IRVING, Texas – South Dakota State University wrestler Seth Gross earned a spot on the USA Junior World Team by winning the 60-kilogram division Sunday at the UWW Junior Freestyle World Team Trials.

A native of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and representing the Jackrabbit Wrestling Club, Gross won all three of his matches in his challenge bracket, then won a best-of-three series to qualify for the 2016 UWW Junior World Championships in Macon, France, this August.

After receiving a first-round bye, Gross defeated Paul Glynn of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club by technical fall, 11-0, in his first challenge-bracket match. He moved on to the bracket finals with a 6-2 decision over Ben Freeman of Michigan-RTC and advanced to the championship series with a 12-2 technical fall over Nick Lee of MCWC/Miron.

In the best-of-three championship series, Gross squared off against Mitchell McKee of the Minnesota Storm club team, who defeated Gross in the finals of the UWW Junior Freestyle Nationals last month in Las Vegas. Gross would go on to avenge his earlier defeat by scoring a 16-12 decision over McKee in Sunday’s decisive third match. Gross won the first match, 8-5, before McKee came back with a 10-6 victory to even the series.

Click Here: New Zealand rugby store

Gross completed his first season with the Jackrabbits by compiing a 26-14 overall record while competing at 141 pounds. He was the runner-up at the Big 12 Conference Championship and was one of five SDSU wrestlers to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

View More College News