2026 Senior World Predictions

[vhsalum]

57kg - Yellow Medal

This version of Spencer is who he needs to be. He's clearly in a better place mentally - not acting like he's just supposed to kill everyone in the US. Looks like they've made some changes with regards to his recovery.

61kg - Silver

Not sure blaze can beat Uguev. But other than - he's good enough to beat them all. Really hope his match 3 is who decides to be. He's a world beater when he stays on offense.

70kg - Gold

Just keeps getting better. So impressive to watch him in real time get closer and closer to the guy that dominated 2019 Worlds.

74kg - no medal

Green is far more offensive than we've seen in his entire career - likely due to the new weight class. But I still don't trust him. He clams up.

79kg - Gold

Wow. Haines is old-school Iowa. The constant wrist rolls are so frustrating for his opponents. And he finishes so well. Even a year ago, he didn't get countered when he was on a leg. He's also an underrated scrambler himself. God I hate you guys.

86kg - Bronze

Some of you thought JB was giving Z a built-in "excuse" for a post-Worlds hangover. Its the opposite - that was him being as nice as possible. This is a guy who was the hardest working guy in the sport for a long time. I'm a huge Z fan, but this is what he gets for partying for 10 months and acting like 2 months of hard training would be enough. With that said - Dake looks world's better than a year ago. He's clearly filled out, and has a great gas tank. His chest wrap is no longer the weapon it once was - so I hope he keeps guys off his legs a bit more at Worlds.

92kg - Gold

No one is beating Trent at 92 until his gas tank fades. He's a freak with his ability to sustain that many high level and high energy attacks for the duration of a match and over the course of multiple days. Watch his matches from Zagreb this year. He was down 5-0 and 8-0 against the Iranians and still won going away.

97kg - Silver

No one is beating Sadulaev. It is nice to see some old-school Snyder though. Over-tie snap to a low single, foot-stomp single, explosive high-C - didn't rely on just snapping guys down for 6 minutes.

125kg - Bronze

Hendrickson is a great athlete at the weight. It was great to see him not make any stupid mistakes and not try to hit a head pinch. But dude can't attack from a tie, and seemed completely unwilling to hand fight. Maybe that was just a matchup scouting report - because Parris really did get overanxious and just started air-mailing shots. But he's not going to be able to score on Zare unless he can shoot from a tie.

 

[Corby2]

57kg - Yellow Medal

This version of Spencer is who he needs to be. He's clearly in a better place mentally - not acting like he's just supposed to kill everyone in the US. Looks like they've made some changes with regards to his recovery.

61kg - Silver

Not sure blaze can beat Uguev. But other than - he's good enough to beat them all. Really hope his match 3 is who decides to be. He's a world beater when he stays on offense.

70kg - Gold

Just keeps getting better. So impressive to watch him in real time get closer and closer to the guy that dominated 2019 Worlds.

74kg - no medal

Green is far more offensive than we've seen in his entire career - likely due to the new weight class. But I still don't trust him. He clams up.

79kg - Gold

Wow. Haines is old-school Iowa. The constant wrist rolls are so frustrating for his opponents. And he finishes so well. Even a year ago, he didn't get countered when he was on a leg. He's also an underrated scrambler himself. God I hate you guys.

86kg - Bronze

Some of you thought JB was giving Z a built-in "excuse" for a post-Worlds hangover. Its the opposite - that was him being as nice as possible. This is a guy who was the hardest working guy in the sport for a long time. I'm a huge Z fan, but this is what he gets for partying for 10 months and acting like 2 months of hard training would be enough. With that said - Dake looks world's better than a year ago. He's clearly filled out, and has a great gas tank. His chest wrap is no longer the weapon it once was - so I hope he keeps guys off his legs a bit more at Worlds.

92kg - Gold

No one is beating Trent at 92 until his gas tank fades. He's a freak with his ability to sustain that many high level and high energy attacks for the duration of a match and over the course of multiple days. Watch his matches from Zagreb this year. He was down 5-0 and 8-0 against the Iranians and still won going away.

97kg - Silver

No one is beating Sadulaev. It is nice to see some old-school Snyder though. Over-tie snap to a low single, foot-stomp single, explosive high-C - didn't rely on just snapping guys down for 6 minutes.

