The road to the Paris Olympics 2024 has seen its share of triumphs and disappointments for the wrestling team. The U.S. Men’s Senior National Wrestling team for 2024 has been revealed, showcasing a lineup of exceptional athletes. The roster includes the top four finishers from each event at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials, securing their spots in the coveted Olympic weight categories.

Making it onto the team has unlocked numerous advantages for these wrestlers, empowering them to elevate their skills to new heights. Among the notable wrestlers who have missed out on securing a spot are Jordan Burroughs and Carter Starocci. There are a few more nimble footed warriors who will not be gracing us with their presence on the mats this year.

Shifting tides: Formidable powerhouses may not be getting their big break

According to Themat.com, USA Wrestling has declared the 2024-25 Senior National Team lineup across all 18 Olympic weights after the recent 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials–Wrestling held in State College, Pennsylvania. USA Wrestling provides monthly financial stipends to athletes based on their rank in each wrestling style. Senior National Team members also receive performance bonuses and have access to various training and competition opportunities.

The Men’s freestyle champions at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials were, ‘Spencer Lee (57 kg)’, ‘Zain Retherford (65 kg)’, ‘Kyle Dake (74 kg)’, ‘Aaron Brooks (86 kg)’, ‘Kyle Snyder (97 kg)’ and ‘Mason Parris (125 kg)’. The top four finishers in each Olympic weight category have earned spots on the 2024-25 Senior National Team following the recent Olympic trials. 

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Jordan Burroughs, the renowned wrestler boasting seven combined Olympic and world titles, faced a surprising exit on the opening day of the two-day U.S. Olympic Trials. Not only Jordan but Carter Starocci, Pat Downey, Mitchell Mesenbrink, and J’den Cox are among more wrestlers who will miss Paris Olympics 2024 by a long shot. Burroughs, an Olympic gold medalist from 2012 with six world titles, was defeated 3-0 by Jason Nolf in the freestyle 74kg division at Penn State University. Mitchell Mesenbrink, a standout wrestler who reached the NCAA final at 165 pounds in his debut tournament, consistently scored high for Penn State and maintained an aggressive approach at the Olympic Trials.

Carter Starocci, the four time Champion of Penn State wrestling dropped his second match against NC State’s Trent Hidlay to send the Nittany Lion into the consolation bracket, which Starocci elected not to participate in, ending his run on day one. 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medalist J’den Cox lost in the semi-finals to Kollin Moore, as that was the final match he was playing and all his fans gave him a standing ovation. With the broken rib and torn MCL Pat Downey bowed out of the tournament in the first round after being defeated by Starocci. Team trials could be a defining moment, but for Jordan and J’den, is it a screeching halt in their legendary stories or are more chapters yet to be written?

Are the team trials the end of some legendary storied careers?

Jordan Burroughs is indeed a legend in freestyle wrestling. Jordan Burroughs and J’den Cox have marked the end of their careers. Winning gold at the London 2012 Olympics in the men’s 74kg category, Burroughs showcased his incredible talent. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist and six-time UWW World Champion, has indicated that he plans to retire after the 2024 Olympics, ‘no matter what’. After being defeated, 29-year-old Cox, a two-time world champion and three-time NCAA champion for Missouri, has decided to retire. J’den Cox said, “I think now, my life with my wife and my kids, I’m in a position now where I’m done trying to conquer the world. I’m going to try to make it better for them. That’s my goal from here on out.”

Jordan Burroughs and J’den Cox not being part of the U.S. wrestling team represents a significant loss for American wrestling. Both athletes have been pivotal in shaping the team’s success over the years. With Burroughs’ technical prowess and Cox’s dominance in his weight class. The U.S. Men’s Senior National Wrestling team members for the non-Olympic weight classes will be finalized after the 2024 Senior World Team Trials.