Skip to main content

Penn State signee Jayden James makes US U20 World team: Full Team Trial results for the Nittany Lions

by: Greg Pickel05/29/26GregPickel

Penn State Class of 2026 signee Jayden James is going to Slovakia and the U20 World Wrestling Championships as a member of Team USA. The two-time New Jersey state champ and top high school recruit beat Oklahoma State’s Dee Lockett 2-0 in their best-of-three series at Friday’s team trials to earn the 74-kilogram (163.1 pounds) spot on the national team. He is also a U23 US World team member.

James used late takedowns in both matches to erase deficits. He won round one 5-4 and round two 4-2. While Lockett had to win his way into the finals, James won his way there in April by winning the US Open back in April.

Get the On3 Top 10 Newsletter in your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

James will be the only Nittany Lion on the US U20 World team. Class of 2027 commits Grey Burnett and Clinton Shepherd lost in the 57 and 65 kilogram finals to Cornell’s Isaiah Cortez and Virginia Tech’s Bo Bassett, respectively, on Friday.

Two other Nittany Lions who competed in the tournament, Asher Cunningham and Sam Herring, did not place. Cunningham medically forfeited after hurting his midsection in a quarterfinal round loss. Herring lost in the consolation semifinals.

Wrestling action continues this weekend with U23 nationals on Saturday and Sunday in Ohio.

You can see full results and match recaps for Penn State wrestlers at the US U20 Team Trials below. You can also discuss them with fellow fans on BWI’s The Wrestling Room forum.

Final Penn State U20 World Team trials results

05/29/2026 04:22:06 PM

57kg:

Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Dale O’Bila, NJRTC (1:56)
QF: Win by decision, 10-6, over Henry Aslikyan, Cliff Keen Wrestling
SF: Win by decision, 6-1, over Paul Kenny, Hawkeye RTC
F: Win by decision, 3-2, over Ronnie Ramirez, Oklahoma State
Challenge tournament champion. Will face Isaiah Cortez of Cornell in the finals

Best of three finals
R1: Lost by decision, 5-1, to Isaiah Cortez of Cornell
R2: Lost by technical fall, 10-0, to Cortez (2:12)
Cortez wins the series

65kg

Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (:32)
QF: Lost by decision, 14-8, to Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit
CR2: Win by technical fall, 12-2, over Maximus Brady, Panther Wrestling Club (5:16)
CRQF: Win by technical fall, 13-2, over Dawson Youngblut (2:41)
CRSF: Lost by decision, 6-2, to Arseni Kikiniou, Poway Wrestling
Tournament over

Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: Win by decision, 14-8, over Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee
SF: Win by decision, 12-7, over Kellen Wolbert, Askren Wrestling Academy
F: Win by decision 6-6 over Tyler Dekraker of Minnesota
Challenge champion. Faces Bo Bassett in the finals.

Best of three finals
R1: Lost by fall to Bo Bassett in 2:40
R2: Lost by technical fall in 2:12
Bassett wins the series.

74kg
Jayden James

Best of three finals
R1: Won by decision over Dee Lockett of Oklahoma State, 5-4
R2: Won by decision over Lockett, 4-2
James wins the series.

79kg

Asher Cunningham
R1: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (3:45)
QF: Lost by decision, 13-7, to Sullivan Ramos, Ranger Wrestling Club
CR2: Medical forfeit
Tournament over

Jayden James is heading to U20 Worlds

05/29/2026 04:15:32 PM

Penn State Class of 2026 signee Jayden James is heading to U20 Worlds. After beating Oklahoma State’s Dee Lockett 5-4 in Round 1 of the 74kg finals, he beat him again, this time 4-2, with another late takedown to win the best-of-three series and punch his ticket to Slovakia.

