Northwestern University Athletics
Deakin Wins Junior Freestyle National Title
5/1/2017 3:55:00 PM | Wrestling
LAS VEGAS – Four Northwestern wrestlers competed at the United World Wrestling Junior Freestyle Nationals this weekend in Las Vegas, highlighted by freshman Ryan Deakin's national title at 66 kg.
"It was a good experience getting to compete against some of the top wrestlers in the nation," Deakin said. "I gained a lot of confidence and I am looking forward to the World Team Trials."
Deakin went 6-0 in a direct elimination bracket and picked up wins over 2016 Cadet World Freestyle Champion Yanni Diakomihalis in the semifinal and Iowa State freshman Kanen Storr in the final.
The title qualifies Deakin for the USA Junior World Team Trials held June 9-10 in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he can compete to represent the USA at the Junior World Championship. He also automatically qualified for a best two out of three against the winner of the trials for a spot on the world team.
Alec McKenna wrestled at 66 kg while fellow freshmen Eric Yang and Shayne Oster competed at 70 kg. Yang and McKenna both went 1-2, with McKenna's two losses coming to Storr, the finalist, and the seventh place finisher.
Oster went 4-2 at the event and missed placing for All-American honors by one match.
Wildcat coaches Cody Brewer and Jason Welch competed in the Senior US Open Championships. Brewer finished fourth while Welch took eighth place.
"It was a good experience getting to compete against some of the top wrestlers in the nation," Deakin said. "I gained a lot of confidence and I am looking forward to the World Team Trials."
Deakin went 6-0 in a direct elimination bracket and picked up wins over 2016 Cadet World Freestyle Champion Yanni Diakomihalis in the semifinal and Iowa State freshman Kanen Storr in the final.
The title qualifies Deakin for the USA Junior World Team Trials held June 9-10 in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he can compete to represent the USA at the Junior World Championship. He also automatically qualified for a best two out of three against the winner of the trials for a spot on the world team.
Alec McKenna wrestled at 66 kg while fellow freshmen Eric Yang and Shayne Oster competed at 70 kg. Yang and McKenna both went 1-2, with McKenna's two losses coming to Storr, the finalist, and the seventh place finisher.
Oster went 4-2 at the event and missed placing for All-American honors by one match.
Wildcat coaches Cody Brewer and Jason Welch competed in the Senior US Open Championships. Brewer finished fourth while Welch took eighth place.
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