In a twist that’s sent shockwaves through the American wrestling community, one of the sport’s most high-profile high school stars has been left on the sidelines. Bo Bassett, an undefeated phenom, two-time PIAA champion, and social media sensation, will not be representing the United States at the U23 World Championships. Instead, his longtime rival and fellow prodigy, Marcus Blaze, has been handed a golden opportunity. Not one, but two categories have been offered to the Penn State commit, with USA Wrestling placing the power firmly in his hands to choose if, and how, he wants to take the mat for America.
The decision from USA Wrestling comes just days after their final team trial events, and appears to be a calculated and surprising call. Bassett, who has consistently stood among the most hyped young talents in the country, recently fell to Blaze in the USA team trials with a score of 5-1. That loss has proven more costly than expected. While others who didn’t win at Final X or who stood out in the U23 field received calls to re-enter the mix, Bassett’s name was notably absent from the list. Blaze, on the other hand, was extended invitations at both 61kg and 65kg, with a Monday deadline to confirm whether he will accept either slot.
The roster paints a clear picture. At 61kg, Blaze is joined by Jax Forrest and U23 champ Nic Bouzakis. At 65kg, his name is again listed alongside U23 champ Vince Cornella. No one else, not even other top-three finishers at the Open like Bassett, received the same double-invite privilege. It’s not just that Blaze has options. It’s that USA Wrestling wants him on the squad, and they’re willing to let him choose his path. In contrast, Bassett’s omission now raises questions about where he fits into the national team’s long-term vision.
This decision lands like a gut punch for Bassett fans. With his charisma, dominant record, and media-savvy approach, many believed he was destined to lead the next generation of American wrestling. Yet his recent defeat seems to have cooled the governing body’s confidence in him, even while others who placed behind him in various rankings still earned a seat at the table. The contrast couldn’t be more stark. One phenom is being courted. The other is being ignored.
USA U23 Pecking order
57kg
1-Luke Lilledahl (Final X 2nd)
2–Nico Provo (Final X 4th)
3-Mason Zeigler (U23 champ)
61kg
1-Jax Forrest (Final X finalist)
2- Marcus Blaze (US Open 3rd)
3-Nic Bouzakis (U23 champ)
65kg
1-Marcus Blaze (Final X 3rd)
2-Vince Cornella (U23 champ)… pic.twitter.com/0MCGKl4G0B
— Cornell Kevin (@CornellKevinBEG) June 16, 2025
What happens next is in Blaze’s hands. Whether he wrestles at 61kg, 65kg, or opts out altogether, his next move will shape more than just his own summer. It will likely redefine the dynamic between two of the sport’s brightest young stars. For now, the silence surrounding Bo Bassett’s snub speaks louder than any statement could. And at this moment, Bassett would perhaps look back and lament on how he lost to Blaze at the team trials.
Marcus Blaze flashes senior-level poise in statement win over Bo Bassett at team trials
Bo Bassett entered Louisville as the top seed at 57 kg and the undefeated phenom from Bishop McCort High. But when the bracket funneled two of the nation’s most hyped recruits into a consolation semifinal, it was Penn State commit Marcus Blaze who delivered the defining moment. In a battle of future Big Ten titans, Blaze wrestled with the edge of someone who’s already been on the senior stage. And it showed!
Marcus Blaze (Image Credit: Instagram/@1123marcus)
The match’s pivotal moment came late in the first period, when Blaze, calm under pressure, executed a slick four-point move that cracked open a 5-1 lead. It was the only offensive highlight either wrestler could muster in a tightly contested bout, but it was all Blaze needed. He controlled the ties, forced position, and never gave Bassett a lane back in. The scoreboard stayed frozen as time ran out, sealing a 5-1 win for Blaze and another data point in his increasingly impressive resume.
Though the stakes were technically consolation placement, the implications were far bigger. Bassett, the top-ranked recruit in the 2026 class, had earlier stunned NCAA finalist Beau Bartlett. But Blaze, fresh off a third-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials at 57 kg, brought a different level. The Perrysburg High junior didn’t just defend a lead. He dictated the tempo. He went on to shut out Oklahoma State’s Carter Young 4-0 to finish third. A year from now, Blaze and Bassett might clash again, on folkstyle’s biggest stage. But in Louisville, Blaze proved he’s already operating on a senior tier.
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