Freestyle wrestling season is in full swing, and the first half of the USA World team wrestle-offs has concluded. Final X: Rutgers was defined by clashes between young phenoms and experienced veterans. To the surprise of many, experience came through every time. For the chance to represent the United States in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships at 92 kg, a criminally underrated staple met a generational talent.
J’den Cox: World Champion, Underdog
For three years, Missouri’s J’den Cox has been the man for USA Wrestling. After winning his second NCAA title for the Tigers, Cox defeated four-time NCAA champion Kyle Dake to make the 2016 Olympic team.