PRTC Wrestling

McKenna Runner-Up at Olympic Team Trials and PRTC Results at Last Chance Qualifier

2021-04-20

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center is honored to congratulate Joey McKenna on his runner-up performance at the 2020 Olympic Team Trials. McKenna earned the No. 2 spot on the National Team at 65 kg for the second time in his career and the first since joining the PRTC in August of 2019. He becomes the third PRTC member to garner National Team honors after B.J. Futrell (No. 3 at 65 kg in 2017) and Richard Perry (No. 3 at 86 kg in 2018).

McKenna’s road to the finals was loaded with fierce competition. In his opening-round match, he earned a technical fall over five-time World Team member and two-time World medalist James Green, 12-1.

He followed it up with an equally impressive victory over returning World Team member Zain Retherford, the No. 1 seed in the bracket. McKenna downed the three-time NCAA champion and two-time Hodge Trophy winner, 8-5.

McKenna’s run ended in the best-of-three finals where he fell to two-time NCAA champion Jordan Oliver two matches to none.

Ben Honis also represented the PRTC at the Olympic Team Trials, competing at 97 kg. Unlike McKenna, who earned a berth to the Trials by virtue of his runner-up finish at the 2019 Senior Nationals, Honis punched his ticket to the tournament by winning the Last Chance Qualifier the week before.

Leading a strong contingent of PRTC wrestlers at the Last Chance Qualifier, Honis notched a 4-0 record with three technical fall victories. Mark Hall, who began training with the PRTC in January, also logged a fourth place finish, going 4-2 overall.

At the Trials, Honis, who joined the PRTC last April, went 1-2, scoring an 11-10 victory over 2021 NCAA champion AJ Ferrari of Oklahoma State on the backside of the

bracket.

The PRTC Senior athletes will now shift their attention to earning spots on the 2021 World Team, which will compete at the World Championships in Oslo, Norway, October 2-10.

Help support the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center to fulfill our mission to enrich lives locally and globally through the sport of wrestling and aid our athletes as they chase their dreams of winning Olympic and World medals.

Olympic Team Trials Results

Joey McKenna (65 kg) – SECOND

WIN James Green (TMWC/SERTC), TF, 12-1

WIN Zain Retherford (NLWC), 8-5

LOSS Jordan Oliver (Sunkist/THWC), 3-0

LOSS Jordan Oliver (Sunkist/THWC), 5-2

Ben Honis (97 kg) – 1-2?

LOSS Hayden Zillmer (GWC), 9-0

WIN AJ Ferrari (TMWC/CRTC), 11-10

LOSS Ty Walz (TMWC/SERTC), 6-2

Last Chance Olympic Qualifier Results

Ethan Lizak (65 kg) – 1-2

LOSS, Pat Lugo (HWC), TF, 11-0

WIN, Devin Tortorice (WWC), TF, 11-0

LOSS, Brock Zacherl (CWC), TF, 12-2

Anthony Artalona (74 kg) – 1-2

WIN Maurice Fleming (BCWC), TF, 11-0

LOSS Josh Shields (Sunkist), 6-1

LOSS Tre’Vaughn Craig (OK), Fall, 5:02

Tony Tolbert (74 kg) – 0-2

LOSS, Ryan Deakin (TMWC), TF, 11-0

LOSS, Sammy Cokely (IRTC), Fall, 2:44

Dan Vallimont (74 kg) – 1-2

LOSS, Vincenzo Joseph (NLWC), TF, 10-0

WIN, Christian Orozco (TX), TF, 10-0

LOSS, Elroy Perkin (GWC), TF, 12-2

Doug Zapf (74 kg) – 3-2

LOSS, Vincenzo Joseph (NLWC), TF, 13-2

WIN, Trever Devestern (TMWC), TF, 11-0

WIN, Carlos Cuevas (TX), TF, 10-0

WIN, Tre’Vaughn Craig (OK), 6-2

LOSS, Ryan Deakin (TMWC), TF, 10-0

Mark Hall (86 kg) – FOURTH?

WIN, Ramon Fry (OR), TF, 11-0

WIN, Dalton Swayze (GH), TF, 11-0

WIN, Devin Skatzka (GWC), 7-1

LOSS, Nate Jackson (NYAC), 3-1

WIN, Taylor Lujan (PWCRTC), 15-10

LOSS, Drew Foster (PWCRTC), 6-1

Jake Hendricks (86 kg) – 2-2?

