Arnold, CA…Friday August 30, 2021 in Coralville, Iowa at the Greco-Roman World Team Trials Kodiak Stephens of Arnold CA let everyone know his favorite colors are Red, White, and Blue. The 87kg weight class knows that Kodiak has been working hard ever since his last stellar performance in the 2020 CIF championships where he took 4th for the Bret Harte Bullfrogs.

In Coralville Iowa competing in the quarter finals Kodiak met Spencer Mooberry of Caveman Wrestling of Tampa Bay Florida. Spencer earned a 10-3 lead after the first period. In the second period Kodiak fought back to earn a 17-10 advantage prior to getting a pin fall for the victory. In the semi-finals Kodiak squared off against Conner Bourne from Las Vegas Nevada where Kodiak earned a pin fall 41 seconds into the first period. When competing to represent team USA in wrestling the finals are who wins two out of three matches. Kodiak’s opponent in the championship 2 out of 3 was Tyler “Truck” Hannah from Dubuque WC located in Prairie Du Wisconsin. Kodiak lost the first 2 out of 3 finals match 1:32 into the first period by Technical Fall (10-0). Kodiak then regrouped and won the next two final matches by Technical fall (10-2). Kodiak Stephens is a National Champion and will be representing the USA in the sport of wrestling.

On the international level the Junior division in wrestling consists of athletes born 2001 to 2004. Kodiak will represent the USA in Ufa, Russia at the Junior World Championships August 16-22 2021.

To round out his weekend Kodiak also competed in the Junior division for Freestyle wrestling on Saturday and Sunday. After an outstanding Friday in Greco Roman Kodiak also prevailed in freestyle. After three days of high-level wrestling Kodiak became a double All American by placing 8thin the freestyle tournament. Kodiak defeated four college wrestlers on his path to becoming an All American in freestyle wrestling.

Source = Jerry Middleton