PRTC Wrestling

PRTC Athletes Tested by World-Class Competition at Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series Event

2026-06-07

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia – Pennsylvania Regional Training Center athletes faced some of the world's top freestyle wrestlers at the Ulaanbaatar Open, a United World Wrestling Ranking Series event held June 4-7 in Mongolia.

Representing Puerto Rico at 57 kg, Darian Cruz overcame significant travel challenges just to reach the competition. Following more than 72 hours of travel due to multiple flight delays, Cruz arrived in Ulaanbaatar less than 12 hours before weigh-ins. Despite the difficult circumstances, Cruz battled Mongolia's Davaabandi Munkh Erdene in a tightly contested opening-round match before falling by a narrow 2-1 margin.

Munkh Erdene has emerged as one of Mongolia's top freestyle wrestlers and has earned multiple international medals while competing regularly on the United World Wrestling circuit.

At 65 kg, CJ Composto recorded the first Senior-level international victory of his career, dominating Mongolia's Zeneemeder Byambasuren by 10-0 technical fall.

The victory came against a wrestler competing on home soil who entered the tournament after placing fifth at the 2026 Asian Championships. Composto's win advanced him into a matchup with Bulgaria's Shamil Mamedov, a 2023 Senior World bronze medalist and one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the bracket. Mamedov secured a 10-0 victory before Composto concluded the tournament against India's Kumar Mohit, falling by pin.

Making both his first international trip and Senior-level international debut, Cross Wasilewski drew one of the toughest paths in the tournament at 70 kg.

Wasilewski opened against Mongolia's Tulga Tumur Ochir, a two-time World medalist and two-time Olympian. The young American pushed the veteran star throughout the match before dropping a narrow 5-4 decision.

In his second bout, Wasilewski faced India's Abhimanyou, the reigning 2026 Asian Champion at 70 kg. Wasilewski again competed hard against elite opposition before falling 5-2.

While the results did not produce a podium finish, the event provided valuable international experience against some of the world's best wrestlers. Composto earned his first Senior-level international victory, Cruz competed through extraordinary travel adversity, and Wasilewski gained experience against a World medalist, Olympian, and reigning continental champion in his first competition outside the United States.

The Ulaanbaatar Open is one of United World Wrestling's premier Ranking Series events, annually attracting many of the top Senior-level wrestlers from around the globe.

Humphries Finishes 3rd at U20 World Team Trials; Gallagher, Ognissanti and Casey Earn All-American Honors at U23 Nationals

2026-06-07

GENEVA, Ohio – Pennsylvania Regional Training Center athletes combined for four podium finishes and 42 match victories at the 2026 USA Wrestling U20 World Team Trials and U23 Nationals, held May 29-31 in Geneva, Ohio.

Leading the way was Elliott Humphries, who placed third at 79 kg in the U20 World Team Trials. After dropping his opening match to Mario Carini 15-4, Humphries battled through the consolation bracket with four consecutive victories. He advanced past Chris Crawford by injury default, edged Ben Smith 3-2, avenged his earlier loss to Carini with an 11-0 technical fall, and secured third place with a dramatic 9-8 victory over Emmitt Sherlock.

At the U23 Nationals, the PRTC produced three All-Americans.

At 57 kg, Max Gallagher earned a seventh-place finish with a 6-2 tournament record. Gallagher opened with a 10-0 technical fall over Adan Benavidez and pinned Bowen Downey before defeating Louis Gill 3-0. Following a quarterfinal loss to eventual finalist Troy Spratley, Gallagher rebounded with a 10-8 victory over Colyn Limbert. After falling to Tyler Chappell 5-1, Gallagher closed the tournament with a 3-1 victory over Matt Marlow to claim seventh place.

