In order to qualify for the Junior World Team, a wrestler must be the champion of his weight class in the Challenge Tournament.

After a wrestler wins his Challenge Tournament, he advances to a best-of-three series against the sitting UWW Junior National Champion.

The future of Iowa State’s wrestling program competed in the tournament in Lincoln, Nebraska this weekend to try to do just that.

Freshmen Kanen Storr and Samuel Colbray missed the best-of-three series cut, both finishing fourth in their classes, respectively.

Incoming freshman Austin Gomez narrowly missed qualifying for the Junior World Team.

“[Gomez] was pretty dominate in all his matches. He got his motor running early and scored and then kept building off it,” said assistant coach Mike Zadick.

Gomez cruised to the best-of-three series after going 3-0 in the Challenge Tournament. Minnesota wrestler, Mitch McKee, awaited Gomez.

The two 60 kg wrestlers split the first two matches, arranging a climactic finish.

In the final match, Gomez propelled himself to a 5-2 advantage in the first period. McKee stormed back to tie it at 5-5.

During the second period, Gomez got passivity for the second time, putting him on the shot clock. Gomez failed to score in the 30 seconds, leading to a McKee point.

Gomez desperately battled to the end of the match, but McKee clung to the lead, winning 7-5.

The passivity call was controversial to many spectators, including head coach Kevin Dresser.

Former Cyclone wrestlers Kyven Gadson and Pat Downey also competed in Lincoln.

Gadson thrived on Saturday. Gadson maneuvered his way through his Challenge Tournament, outscoring opponents 26-1.

The best-of-three series was another story for Gadson. Gadson battled Kyle Snyder, but he lost the first two matches by technical falls.

Gadson still finished second and cemented his spot on the United States National Team.

Downey, on the other hand, had a tougher time in his bracket.

Since being dismissed from Iowa State’s program, Downey has been training for the World Team Trials. Downey entered with high expectations.

Downey predicted that he wouldn’t allow a single point the whole tournament. Downey didn’t completely fulfill his goal, losing 10-0 in the 86kg quarterfinals.