JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Three Airmen recently competed in the U.S. Greco-Roman Wrestling World Team Trials April 28-30 in Las Vegas.
1st Lt. Brandon Mueller, a rapid innovation program manager with the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, finished eighth at 156 pounds; Senior Airman Brandon Johnson, a vehicle maintenance journeyman with the 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron at Fairchild AFB, Washington, finished eighth at 176 pounds; and Master Sgt. Sherwin Severin, a flight chief with the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, dropped a pair of close bouts.
“They wrestled hard and represented the Air Force well,” said Floyd Winter, Air Force wrestling coach. “You had to qualify for the World Team Trials, and only the best were there. All three guys will return to their duty stations as better leaders and better Airmen.”
Mueller started strong with an 8-0 technical fall, then recorded another technical fall en route to the eighth-place match, where he fell to Cadet Alex Mossing of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Mueller finished 2-3 for the tournament.
“Winning two matches by technical fall was certainly exciting, especially when comparing the accolades of those wrestlers to myself,” said Mueller, who placed second in a tournament in Estonia before competing in Las Vegas. “I lost matches to really good wrestlers, but I had opportunities to win. It is hard to be completely satisfied when you know you could have done better. On the bright side, at least I know I can compete with anybody in the nation. That will keep me very eager going forward.”
It was Mueller’s first time competing on a national stage, and he said he was nervous as the competition approached. But his readiness and resiliency shone through as the tournament began.
“Fortunately, I was able to think back on my training and feel confident in my ability to succeed,” Mueller said. “Everyone is aware of the physical requirements of wrestling, but the mental aspect is just as important. I have been working a lot to improve in this area over the last year. You need to have the right mentality during practice, during competition and during your daily life.”
Mueller said he’s now taking some time away from the mat to allow some injuries he has been battling the chance to heal. He plans to be competition ready again in November.
“That gives me enough time to heal my body and still undergo a long, hard training cycle,” Mueller said. “Forcing myself to rest is actually a bit of a challenge. Las Vegas left me yearning for more, and I am really thirsty to get back on the mats.”
Severin said he ultimately wasn’t pleased with his showing, but he took away some small victories.
“I was beating both of my opponents convincingly almost the whole match by making sure I was in good position and being aggressive,” Severin said. “However, I made mistakes at the end by going away from that.”
While Severin said he would love to continue to compete, he hasn’t yet committed to future tournaments.
“My career is very important to me and where I am in rank,” Severin said. “I have to make the best decision to further my career in the Air Force and do what’s best for my family.”
Johnson said he was pleased with the chance to wrestle against the top tier wrestlers in the United States.
“Although I had some tough matches in which I fell short of my goal, I am still motivated for my future in the sport of wrestling,” said Johnson, who is an alternate for the World Military Games. “I’m still very thankful I got this opportunity.”
Airmen interested in competing for Air Force sports can visit MyAirForceLife and complete an AF Form 303.