WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – USA Wrestling has announced the addition of Purdue wrestler Christian Brunner to the U23 Freestyle World Team roster at 92 kg. The U23 World Championships will be held Nov. 12 to 18 in Bucharest, Romania. Brunner, a two-time NCAA qualifier for the Boilermakers, takes to the mat at Polyvalent Hall on Nov. 17.
"Christian is very excited to have the opportunity to represent his country, while testing himself against some of the best wrestlers in the world," Purdue head wrestling coach Tony Ersland said. "I know he will make the most of this opportunity and use it as a springboard to make even more gains in his wrestling this season."
Brunner is the first Purdue wrestler to make a world team under the direction of the fifth-year head coach.
"Christian has always been a very hard worker with a strong work ethic," Ersland said. "This is a new and different challenge that he has really embraced. It is also another example of the trajectory of our program. We expect to see more Purdue wrestlers on national and world teams in the future."
The Boilermakers' head assistant wrestling coach Tyrel Todd is also set to make the trip to Bucharest. Todd will serve as Brunner's personal coach while assisting the USA Wrestling coaching staff.
Brunner was tabbed for the roster after U23 Freestyle World Team Trials 92 kg champion Michael Macchiavello (Wolfpack WC) was deemed too old to compete at the U23 World Championships by United World Wrestling. Competitors at the U23 World Championships are between the ages of 19 and 23 (1999-95); 18-year-olds (2000) are allowed with medical certificate. Macchiavello turns 24 in December.
At the U23 Freestyle World Team Trials, Brunner placed fourth, going 6-2 while outscoring his opponents 71-29.
Half of the United States' 10-man roster is composed of wrestlers hailing from the Big Ten Conference. Foes at 197 pounds during the collegiate season, Brunner will be teaming up with Ohio State's Kollin Moore (97 kg) on the roster.
"Christian is very excited to have the opportunity to represent his country, while testing himself against some of the best wrestlers in the world," Purdue head wrestling coach Tony Ersland said. "I know he will make the most of this opportunity and use it as a springboard to make even more gains in his wrestling this season."
Brunner is the first Purdue wrestler to make a world team under the direction of the fifth-year head coach.
"Christian has always been a very hard worker with a strong work ethic," Ersland said. "This is a new and different challenge that he has really embraced. It is also another example of the trajectory of our program. We expect to see more Purdue wrestlers on national and world teams in the future."
The Boilermakers' head assistant wrestling coach Tyrel Todd is also set to make the trip to Bucharest. Todd will serve as Brunner's personal coach while assisting the USA Wrestling coaching staff.
Brunner was tabbed for the roster after U23 Freestyle World Team Trials 92 kg champion Michael Macchiavello (Wolfpack WC) was deemed too old to compete at the U23 World Championships by United World Wrestling. Competitors at the U23 World Championships are between the ages of 19 and 23 (1999-95); 18-year-olds (2000) are allowed with medical certificate. Macchiavello turns 24 in December.
At the U23 Freestyle World Team Trials, Brunner placed fourth, going 6-2 while outscoring his opponents 71-29.
Half of the United States' 10-man roster is composed of wrestlers hailing from the Big Ten Conference. Foes at 197 pounds during the collegiate season, Brunner will be teaming up with Ohio State's Kollin Moore (97 kg) on the roster.
| USA U23 MEN'S FREESTYLE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ROSTER | ||||
| Weight | Name | Hometown | College | RTC, Club |
| 57 kg | Jack Mueller | Dallas, Texas | Virginia | Cavalier WC |
| 61 kg | Sean Fausz | Alexandria, Ky. | NC State | Wolfpack WC |
| 65 kg | Colton McCrystal | Sergeant Bluff, Iowa | Nebraska (2018) | Nebraska WTC |
| 70 kg | Hayden Hidlay | Lewistown, Pa. | NC State | Wolfpack WC |
| 74 kg | Alex Smythe | Eden, N.Y. | Buffalo | Bulls WC |
| 79 kg | David McFadden | West Milford, N.J. | Virginia Tech | SERTC-VT |
| 86 kg | Myles Martin | Penns Grove, N.J. | Ohio State | Ohio RTC |
| 92 kg | Christian Brunner | East Dundee, Ill. | Purdue | Boilermaker RTC |
| 97 kg | Kollin Moore | Burbank, Ohio | Ohio State | Ohio RTC |
| 125 kg | Youssif Hemida | Mamaroneck, N.Y. | Maryland | Terrapin WC |