At 61 kg, Deven Casey finished eighth with a 5-3 record. Casey opened the tournament with back-to-back technical falls, defeating Bubba Wright 12-1, and Cale Seaton 12-1. He then shut out Tegan Sherk 6-0, before falling in the quarterfinals to eventual finalist Jace Hedeman 4-1. Casey responded with a critical 5-5 criteria victory over Liam Neitzel to secure All-American status before concluding the tournament with losses to Spence Moore and Evan Tallmadge.

At 74 kg, Paul Ognissanti placed sixth with a 4-3 record. Ognissanti defeated Kaiden Knaack 7-2, pinned Ty Koedam, and added victories over Cavariu Liddie 6-3, and Nate Askew 3-2, to advance to the semifinals. He ultimately finished sixth after facing a challenging closing stretch against Ryder Downey, Ethan Birden, and Casey Swiderski.

Several additional PRTC athletes turned in impressive performances.

Cross Wasilewski posted a perfect 4-0 record at 74 kg before the tournament ended for him in the quarterfinal round. His victories included an 8-5 win over Joseph Giordano, a 7-1 decision over Alex Gavronsky, an 11-0 technical fall against Tyler Goebel, and a 5-0 shutout of Jagger French.

At 65 kg, Nathan Taylor compiled a 4-2 record. Taylor opened with a fall over Jak Keller and added victories against Jarvis Little 8-6, DJ Gillett 4-2, and a fall over Tyson Charmoli before dropping two tightly contested matches in the placement rounds.

At 79 kg, Maxwell Stein went 5-2 on the weekend. Stein recorded technical falls over Kendall Drake (11-0), Josh Henderson (10-0), and Brady Unger (12-2), while also defeating Rafael Knapp 4-3.

At 70 kg, Wyatt Stout finished with a 5-2 record. He earned victories over Lain Yapoulian (11-1), Ramon Salazar (4-3), Gabriel Delgado (4-1), and August Hibler by fall before narrowly dropping a 3-1 match to Hayden Whidden.

At 61 kg, Davis Motyka also posted a 5-2 record. His wins included a 12-2 technical fall over Elijah Lowe, a 19-9 technical fall over Joe Fongaro, a 14-11 victory over Christian Guzman, and a 15-12 win over Adam Mattin.

At 125 kg, John Pardo finished 4-2, recording victories over Everest Ouellette (11-1), Magnus Bibla (11-0), and Riley McPherson by fall.

Additional PRTC competitors included:

Marius Garcia (57 kg) – 2-2 record with wins over Donnel Mendez (10-0) and Tyler Garvin (8-6).

Spencer Barnhart (61 kg) – 3-2 record, highlighted by victories over Connor McAlary (11-0), Kenton Cooke (fall), and Spencer Moore (2-2 criteria).

John Vinciguerra (125 kg) – Opened with a 14-4 technical fall over Vincent Parke.

Denzel Perez (97 kg) – Competed at 97 kg against a deep national field.

In total, PRTC athletes amassed 42 victories, including 12 technical falls and 6 falls, while earning four podium finishes against many of the nation's top age-group freestyle wrestlers.

The performances continue a strong freestyle season for the PRTC as some athletes will be competing and training internationally.

PRTC Sending Athletes to Mongolia for Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series Event

2026-05-25

Philadelphia, PA - The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) will be represented on the international stage at the upcoming Ulaanbaatar Open, a United World Wrestling Ranking Series event taking place June 4-7 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Competing for the PRTC will be:

Darian Cruz - 57 kg (representing Puerto Rico)
CJ Composto - 65 kg (representing the United States)
Cross Wasilewski - 70kg (representing the United States)

PRTC Coach Matt Valenti will accompany the athletes to Mongolia for the tournament.

The Ulaanbaatar Open annually attracts elite international competition, providing athletes the opportunity to test themselves agains many of the world's top freestyle wrestlers while earning valuable international experience and ranking points.

