GENEVA, Ohio – Three Purdue wrestlers took the mat on Saturday in USA Wrestling freestyle events with the highlight performance coming from James Rowley's third place finish in the U20 World Team Trials tournament.
Competing in the 86 kg bracket, Rowley bounced back from a loss in his opening round to rattle off four straight victories on his way to the bronze medal. In those four matches, he outscored his opponents 30-5 with two first period tech falls. The former Cadet freestyle silver medalist came up short of a spot on the 2024 USA Wrestling World Team, but fought for what he could in his return to the freestyle circuit.
Orlando Cruz was the Boilermakers only other competitor in the U20 tournament. He dropped both of his matches in the 79 kg ladder.
Redshirt-freshman Jacob Macatangay fought his way through the U23 Nationals field, compiling a 2-2 record along the way. Both of his wins came via tech fall with a 10-0 (1:19) win over Clarion's Mason Prinkey and a 21-10 win over Anthony Hughes of Marian.
The event was the Boilermakers' final freestyle competition of the summer and the squad will turn its attention to preparations for the 2024-25 season.
Results
U20 World Team Trials
Geneva, Ohio
79 kg: Orlando Cruz
Round of 16: Chris Moore (Illinois RTC) – L, VSU 11-0 (3:30)
Cons. Round of 8: Sean Coughlin (George Mason) – L, VSU 14-4 (4:55)
86 kg: James Rowley – THIRD PLACE
Round of 16: Payton Thomas (Navy WC) – L, VSU 14-4 (6:00)
Cons. Round of 8: Tucker Hogan (Stellar Trained) – W, VSU 10-0 (2:32)
Cons. Round of 4: Lars Michaelson – W, VSU 11-0 (1:00)
Cons. Semis: Daschle Lamer (Central Coast RTC) – W, VPO 7-4
3rd Place: Tate Naaktgeboren (Cyclone RTC) – W, VPO 2-1
U23 Nationals
61 kg: Jacob Macatangay
Round of 64: Mason Prinkey (Clarion RTC) – W, VSU 10-0 (1:19)
Round of 32: Drake Ayala (Hawkeye WC) – L, VSU 14-3 (2:40)
Cons. Round of 32: Anthony Hughes (Knights WC) – W, 21-10 (4:49)
Cons. Round of 16: Kase Mauger (Brunson RTC) – L, VSU 10-0 (2:19)
Competing in the 86 kg bracket, Rowley bounced back from a loss in his opening round to rattle off four straight victories on his way to the bronze medal. In those four matches, he outscored his opponents 30-5 with two first period tech falls. The former Cadet freestyle silver medalist came up short of a spot on the 2024 USA Wrestling World Team, but fought for what he could in his return to the freestyle circuit.
Orlando Cruz was the Boilermakers only other competitor in the U20 tournament. He dropped both of his matches in the 79 kg ladder.
Redshirt-freshman Jacob Macatangay fought his way through the U23 Nationals field, compiling a 2-2 record along the way. Both of his wins came via tech fall with a 10-0 (1:19) win over Clarion's Mason Prinkey and a 21-10 win over Anthony Hughes of Marian.
The event was the Boilermakers' final freestyle competition of the summer and the squad will turn its attention to preparations for the 2024-25 season.
Results
U20 World Team Trials
Geneva, Ohio
79 kg: Orlando Cruz
Round of 16: Chris Moore (Illinois RTC) – L, VSU 11-0 (3:30)
Cons. Round of 8: Sean Coughlin (George Mason) – L, VSU 14-4 (4:55)
86 kg: James Rowley – THIRD PLACE
Round of 16: Payton Thomas (Navy WC) – L, VSU 14-4 (6:00)
Cons. Round of 8: Tucker Hogan (Stellar Trained) – W, VSU 10-0 (2:32)
Cons. Round of 4: Lars Michaelson – W, VSU 11-0 (1:00)
Cons. Semis: Daschle Lamer (Central Coast RTC) – W, VPO 7-4
3rd Place: Tate Naaktgeboren (Cyclone RTC) – W, VPO 2-1
U23 Nationals
61 kg: Jacob Macatangay
Round of 64: Mason Prinkey (Clarion RTC) – W, VSU 10-0 (1:19)
Round of 32: Drake Ayala (Hawkeye WC) – L, VSU 14-3 (2:40)
Cons. Round of 32: Anthony Hughes (Knights WC) – W, 21-10 (4:49)
Cons. Round of 16: Kase Mauger (Brunson RTC) – L, VSU 10-0 (2:19)