Over the past few years, and with the reinstatement in 2011 of the Cadet World Championships, Akron has taken on greater importance. Serving as the World Team Trials, it is the penultimate prize for the age division.

But beyond simply making the team, Akron offers the opportunity to see some of the best up-and-comers on a national stage early in their careers. Below, we'll look at seven Cadets who you might not know now, but who you probably will by the end of the weekend. Complete entries for UWW Cadets can be found on FloArena.

46kg: Carter Young, OK and Ryan Crookham, PA

Young and Crookham might very well represent the best incoming freshmen from two of the best wrestling states in the country. Young trains at Team BIG with none other than Daton Fix. He won a national schoolboy FS title last year at 77lbs. Crookham has gone undefeated at McDonogh Duals, won Super 32 middle school, and just earned a title at the Cadet division at the NE Regionals.

Top Contenders at 46kg: Cullan Schreiver (IA), Kurt McHenry (VA), Jeremiah Reno (MO)

63kg: Frankie Tal-Shahar, FL and Mason Phillips

A state runner-up in Florida as a freshman, Tal-Shahar is coming off wins over two guys on the forthcoming SR Big Board (Cole Matthews at Western JR's and Marshall Keller at Southeast Regionals). He's currently ranked 23rd on the FR Big Board and was one bout away from placing last year in Fargo. One of those losses came to Mason Phillips, who made the finals and lost an absolute barn burner to Jacori Teemer. We include Phillips here because despite his accolades, he remains one of the country's sleeper prospects.

Top Contenders at 63kg: Sammy Sasso (PA), Jacori Teemer (NY), Malcolm Robinson (VA)

2016 Fargo Final: Mason Phillips vs. Jacori Teemer

69kg: Michael Weber, MT

Weber went a respectable 4-2 at Fargo last year. Though he didn't place, he's been on fire ever since, winning USAW Folk Nationals a week after winning NHSCA Sophomore Nationals by beating a ranked Devin Schwartzkopf in the finals. Let's see if Weber's ascent continues. 69kg has depth, but lacks a true favorite.

Top Contenders at 69kg: Cameron Amine (MI), Connor Brady (OH), Jared Franek (ND), Will Lewan (IL)

NHSCA Sophomore Finals: Michael Weber vs. Devin Schwartzkopf

76kg: Jacob Lagoa, OH and Patrick Kennedy, MN

A pair of freshmen state champions from power states of Ohio and Minnesota. Lagoa also was a runner-up at NHSCA's. Kennedy was No. 15 on the last updated FR Big Board and is coming off a Northern Plains title. He also won the Minnesota Christmas tournament and was 3rd at the Cheesehead in folkstyle.

Top Contenders at 76kg: Aaron Brooks (MD), Travis Wittlake (OR)