"This is an incredible opportunity for our PRTC athletes to test themselves against some of the best in the world," said Valenti. "Darian, CJ, and Cross have put in some great work in preparation for this event and we're excited to let them show out in Mongolia. A huge thank you to USA Wrestling and the PRTC for supporting us as we represent on the international scene."

Composto and Wasilewski will be the only representatives of the United States competing in the tournament while Cruz will compete under the flag of Puerto Rico.

Composto and Wasilewski enter the event following standout collegiate seasons. Both earned All-American honors this past March at the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio, each finishing 7th nationally. Composto is now a three-time NCAA All-American and recently signed a professional contract to compete for the PRTC at the international level.

"I am looking forward to competing in Mongolia with my teammates Cross and Darian," said Composto. "We have been working hard and wrestling a lot in the room and are ready to give full effort."

For Wasilewski, the event presents a rare and valuable opportunity for summer competition against world class competition.

"It's going to be an exciting opportunity to wrestle some of the best in the world," said Wasilewski. "As a college athlete, there's not many competitions to sharpen your skills during the summer. Through the support of USA Wrestling and the PRTC, I am pumped to lay it on the line and grow from this experience."

All three athletes will begin competition on Saturday, June 6 at 10:30 pm EST.

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center continues to provide opportunities for athletes to compete and develop at the highest levels of wrestling, building international experience while advancing the broader mission of the Philly Wrestling ecosystem through elite performance, development, and global competition.

PRTC to Send 14 Athletes to USA Wrestling U23 Nationals and U20 World Team Trials

2026-05-25

Philadelphia, PA - The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) will send 14 athletes to compete at the upcoming U23 Nationals and U20 World Team Trials, hosted by USA Wrestling in Geneva, Ohio.

The event brings together many of the nation's top age group freestyle wrestlers, providing athletes an opportunity to compete for national honors and, in the case of the U20 division, a chance to earn a spot representing the United States on the world stage.

Representing the PRTC at U23 Nationals will be:

57 kg: Marius Garcia, Max Gallagher
61 kg: Spencer Barnhart, Davis Motyka, Deven Casey
65 kg: Nathan Taylor
70 kg: Wyatt Stout
74 kg: Paul Ognissanti, Cross Wasilewski
79 kg: Max Stein
97 kg: Denzel Perez
125kg: John Pardo, John Vinciguerra

Competing for the PRTC at U20 World Team Trials will be:

79 kg: Elliott Humphries

Competition for the U20 World Team Trials begins Friday, May 29 at 10 am EST, with the Best of 3 Championship Finals scheduled for 4:00 pm EST.

The U23 Nationals begin Saturday May 30 at 9:30 am EST, with the two day tournament continuing Sunday beginning at 10:00 am EST.

All matches will be streamed live on FloWrestling.

PRTC U20 athlete Elliott Humphries expressed excitement about the opportunity to compete and represent the organization on a national stage.

"I'm looking forward to competing this weekend and representing the PRTC," said Humphries. "The Philly Wrestling ecosystem has prepared me for moments like this, and encouraged me to compete with honor like those who came before me. I'm also grateful for opportunities to travel and experience life in both Las Vegas for the U20 Nationals and now, Geneva, Ohio for the U20 World Team Trials. These are two places I wouldn't have travel to without wrestling and the support of the PRTC."

The PRTC continues to develop athletes within the broader Philly Wrestling ecosystem, emphasizing elite performance, personal growth, and the values of competition, community, and leadership. This weekend's competition represents another important step in the development of the next generation of athletes training and competing under the PRTC banner.

PRTC Athletes Earn Multiple Medals at 2026 Pan Am Championships

2026-05-11

Coralville, Iowa - The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center sent four athletes to compete at the 2026 Senior Pan American Championships this weekend in Coralville, Iowa, as some of the top wrestlers from across North, Central, and South America took to the mat in one of the premier international events on the wrestling calendar.