Four U20 Team USA spots are set

05/29/2026 04:06:07 PM

Jayden James can claim his next, as his round two match with Dee Lockett starts now. Here’s who is already locked in:

U20 Team USA for Worlds
57 kilogams: Isaiah Cortez
61 kg: Aaron Seidel
65 kg: Bo Bassett
70 kg: Landon Robideau

Bo Bassett takes out Clinton Shepherd

05/29/2026 03:59:06 PM

Virginia Tech signee Bo Bassett needed just 2:29 to beat Penn State Class of 2027 commit Clinton Shepherd by technical fall, 10-0, in round two to clinch the 65kg spot on the US U20 team.

Grey Burnett will not make the US U20 World team

05/29/2026 03:50:28 PM

Isaiah Cortez scored early and often en route to a 10-0 technical fall in 2:12 to clinch the US U20 world team spot at 57-kilograms over Penn State Class of 2027 commit Grey Burnett.

Round 2 starts now

05/29/2026 03:45:58 PM

It starts with Grey Burnett vs. Isaiah Cortez in the 57 kilogram final. Cortez won round one 5-1.

Full U20 Team Trials Round one results

05/29/2026 03:41:48 PM

Round 2 of the best-of-three series will start shortly:

Full round one results

57kg: Cortez d Burnett

61kg: Seidel TF Cortez

65kg: Bassett F Shepherd

70kg: Robideua d Miller

74kg: James d Lockett

79kg: Burton d Jeter

86kg: Sinclar d. Mantanona

92kg: Matsny F Tompkins

97kg: Boyle TF Kawczynski

125kg: Merrill TF Ross (11-0, it was impressive)

Updated Penn State results through Round 1 of the finals

05/29/2026 03:26:45 PM

Full Penn State results so far
57kg:

Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Dale O’Bila, NJRTC (1:56)
QF: Win by decision, 10-6, over Henry Aslikyan, Cliff Keen Wrestling
SF: Win by decision, 6-1, over Paul Kenny, Hawkeye RTC
F: Win by decision, 3-2, over Ronnie Ramirez, Oklahoma State
Challenge tournament champion. Will face Isaiah Cortez of Cornell in the finals

Best of three finals
R1: Lost by decision, 5-1, to Isaiah Cortez of Cornell
R2: Lost by technical fall, 10-0, to Cortez (2:12)
Cortez wins the series

65kg

Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (:32)
QF: Lost by decision, 14-8, to Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit
CR2: Win by technical fall, 12-2, over Maximus Brady, Panther Wrestling Club (5:16)
CRQF: Win by technical fall, 13-2, over Dawson Youngblut (2:41)
CRSF: Lost by decision, 6-2, to Arseni Kikiniou, Poway Wrestling
Tournament over

Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: Win by decision, 14-8, over Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee
SF: Win by decision, 12-7, over Kellen Wolbert, Askren Wrestling Academy
F: Win by decision 6-6 over Tyler Dekraker of Minnesota
Challenge champion. Faces Bo Bassett in the finals.

Best of three finals
R1: Lost by fall to Bo Bassett in 2:40
R2:

74kg
Jayden James

Best of three finals
R1: Won by decision over Dee Lockett of Oklahoma State, 5-4
R2:

79kg

Asher Cunningham
R1: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (3:45)
QF: Lost by decision, 13-7, to Sullivan Ramos, Ranger Wrestling Club
CR2: Medical forfeit
Tournament over

Jayden James beats Dee Lockett in round one

05/29/2026 03:21:29 PM

Despite giving up a four-point throw, Penn State Class of 2026 commit Jayden James used a late takedown to beat Oklahoma State’s Dee Lockett 5-4 in round one of their 74-kilogram best-of-three series at U20 Team Trials.

Grey Burnett drops his opener

05/29/2026 03:13:35 PM

Isaiah Cortez of Illinois takes a 1-0 lead over Penn State commit Grey Burnett in their 57kg best of three series by winning by decision 5-1. Burnett needed injury time to have his right shoulder looked at before returning to action.

