This weekend, the top three pound-for-pound high school wrestlers in the country will compete in the same bracket. That's the type of top-level talent you'd expect to find at the U17 US Open, Fargo, Super 32, Ironman, or any other high school event. Instead, the three are competing in the ring at the U.S. Olympic Trials weighing 57kg.
Luke Lilledahl, Marcus Blaise and Jax Forrest all have world medals in their age groups, and each have won NCAA finalists within the past few months. They also have a history with each other.
Marcus Blaise was the first of this group to punch his ticket to the U.S. Olympic Trials. He qualified by winning gold at last summer's U17 World Championships. Since then, Blaydes has continued to wrestle beyond his age level. In November, the junior from Perrysburg, Ohio, defeated Purdue NCAA finalist Matt Ramos at the Clarion Open. Blades has a 1-0 record against Lilledal and 1-2 against Forest during his high school career.
Luke Lilledal split his time this season between high school tournaments and senior-level freestyle competition. He placed third at the Bill Farrell Memorial Tournament and fifth at the Senior Nationals in December, earning him a ticket to the Olympic Trials. In the process, Lilledal defeated Arizona State NCAA finalist Brandon Courtney. He only competed against Marcus Blaze once, losing in the 2021 Ironman finals. He is currently 2-2 against Jax Forrest, winning their last meeting at the 2023 Ironman Finals.
The most recent Olympic Trials participant was Jax Forrest. He fought his way to victory at the Last Chance Olympic Team Trials Qualifiers, defeating NCAA champion Nathan Tomasello in the final with technical superiority. Forrest had a 2-1 record against the Blades in high school and a 2-2 record against Lilledal.
Lileda, Blaze, and Forrest will be the underdogs at the Olympic Trials. They are the three lowest-seeded wrestlers in the bracket, with Lilledal at No. 9, Forrest at No. 10 and Blades at No. 11. Still, they're dangerous. Lilledal's first-round opponent, if the pre-seed holds, will likely be Daniel DeShazer, who broke up this season. If he wins this matchup, he will face 2023 World Teamer Zane Richards. Marcus Brees will start the tournament alongside two-time NCAA champion Nick Suriano. If they win this game, they will advance to the quarterfinals against four-time NCAA finalist Dayton Fix. Jax Forrest will start with Liam Cronin and if he wins he will face world champion Thomas Gilman. These young men have their work cut out for them, but don't be surprised if one or more of their high school star players make some serious noise at State this weekend.
57kg Olympic selection quota
Every time Lilledal, Blaze, and Forest meet in high school
2020 Super 32 Quarterfinals, 105 lbs.: Forest Major Deck Blaze 13-4
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2021 Ironman Final, 113 lbs.: Blaze Dec Lilledal 3-2 tb1
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2022 Journeymen Fall Classic Final, 125 pounds: Forrest Deck Lilledal 9-6
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2022 Super 32 loss, 120 pounds: Forest Major October Blaze 10-1
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2022 Ironman Finals, 120 lbs: Lilledal December Forest 3-1 SV
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2022 Powerade Final, 121 pounds: Forrest Deck Lilledal 3-1
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2023 Clarion Open Quarterfinals, 125 pounds: Blaze Deck Forest 9-4
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2023 Ironman Final, 126 pounds: Lilledal December Forest 2-1
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