125kg - Bronze

Hendrickson is a great athlete at the weight. It was great to see him not make any stupid mistakes and not try to hit a head pinch. But dude can't attack from a tie, and seemed completely unwilling to hand fight. Maybe that was just a matchup scouting report - because Parris really did get overanxious and just started air-mailing shots. But he's not going to be able to score on Zare unless he can shoot from a tie.

Only 9 medals . My guess is 6

 

[vhsalum]

Only 9 medals

Hey! you blasted me last year and i was almost spot on. I was the only one who had Levi medaling.

There's just a lot in our favor right now. We're the best and deepest country, so our Trials process gives us a medal contender. Russia has ukraine, Iran is Iran and Japan places WAY too much emphasis on the Asian Games.

 

[Corby2]

Hey! you blasted me last year and i was almost spot on. I was the only one who had Levi medaling.

There's just a lot in our favor right now. We're the best and deepest country, so our Trials process gives us a medal contender. Russia has ukraine, Iran is Iran and Japan places WAY too much emphasis on the Asian Games.

I would love it if we got 9. Do you've the winner at 65 getting one to make 9? I was just assuming you did

 

[vhsalum]

I would love it if we got 9. Do you've the winner at 65 getting one to make 9? I was just assuming you did

No. I actually don't have us medaling at 65. I think Real got a gift draw last year, and don't see us replicating that.

 

[Corby2]

No. I actually don't have us medaling at 65. I think Real got a gift draw last year, and don't see us replicating that.

Ok so 8. I was thinking 6 so we aren't far off. With Sadulaev Tads Yazdani Snyder that one scares me a little. Blaze is so good defensively but will be in many close ones. Wyatt defensively has holes which scares me. I don't think Green will medal. And I'm with you at 65 it's so tough I don't see us getting one. I think max 7 and minimum 5

 

[dicemen99]

I think 6 and I'll go with Spencer, Zain, Levi, Dake, Trent, Snyder.

1 or 2 golds. Levi or Trent being most likely.

Could see any of the above not medaling - it is Worlds and repechage after all - and if so, I would slot Blaze in as next most likely to get the sixth medal.

 

[vhsalum]

I think 6 and I'll go with Spencer, Zain, Levi, Dake, Trent, Snyder.

1 or 2 golds. Levi or Trent being most likely.

Could see any of the above not medaling - it is Worlds and repechage after all - and if so, I would slot Blaze in as next most likely to get the sixth medal.

The "World" is down. if we had only 6 medals, that's a bust of a tournament. We should win it or place 2nd every year now. Especially considering Russia can't "place" as a team.

Ok so 8. I was thinking 6 so we aren't far off. With Sadulaev Tads Yazdani Snyder that one scares me a little. Blaze is so good defensively but will be in many close ones. Wyatt defensively has holes which scares me. I don't think Green will medal. And I'm with you at 65 it's so tough I don't see us getting one. I think max 7 and minimum 5

Man... Wyatt defensively looked so much better. There were a couple times there I thought he would try some bullsht and he never did. That's a big kudos to Roper for that.

Snyder looks better than a year ago. He shouldn't lose to anyone except Saddy Cakes. Correct on Blaze. But he at least has a sprint that is undeniable.

 

[HugoHugo]

There's just a lot in our favor right now. We're the best and deepest country, so our Trials process gives us a medal contender. Russia has ukraine, Iran is Iran and Japan places WAY too much emphasis on the Asian Games.

And USA has PSU/NLWC.

 

[vhsalum]

And USA has PSU/NLWC.

oh shut up. lol

 

[Potterlion]

The "World" is down. if we had only 6 medals, that's a bust of a tournament. We should win it or place 2nd every year now. Especially considering Russia can't "place" as a team.



Man... Wyatt defensively looked so much better. There were a couple times there I thought he would try some bullsht and he never did. That's a big kudos to Roper for that.

Snyder looks better than a year ago. He shouldn't lose to anyone except Saddy Cakes. Correct on Blaze. But he at least has a sprint that is undeniable.

What's interesting about Blaze's sprint is that he's shown it against Americans, but it surely seems like many/most international wrestlers have some real gas tank issues (whereas the Americans typically have not). If he can avoid getting down big, he's probably competitive with anyone.

 

[Corby2]

The "World" is down. if we had only 6 medals, that's a bust of a tournament. We should win it or place 2nd every year now. Especially considering Russia can't "place" as a team.