Bo Bassett takes a 1-0 lead over Clinton Shepherd

05/29/2026 03:05:45 PM

Penn State signee Clinton Shepherd built an early 4-0 lead over 2026 Virginia Tech signee Bo Bassett. Then, the future Hokie ripped off 10 straight points before locking Shepherd up in a cradle and pinning him at the 2:40 mark of the match. He leads the best-of-three 65kg final 1-0. They’ll wrestle again in a bit

Full Penn State results so far

05/29/2026 01:28:06 PM

57kg:

Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Dale O’Bila, NJRTC (1:56)
QF: Win by decision, 10-6, over Henry Aslikyan, Cliff Keen Wrestling
SF: Win by decision, 6-1, over Paul Kenny, Hawkeye RTC
F: Win by decision, 3-2, over Ronnie Ramirez, Oklahoma State
Challenge tournament champion. Will face Isaiah Cortez of Illinois in the finals

Best of three finals
R1: Lost by fall to Bo Bassett in 2:40
R2:

65kg

Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (:32)
QF: Lost by decision, 14-8, to Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit
CR2: Win by technical fall, 12-2, over Maximus Brady, Panther Wrestling Club (5:16)
CRQF: Win by technical fall, 13-2, over Dawson Youngblut (2:41)
CRSF: Lost by decision, 6-2, to Arseni Kikiniou, Poway Wrestling
Tournament over

Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: Win by decision, 14-8, over Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee
SF: Win by decision, 12-7, over Kellen Wolbert, Askren Wrestling Academy
F: Win by decision 6-6 over Tyler Dekraker of Minnesota
Challenge champion. Faces Bo Bassett in the finals.

79kg

Asher Cunningham
R1: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (3:45)
QF: Lost by decision, 13-7, to Sullivan Ramos, Ranger Wrestling Club
CR2: Medical forfeit
Tournament over

It’s just about time for the challenge tournament finals

05/29/2026 01:00:36 PM

Penn State Class of 2027 commit Grey Burnett will lead things off at 57kgs against Oklahoma State’s Ronnie Ramirez, who is entering his second season in Stillwater. A match later, Nittany Lion 2027 commit Clinton Shepherd takes on Class of 2026 Minnesota commit Tyler Dekraker.

Clinton Shepherd is into the finals as well

05/29/2026 12:29:05 PM

Penn State will have two commits in the challenge tournament finals. Clinton Shepherd beat Michigan recruit Kellen Wolbert 13-7 in one 65kg final. He’ll face Tyler Dekraker in a bit for the right to face Bo Bassett in the best of three finals later today. Meanwhile, Grey Burnett has Ronnie Ramirez of Cowboy RTC in the 57kg final
for right to face Illinois’ Isaiah Cortez later.

Additionally, Asher Cunningham has medically forfeited out of the tournament while Sam Herring is in the 65kg consolation bracket.

Grey Burnett is into the finals

05/29/2026 12:14:46 PM

In a battle of two top 2027 recruits, Grey Burnett took Iowa commit Paul Kenny 6-1 in one 57kg semifinal. He’s into the challenge tournament finals where he’ll face Ronnie Ramirez of Cowboy RTC.

Where things stand for Penn State at 12:20 p.m. ET and what comes next

05/29/2026 11:20:33 AM

Two of Penn State wrestling’s five representatives in the U20 World Team Trials challenge tournament are into the semifinals and still hoping to join Jayden James in the best-of-three finals later today. Clinton Shepherd took out future teammate Sam Herring in the 65kg quarters, while Asher Cunningham fell in that round at 79kg, as well. Shepherd is joined in the semis by 57kg Class of 2027 signee Grey Burnett. They won’t take the mat for a bit, as heavier quarterfinals are ongoing in addition to consolation bracket action.

We will provide an update here once the semifinals are underway.

