Metcalf runs the gauntlet to make 2010 World Team

6/15 - The best wrestlers that the United States has to offer

battled it out last weeked in Council Bluffs for coveted spots

on the World Team and a chance to wrestle at the 2010 World

Championships in Moscow, Russia.

For the first time in recent years, a Michigan native earned a

spot on the US World Team.  Former Davison standout Brent

Metcalf, fresh off his second NCAA Title at the University of

Iowa, wasted little time in making the transition from one of the

premiere American college wrestlers to one of the best

American international wrestlers.

Metcalf, who did not compete at the US Nationals in Cleveland

earlier this month, earned a spot in the World Team Trials with

a coach's wildcard selection, and he made the most of it

rattling off three wins in the Challenge Tournament before

downing US National Champ and former World Team member

Jared Frayer in the best-of-three 66kg Championship.

Metcalf made it look easy as he won the challenge tournament

over former NCAA Champs Teyon Ware and Doug Schwab, as

well as fellow Michigan native Josh Churella in the Challenge

Tournament finals, without losing a single period.

Then, in the best-of-three Championship against Frayer, who

received a bye to the finals after winning the US Nationals,

Metcalf lost his opening bout to Frayer 1-0, 1-0.  However, the

former 4x MI State Champ won the next two matches in three

period barn burners to make his first world team.  At 23 years

old, he is the youngest member of this year's US World Team

and he has officially stamped himself as one of the next up-

and-coming American international stars.

With his runner-up finish in the Challenge Tournament, former

University of Michigan All-American Josh Churella earned a

spot on the World Team as an alternate at 66kg. 

Also earning an alternate spot was former Michigan State 4x

All-American Nick Simmons, who finished runner-up in the

55kg Challenge Tournament, losing to Angel Escobedo in the

finals.

Click here for full brackets and results from the World Team

Trials.

Click here to watch videos of the Michigan Wrestlers at the

World Team Trials.

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