Man... Wyatt defensively looked so much better. There were a couple times there I thought he would try some bullsht and he never did. That's a big kudos to Roper for that.

Snyder looks better than a year ago. He shouldn't lose to anyone except Saddy Cakes. Correct on Blaze. But he at least has a sprint that is undeniable.

Was his defense better yes but it's still not good enough yet for the best guys at HWT. He's got a few more months still to tighten things up even more .

 

[dicemen99]

The "World" is down. if we had only 6 medals, that's a bust of a tournament. We should win it or place 2nd every year now. Especially considering Russia can't "place" as a team.



Man... Wyatt defensively looked so much better. There were a couple times there I thought he would try some bullsht and he never did. That's a big kudos to Roper for that.

Snyder looks better than a year ago. He shouldn't lose to anyone except Saddy Cakes. Correct on Blaze. But he at least has a sprint that is undeniable.

Latest Flo rankings project 6 medals for USA this fall (not taking into account bracketing and removing all but top ranking for each country)).

3 Gold - Spencer, Levi, Trent
1 Silver - Kyle S
2 Bronze - Marcus, Zain

3 others falling in the medal match - JG, Kyle D., Wyatt
65Kg out of contention (as usual).

That's probably a range of 4 on the low side (bad tournament) to 8 on the high side (great tournament).

 

[Cstroke]

57kg - Yellow Medal

This version of Spencer is who he needs to be. He's clearly in a better place mentally - not acting like he's just supposed to kill everyone in the US. Looks like they've made some changes with regards to his recovery.

61kg - Silver

Not sure blaze can beat Uguev. But other than - he's good enough to beat them all. Really hope his match 3 is who decides to be. He's a world beater when he stays on offense.

70kg - Gold

Just keeps getting better. So impressive to watch him in real time get closer and closer to the guy that dominated 2019 Worlds.

74kg - no medal

Green is far more offensive than we've seen in his entire career - likely due to the new weight class. But I still don't trust him. He clams up.

79kg - Gold

Wow. Haines is old-school Iowa. (This was a long long time ago) The constant wrist rolls are so frustrating for his opponents. And he finishes so well. Even a year ago, he didn't get countered when he was on a leg. He's also an underrated scrambler himself. God I hate you guys.

86kg - Bronze

Some of you thought JB was giving Z a built-in "excuse" for a post-Worlds hangover. Its the opposite - that was him being as nice as possible. This is a guy who was the hardest working guy in the sport for a long time. I'm a huge Z fan, but this is what he gets for partying for 10 months and acting like 2 months of hard training would be enough. With that said - Dake looks world's better than a year ago. He's clearly filled out, and has a great gas tank. His chest wrap is no longer the weapon it once was - so I hope he keeps guys off his legs a bit more at Worlds.

92kg - Gold

No one is beating Trent at 92 until his gas tank fades. He's a freak with his ability to sustain that many high level and high energy attacks for the duration of a match and over the course of multiple days. Watch his matches from Zagreb this year. He was down 5-0 and 8-0 against the Iranians and still won going away.

97kg - Silver

No one is beating Sadulaev. It is nice to see some old-school Snyder though. Over-tie snap to a low single, foot-stomp single, explosive high-C - didn't rely on just snapping guys down for 6 minutes.

125kg - Bronze

Hendrickson is a great athlete at the weight. It was great to see him not make any stupid mistakes and not try to hit a head pinch. But dude can't attack from a tie, and seemed completely unwilling to hand fight. Maybe that was just a matchup scouting report - because Parris really did get overanxious and just started air-mailing shots. But he's not going to be able to score on Zare unless he can shoot from a tie.

 

[GregPickel]

Where are Penn State wrestlers in FLO's updated International rankings after Final X?

Penn State wrestlers rose and fell in FLO's latest International rankings following Final X, which set Team USA for Senior Worlds.

www.on3.com

 

[GregPickel]

Where are Penn State wrestlers in FLO's updated International rankings after Final X?

Penn State wrestlers rose and fell in FLO's latest International rankings following Final X, which set Team USA for Senior Worlds.

www.on3.com

 

[GregPickel]

 

[dicemen99]

Maybe he should try to concentrate on coaching McDanel to avoid getting tech'd the next time he faces Barr instead of whining about something that's already decided.

So far, he's only 1 for 4 in doing that (a 21-9 MD). Last four:
TF
21-9 MD
TF
TF

If you get asked about it in an interview, it's one thing - yeah, defend your guy - but begging for it on social media is a clown show when your guy is getting blasted by Barr on the mat.

