Robb, Labriola Qualify For U23 World Wrestling Championships

LINCOLN, Neb. – Two Husker wrestlers secured a spot on Team USA and will compete at the U23 Wrestling World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia after winning their divisions at the 2021 United World Wrestling (UWW) U23 Nationals hosted in Lincoln, Neb. 

Sophomore Peyton Robb placed first in 74 kg freestyle and junior Mikey Labriola won the 79 kg freestyle event at the Devaney Sports Center that ran from Thursday to Saturday to qualify for the Championships in November.

"Peyton and Mikey performed greatly," Head Coach Mark Manning said. "They each won against an elite group of wrestlers, and we are excited for these guys to compete internationally."

USA Wrestling, the national governing body for the sport in the United States, ran the event that also serves as the annual national championship for athletes U23 in Greco-Roman and men's freestyle. 

In the field of over 600 wrestlers, besides Robb and Labriola, seven other Huskers competed. In freestyle, junior Cale Davidson (97 kg) placed fifth, sophomore Ridge Lovett (70 kg) finished sixth, sophomore Alex Thomsen (61 kg) placed seventh, and senior Chad Red Jr. (65 kg), redshirt freshman Bubba Wilson (74 kg) and freshman Elise Brown Ton (79 kg) also wrestled. Sophomore Austin Emerson (130 kg) was the lone Husker competing in the heavyweight Greco-Roman event and placed seventh.

"It was an awesome showing and good development for our guys moving forward," Manning said.