Results so far:

57kg:

Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Dale O’Bila, NJRTC (1:56)
QF: Win by decision, 10-6, over Henry Aslikyan, Cliff Keen Wrestling
SF: vs. Paul Kenny, Hawkeye RTC

65kg

Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (:32)
QF: Lost by decision, 14-8, to Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit
CR2: vs. Maximus Brady, Panther Wrestling Club

Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: Win by decision, 14-8, over Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee
SF: vs. Kellen Wolbert, Askren Wrestling Academy

79kg

Asher Cunningham
R1: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (3:45)
QF: Lost by decision, 13-7, to Sullivan Ramos, Ranger Wrestling Club
CR2: vs. Ben Smith, EAP

Asher Cunningham loses in the quarterfinals

05/29/2026 11:18:43 AM

Penn State redshirt freshman Asher Cunningham lost to Sullivan Ramos of Ranger Wrestling Club by decision, 13-7, in one 79kg quarterfinal. The Nittany Lion led early but a four-point throw for Ramos made it 5-4 at the break and Cunningham was hurt after it but finished the period. After a technical difficulty delay, Ramos scored first in the second, and Cunningham never threatened to retake the lead. He is off to the consolation bracket.

Penn State updates as of 11:38 a.m. ET

05/29/2026 10:38:22 AM

57kg:

Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Dale O’Bila, NJRTC (1:56)
QF: Win by decision, 10-6, over Henry Aslikyan, Cliff Keen Wrestling
SF: vs. Paul Kenny, Hawkeye RTC

65kg

Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (:32)
QF: Lost by decision, 14-8, to Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit
CQF: vs. Maximus Brady, Panther Wrestling Club

Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: Win by decision, 14-8, over Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee
SF: vs. Kellen Wolbert, Askren Wrestling Academy

79kg

Asher Cunningham
R1: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (3:45)
QF: vs. Sullivan Ramos, Ranger Wrestling Club

Grey Burnett wins his quarterfinal round match

05/29/2026 10:33:40 AM

Penn State Class of 2027 commit Grey Burnett turned an 8-3 first period lead into a 10-6 57kg quarterfinal round win over Henry Aslikyan of the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club. Up next for him is a semifinal date with Hawkeye RTC’s Paul Kenny. They are two of the nation’s top Class of 2027 recruits.

Updated Penn State results

05/29/2026 10:20:16 AM

Updated agate so far
57kg:

Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Dale O’Bila, NJRTC (1:56)
QF: vs. Henry Aslikyan, Cliff Keen Wrestling

65kg

Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (:32)
QF: Lost by decision, 14-8, to Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit
CQF: vs. Maximus Brady, Panther Wrestling Club

Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: Win by decision, 14-8, over Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee
SF: vs. Kellen Wolbert, Askren Wrestling Academy

79kg

Asher Cunningham
R1: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (3:45)
QF: vs. Sullivan Ramos, Ranger Wrestling Club

Clinton Shepherd takes out Sam Herring

05/29/2026 10:17:24 AM

In a battle of future teammates, Penn State Class of 2027 commit Clinton Shepherd took out Class of 2026 signee Sam Herring by decision, 14-8. The match was tied at six after one. But, Shepherd hit a four-point move early in the second and only grew his lead from there to advance to the 65kg semifinals of the U20 World Team Trials challenge tournament.

Full recap:

Sam Herring vs. Clinton Shepherd

Herring shoots and scores quickly for a 2-0 lead in the first minute. Herring shoots and Shepherd counters and gets a takedown of his own to tie it at two at 4:34. Now it’s Herring who shoots and gets a leg off the restart for a takedown to make it 4-2 before a stalemate stops things at 4:10. Herring snaps down on Shepherd’s head and tries to circl ebut they break aprt before Shepherd drives through on a double and gets two exposure to go wiht it to take a 6-4 lead at 3:40. Herring now is in on a leg and drives Shepherd off the edge for a step out to 6-5 at 3:10. Caution on Shepherd gives Herring a point and makes it 6-6 at the break.

Second period is underway. Shepherd is trying to trip Herring to the mat and does and gets 2 and 2 out of it for a 10-6 lead at 2:34. Herring drops his level from neutral and gets in on Shepherd;s right leg and ultimately finishes the takedown to make it 10-8 at 1:58. Stalemate at 1:50. At 1:10, Herring has a front headlock but Shepherd has his right leg as they scramble for position and it ends with Shepherd gettign the takedown for a 12-8 lead at :41. Shepherd in on a sible at :28 that he converts to a double and finishes it to go up 14-8 at :21. Stalemate at :14. Shepherd drops on a single but nothing else cooking and that’s the final.