Hosted by United World Wrestling and USA Wrestling, the Pan American Championships featured elite competition across all three Olympic disciplines. Team USA captured the men's freestyle team title with 240 points, while Puerto Rico earned an impressive runner-up finish with 150 points.

Representing Puerto Rico at 57kg, Darian Cruz advanced to the gold medal match with strong wins over Venezuela's Pedro Mejias, 4-1, and the Dominican Republic's Juan Ramirez, 13-11. Cruz ultimately dropped a narrow 5-44 decision to Team USA's Liam Cronin in the championship bout to earn a silver medal.

At 74kg, Adam Thomson represented Canada and battled to a bronze medal finish. Thomson opened the tournament with a 5-3 victory over the Dominican Republic's Carlos Rodriguez before falling in a tight 6-5 match to Cuba's Garzon-Tamay. He rebounded in dominant fashion with a 10-0 technical fall over Mexico's Palacios to secure his place on the podium.

Competing at 92kg for Puerto Rico, Shane Jones put together one of the strongest performances of the weekend. Jones earned victories over Canada's Johnson, 8-2, and Brazil's Bordeaux, 11-1, before falling to reigning World Champion and eventual gold medalist Trent Hidlay of the United States. Jones closed the event with a medical forfeit victory over Peru's Ambrocio to claim a bronze medal.

At 97kg, Edwin Morales opened his tournament with a dominant 10-0 technical fall over Mexico's Valverde. Morales later dropped matches to Cuba's Arturo Silot-Torres and the Dominican Republic's Perez in a competitive international bracket that featured several of the top wrestlers in the Americas.

The Pennsylvania RTC continues to make an impact on the international stage, with athletes representing multiple nations while competing against World and Olympic level talent. The event in Coralville showcased the growth of wrestling throughout the Pan American region and provided high level competition ahead of the upcoming World Championship season.

PRTC Senior Athletes to Compete at Pan Ams

2026-05-07

Coralville, Iowa - The Pennsylvania RTC is set to have strong representation on the international stage this weekend at the 2026 Pan American Championships in Coralville, Iowa, as four athletes will compete agains some of the top freestyle wrestlers in the Western Hemisphere. Hosted by USA Wrestling, the event will feature elite competitors from across North, Central, and South America, with all matches streamed live on FloWrestling.

Representing Puerto Rico will be Darian Cruz at 57kg, Shane Jones at 92kg, and Edwin Morales at 97kg. Representing Canada at 74kg will be Adam Thomson. Thomson is scheduled to compete on Saturday, May 9th, while Cruz, Jones, and Morales will all take the mat on Sunday, May 10th.

Cruz continues to be one of the most accomplished athletes training with the PRTC. A former NCAA Champion and All-American at Lehigh University, Cruz represented Puerto Rico internationally on multiple occasions and brings extensive experience to the Pan American stage. Cruz is a three-time Pan American medalist.

Jones has steadily developed into a dangerous upper-weight freestyle competitor through his work at the PRTC. Competing at 92kg, Jones has built a reputation for his physical style and offensive pressure while continuing to gain valuable international experience representing Puerto Rico. Jones is also a three-time Pan American medalist.

Morales enters the championships at 97kg after continuing to progress within the RTC system and international freestyle circuit. His size, athleticism, and commitment to development have helped him emerge as an important representative for Puerto Rico on the senior level. This will be Morales' first time competing at the Pan American Championships.

Thomson, representing Canada at 74kg, has become a key training partner and competitor within the PRTC room. A technically skilled freestyle wrestler with strong positional awareness, Thomson continues to compete at a high level internationally while helping elevate the daily training environment within the program. Thomson is a two-time Pan American medalist.

The Pennsylvania RTC is proud to support its athletes as they compete internationally and represent both their countries and the RTC community on one of the premier stages in Pan American wrestling.

Matt Valenti AWN 2026 Rookie Coach of the Year

2026-05-07

From Jim Kalin of Amateur Wrestling News - There's something extra-satisfying when choosing the Rookie Coach of the Year when he was also an NCAA Champion in his college days.

