Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2016-17 | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch: Sammy Brooks
AKRON, Ohio — University of Iowa All-American Brandon Sorensen won a national title Sunday at the 2017 United World Wrestling University Nationals in Akron, Ohio.
Sorensen went 7-0 over the two-day tournament and outscored his opponents 58-6 to win the 70 kg championship. He is the third Hawkeyes in as many years to win a University Nationals freestyle championship. Alex Meyer won the 80 kg title in 2016 and Nathan Burak won the 97 kg title in 2015.
Other 2017 University Nationals freestyle champions include Luke Welch (57 kg), John Erneste (61 kg), Robbie Mathers (65 kg), Chance Marsteller (74), Jordan Kutler (80 kg), Myles Martin (86 kg), Jeric Kasunic (97 kg), and Garrett Ryan (125 kg).
In past years, University Nationals gold medalist have advanced to the University World Championships, but USA Wrestling is not attending the University World Championships in 2017. Instead, USAW will competed in a new 23-and-under World Championship. Qualifying for that event has not yet been determined.
The 2017 freestyle wrestling season continues next weekend at the Junior and Senior World Team Trials in Lincoln, Nebraska. The University of Iowa and Hawkeye Wrestling Club is sending nine wrestlers to compete for positions on the 2017 United States Senior and Junior World Teams.
Paul Glynn (60 kg), Jeren Glosser (66 kg), Alex Marinelli (74 kg), and Keegan Shaw (66 kg) wrestle at the Junior World Team Trials on Friday, June 9, at the Devaney Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska. Winners from each weight class advance to Tampere, Finland, to represent Team USA at the Junior World Championships on Aug. 1-6.
On Saturday, June 10, Nathan Burak (97 kg), Chris Dardanes (61 kg), Nick Dardanes (65 kg), Thomas Gilman (57 kg), and Bobby Telford (125 kg) compete at the Senior World Team Trials. The United States world team competes at the Senior World Championships on Aug. 21-26 in Paris, France.
The World Team Trials are streamed at FloWrestling and televised live on Roku and Apple TV.
U.S. Junior World Team Trials
Friday, June 9
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Session I
5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Session II – best of three finals
U.S. Senior World Team Trials
Saturday, June 10
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Session I
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Session II – best of three finals