5 Can't Miss Matches On Day 2 & The Ones We're Hoping For
5 Can't Miss Matches On Day 2 & The Ones We're Hoping For
Day one of the RTC Cup was outstanding, but we're only half done! Here are 5 must-see matches on day two plus a few others we're hoping to see.
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The first day of the RTC Cup brought incredible action including Yianni over James Green, Vito over Nahshon, and Gable over Gwiazdowski. And we're only half way done! Check out these can't miss matches we'll get on day 2 along with a few others we hope to see.
The two duals we're guaranteed are Gopher WC vs NJRTC/SERTC and Ohio RTC vs Wolfpack RTC. After that, we could see any other combination of teams in the semis and placing matches.
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Carson Kharchla vs Hayden Hidlay
Kharchla broke out today with a 6-0 win over Canada's Jevon Balfour and a 9-2 win over NCAA Champion Mekhi Lewis. Tomorrow, we'll see how he stacks up with NCAA Finalist Hayden Hidlay.
Hidlay split time with Tommy Gantt today. He fell 8-8 on criteria to Logan Massa in one of the day's most entertaining bouts. His underhook presents a unique set of problems that will offer a new test to the newly arrived Kharchla.
Kharchla's 9-2 win over Mekhi Lewis
Trent Hidlay vs Sammy Brooks
While we're talking about Hidlays, let's not forget about Trent Hidlay who went 2-0 tonight against Dom Abounader and Brett Pfarr. He'll see Sammy Brooks tomorrow in what's sure to be an absolute slugfest.
Hidlay and Brooks are under-hooking brawlers who aren't afraid to go big and who never stop trying to score. The officials may be intervening in a highly physical handfight more than once tomorrow.
Mekhi Lewis vs Evan Wick
We'll get a rematch of a 2019 NCAA Semi when Lewis and Wick meet for the first time in freestyle. Trailing 3-2 in that bout, Wick pressed for a late takedown to with that match, but Lewis scored on the attempt for a 5-2 victory and a trip to the NCAA finals.
The rematch is an opportunity for Wick to even the score, but it will also help decide the US pecking order at 74kg.
Kollin Moore vs Mike Macchiavello
This is one of the best matches at 97kg in the US that we have yet to see. Macch and Moore are ranked #3 and #4 respectively, so there's a real ranking implication and potentially a seed at the Olympic Trials.
Moore is coming off a Senior Nationals title and two dominant wins on day one of the RTC Cup. Macchiavello took a loss to Hayden Zillmer today but beat Tim Dudley. This should be a good one.
Mueller vs Cruz/Camacho
This will be a rematch from the 2019 World Team Trials semifinal. Cruz won that bout 7-5. Mueller is coming off an impressive win today against Nahshon Garrett in which he everyone why his chest wrap is so dangerous.
Cruz will look to get back to his winning ways as his lone match today was a 13-2 tech to Seth Gross. Even in defeat, Cruz showed his potent offense by scoring the opening takedown against Gross and nearly transitioning into a leg lace.
Mueller's 6-4 win over Nahshon Garrett
Incredible Matches Worth Hoping For
Since any team can still finish first through sixth, it's impossible to know what matches we'll see after the quarterfinals, but here are a few that would be incredible:
57kg - Seth Gross vs Vito Arujau
57kg - Nahshon Garrett vs Seth Gross
57kg - Darian Cruz vs Dylan Ragusin
65kg - Anthony Echemendia vs Yianni Diakomihalis
65kg - James Green vs Alec Pantaleo
74kg - Logan Massa vs Carson Kharchla
74kg - Carson Kharchla vs Evan Wick
74kg - Mekhi Lewis vs Logan Massa
74kg - Tommy Gantt vs Mekhi Lewis
74kg - Hayden Hidlay vs Mekhi Lewis
86kg - Myles Amine vs Nate Jackson
86kg - Myles Amine vs Trent Hidlay
86kg - Myles Amine vs Drew Foster
86kg - Myles Amine vs Sammy Brooks
97kg - Kollin Moore vs Hayden Zillmer
97kg - Ty Walz vs Kollin Moore
125kg - Gable Steveson vs Mason Parris
125kg - Dom Bradley vs Mason Parris
125kg - Nick Gwiazdowski vs Dom Bradley
125kg - Gable Steveson vs Dom Bradley