Northern Michigan University-National Training Site wrestler Dominic Damon, at right, has been selected for the U.S. Junior World team. (S.JanickiPhoto.com)

By Journal Sports Staff

CORALVILLE, Iowa — A Northern Michigan University-National Training Site wrestler picked up a spot on the U.S. Junior World Team over the weekend at the Junior Trials.

A Greco-Roman grappler, Dominic Damon outscored his opponents 31-5 in the 67 kg bracket and defeated Payton Jacobson of Ringers WC in a best-of-three finals match. He won the first match 5-4, lost the second 5-1, but took down Jacobson in the third, 5-2. Damon will compete in the Junior World Championships Aug. 16-22 in Ufa, Russia.

Fellow wrestler Brody Olson made it to the 72 kg bronze medal match, but couldn’t get a medal. He notched two wins before losing in the quarterfinals 14-7 to Noah Wachsmuth of Colorado, but bounced back with three wins in the consolation bracket before finishing fourth after getting pinned by the New England RTC’s Niko Katsuyoshi in the third-place match.

In the Senior Nationals, NMU-NTS wrestlers David Stepanian, Alston Nutter and George Sikes all finished in the top three in their respective weight classes.

Stepanian had a bye in the 63 kg first round and then defeated We Rachal of the Illinois RTC 6-2 in the quarters and then beat the MWC Academy’s Corbin Nirschl 8-4 during the semifinals. He was shut out in the finals 9-0 by Rise RTC’s Randon Miranda.

At 67 kg, Nutter defeated his first three opponents by a combined 26-0 to make the finals, but lost to Suples WC’s Hayden Tuma 10-1.

Sikes notched a bronze medal at 82 kg after taking down 505 WC’s John Hagey 3-1.

All three of them will now compete at the Senior World Team Trials in September for a chance to qualify for the Senior World Team, which will compete in Oslo, Norway.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.