Jesse Porter, a 2020 Northern Michigan University entrepreneurship alumnus and current graduate student, earned the title United States Olympic Trials Champion for the 77kg weight class this weekend in Fort Worth, Texas. The victory also gives him the No. 1 rank on USA Wrestling's National Team.
On his way to the championship series, Porter earned a 6-0 win over NMU graduate CoreyHope (NYAC) and a 10-0 victory over RaVaughn Perkins (NYAC). Porter, seeded at No. 10,then met National Team member Pat Smith (Minnesota Storm), defeating the No. 3 seed 5-3.
In the first-place series, Porter faced Peyton Walsh (Marines) in a best-of-three final. In thefirst match, Porter topped Walsh 8-1 and earned a 7-7 win on criteria in the second match toearn the title Olympic Trials Champion.
USA Wrestling still needs to qualify the 77 kg weight class for the Olympic Games and willparticipate in the World Olympic Games Qualifier May 6-9 in Sofia, Bulgaria.