LOSS, Gabe Dean (TMWC), TF, 10-0

WIN, Jaison White (NERTC), Fall, 1:08

WIN, Cam Caffey (MSU), 10-10

LOSS, David McFadden (TMWC/PRTC), TF, 14-3

Jake Hendricks (87 kg GR) – 0-2?

LOSS, Vaughn Monreal-Berner (USMC), 5-2

LOSS, Jack Darrah (XT), 8-4

David McFadden (86 kg) – 2-2?

WIN, Chris Foca (SCRTC), TF, 10-0

LOSS, Drew Foster (PWCRTC), 4-2

WIN, Jake Hendricks (PRTC), TF, 14-3

LOSS, Taylor Lujan (PWCRTC), 13-6

Ben Honis (97kg) – FIRST

WIN, DaiJon Bibbs (RVWC), TF, 10-0

WIN, Keegan Mueller (TX), TF, 10-0

WIN, Braxton Amos (WRTC), 6-6

WIN, Scottie Boykin (SCRTC), TF, 10-0

Cole Urbas (97 kg) – 0-2?

LOSS, Austin Schafer (NYAC), TF, 10-0

LOSS, Nicholas Willham (IRTC), 9-2

Mauro Correnti (125 kg) – 1-2

WIN, Joshua Tatman (TX), TF, 12-0

LOSS, Mike Kosoy (OR), 9-6

LOSS, Zach Elam (TSWC), TF, 10-0

Benjamin Goldin (125 kg) – 0-2

LOSS, Keaton Kluver (GWC), 5-4

LOSS, Zach Elam (TSWC), 6-4

34 matches announced for February 25 Summit 2 hosted by PRTC and WIBN Philadelphia

2021-02-23

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center and the Wrestlers in Business Network Philadelphia Chapter are excited to release the match list for this Thursday’s Summit 2 card. The event, which follows January’s Summit 1 card, features nine middle school matches, five high school matches, five Senior-level matches, and fifteen U23 matches, primarily featuring wrestlers from the Pennsylvania RTC, the New Jersey RTC and the Spartan Combat RTC.

The event will be streamed live via the PRTC’s Rokfin channel starting at 4pm EST for middle school and high school matches, 6pm for U23 and 8pm for the Senior lineup.

On the Senior level, fans can expect to see PRTC members Ethan Lizak, Mauro Correnti, Ben Honis, Dan Vallimont and Cole Urbas square off with some of the nation’s most elite talent.

At 63 kg, Lizak will take on Frank Perrelli of the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club. Lizak is a three-time All-American, a 2017 NCAA finalist and a 2013 Junior World Team member. Perrelli, a freestyle veteran, has placed at a slew of domestic and international events over the years including winning a Canada Cup title in 2012 and finishing second at the 2017 International Ukrainian Tournament.

Honis, a 2019 U.S. Open runner-up, will see current National Team member Ty Walz of the SERTC at 99 kg. Walz is a 2017 U23 World bronze medalist. The two have not met since Honis defeated Walz in the 2019 U.S. Open semifinals.

Vallimont, a two-time All-American, NCAA runner-up and 2018 U.S. Open runner-up, will face Jevon Balfour of the Spartan Combat RTC at 77 kg. Balfour is a two-time Canadian Senior World Team member and a 2019 Pan Am Games bronze medalist.

The PRTC’s Cole Urbas and the NJRTC’s CJ Brucki will duke it out at 92 kg. Urbas is a 2020 NCAA qualifier and a 2019 Fargo Junior freestyle runner-up. Brucki is a two-time Senior Nationals place winner.

At 125 kg, Correnti, a 2016 NCAA qualifier, matches up with NJRTC’s Matt Cover.

The U23 card is filled with compelling bouts featuring some of the best age-group wrestlers in the country.

At 86 kg, Jake Hendricks of the PRTC will face Chris Foca of the Spartan Combat RTC. Hendricks has an extensive Greco-Roman background, competing on the 2017 Cadet World Team and winning a 2020 UWW Junior National title as well as finishing runner-up at the 2020 U23 Nationals. However, he is highly decorated in freestyle as well, winning a 2016 Cadet Pan Am Championships title and placing at both the 2019 and 2020 UWW Junior Nationals. Foca also has impressive Greco credentials, winning a 2019 Fargo Junior title and finishing runner-up in the Junior division in 2018. He is also a two-time Fargo Junior freestyle All-American. Hendricks previously defeated Foca in the best-of-three finals to make the 2017 Cadet World Team.

