Former Penn State wrestlers Nick Lee, Zain Retherford, and David Taylor took home Final X wins to earn spots on the World Championship team roster on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.
Nittany Lion Wrestling Club (NLWC) members Kyle Dake and Kyle Snyder also made the team, meaning half of the U.S. Men’s Freestyle World Team trains at Penn State. NLWC’s Jennifer Page also earned a spot on the women’s team.
Each wrestler competed in a best-of-three series to try and earn a spot on the team to compete in Serbia this fall.
Lee, a two-time national champion at Penn State, defeated former Cornell four-time NCAA national champion Yianni Diakomihalis at 65 kg 7-6 and 8-8. The match started off with a 7-6 win for Lee before the second bout of the series had a late two-point takedown to end it all and grant the former Nittany Lion the victory.
Retherford, a world runner-up last year did the same at 70 kg against Tyler Berge, winning 2-0, 11-2, and 4-3.
Penn State legend Taylor, a reigning Olympic champion and two-time world champion, defeated current Nittany Lion Aaron Brooks at 86 kg 6-0 and 5-4 to make the team. Brooks received a team alternate designation following his loss to Taylor.
NLWC member Kyle Dake, a four-time world champion defeated former Penn State wrestler Jason Nolf 2-0 in the 74kg championship. Dake dominated and didn’t allow Nolf to score a point with 6-0 and 3-0 wins. Nolf is now also an alternate for Team USA alongside Brooks.
Rounding it out for the NLWC, three-time world champion Kyle Snyder advanced to the World Team after J’Den Cox forfeited their 97 kg matchup.
NLWC member Thomas Gilman suffered a 2-0 series loss and Penn State wrestling alum Vincenzo Joseph forfeited early, losing their potential spots on the roster.
The World Championships will take place starting Sept. 10, in Belgrade, Serbia. See the full rosters on the Team USA website.
