The 2025 Senior World Team Trials at 65 kilograms is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most unpredictable brackets of the entire tournament. With a compelling mix of rising high school phenoms, collegiate standouts, and seasoned veterans, the road to Final X — and a shot at unseating Joey McKenna — promises to be a high-stakes battle of skill, grit, and timing.
Top Seed: Jesse Mendez
Leading the pack is Jesse Mendez of the Ohio RTC and Titan Mercury Wrestling Club. Mendez has made massive strides in the past year, balancing his collegiate and freestyle careers with poise. With a quick pace and heavy hand fighting, he enters the Trials as the top seed and a legitimate threat to earn his first Final X berth.
2nd Seed: Brock Hardy
Hardy, representing the Nebraska RTC, has quietly become one of the most consistent competitors at this weight. A strong neutral wrestler with great baseline defense, Hardy is poised for a deep run. He’ll need to navigate a bracket full of explosive offensive wrestlers, but his ability to win tight matches may give him the edge.
The Bassett Factor
Few names in wrestling are generating more buzz than Bo Bassett, the No. 3 seed and one of the most decorated age-level wrestlers in U.S. history. Still just a teenager, Bassett already owns world medals and has shown the ability to hang with senior-level competition. If he gets hot, he could be the breakout performer of the tournament.
Valencia and Woods Add Firepower
At No. 4 and No. 5 respectively, Aden Valencia and Real Woods bring high ceilings and big-match experience. Valencia, another young standout, is fearless in the scramble and relentless from neutral. Woods, meanwhile, is a proven NCAA champion with tactical excellence and mat awareness. Both could easily upend the top of the bracket.
Veterans in the Mix
Beau Bartlett (6), Seth Gross (7), and Carter Young (9) all bring high-level experience. Bartlett is battle-tested and continues to improve each season. Gross, a former NCAA champion and age-level world medalist, can turn matches in an instant with his funky style. And Young, though seeded ninth, has wins over elite competition and should not be overlooked.
Dark Horse Alert: Marcus Blaze
Slotted in at No. 8, Marcus Blaze might be the most dangerous sleeper in the bracket. With dynamic offense and rapidly improving mat IQ, Blaze could pull an early-round upset and shake up the entire tournament.
Final Thoughts
Only one wrestler will earn the right to challenge Joey McKenna at Final X, and with this level of talent, it’s anyone’s game. From high school sensations to seasoned vets, the 65kg Trials bracket encapsulates the depth and future of U.S. freestyle wrestling. Buckle up — it’s going to be a war.