A big thank you to @GregPickel for teeing this one up for us!

 

[Nitlion1986]

Maybe he should try to concentrate on coaching McDanel to avoid getting tech'd the next time he faces Barr instead of whining about something that's already decided.

So far, he's only 1 for 4 in doing that (a 21-9 MD). Last four:
TF
21-9 MD
TF
TF

If you get asked about it in an interview, it's one thing - yeah, defend your guy - but begging for it on social media is a clown show when your guy is getting blasted by Barr on the mat.

A big thank you to @GregPickel for teeing this one up for us!

It would be cool if a 60 year-old program head who planned to make this video could actually articulate his thoughts.
If that had been me, I would have videoed, reviewed, and redone until it looked smooth. Apparently Mark felt prepared stammering was a good look.

 

[nerfstate]

I love dunking on Mark Manning as much as the next guy, but honestly, in general terms, I agree with him. I don’t get why all of a sudden this decision-by-committee thing is such a thing. That said, I don’t think there’s any question who’s the better guy at that specific weight.

Also, we traditionally have trouble with fielding the best U23 teams for a variety of reasons mostly dealing with NCAA schedules, so I get why maybe that’s a different set of variables that we have to contend with.

 

[GregPickel]

Maybe he should try to concentrate on coaching McDanel to avoid getting tech'd the next time he faces Barr instead of whining about something that's already decided.

So far, he's only 1 for 4 in doing that (a 21-9 MD). Last four:
TF
21-9 MD
TF
TF

If you get asked about it in an interview, it's one thing - yeah, defend your guy - but begging for it on social media is a clown show when your guy is getting blasted by Barr on the mat.

A big thank you to @GregPickel for teeing this one up for us!

Red meat. lol.

 

[Misalorales]

I love dunking on Mark Manning as much as the next guy, but honestly, in general terms, I agree with him. I don’t get why all of a sudden this decision-by-committee thing is such a thing. That said, I don’t think there’s any question who’s the better guy at that specific weight.

Also, we traditionally have trouble with fielding the best U23 teams for a variety of reasons mostly dealing with NCAA schedules, so I get why maybe that’s a different set of variables that we have to contend with.

I agree. I love to hate Mark Manning...I think his general tone and demeanor is childish and petulant. That said, I do sorta agree in a way... Also, my hating Mark manning recently got me a case of foot in mouth. I was going to physical therapy and the intern/student from Gannon University was taking care of me. We got to talking about sports and how her brother wrestled at Cathedral Prep as I stated I had thought about there for my boys...Her brother, twin brother, is Jacob Van Dee and when she had said The Nebraska head coach came to visit I made a comment about disliking him and felt like a prick when she mentioned how nice and gracious he is and has been to him and them...

That said: I still think he's a petulant child. Also, Jacob Van Dee has a very pretty sister.

 

[Corby2]

Maybe he should try to concentrate on coaching McDanel to avoid getting tech'd the next time he faces Barr instead of whining about something that's already decided.

So far, he's only 1 for 4 in doing that (a 21-9 MD). Last four:
TF
21-9 MD
TF
TF

If you get asked about it in an interview, it's one thing - yeah, defend your guy - but begging for it on social media is a clown show when your guy is getting blasted by Barr on the mat.

A big thank you to @GregPickel for teeing this one up for us!

Many people aren't aware this is even happening. Glad he has the balls the speak up. We already saw how UsaW treated one university with the 250 mile rule they didn't have to follow it while everyone else did. Now they're gonna hand pick spots on a world team. Its definitely BS

 

[dicemen99]

Many people aren't aware this is even happening. Glad he has the balls the speak up. We already saw how UsaW treated one university with the 250 mile rule they didn't have to follow it while everyone else did. Now they're gonna hand pick spots on a world team. Its definitely BS

What do people who aren't aware this is happening even matter? If you are not aware that this was happening you don't really care all that much about the world teams.

They are not "hand-picking" spots on the world team - so don't spin it like that is what is going on. The qualification for U-23 is dependent on your finish competing for the SR World Team as it has been. The only change is now if no one qualifies through the this process, they are not using what is a watered-down event as the qualification. U-23s has always been the weakest in terms of strength of competition in relation to U-17, U-20, and SRs. If no one qualifies through SRs, then they will pick the representative based on various criteria. McDanel had an opportunity to qualify for the spot, but didn't.