Matt Valenti is the University of Pennsylvania's all-time winningest wrestler. He leads the program with 137 career wins. Valenti is the first head coach from Penn to be named Rookie Coach of the Year in the award's 54-year history.

Valenti took over the Quakers' head coach position immediately after last year's NCAA tournament, from Roger Reina, who happened to be the winningest coach in program history. Reina left last April after amassing a career 258-150 record as head coach for the Quakers.

Valenti served as the Joshua J. Harris Associate Head Coach last season. He assumed command of the program after April 1, 2025, and Roger Reina served as Head Coach Emeritus during the past 2025-26 season.

Valenti has been on two coaching staffs since graduating from Penn in 2007. He began at Columbia as an assistant coach, then transitioned to associate head coach. After the 2009 season, he returned to Penn, and was an assistant coach until 2015. He transitioned to athletic administration for the Quakers before returning to coach their wrestling team.

"Matt's administrative experience has helped through the transition into his new role," said PRTC (Pennsylvania Regional Training Center) Chief Operation Officer Kevin McGuigan.

In Cleveland, Penn ended in 19th place with 21 team points. They produced a pair of All-Americans: CJ Composto, 141 and Cross Wasilewski, 149. Jude Swisher, 157 reached the Round of 12, which meant he was just one win from also becoming an All-American. Wasilewski, who entered Cleveland as the No. 3 seed, and Swisher, return next season. Two Quaker freshmen made the Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie Team. Davis Motyka, 125 and Caden Bellis, 174 were named to our Rookies' feature Third Team.

Valenti will be the catalyst in Pennsylvania's pursuit for some of the country's best high school recruits, and he'll lead the development of Quaker wrestling teams that hopefully produce numerous All-American yearly.

"Matt's a very good connector," said McGuigan. "His technical expertise on the mat is among the best in the country, and his athletes are certainly benefitting from it. The future looks bright for Penn Wrestling and the PRTC."

As a wrestler, Valenti competed for Kittatinny High School and won two New Jersey state titles. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he became a two-time national champion for the Quakers. He won NCAA titles at 133 pounds in 2006 and 2007. He was a three-time All-American, a three-time EIWA champion, and the 2007 Ivy League Wrestler of the Year. Valenti was inducted into the Penn Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and teh EIWA Hall of Fame in 2014.

Congratulations to the University of Pennsylvania's Matt Valenti on being named Amateur Wrestling News' 2026 Rookie Coach of the Year.

PRTC Sends 10 Athletes to 2026 US Open

2026-04-27

Philadelphia, PA - The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) was well represented on the national stage this past week as 10 athletes traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada to compete at the 2026 US Open, one of the premier freestyle wrestling events in the United States.

Held annually in Las Vegas, the US Open serves as a major benchmark on the domestic wrestling calendar, featuring many of the nation's top Senior-level athletes while also showcasing the next generation of talent in the U20 division. Strong performances at the event can open doors to future international opportunities, national team contention, and age-group World Team pathways.

The PRTC entered seven athletes in the U20 Nationals and three athletes in the Senior US Open, combining for 48 total matches and 295 match points over the course of the tournament.

Leading the way was Elliott Humphries, who earned U20 All-American honors with a 7th-place finish at 79 kg. Humphries put together an impressive run with six victories, including multiple technical falls, demonstrating the offensive pace and grit that define PRTC athletes.

At 74 kg, Caden Bellis delivered one of the most active performances of the week, battling through the backside with six victories in eight matches. Bellis showcased resilience and scoring ability, highlighted by several impressive wins.

At 125 kg, John Pardo showed determination bouncing back after an opening loss with a dominant technical fall victory. At 97kg, Greyson Meak responded similarly, earning two commanding wins in consolation action.

