Iowa Wrestling fans should be even more excited about the future now after the performance of our incoming recruits at the 2019 U.S. Marine Corps/USAW Junior National Championships in Fargo, ND. Two future Hawks won a Junior National title along with a fifth and sixth place finish.
It would be hard to pick who was more impressive in winning their title between Abe Assad and Patrick Kennedy. Assad won the toughest weight class (182) of the entire tournament in dominating fashion. After reaching the finals with four tech falls and a decision, Assad took care of business in the finals with an 8-2 win over #1 ranked Dustin Plott of Oklahoma. Assad was the aggressor throughout the match and put the match away with a final takedown for an exclamation point. Assad avenged a 4-2 loss to Plott at Junior Duals in June. I have to say it again, Assad looked very tough in winning the toughest weight class.
Patrick Kennedy was so smooth in winning the title at 170 lbs. He won his first five matches by tech fall and outscored his opponents 53-0. After a 9-5 win in the semifinals, Kennedy scored a quick 10-0 tech fall in 2:20 to win the title. Kennedy made winning the title look easy. Just a junior, Kennedy will be back next year to defend his title in Fargo.
I was really impressed with Zach Glazier placing sixth at 182. As I mentioned earlier this was the toughest weight in the tournament. In my opinion, by quite a margin. Glazier won his first three matches before dropping a match to a highly ranked opponent. Glazier then rattled off four straight wins before dropping his last two matches. That weight was stacked with nationally ranked wrestlers and Glazier was right there with them.
Gabe Christenson had a very good tournament in placing 5th at 220. After four solid wins, Christenson dropped a close match in the Quarterfinals. On the backside he was able to win three of four to place fifth. Also just a junior, Christenson will be back next year to hunt down a title. Christenson will now compete in the Greco-Roman tournament later this week.
Overall, this was a great performance by our recruits. Assad and Glazier will be freshman this fall for Iowa in the Recruiting Class of 2019. Kennedy and Christenson will be seniors in high school this fall as members of the Recruiting Class of 2020.
Patrick Kennedy Minnesota 170 lbs.
Rd of 128: Patrick Kennedy (MN) VSU William Martin (OK) 10-0 :39
Rd of 64: Patrick Kennedy (MN) VSU Matthew Rogers (NY) 10-0 :37
Rd of 32: Patrick Kennedy (MN) VSU Spencer Mooberry (IA) 12-0 :33
Rd of 16: Patrick Kennedy (MN) VSU Greyden Penner (MO) 10-0 1:45
Quarterfinals: Patrick Kennedy (MN) VSU Angel Garcia (PA) 11-0 1:34
Semifinals: Patrick Kennedy (MN) VPO1 Nevan Snograss (OH) 9-5
Finals: Patrick Kennedy (MN) VSU Gerrit Nijenuis (PA) 10-0 2:20
Abe Assad Illinois 182 lbs.
Rd 128: Bye
Rd of 64: Abe Assad (IL) VSU Jake Kinken (FL) 10-0 :44
Rd of 32: Abe Assad (IL) VSU Kodiak Stephens (CA) 10-0 1:54
Rd of 16: Abe Assad (IL) VSU Michael Doggett (PA) 10-0 1:23
Quarterfinals: Abe Assad (IL) VPO1 John Pozanski (NJ) 9-4
Semifinals: Abe Assad (IL) VSU Luke Stout (PA) 10-0 1:48
Finals: Abe Assad (IL) VPO1 Dustin Plott (OK) 8-2
Zach Glazier Minnesota 182 lbs.
Rd of 128: Zach Glazier (MN) VSU1 Denzel Mabry (CA) 15-4 4:48
Rd of 64: Zach Glazier (MN) VSU Grant Barber (OK) 10-0 :38
Rd of 32: Zach Glazier (MN) VPO Ben Vanadia (OH) 5-0
Rd of 16: Rocky Elam (MO) VPO Zach Glazier (MN) 7-0
Consi 16 #2: Zach Glazier (MN) VSU Michael Coniglia (OH) 10-0 1:47
Consi 8 #1 Zach Glazier (MN) VSU Damen Pape (NE) 10-0 2:49
Consi 8 #2: Zach Glazier (MN) VSU1 Jake Evans (OH) 13-2 6:00
Consi 4: Zach Glazier (MN) VPO1 John Pozanski (NJ) 11-10
Consi Semi: Parker Keckeisen (WI) VPO1 Zach Glazier (MN) 6-2
5th Place Match: Luke Stout (PA) VPO1 Zach Glazier (MN) 13-9
Gabe Christenson Iowa 220 lbs.
Rd of 128 Gabe Christenson (IA) VPO1 Jake Noon (OH) 14-9
Rd of 64: Gabe Christenson (IA) VSU Samuel Navarro (TX) 10-0 :36
Rd of 32: Gabe Christenson (IA) VSU Adam Wilmore (VA) 10-0 :43
Rd of 16: Gabe Christenson (IA) VFA William Jarrell (MA) :14
Quarterfinals: Cade Lautt (KS) VPO1 Gabe Christenson (IA) 13-9
Consi 8 #2: Gabe Christenson (IA) VSU Judson Rowland (OK) 10-0 1:57
Consi 4: Gabe Christenson (IA) VSU Cade Dickerson (OK) 10-0 1:34
Consi Semi: Konner Doucet (OK) VPO Gabe Christenson (IA) 4-0
5th Place Match: Gabe Christenson (IA) VFA Daniel Striggow (MN) 5:59
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