Another high-profile bout features Doug Zapf of the PRTC vs. Josh Saunders of the Spartan Combat RTC at 71 kg. Zapf, a 2020 NCAA qualifier and first team All-Ivy selection, received Outstanding Wrestler honors at Summit 1 for a dominant, 18-8, technical fall over Connor Kievman of the NYCRTC. Saunders is a 2018 Cadet and Junior World Team member. He won a Fargo 16U title in 2017, a Fargo Junior title in 2019 and placed eighth at the 2019 Senior Nationals.

At 76 kg, the NJRTC’s Quincy Monday will battle the Spartan Combat RTC’s Julian Ramirez. Monday is a two-time NCAA qualifier and two-time First-Team All-Ivy selection. Last season, he was also named a NWCA First-Team All-American. Ramirez is a 2016 Fargo 16U and 2018 Cadet World Team Trials runner-up.

Other big names to look for on the U23 card include the PRTC’s Carmen Ferrante (61 kg), Michael Colaiocco (63 kg) and Anthony Artalona (70 kg), as well as the NJRTC’s Pat Glory (59 kg).

SUMMIT 2 FULL CARD

Middle School – 4PM EST

Folkstyle

108 lbs: Chris Cropanese, NJ (Princeton Wrestling Club) vs. Griffin Kaye, NJ (Rhino Wrestling Club)

122 lbs: Morgan Schwarz, NJ (Princeton Wrestling Club) vs. Jarred O’Neill, NJ (Watchung Hills Wrestling)

62 lbs: Forest Rose, NJ (Princeton Wrestling Club) vs. Jack Anello, NJ (Team Buxton)

92 lbs: Cole Rose, NJ (Princeton Wrestling Club) vs. Dalton Weber, NJ (Scorpions Wrestling Club)

72 lbs: Chase Dubuque, NJ (Princeton Wrestling Club) vs. Vince Anello, NJ (Team Buxton)

Freestyle

140 lbs: Gavin Cole, PA (Council Rock Wrestling) vs. Pete Snyder, MD (Underground Wrestling Club)

140 lbs: Gabe Delgado, NV (Gold Rush Wrestling) vs. Austin Craft, NJ (Underground Wrestling Club)

80 lbs: Keegan Bassett, PA (Young Guns Wrestling) vs. Nico DeSalvo, PA (M2 Wrestling)

105 lbs: Bo Bassett, PA (Young Guns Wrestling) vs. Manny Saldate, NV (Gold Rush Wrestling)

High School – 4PM EST (Right after Middle School matches end)

64 kg: Branden Palcko, NJ (Paul VI High School) vs. Ethan Wilson, NJ (Washington Township HS)

145 lbs: Louis Colaiocco, NJ (Blair Academy) vs. Nico Damico, MD (Stephen Decatur HS)

103 lbs: Belle Foard, PA (Wyoming Seminary) vs. Makennah Craft, OH (Jackson High School)

114 lbs: Abby Duke, PA (Wyoming Seminary) vs. Sydney Petzinger, NJ (Parsippany High School)

122 lbs: Ava Bayless, PA (Wyoming Seminary) vs. Jaclyn Dehney, NH (Central Catholic HS)

U23 – 6PM EST

125 kg: Nate Hoaglund (PRTC) vs. Aiden Connor (NJRTC)

125 kg: Ben Goldin (PRTC) vs. Matt Cover (NJRTC)

72 kg: Jeremy Ridge (PRTC) vs. Jack Lang (NJRTC)

86 kg: Jake Hendricks (PRTC) vs. Chris Foca (Spartan Combat RTC)

86 kg: John Stout (PRTC) vs. Jon Lowe (Spartan Combat RTC)

76 kg: Cam Connor (PRTC) vs. Blaine Bergey (NJRTC)

82 kg: Neil Antrassian (PRTC) vs. Nate Dugan (NJRTC)

79 kg: Nick Incontrera (PRTC) vs. Grant Cuomo (NJRTC)

72 kg: Lucas Revano (PRTC) vs. Hunter Richard (Spartan Combat RTC)

71 kg: Doug Zapf (PRTC) vs. Josh Saunders (Spartan Combat RTC)

