FOR THE ANTIGO TIMES

Nolan Kielcheski, who earlier this year competed on the Antigo Middle School wrestling team, finished his season with some impressive matches at USA Wrestling Kids Nationals.

Held June 25^th and June 26^th in Wisconsin Dells, Kielcheski earned valuable experience while competing against the best in the nation. Kielcheski competed in both Greco and Freestyle, and looks forward to using the skills he learned during the Olympic style season as he enters high school next year.

Competing first in Greco, Kielcheski had a first-round bye, and then matched with an absolute monster, Bradley Rodriguez-Little of Minnesota. Rodriguez-Little is a triple crown champion this year, having won Folkstyle nationals in April, and eventually winning both Greco and Freestyle championships at this tournament.

Kielcheski did a fine job of hand fighting until Rodriguez-Little was able to secure a body lock and score the initial points of the match 20 seconds into the first period. Rodriguez-Little would then attempt to score with a reverse gutwrench, but Kielcheski was able to successfully defend.

Back on the feet, Rodriguez-Little was able to score with an armspin, and was able to maintain control of the arm to gain the victory via fall at 1:02 of the first round.

In his first consolation match, Kielcheski matched up with Zach White Jr. of Indiana. White placed at the Indiana state tournament in all 3 styles, finishing 7^th in Folkstyle, 3^rd in Greco, and 5^th in Freestyle. Kielcheski did not allow the accolades of his opponent to throw him off his game, and was able to score first using an overhook / underhook position to gain a body lock and a 4-point throw 45 seconds into the first period. White was able to fight off his back and secure a pair of points for himself with a head and arm.

After White was unable to turn Kielcheski, the match went back to the feet, where Kielcheski was once again able to score four points with a feet to back headthrow, but ran out of time to finish the fall as the period ended with the score 8-2 in favor of Kielcheski.

20 seconds into the second period, White was able to secure a takedown off a body lock to tighten the match to 8-4. Once again, Kielcheski proved hard to turn, and the match was restarted on the feet. On the feet, Kielcheski was able to counter a lateral attempt with a head lock, and earned 2 points for the takedown, and eventually earned the victory by fall 1:30 into the second round.

The third match for Kielcheski saw him matching up with Gage Losiewicz of Medford, who was a state runner-up in both Greco and Freestyle earlier this spring. Losiewicz was able to score first, using a double underhook position to score with a body lock for 4 points 25 seconds into the match. Losiewicz was then able to secure another 2 points with a gutwrench 22 seconds later. Losiewicz was able to secure the tech fall victory with a 4-point takedown off of another body lock, winning 10-0 at the 1:47 mark of the first period.

In the 7^th place match, Kielcheski faced Moose Bringer of Georgia. Bringer was a middle school state champion in Folkstyle previously. Bringer was able to score first with a duck under and a 2-point takedown. Bringer would then step over a front headlock takedown attempt for another 2 points, and would earn the fall 53 seconds into the first period from this position.

The day after competing in Greco, Kielcheski would once again return to the mats for the Freestyle portion of the event. After a first-round bye, Kielcheski would once again face Bradley Rodriguez-Little of Minnesota, who, as mentioned, was a national triple crown winner.

Rodriguez-Little was able to score first, earning a pushout point 23 seconds into the first round. Rodriguez-Little would then shoot an outside single to score a takedown, and locked his hands into a gut wrench for another two points. Rodriguez-Little would then score on a pair of leg laces to increase his lead to 9-0 with 46 seconds remaining in the period. Rodriguez-Little would earn the technical fall victory with a snap down to a front headlock with exposure for the 13-0 victory.

Kielcheski’s next match would be with Xavier Smith of Indiana. Smith placed 7^th in Folkstyle state, 4^th in Greco State, and 4^th in Freestyle state in Indiana. Smith would immediately start the match shooting an outside single leg, and was able to use the momentum of his shot to continue through for exposure and an early 4-point lead. Smith would shoot another outside single, earning another 2 points and a 6-0 lead with just over a minute remaining in the first period. Kielcheski would then go on a little rally, scoring 2 points with a front headlock with 49 seconds remaining, and then scoring another pair of 2-point exposures using the front headlock to tie the match at 6. Smith would earn a reversal point to end the period.

Smith would start the second period countering a front headlock attempt for a 2-point takedown and a 9-6 lead. Smith would then add a double leg takedown for another 2 points, increasing his lead to 11-6. As the second period came to an end, Kielcheski knew he needed to go for something. Unfortunately, Smith was able to counter and earned a 4-point takedown to end the match 15-6 in his favor.

Kielcheski showed great promise wrestling against some of the best the nation has to offer, and the Antigo Wrestling Club looks forward to his continued success as he joins the high school team this fall.

2021 USA Wrestling Kids Nationals – GRECO   Results for WI

14U 136

Nolan Kielcheski’s place is 8th and has scored 4.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Nolan Kielcheski (WI) received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – Bradley Rodriguez-Little (MN) won by fall over Nolan Kielcheski (WI) (Fall 1:02)
• Cons. Round 2 – Nolan Kielcheski (WI) won by fall over Zach White Jr. (IN) (Fall 3:30)
• Cons. Round 3 – Gage Losiewicz (WI) won by tech fall over Nolan Kielcheski (WI) (TF 10-0)
• 7th Place Match – Moose Bringer (GA) won by fall over Nolan Kielcheski (WI) (Fall 0:53)

2021 USA Wrestling Kids Nationals – FS Results for WI

14U 136

Nolan Kielcheski’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Nolan Kielcheski (WI) received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal – Bradley Rodriguez-Little (MN) won by tech fall over Nolan Kielcheski (WI) (TF 13-0)
• Cons. Round 2 – Xavier Smith (IN) won by decision over Nolan Kielcheski (WI) (Dec 15-6)