And, as I said, I am all for defending your guy. It's just his method - whining on social media is on-brand for him.

 

[Corby2]

What do people who aren't aware this is happening even matter? If you are not aware that this was happening you don't really care all that much about the world teams.

They are not "hand-picking" spots on the world team - so don't spin it like that is what is going on. The qualification for U-23 is dependent on your finish competing for the SR World Team as it has been. The only change is now if no one qualifies through the this process, they are not using what is a watered-down event as the qualification. U-23s has always been the weakest in terms of strength of competition in relation to U-17, U-20, and SRs. If no one qualifies through SRs, then they will pick the representative based on various criteria. McDanel had an opportunity to qualify for the spot, but didn't.

And, as I said, I am all for defending your guy. It's just his method - whining on social media is on-brand for him.

Can you list the various criteria that will be used. I'm being told it will be a vote

 

[dicemen99]

Can you list the various criteria that will be used. I'm being told it will be a vote

No, but I'm sure that each voter will have criteria that they use to vote. I don't care what it is, as long as we are choosing the best candidate.

No comment on the rest of my post except to point to that word salad (admittedly poor wording on my part)? What about the rest of my post is untrue or do you disagree with?

 

[tullfan68]

LOL How many times has he beat Barr?

 

[Corby2]

LOL How many times has he beat Barr?

If the shoe was on the other foot the complaining would be 10 pages long. If Henckel wouldve won at 79 U23 trials and UsaW was gonna pick Hamiti at 79 you would say ok and have no problem with it ?

 

[Corby2]

No, but I'm sure that each voter will have criteria that they use to vote. I don't care what it is, as long as we are choosing the best candidate.

No comment on the rest of my post except to point to that word salad (admittedly poor wording on my part)? What about the rest of my post is untrue or do you disagree with?

If Henckel won U23 trials and UsaW said we are picking Hamiti you've no issues with it?

 

[zzs006]

If Henckel won U23 trials and UsaW said we are picking Hamiti you've no issues with it?

The difference is Hamiti and Henckel haven’t wrestled. If they had and Hamiti beat him convincingly each time I don’t think people would have a problem with it. Don’t you want the best team representing the US especially when U23’s is in America?

 

[Nitlion1986]

If Henckel won the U23 tournament and the spot was given to Hamiti, after neither qualified under the known rules there would be a lot of hooting and hollering from this site. Of course, Hamiti being a better choice than Henckel is nowhere near as cut and dried as picking Barr over McDanel. If the qualification rules hadn't been changed Barr maybe wrestles. As it were, the chances Barr was getting picked were darn near certain so why compete on a knee that probably benefits from the extra rest.

What probably doesn't happen is Cael doesn't make a video, and stammer through a whine.

Finally. Since the qualification rules were known before they all started wrestling, the point that McDanel "EARNED" the spot is an incorrect statement. Leave it Mark to present an incorrect point trying to validate his argument. So Mark Manning.

 

[dicemen99]

If the shoe was on the other foot the complaining would be 10 pages long. If Henckel wouldve won at 79 U23 trials and UsaW was gonna pick Hamiti at 79 you would say ok and have no problem with it ?

Yes, I would have no problem with that. How did Henckel do at SRs? Not good enough to qualify for U23s.
Hamiti has a track record of competing at a high level in SR competition.

 

[dicemen99]

What probably doesn't happen is Cael doesn't make a video, and stammer through a whine.

Finally. Since the qualification rules were known before they all started wrestling, the point that McDanel "EARNED" the spot is an incorrect statement. Leave it Mark to present an incorrect point trying to validate his argument. So Mark Manning.

I wouldn't be one of them hooting and hollering - as I stated, Henckel didn't earn his way on the the team and he had the opportunity to.

But these last two statements are 100% spot on my issue with Manning's post. And Corby's rebuttal. McDanel didn't earn the spot. He won a tournament that was not a qualification for the spot. Which was known ahead of time.

 

[Corby2]

The difference is Hamiti and Henckel haven’t wrestled. If they had and Hamiti beat him convincingly each time I don’t think people would have a problem with it. Don’t you want the best team representing the US especially when U23’s is in America?

That was folkstyle and the point is about the process not who beat who.

