Nebraska wrestler Brock Hardy is set to represent Team USA in Tirana, Albania, Oct. 23-29 at the 2023 U23 World Championships. Hardy will compete at 65 kg after he clinched his world team spot in Ohio in June at the U23 Freestyle National Championship.
In Ohio, Hardy, the second seed in the tournament, defeated Ryan Jack of NC State in the best-of-three series finals, with a 9-5 decision in the first match and a 10-5 decision in the second to secure the victory.
Action in Albania is set to begin on Monday, but Hardy’s qualification rounds won’t begin until Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 2:30 a.m. (CT) where he will face Puerto Rico's Sammy Alvarez who wrestles collegiately at Oklahoma State. The semifinals for 65 kg are set for Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. (CT) and the medal matches and awards will be Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. (CT).
Competition can be watched on FloWrestling and brackets will be available on FloArena. Below is the full schedule and Team USA wrestlers.
Schedule
Monday, October 23
2:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (MFS 61-74-86-92-125 kg)
9:15 a.m. – Opening Ceremony
9 a.m. – Semifinals (MFS 61-74-86-92-125 kg)
Tuesday, October 24
2:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (MFS 57-65-70-79-97 kg) and Repechage (MFS 61-74-86-92-125 kg)
8:45 a.m. – Semifinals (MFS 57-65-70-79-97 kg)
10 a.m. – Medal Matches and Awards (MFS 61-74-86-92-125 kg)
Wednesday, October 25
2:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (WFS 50-55-59-68-76 kg) and Repechage (MFS 57-65-70-79-97 kg)
8:45 a.m. – Semifinals (WFS 50-55-59-68-76 kg)
10 a.m. – Medal Matches and Awards (MFS 57-65-70-79-97 kg)
Thursday, October 26
2:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (WFS 53-57-62-65-72 kg) and Repechage (WFS 50-55-59-68-76 kg)
8:45 a.m. – Semifinals (WFS 53-57-62-65-72 kg)
10 a.m. – Medal Matches and Awards (WFS 50-55-59-68-76 kg)
Friday, October 27
2:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (GR 60-67-72-82-97 kg) and Repechage (WFS 53-57-62-65-72 kg)
8:45 a.m. – Semifinals (GR 60-67-72-82-97 kg)
10 a.m. – Medal Matches and Awards (WFS 53-57-62-65-72 kg)
Saturday, October 28
2 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (GR 55-63-77-87-130 kg) and Repechage (GR 60-67-72-82-97 kg)
8:45 a.m. – Semifinals (GR 55-63-77-87-130 kg)
10 a.m. – Medal Matches and Awards (GR 60-67-72-82-97 kg)
Sunday, October 29
8 a.m. – Repechage (GR 55-63-77-87-130 kg)
10 a.m. – Medal Matches and Awards (GR 55-63-77-87-130 kg)
Men's Freestyle Roster
57 kg – Cooper Flynn (Seymour, Tenn./Southeast RTC/Titan Mercury WC)
61 kg – Julian Chlebove (Northampton, Pa./Sunkist Kids WC)
65 kg – Brock Hardy (Brigham City, Utah/Nebraska WTC)
70 kg – Doug Zapf (Downingtown, Pa., Pennsylvania RTC)
74 kg – Keegan O’Toole (Hartland, Wis./Tiger Style WC)
79 kg – Dustin Plott (Tuttle, Okla./Cowboy RTC)
86 kg – Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown, Md./Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC)
92 kg – Jacob Cardenas (Kearny, N.J./Spartan Combat RTC/Titan Mercury WC)
97 kg – Isaac Trumble (Springfield, Neb./Wolfpack, WC/Titan Mercury WC)
125 kg – Wyatt Hendrickson (Newton, Kan./Air Force RTC)