TJ Richardson wrestles to victory June 27 and 28

By Joseph Back

A Cottage Grove resident and member of the Park Wolfpack Youth Wrestling program named TJ Richardson has won big at Utah, taking the USA triple crown after competing in three wrestling styles this past spring and summer: Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco Roman. Folkstyle is the kind often seen at the high school and college levels, while freestyle and greco- roman are international, being seen at the Olympics.

Richardson, who competed in the USA Wrestling Kids Nationals June 27 and 28 in Farmington, Utah, has been wrestling since he was four years old, earning a place at the Utah competition after winning state this year in all three wrestling styles , then competing at the Folkstyle Nationals in Cedar Falls Iowa on April 3, from which he went to Utah.

“TJ is one of 13 youth in the country to earn the USA Wrestling triple crown this year for 14 and under, and the only kid ever in Cottage Grove,” proud parents Dan and Lisa Richardson shared recently. A wrestling teammate of TJ’s at the Summit Wrestling Academy named Jacob Graber also competed in Utah and completed his Minnesota as well as National triple crown. Jacob and TJ are the only kids from Minnesota to do so this year. Richardson competed in age group 10U 77 lb. class and was one of only five wrestlers to make triple crown at Utah.

Starting out at Cedar Falls this past April, TJ won by Fall in 0:23 in the Semifinal match against Tyler Faymoville of the Waupun Youth Wrestling Club. He then followed up this win by Decision 1-0 in a First Place Match against Hayes Ingram of the Bear Cave Wrestling Club. A Fall takes place when a wrestler pins their opponent’s shoulder to the mat, while a Decision represents 7 or less points over one’s opponent by different maneuvers, including takedowns and reversals.

Later competing at Utah June 27 and 28 for the USA Kids Wrestling Nationals, TJ won the Championship Round 1 of the Greco- Roman event against Scout Stephens of Utah by Fall in 0:32, working up to this with a Quarterfinal win over Brian Flynn of Maryland by Tech Fall 8-0, a semifinal win over Barrett Casteel of Tennessee by Tech Fall in 9-0, and a First Place Match win over August Parker of Nevada by Decision 7-2. A Tech Fall refers to one wrestler showing superiority in points scored over their opponent, exact points for Tech Fall differing by style.

Following up his Greco- Roman win the next day, TJ won the Freestyle Championship Round 1 against Scout Stephens of Utah with a Fall in 0:17, working his way up with a Quarterfinal win over Nathan Stafford of California by Tech Fall 10-0, a semifinal win over Max Kennedy of New York by Tech Fall 11-1, and a First Place Match win over Hunter Leavitt of Utah by Tech Fall 10-0.

Also wrestling with the Summit Wrestling Academy at Northfield in addition to the Park Wolfpack, TJ comes from a family of wrestlers, with older brother Dylan himself a wrestler at Park High School after starting as a wrestler through Cottage Grove Community Education when younger.

With wrestling a family tradition, things are looking up for the Richardson family and triple crown winner TJ Richardson!

TJ Richardson shows off his medals after winning Triple Crown at the Utah Wrestling Kids Nationals this past June. Submitted photo.

TJ Richardson on the podium. Submitted photo.