76 kg: Julian Ramirez (Spartan Combat RTC) vs Quincy Monday (NJRTC)

61 kg: Carmen Ferrante (PRTC) vs. Nick Masters (NJRTC)

63 kg: Michael Colaiocco (PRTC) vs. Anthony Clark (NJRTC)

59 kg: Ryan Miller (PRTC) vs. Pat Glory (NJRTC)

70 kg: Anthony Artalona (PRTC) vs. Marshall Keller (NJRTC)

Senior – 8PM EST

63 kg: Ethan Lizak (PRTC) vs. Frank Perrelli (LVWC)

125 kg: Mauro Correnti (PRTC) vs. Matt Cover (NJRTC)

77 kg: Dan Vallimont, PRTC vs. Jevon Balfour (Spartan Combat RTC)

99 kg: Ben Honis (PRTC) vs. Ty Walz (SERTC)

92 kg: Cole Urbas (PRTC) vs. CJ Brucki (NJRTC)

ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA RTC

The Pennsylvania RTC (PRTC) is a non-profit organization that is for developmental and senior-level wrestlers who desire to train in an environment that specializes in the international styles of Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling with the ultimate goal of becoming World and Olympic champions. The PRTC is dedicated to providing our wrestlers with the tools and resources to succeed on and off the wrestling mat.

ABOUT THE WRESTLERS IN BUSINESS NETWORK

The Wrestlers in Business Network is a national, non-profit networking group for everyone that is passionate about the sport of wrestling. They are dedicated to advancing careers, businesses, personal growth, and the sport that we all love. Simply put, WIBN uses the common bond of wrestling to achieve great things for all members and the sport.

Join the WIBN Philadelphia chapter or Find your local WIBN chapter

Follow WIBN Philadelphia on Social

PRTC and WIBN Philadelphia announce full slate of matches for Summit 1 on January 29

2022-01-22

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center and the Wrestlers in Business Network Philadelphia Chapter are excited to release the complete match list for the January 29th, Summit 1 card. The main card is composed of Senior-level men’s and women’s freestyle bouts, while the undercard features both U23 and high school action. The event will stream in its entirety on the PRTC’s Rokfin account, which can be purchased for $9.99 a month.

Jake Hunter, the Chair of the Philadelphia WIBN chapter, believes this event is just the beginning of collaboration between the newly relaunched Philadelphia WIBN and the PRTC.

“The Philadelphia Chapter of WIBN is excited to continue our city’s tradition of Brotherly Love through a partnership with the PRTC on future events that bring value to the wrestling community,” Hunter stated.

PRTC Executive Director Brandon Slay echoed the sentiments and credited the Philadelphia WIBN in helping to compose the elite event.

“This PRTC Rokfin event may be the best card to date. We have some fantastic high school, U23, and Senior-level matchups from all across the nation, as well as an international match between Israel and Canada. Plus, we have three women’s freestyle matches. It’s been wonderful to partner with WIBN Philly to make Summit 1 a reality. We couldn’t have made this event happen without their leadership, and we look forward to Summit 2 and 3 down the road.”

The card’s main event pits Cadet and two-time Junior World champion Mark Hall against 2019 Alexander Medved International champion Nate Jackson. Hall, an NCAA champion and 3x finalist at Penn State, will be making his PRTC debut at 88 kg against Jackson, a 2020 Senior Nationals runner-up, who competes for the New Jersey RTC.

Currently, five other PRTC resident athletes are scheduled to compete on the main card including, David McFadden, Ethan Lizak, Dan Vallimont, Ben Honis and Mauro Correnti.

McFadden, a 2018 U23 World Team member and 2020 U23 Nationals champion, will take on two-time NCAA champion Vincenzo Joseph of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club at 79 kg. McFadden was a four-time All-American for Virginia Tech and joined the PRTC in April 2020.

Lizak will compete against the NYC RTC’s Shelton Mack at 63kg. Lizak was a 2017 NCAA finalist and three-time All-American at the University of Minnesota. He also competed on the 2013 Junior World Team. Earlier this month, Lizak downed two-time NCAA champion Matt McDonough, 10-0, on a FloWrestling card. Mack, an eighth-place finisher at the 2020 Senior Nationals, is currently an assistant at Columbia University.

