College wrestling: Dundee-Crown grad Christian Brunner selected to USA Wrestling's U23 Freestyle World Team

Purdue wrestler and former Dundee-Crown standout Christian Brunner earned a spot on USA Wrestling’s U23 Freestyle World Team, USA Wrestling announced Wednesday.

Brunner will compete in the U23 World Championships Nov. 12 through 18 in Bucharest, Romania. He will compete at 92 kilograms (202 pounds) and will take the mat at Polyvalent Hall on Nov. 17.

Brunner is a two-time NCAA qualifier for the Boilermakers. He is one of five Big Ten wrestlers on the 10-man team. Brunner finished fourth at the U23 Freestyle World Team Trials in June, finishing 6-2 and outscoring his opponents, 71-29.

He replaces NC State’s Michael Macchiavello, who turns 24 later this year and will be too old to compete.

“Christian is very excited to have the opportunity to represent his country, while testing himself against some of the best wrestlers in the world,” Purdue wrestling coach Tony Ersland said in a statement released by Purdue. “I know he will make the most of this opportunity and use it as a springboard to make even more gains in his wrestling this season.”

Purdue assistant coach Tyrel Todd will make the trip to Bucharest with Brunner and serve as his personal coach, while assisting the USA Wrestling coaching staff.