With the highly anticipated 2025 Senior World Team Trials Challenge Tournament set for May 16–17, USA Wrestling has officially released the pre-seeds for men’s freestyle, outlining the early favorites in each weight class. The event will serve as the final qualification opportunity for athletes vying to punch their tickets to Final X, scheduled for June 14 in Newark, New Jersey.
These pre-seeds reflect an exciting blend of seasoned veterans, rising stars, and young prospects, setting the stage for one of the most competitive trials in recent memory.
Highlights from the Seedings
Several U.S. Open runners-up earned top seeds, including Jesse Mendez (65 kg), James Green (70 kg), David Carr (74 kg), Kyle Dake (86 kg), and Demetrius Thomas (125 kg). Meanwhile, Joshua Barr, a 2023 U20 World silver medalist, leads the charge at 92 kg, showcasing the emergence of young talent on the senior level.
Full Pre-Seeds – Men’s Freestyle
65 kg
- Jesse Mendez
- Brock Hardy
- Bo Bassett
- Aden Valencia
- Real Woods
- Beau Bartlett
- Seth Gross
- Marcus Blaze
- Carter Young
70 kg
- James Green
- PJ Duke
- Ian Parker
- Will Lewan
- Bryce Andonian
- Ridge Lovett
- Antrell Taylor
- Caleb Henson
- Brayton Lee
74 kg
- David Carr
- Quincy Monday
- Jarrett Jacques
- Michael Caliendo
- Terrell Barraclough
- Peyton Hall
- Joseph Blaze
79 kg
- Levi Haines
- Dean Hamiti
- Simon Ruiz
- Carson Kharchla
- Muhamed McBryde
- Kennedy Monday
- Ethan Riddle
86 kg
- Kyle Dake
- Chance Marsteller
- Carter Starocci
- Parker Keckeisen
- Marcus Coleman
92 kg
- Joshua Barr
- Aeoden Sinclair
- Michael Macchiavello
- Dustin Plott
- Patrick Brophy
97 kg
- Hayden Zillmer
- Jonathan Aiello
- Justin Rademacher
- Eric Schultz
- Gavin Hoffman
- Christian Knop
- Ethan Laird
125 kg
- Demetrius Thomas
- Trent Hillger
- Jordan Wood
- Christian Lance
- Lucas Stoddard
What’s at Stake
Each champion from the Challenge Tournament will move on to Final X, where they’ll face the previously qualified athletes (such as reigning world medalists and U.S. Open champions) in a best-of-three series for a spot on the 2025 U.S. World Team. Final X winners will represent the United States at the 2025 Senior World Championships later this year.
