Hayden Zillmer

[Big Bird]

Baran is a multiple time Euro medalist, was the 8 seed here, and had beaten Nick Gwiazdowksi before, so that was a very good win.

Geno is a 3 time world champ, but Hayden definitely has a shot. In their only previous meeting, Hayden had some well timed shots to get out to the lead and very nearly had another that would have potentially put the match away. Keys will be holding center, timing his shots well, and keeping the feet moving. Geno caught him flat footed last time

Match should be 45-60 minutes away

[Big Bird]

Here we go

[Big Bird]

Hayden loses 9-4. Just gotta get on the offense sooner. Geno looked great too.

On the bright side, Hayden has a very realistic path to a world bronze medal

[Big Bird]

Hayden loses 9-4. Just gotta get on the offense sooner. Geno looked great too.

On the bright side, Hayden has a very realistic path to a world bronze medal

Nevermind. Geno Petriashvilli was upset in the semifinals and as a result, Hayden won't get a shot at wrestling for a bronze.

[RadioBison]

Nevermind. Geno Petriashvilli was upset in the semifinals and as a result, Hayden won't get a shot at wrestling for a bronze.

That's too bad, but going 2-1 at the world championships is nothing to sneeze at. I'm not sure that Hayden has peaked quite yet.

I don't think I'm ever going to see how using repechage is better than having double-elimination wrestlebacks for these international events.

[Big Bird]

Hayden won his first match today at the Olympic Trials challenge tournament. He has big Dom Bradley in the semifinals tonight on either USA or Peacock. He's beaten Dom before and I'm expecting a low scoring 1 takedown match.

If he wins, he'd either have a rematch with 2 time world bronze medalist Nick Gwiazdowski, who he beat to make the world team in 2022 or reigning NCAA champ Greg Kerkvliet of Simley MN/Penn State.

With Mason Parris winning a bronze medal at the 2023 world championships, he waits in the best of 3 finals at 125kg tomorrow with an Olympic spot on the line.

My guess is Kerkvliet and Hayden win with Kerkvliet beating Hayden tonight.

[Big Bird]

Hayden will be on mat 2 in ~30 mins. You can definitely watch him on Peacock, but unsure if they'll show his match on USA with a combination of Men's Freestyle, Greco, and Women's Freestyle going on at the same time. I imagine he won't be on USA, as Kerkvleit and Gwiazdowski should be wrestling at the same time and Kerkvleit is wrestling in front of his home fans at Penn State.

[Big Bird]

Gwiazdowksi and Kerkvliet wrestled and Gwiaz won 5-1. Hayden would have a rematch if he can beat Dom Bradley.

Should start any minute now

[Big Bird]

Hayden's match will be live on USA (at least to start) and also on Peacock on mat 2.

Let's go

[Big Bird]

Got in deep on a single leg, but can't get stuck underneath like that. Dom is way bigger than Hayden