FORTALEZA, Brazil – In not only his first international appearance but his first time outside the United States, sophomore Kordell Norfleet won gold at the 2018 Junior Pan American Championships. Fellow Sun Devil Brandon Courtney, who redshirted his freshman season in 2017-18, earned a bronze medal in the day's competition. As nine Americans won gold in men's freestyle at the competition, the U.S. also earned the team title.
Norfleet used four tech falls vs. opponents from Colombia, Canada, Mexico, and Argentina, respectively to capture a gold medal, never surrendering a single point in the day's action.
"For me, personally, it's an opportunity to continue a tradition of excellence that has been passed down through USA Wrestling," said Norfleet. "Our senior men's team just won a world title for the first time in years so I'm just trying to keep that momentum going for our country."
Courtney won on three tech falls, dropping only one match across the entire day right before the evening's bronze medal match.
"I've always dreamt about wrestling while representing the United States so coming out here to represent the U.S. is a lot of fun," said Courtney.
Norfleet won a Pac-12 Championship at 184 lbs., was one of 16 true freshmen to compete at NCAA's, and was named Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year in 2017-18 while Courtney looks to get into the Sun Devil lineup this season after redshirting his freshman season. In May, Courtney won the 57 kg title at UWW Junior World Team Trials in Rochester, Minn.
Brandon Courtney (57 kg) – Bronze
Round 1 – Bye
Round 2 – Brandon Courtney TF Edwin Alexi Segura (Guatemala), 12-2
Round 3 – Brandon Courtney TF Kevin Alexander Chaves Betancur (Colombia), 10-0
Finals – Jonathan Marcelo Prata Alas (Argentina) Fall Brandon Courtney, 0:54
3rd Place – Brandon Courtney TF Luis Aug Morales Maya (Ecuador), 10-0
Kordell Norfleet (86 kg) – Gold
Round 1 – Kordell Norfleet TF Jhon Sebasti Carmona Alcanta (Colombia), 12-0
Round 2 – Bye
Round 3 – Kordell Norfleet TF Connor Robson Albert Pattison (Canada), 10-0
Round 4 – Kordell Norfleet TF Jose Eduardo Palmero Marquez (Mexico), 10-0
1st Place – Kordell Norfleet TF Nicolas Enzo Baez (Argentina), 11-0
Norfleet used four tech falls vs. opponents from Colombia, Canada, Mexico, and Argentina, respectively to capture a gold medal, never surrendering a single point in the day's action.
"For me, personally, it's an opportunity to continue a tradition of excellence that has been passed down through USA Wrestling," said Norfleet. "Our senior men's team just won a world title for the first time in years so I'm just trying to keep that momentum going for our country."
#Fortaleza2018 men's freestyle results at 86 kg:
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) August 19, 2018
?? - Kordell NORFLEET (USA)
?? - Nicolas BAEZ (ARG)
??- Jhon CARMONA ALCANTARA (COL)
Courtney won on three tech falls, dropping only one match across the entire day right before the evening's bronze medal match.
"I've always dreamt about wrestling while representing the United States so coming out here to represent the U.S. is a lot of fun," said Courtney.
#Fortaleza2018 men's freestyle results at 57 kg:
— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) August 19, 2018
?? - Jonathan PRATA ALAS (ARG)
?? - Kevin CHAVEZ BETANCUR (COL)
??- Brandon COURTNEY (USA)
Norfleet won a Pac-12 Championship at 184 lbs., was one of 16 true freshmen to compete at NCAA's, and was named Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year in 2017-18 while Courtney looks to get into the Sun Devil lineup this season after redshirting his freshman season. In May, Courtney won the 57 kg title at UWW Junior World Team Trials in Rochester, Minn.
Brandon Courtney (57 kg) – Bronze
Round 1 – Bye
Round 2 – Brandon Courtney TF Edwin Alexi Segura (Guatemala), 12-2
Round 3 – Brandon Courtney TF Kevin Alexander Chaves Betancur (Colombia), 10-0
Finals – Jonathan Marcelo Prata Alas (Argentina) Fall Brandon Courtney, 0:54
3rd Place – Brandon Courtney TF Luis Aug Morales Maya (Ecuador), 10-0
Slick stuff from @ASUWrestling's Brandon Courtney. @brandona_ registered techs in his first two matches of the day at the Junior Pan Am Championships. pic.twitter.com/Sn16pAXDrc
— Trackwrestling (@trackwrestling) August 19, 2018
Kordell Norfleet (86 kg) – Gold
Round 1 – Kordell Norfleet TF Jhon Sebasti Carmona Alcanta (Colombia), 12-0
Round 2 – Bye
Round 3 – Kordell Norfleet TF Connor Robson Albert Pattison (Canada), 10-0
Round 4 – Kordell Norfleet TF Jose Eduardo Palmero Marquez (Mexico), 10-0
1st Place – Kordell Norfleet TF Nicolas Enzo Baez (Argentina), 11-0