Vallimont, one of the original PRTC athletes, will wrestle Branson Ashworth of the Wyoming RTC. Vallimont was a two-time All-American and NCAA finalist for Penn State. He is the 2018 U.S. Open runner-up and has logged numerous placements at international and domestic events over the course of his career. Ashworth was a three-time NCAA qualifier for Wyoming. He is a 2020 Cerro Pelado bronze medalist.

At 97 kg, Honis will square off with Scottie Boykin of the Spartan Combat RTC. Honis, an All-American for Cornell, is the 2019 U.S. Open runner-up. Boykin was a three-time NCAA qualifier at UT-Chattanooga. On the Senior level, he won the 2019 Last Chance World Team Trials Senior Qualifier and placed second at the 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial International.

Correnti will represent the PRTC at 125 kg, taking on the Spartan Combat RTC’s Lewis Fernandes. Correnti wrestled collegiately for Rider and was a NCAA qualifier. Fernandes is a freshman at Cornell. Wrestling unattached last season, he compiled a 26-4 record in open competition.

Anthony Artalona, who currently wrestles at the University of Pennsylvania, will also be competing for the PRTC on the main card. Artalona, a two-time Fargo Junior champion and 16U champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, will take on Evan Henderson of the Spartan Combat RTC. Henderson, a two-time All-American for North Carolina, has been active on the Senior scene since 2014. He is the 2018 Bill Farrell International champion and a 2020 Senior Nationals runner-up.

The main card features four other matches not including PRTC wrestlers.

71 kg will showcase a women’s freestyle battle between Skylar Grote of the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club and Egyptian Olympian Enas Ahmed. Grote is a two-time Junior Pan Am champion, a 2020 U23 Nationals champion and a 2020 Senior Nationals runner-up. Ahmed placed fifth at the 2016 Olympic Games and is a two-time Senior African Games champion and a 2015 All African Games gold medalist.

Myles Martin and Max Dean will face off at 88 kg in a highly anticipated rematch. Martin, a member of the Ohio RTC, was a four-time All-American and 2016 NCAA champion at Ohio State. Dean, who will represent the Spartan Combat RTC, has earned All-American honors twice in two attempts for Cornell. At the 2019 NCAA Championships, Dean stunned Martin, who was the undefeated No. 1 seed, in the semifinals, 5-4. The pair have not wrestled since. Dean is a 2019 U23 World Team member, while Martin is a 2018 U23 World Team member and recently won the FloWrestling 195-Pound Eight-Man bracket challenge.

Fan favorites Chandler Rogers of the Arkansas RTC and Ben Darmstadt of the Spartan Combat RTC will square off at 205 pounds. Rogers was a two-time All-American for Oklahoma State. Post-collegiately, he has competed primarily in Greco-Roman, but he is also a 2019 Pan Am champion in freestyle. Darmstadt is a two-time All-American for Cornell, who is still NCAA eligible.

In the sole international bout of the night, Israel’s Mitch Finesilver will wrestle Canada’s Jasmit Phulka. Finesilver, who trains with the NYC RTC, was a 2019 All-American for Duke, placing fourth at the NCAA Tournament. Internationally, he is a 2017 Maccabi Games champion and a 2021 Henri Deglane third-place finisher. Phulka is a two-time Canadian Senior World Team member currently training with the Cyclone RTC. He is a 2019 Canada Cup champion and a 2019 Pan Am Championships bronze medalist.

The must-watch match of the undercard features Ivy League rivals Michael Colaiocco of the PRTC vs. Angelo Rini of the NYC RTC. As a freshman last season, Colaiocco put together a 23-7 record at 125 pounds for Penn and was named a NWCA Second-Team All-American. Rini, who competes for Columbia, was also a freshman last season, logging a 25-10 record at 133 pounds. Colaiocco is a 2020 U23 Nationals runner-up, while Rini is a 2020 UWW Junior Nationals runner-up.

