Ohio State wrestler Brady Koontz has earned his way onto the Team USA U23 team per a release from the university. Koontz was a redshirt freshman last year and got the first dual-match start of his career. He won seven of nine bouts and will undoubtedly be part of the bright future of the Buckeye wrestling program for the next couple of seasons.
He game close to making it onto the senior USA Team, but narrowly missed and qualified for a best of three wrestle-off to be a part of the U23 squad.
Below is the complete release from Ohio State on the news.
FARGO, N.D. – Rising redshirt sophomore Brady Koontz booked his ticket to Budapest, Hungary (Oct. 28-Nov. 2) for the 2019 U23 World Championships. The Buckeye defeated Liam Cronin (Indiana University) in a best-of-3 series to take the final step in filling Team USA’s 55-kg Greco-Roman spot. Koontz earned the right to a Special Wrestle-off with Cronin after finishing as the Final X runner-up on the senior level.
“I worked really hard for this, ever since Final X. My hard work is paying off,” Koontz said.
Complete USA Wrestling Release
Bout One went in favor of Koontz, 5-1, before Cronin evened the series with a 6-6 bout won on criteria to force a decisive third bout. Koontz responded well to the defeat and snagged his Team USA membership with a 3-1 victory in the final match.
