STANFORD, Calif. - Redshirt sophomore Nathan Butler finished third for the United States, becoming the 2015 Freestyle Junior World Champion bronze medalist at 120 kg, Sunday, in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil.
Butler, a native of Leavenworth, Kansas, defeated Poland's Kamil Kosciulek, 2-1, in the bronze medal bout. Kosciulek claimed the bronze medal in 2014.
Butler began the day with a 6-2 win over Beka Kandelaki of Georgia to advance to the semifinals. There, he dropped a 5-1 decision to Said Gamidov of Azerbaijan putting him in the bronze-medal bout.
Butler joins incoming freshman Joey McKenna, who won a silver medal at the 2014 Junior World Championships, as Cardinal medalists.
As a team, the U.S. finished fourth with 40 points, behind champion Iran, runner-up Azerbaijan and third place Russia.
@Nastynatebutler congrats on the junior world medal! Impressive accomplishment! @jamill_kelly @CardWrestling
— Matt Gentry (@gentrywrestling) August 16, 2015
So proud of this guy! Congrats @Nastynatebutler on the Junior World bronze! #CardinalCaliber pic.twitter.com/chx8XT4Rsu
— Ray Blake (@CoachRayBlake) August 16, 2015
Congrats @Nastynatebutler @CardWrestling pic.twitter.com/DPKpw9moMZ
— jamill kelly (@jamill_kelly) August 16, 2015
