Redshirt freshman Brady Koontz will represent Team USA this week in Slovakia, as the first of five Buckeyes competing at world wrestling championships over the next two months. Koontz earned the right to represent the United States at the Junior World Greco-Roman Championships by winning the 55 kg world team trials tournament back in June.
Although Ohio State's roster is mostly known for its international freestyle success, Koontz brings an impressive Greco-Roman resume to the program. He represented the U.S. at the 2015 Cadet Worlds, and was runner-up at Fargo in 2017, marking his fifth Fargo All-American honor.
U.S. GRECO-ROMAN ROSTER | 2018 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
55 kg: Brady Koontz Plover, Wisc.
60 kg: Taylor LaMont Mapleton, Utah
63 kg: Alston Nutter Fennimore, Wisc.
67 kg: Peyton Omania Concord, Calif.
72 kg: Tyler Dow Stoughton, Wisc.
77 kg: Kamal Bey Colorado Springs, Colo.
82 kg: Andrew Berreyesa Las Vegas, Nev.
87 kg: Barret Hughes Coweta, Okla.
97 kg: Chad Porter Phoenix, Ariz.
130 kg: Cohlton Schultz Parker, Colo.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE (eastern times listed)
Monday, Sept. 17
4:30 a.m. – Qualification rounds (55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg)
Noon – Semifinals (55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg)
Tuesday, Sept. 18
4:30 a.m. – Qualification rounds (60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg, 97 kg)
4:30 a.m. – Repechage (55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg)
10:45 a.m. – Opening ceremonies
11:15 a.m. – Semifinals (60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg, 97 kg)
Noon – Finals (55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg)
Wednesday, Sept. 19
4:30 a.m. – Repechage (Greco-Roman 60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg, 97 kg)
Noon – Finals (Greco-Roman 60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg, 97 kg)
As a Buckeye, Koontz posted a 17-8 overall record with five pins and a major decision while competing in six unattached tournaments as a redshirt during the collegiate season. He claimed runner-up honors in both the Findlay Open and Storm Open.
Alumni Kyle Snyder and Logan Stieber will don the Stars & Stripes at the World Freestyle Championships Oct. 20-28, while upperclassmen Myles Martin and Kollin Moore will wrestle at the Under-23 World Championships Nov. 12-18.
