron Cashman of Spring Park, MN in the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2018.
Round of 64 – Hwt
Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VFA Derek Rymer (Ohio), 4-0 0:14
Round of 32
Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VSU Jorden Pryor (Maryland), 11-0 1:37
Round of 16
Rd of 16: Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VFA Jacob Edwards (Pennsylvania), 4-0
Quarterfinals:
Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VSU John Mcconkey (Iowa), 10-0 0:43
Semifinals
Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VSU1 Mason Parris (Indiana), 12-2 2:47
Finals
Anthony Cassioppi (Illinois) VSU Nash Hutmacher (South Dakota) 1:14
Round of 64 – 160 lbs.
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VPO1 Kolby Ho (Pennsylvania), 14-9
Round of 32.
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VSU Mison Mickle (South Carolina), 10-0 0:44
Rd of 16:
Danny Braunagel (Illinois) VPO1 Nelson Brands (Iowa), 13-7
Consi of 8 #1:
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VPO Austin Brenner (Minnesota), 9-0
Consi of 8 #2
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VSU Keller Rock (Arizona), 10-0 0:33
Consi semis:
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VPO1 Tyler Dow (Wisconsin), 3-3
3rd place match
Nelson Brands (Iowa) VSU Robert. Kanniard (NJ) 11-0
