(Photo credit: KT Kidz Twitter account)
Bristol native Trent Thompson made a name for himself at the national level while competing in the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Freestyle championships in Fargo, N.D.
Thompson earned All-America status by finishing in seventh place at 100 pounds. He defeated Kael Brisker of Iowa in a 15-4 VSU1 in the seventh place match. A VSU1 is a victory by technical superiority where the losing wrestler scores technical points in one of the two periods. See the international wrestling rules here for a more detailed explanation.
Thompson started his competition with a 16-12 VPO1 (victory by points) against Brisker in the Championship Round of 16. A victory by points is where the losing wrestler scores one or several technical points before the end of regular wrestling time.
Thompson faced his first adversity of the tournament when he lost a 10-0 VSU (victory by technical superiority) to Guillermo Juarez of Illinois in the Championship Quarterfinals. A VSU is a victory by superiority where the losing wrestler doesn’t score any technical points.
Thompson came back for a 14-3 VSU1 win over Dion Velasquez of Colorado in the Consolation Quarterfinals. A VSU1 is a victory by technical superiority is where the losing wrestler also scores technical points during one of the two periods.
Thompson lost a 10-0 VSU to Eli Griffin of Oklahoma in the Consolation Semifinals. That put Thompson in the seventh place match, which was a rematch with Brisker from Iowa. Thompson made sure this matchup was a lot less close and claimed All-America status with the 15-4 VSU1.
Thompson was competing with KT Kidz Wrestling Club out of Rocky Hill. He will be a junior at Bristol Eastern.