At 86 kg, Xander Kuokkanen recorded three victories, including a fall and a technical superiority win, while Deven Casey picked up two dominant technical falls at 61 kg. Donny Almeyda also gained valuable experience competing in a deep 70 kg bracket.

In the Senior division, the PRTC athletes competed against some of the best wrestlers in the country. Sean Seefeldt earned three wins at 74 kg. Martin Cosgrove posted three victories at 97 kg, while Max Gallagher battled to two wins at 57 kg in a loaded weight class.

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center continues to provide elite training, mentorship, and competitive opportunities for wrestlers pursuing success at the collegiate, national, and international levels. Based in Philadelphia, the PRTC is committed to developing world-class athletes while supporting growth of wrestling in the region.

With another strong showing in Las Vegas, the future remains bright for the PRTC as its athletes continue to progress on the national scene.

Full Results

U20 Nationals

Deven Casey (61 kg)

WIN - Shirk 10-0

Loss - Rodriguez 5-1

WIN - Kastner 12-0

LOSS - Saldate 5-2

Donny Almeyda (70 kg)

LOSS - Lew 12-9

WIN - Gomez 9-3

WIN - Williams 12-1

WIN - Gosz 10-8

LOSS - Russell Injury Default

Caden Bellis (74 kg)

WIN - Baldwin 11-0

WIN - Burkett 4-2

LOSS - Denny 11-0

WIN - Campagna 13-2

WIN - Garcia 14-7

WIN - Diaz 5-2

WIN - Torres 5-0

LOSS - Routledge 4-1

Elliott Humphries (79 kg)

WIN - Placencia 10-0

WIN - Rios 10-0

WIN - Ibarra 12-1

WIN - Dhabolt 13-8

LOSS - Cunningham 14-5

WIN - Norman 14-2

LOSS - Heiser 10-0

WIN - Miller 7-4

Xander Kuokkanen (86 kg)

WIN - Trotter 4-1

LOSS - Robinson 9-0

WIN - Hancock FALL

WIN - Oizerowitz 10-0

LOSS - Bienus 10-0

Greyson Meak (97 kg)

LOSS - Brown FALL

WIN - Lohmeyer 10-0

WIN - Raines 12-2

LOSS - Cooley 10-0

John Pardo (125 kg)

LOSS - Schunke 15-9

WIN - Royce 10-0

LOSS - Weidman FALL

Senior US Open

Max Gallagher (57 kg)

LOSS - Assad 7-6

WIN - Martir 10-0

WIN - Oliver 10-1

LOSS - Witt FALL

Sean Seefeldt (74 kg)

WIN - DeSena 11-0

WIN - Thomas 5-2

LOSS - Amine 8-1

WIN - Peterson 4-2

LOSS - Downey 10-6

Martin Cosgrove (97 kg)

WIN - Henry 8-3

LOSS - Buchanan 12-1

WIN - Manning 13-2

WIN - Knop 3-0

LOSS - Mirasola 7-1

PRTC Set for 2026 US Open in Las Vegas

2026-04-22

Philadelphia, PA - The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) is set to compete at the 2026 US Open, held April 22-26 at The Expo at World Market Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The US Open serves as one of the premier events on the domestic competition calendar, with Senior champions earning qualification to the US World Team Trials, Final X, and a chance to represent Team USA at the World Championships.

The PRTC will be represented across both the Senior Men's Freestyle division and the U20 Nationals, continuing to showcase the depth of the program from developing athletes to Senior-level contenders.

Senior Level Competitors

Max Gallagher, 57kg

Gallagher enters the US Open as the 7th seed. He's had a strong collegiate career at the University of Pennsylvania as a two-time NCAA Championship Qualifier. Gallagher represented Team USA at the U23 World Championships in 2024. Known for his pace and ability to create offense from neutral, Gallagher has transitioned effectively into freestyle competition within the PRTC system.

