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The U.S Wrestling Olympic Team Trials are done and dusted with, and fans now know who is headed to Paris to represent America at the Games. In the 13-member team, a handful of wrestlers will be making their Olympic debut this July and August.
First up, NCAA champion and Penn State University star Aaron Brooks has assured himself of a berth at Paris. Competing at the U.S Olympic Wrestling Team Trials, Brooks beat out favorite David Taylor for his spot at the Games.
The 23-year-old has claimed four back-to-back NCAA titles and is the current US National Champion in the 86 kgs. On the international stage, Brooks has won the 2023 U23 World Championships in Tirana.
Joining the Nittany Lion in Paris as a debutant will be former Michigan Wolverine Mason Parris. Parris beat out first seed Hayden Zillmer at the U.S Olympic Wrestling Team Trials in straight games at the best-of-three championship series in Pennsylvania.
The 24-year-old's collegiate career has seen him win one NCAA National title, and one silver. He has seen greater success in global competitions. In 2023, he was crowned the Pan American Games champion in the 125 kgs, and he also won bronze at the World Championships. His Olympic year so far has been perfect, claiming gold at the 2024 Acapulco Pan American Championships.
Possibly joining Aaron Brooks and Mason Parris in making their debut at the 2024 Olympics will be Spencer Lee and Zain Rutherford. The duo topped the 57kg and 65kg freestyle trials, but America is yet to qualify for those events at the Games. The two will have an opportunity to clinch their quota at the World Olympic Games Qualifier in Turkey next month.
U.S Wrestling Olympic Team Trials: Greco-Roman wrestlers who will make their debut in Paris
On the Greco-Roman end of things, Payton Jacobson, Josef Rau, and Adam Coon are guaranteed to experience their first Olympics in Paris after having successfully topped the chart at the U.S Wrestling Olympic Team Trials.
Jacobsen is yet to make his mark on the international level after several impressive performances on the national circuit, and will hope to have his moment in Paris in the 87kg event.
On the other hand, for 33-year-old Josef Rau, this Olympic berth has been a long time in the making. Back in 2016, the Chicago-native had topped the trials, but failed to clinch a quota. In 2021, Rau qualified America for the Games, but failed to perform at the trials. This time around, the stars have finally aligned for the veteran.
Meanwhile, Adam Coon only resumed his Greco-Roman training in January last year, with renewed intent of making it to the Games. After missing out on a spot for Tokyo, the American had shifted his focus to football, signing with the Tennessee Titans. However, the 29-year-old is now back to wrestling, and will look to make up for lost time in Paris.
Lastly, Dalton Roberts and Jam Bey are also in the running to make their Olympic debut later this year. The two have topped the U.S Olympic Wrestling Team Trials for the 60 and 67 kg events, and will now need to book a quota for themselves in May.