Shepherd d. Herring, 14-8

Latest look at where things stand

05/29/2026 09:51:48 AM

Updated agate so far
57kg:

Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Dale O’Bila, NJRTC (1:56)
QF: vs. Henry Aslikyan, Cliff Keen Wrestling

65kg

Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (:32)
QF: vs. Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit

Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: vs. Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee

79kg

Asher Cunningham
R1: Win by technical fall, 10-0, over Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (3:45)
QF: vs. Sullivan Ramos, Ranger Wrestling Club

Penn State keeps piling up the wins

05/29/2026 09:48:50 AM

In his 57kg opener, Grey Burnett took out Dale O’Bila by technical fall, 10-0, in 1:56 on the strength of two takedowns and six exposure points. The Penn State Class of 2027 commit will face Henry Aslikyan of Cliff Keen Wrestling in the quarters.

At 79kg, Penn State redshirt freshman Asher Cunningham beat five-seed Maximus Dhabolt by technical fall, 10-0, in 3:45. Next up for him is a quarterfinal round matchup with Sullivan Ramos of the Ranger Wrestling Club.

Updated agate so far

05/29/2026 09:25:02 AM

57kg:

Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: vs. Dale O’Bila, NJRTC

65kg

Sam Herring
R1: Win by fall over Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy (:32)
QF: vs. Clinton Shepherd, Class of 2027 PSU commit

Clinton Shepherd
R1: Win by technical fall, 13-0, over Colin Kuhn, Michigan (1:11)
QF: vs. Sam Herring, Class of 2026 Penn State signee

79kg

Asher Cunningham
R1: vs. Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy

Note: Winner comes out to face Sullivan Ramos of the Ranger Wrestling Club, who has a first round bye into the quarterfinals.

Penn State starts the day two for two

05/29/2026 09:20:56 AM

Penn State 2026 signee Sam Herring and 2027 commit Clinton Shepherd will meet in a 65-kilogram U20 Team Trials quarter. The former pinned Gage Spurgeon in 32 seconds after building an 8-0 lead. The latter teched Colin Kuhn 13-0 in 1:11.

Wrestling is underway

05/29/2026 09:08:54 AM

Clinton Shepherd and Sam Herring will be up soon for their first round matches at 65 kilograms. No other Nittany Lions have a mat assignment at this time.

The first mat assignments are out

05/29/2026 08:32:06 AM

Sam Herring vs. Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy is in the hole, mat 3

Clinton Shepherd vs. Colin Kuhn of Michigan is in the hole, mat 4

U20 MFS is on mats 1 -4 for those watching on FLO. Greco is on mats 5-16.

A look at how each Penn State connection will start their day

05/29/2026 08:06:54 AM

57kg:

Grey Burnett
R1: BYE
R2: winner of Dale O’Bila, NJRTC vs. Mason Jakob (TNWA)

65kg

Sam Herring
R1: vs. Gage Spurgeon, Sebolt Wrestling Academy

Clinton Shepherd
R1: vs. Colin Kuhn, Michigan

Note: If Herring and Shepherd win their first match, they’ll meet in the quarterfinals

79kg

Asher Cunningham
R1: vs. Maximus Dhabolt, Sebolt Wrestling Academy

Note: Winner comes out to face Sullivan Ramos of the Ranger Wrestling Club, who has a first round bye into the quarterfinals.

Here’s who is sitting out until the finals

05/29/2026 08:05:32 AM

Everyone in the challenge tournament is wrestling for a chance to take on one of these wrestlers:

Isaiah Cortez (57 kg)

Elijah Cortez (61 kg)

Bo Bassett (65 kg)

Landon Robideau (70 kg)

Jayden James (74 kg)

Ryan Burton (79 kg)

Aeoden Sinclair (86 kg)

Jimmy Mastny (92 kg)

Michael Boyle (97 kg)

Coby Merrill (125 kg)