 

[Corby2]

If Henckel won the U23 tournament and the spot was given to Hamiti, after neither qualified under the known rules there would be a lot of hooting and hollering from this site. Of course, Hamiti being a better choice than Henckel is nowhere near as cut and dried as picking Barr over McDanel. If the qualification rules hadn't been changed Barr maybe wrestles. As it were, the chances Barr was getting picked were darn near certain so why compete on a knee that probably benefits from the extra rest.

What probably doesn't happen is Cael doesn't make a video, and stammer through a whine.

Finally. Since the qualification rules were known before they all started wrestling, the point that McDanel "EARNED" the spot is an incorrect statement. Leave it Mark to present an incorrect point trying to validate his argument. So Mark Manning.

It's about the process. UsaW can't even seed tournaments have you seen the PIN system now we want them picking teams . Also Hamiti was an NCAA champion and placed at 2 uww Sr events this year . Him Vs Henckel isn't a discussion currently. It's wrestling we earn spots and picking isn't the way. Take the U23 trials champs at the weights that are being picking and wrestle it at Fargo against the guy the pick.

 

[Corby2]

Yes, I would have no problem with that. How did Henckel do at SRs? Not good enough to qualify for U23s.
Hamiti has a track record of competing at a high level in SR competition.

Thought you commented about not liking this weeks ago when I mentioned it but it must not have been you. It's about the process. I like the top 4 get the choice first. But handpicking doesn't sit well with me . It's like going back to the referee decision

 

[Nitlion1986]

It's about the process. UsaW can't even seed tournaments have you seen the PIN system now we want them picking teams . Also Hamiti was an NCAA champion and placed at 2 uww Sr events this year . Him Vs Henckel isn't a discussion currently. It's wrestling we earn spots and picking isn't the way. Take the U23 trials champs at the weights that are being picking and wrestle it at Fargo against the guy the pick.

I get you don't like the process. I probably agree.
However this tidbit is about Manning whining and his incorrect claim of somebody earning something that wasn't earned.

 

[Nitlion1986]

I wouldn't be one of them hooting and hollering - as I stated, Henckel didn't earn his way on the the team and he had the opportunity to.

But these last two statements are 100% spot on my issue with Manning's post. And Corby's rebuttal. McDanel didn't earn the spot. He won a tournament that was not a qualification for the spot. Which was known ahead of time.

I have no doubt you would not be one of the hooting or hollering rabble-rousers, but there would be a few. Hell, recognizing thst sometimes my inability to corral my blue and white passion leads me astray I could be leading the hootin and hollerin.

Let me warm up, "boooo, f-u Manning. Grow up you child!!!!"
I am ready to go.

 

[vhsalum]

I wouldn't be one of them hooting and hollering - as I stated, Henckel didn't earn his way on the the team and he had the opportunity to.

But these last two statements are 100% spot on my issue with Manning's post. And Corby's rebuttal. McDanel didn't earn the spot. He won a tournament that was not a qualification for the spot. Which was known ahead of time.

Man... come on dice.

You know good and dang well, outside of the top 3 for senior nationals - the U23 winner got second choice. I get your distaste for Manning (and honestly if this were KJ, i'd probably act the same) - but he ain't wrong and USA Wrestling is. Let's not forget how much money USA Wrestling makes off of U23s as well.

It's antithetical to the sport and the country.

Manning stammering through that plea for help probably didn't help his case though. LOL

 

[dicemen99]

Man... come on dice.

You know good and dang well, outside of the top 3 for senior nationals - the U23 winner got second choice. I get your distaste for Manning (and honestly if this were KJ, i'd probably act the same) - but he ain't wrong and USA Wrestling is. Let's not forget how much money USA Wrestling makes off of U23s as well.

It's antithetical to the sport and the country.

Manning stammering through that plea for help probably didn't help his case though. LOL

U23 winner was 2nd choice in the past. Not this year. They changed the process AND announced it beforehand.

And I agree with that decision. As I stated above, U23 has always been the least competitive tournament of the the world team qualifiers. There have been plenty of guys that rep'd the USA at U23 worlds in the past that would surprise you and are not commensurate with the talent level represented at the other levels.

I'm not sure why that is and don't care to do a deep dive about it, but suspect that it is because if you age out of U20 and you're a guy that's going to compete to be on a world team one day, you're competing at SRs and focus your training for that event. U23s is a consolation prize. USAW doesn't want to treat it as such anymore.