Sean Seefeldt, 74kg

Seefeldt recently competed at the 2026 NCAA Championships representing Penn on the national stage. A tough and reliable competitor, he has been a key contributor in the Quakers' lineup and brings valuable high-level experience into the Senior freestyle division.

Martin Cosgrove, 97kg

Cosgrove competes at 97kg and brings size, strength, and solid positional control to the upper weights in this tournament. He was a U20 All-American having made it to the finals in 2022. Cosgrove's experience has helped him build momentum as he competes at the Senior level for the first time.

U20 Nationals Competitors

Deven Casey, 61kg

Casey has built a reputation as one of the top young talents in the Penn room. An Illinois native, he has earned success at major age-group events and continues to develop his freestyle skill set within the PRTC room.

Donny Almeyda, 70kg

Almeyda is a dynamic offensive wrestler with experience competing at national-level tournaments. His ability to generate points from multiple positions makes him a dangerous opponent in the U20 field.

Caden Bellis, 74kg

Bellis is completing his freshman year at Penn. He secured his spot as the 174lb starter early in the season and never looked back. Bellis represented the Quakers at the Ivy Championships this spring narrowly missing a national qualifying spot. His freestyle acumen is high and he'll definitely turn some heads in Vegas.

Elliott Humphries, 79kg

Humphries has consistently placed at competitive national events and is know to be a fierce opponent. His continued development has positioned him to compete deep into brackets at the U20 level.

Xander Kuokkanen, 86kg

Kuokkanen brings a physical, hard nosed style and has competed in high-level folkstyle and freestyle events. His progression within the Penn wrestling room over the past year will help him be a strong contender at 86kg.

Greyson Meak, 97kg

Meak's combination of size and athleticism has led to success at the regional and national levels. He continues to evolve technically and will look to make an impact in a competitive 97kg bracket.

John Pardo, 125kg

Pardo anchors the group at heavyweight. A consistent performer at the national level, he uses his athleticism and mat awareness to control matches and create scoring opportunities.

According to PRTC leadership, the US Open is one of the most important benchmarks in the sport when it comes to freestyle. To have athletes competing across both the Senior level and U20 divisions reflects the direction of the PRTC from where they've been to where they're headed. Competition for Senior Men's Freestyle is set for April 24-25, with U20 Nationals taking place on April 25-26 as part of the overall US Open schedule.

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center remains committed to developing world-class athletes while building a sustainable pipeline of talent from the developmental and collegiate levels to the international stage. For updates and results throughout the tournament, follow the PRTC on social media. All matches will be streamed live on FloWrestling.

Darian Cruz Competes at RAF Event in Philadelphia

2026-04-20

Philadelphia, PA - The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) proudly recognizes Senior Resident Athlete Darian Cruz for his recent performance at Real American Freestyle 08 held April 18th at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.

Cruz faced off against NCAA Champion Lucas Byrd in a highly anticipated matchup between two of the most accomplished competitors of their generations. In a tightly contested bout, Byrd earned a victory on criteria following a 2-2 score, showcasing the razor-thin margins at the elite level of the sport.

The match was emblematic of the high-level competition featured by Real American Freestyle, a professional freestyle wrestling platform that brings together top collegiate, international, and Olympic talent in a unique, fan-focused format.

Cruz, a 2017 NCAA Champion, Olympian, and multiple-time Pan American medalist, continues to represent the PRTC on the senior level while maintaining a significant role within the University of Pennsylvania wrestling program. As a leader and mentor in the room, he contributes to the development of current student-athletes while simultaneously pursuing excellence on the international stage.

From the PRTC leadership perspective, Cruz continues to compete against the very best in the world while giving back to the next generation. His presence in Philadelphia, both as an athlete and as a mentor, reflects what the PRTC stands for.

The PRTC remains committed to supporting athletes like Cruz as they compete at the highest levels of the sport while making a lasting impact within the wrestling community. For more information on the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center, follow along on the PRTC social media platforms.