SUMMIT 1 FULL CARD

Senior-level Main Card – 8pm EST

125 kg: Mauro Correnti (PRTC) vs. Demetrius Thomas (Pitt WC)

97 kg: Ben Honis (PRTC) vs. Scottie Boykin (Spartan Combat RTC)

76 kg: Mitch Finesilver (Israel) vs. Jasmit Phulka (Canada)

79 kg: Dan Vallimont (PRTC) vs. Branson Ashworth (Wyoming RTC)

63 kg: Ethan Lizak (PRTC) vs. Shelton Mack (NYC RTC)

150 lbs: Anthony Artalona (PRTC) vs. Evan Henderson (Spartan Combat RTC)

205 lbs: Chandler Rogers (Arkansas RTC) vs. Jonathan Loew (Spartan Combat RTC)

71 kg: Skylar Grote (LVWC) vs. Enas Ahmed (Egypt)

88 kg: Myles Martin (Ohio RTC) vs. Max Dean (Spartan Combat RTC)

79 kg: David McFadden (PRTC) vs. Vincenzo Joseph (NLWC)

88 kg: Mark Hall (PRTC) vs. Nate Jackson (NJRTC)

U23 Undercard – 6pm EST

70 kg: Kaya Sement (PRTC) vs DaShawn Farber (Mat Town RTC)

84 kg: Connor Strong (PRTC) vs Tyler Stoltzfus (Mat Town RTC)

86 kg: Max Hale (PRTC) vs. Brian Bonino (NYCRTC)

84 kg: Neil Antrassian (PRTC) vs. Michael Baker (NYCRTC)

72 kg: Doug Zapf (PRTC) vs. Connor Kievman (NYCRTC)

62 kg: Carmen Ferrante (PRTC) vs. Dom LaJoie (Spartan Combat RTC)

60 kg: Ryan Miller (PRTC) vs. Joe Manchio (NYCRTC)

191 lbs: Caira Jaynes (PA) vs. Erin Murray (PA)

125 kg Ben Goldin (PRTC) vs. Danny Conley (NYCRTC)

62 kg: Michael Colaiocco (PRTC) vs. Angelo Rini (NYCRTC)

High School Undercard – 4pm EST

141 lbs: Jayden Gonzales (NJ) vs Branden Palcko (NJ)

126 lbs: Max Gallagher (NY) vs Nieko Malone (NJ)

126 lbs: D’Amani Almodovar (NJ) vs. Daniel Zepeda (CA)

147 lbs: Sam McMonagle (PA) vs. Henry Porter (CA)

220 lbs: Ryan Catka (PA) vs. Mike Misita (NJ)

126 lbs: Dom Findora (PA) vs. Evan Mougolian (NJ)

134 lbs: Nate Lucier (PA) vs. Joey Miranda (NJ)

162 lbs: Hunter Gandy (NJ) vs. Victor Jacinto (CA)

142 lbs: Ty Whalen (NJ) vs. Kelly Dunnigan (NJ)

117 lbs: Ava Bayless (PA) vs. Chloe Ayres (NJ)

145 lbs: Kyle Hauserman (PA) vs. Alex Almeyda (NJ)

ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER

The Pennsylvania RTC (PRTC) is a non-profit organization that is for developmental and senior-level wrestlers who desire to train in an environment that specializes in

the international styles of Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling with the ultimate goal of becoming World and Olympic champions. The PRTC is dedicated to providing our

wrestlers with the tools and resources to succeed on and off the wrestling mat.

ABOUT THE WRESTLERS IN BUSINESS NETWORK

Join the WIBN Philadelphia chapter or Find your local WIBN chapter

Follow WIBN Philadelphia on Social

US Open Finalist Ben Honis Joins the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center

2020-04-20

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) has announced the addition of Ben Honis to its freestyle program.

A 2019 All-American and First-Team All-Ivy selection, Ben competed with Cornell for four seasons in both the heavyweight and 197-pound classes. He earned All-American status in gritty fashion when he was upset in his first match at the NCAA tournament, but rebounded to win four straight matches to finish in eighth place.

Ben also has impressive freestyle credentials having finished as the 97kg runner-up at the 2019 Marine Corps US Open, which earned him a spot in the World Team Trials.

After finishing his collegiate wrestling career, Ben joined Syracuse’s football team where he played in nine games for the Orangemen.

“Ben Honis has made the US Open finals at 97kg in a convincing manner and his freestyle skills are extremely impressive. More importantly, after spending time with Ben and getting to know him personally, it is immediately clear that he is a man of substance and character. Ben is an ideal fit for our PRTC culture, and we are blessed to have him on board,” said Brandon Slay, executive director and head coach of the PRTC.

Added Ben, “I am thrilled to be a part of the storm that’s coming out of the PRTC. After taking a visit and meeting with Coach Slay and the current athletes, I noticed a unique dynamic and felt an immediate connection. At the PRTC, I will have the opportunity to develop my wrestling while also serving those in the community. I will be surrounded by great leaders who will encourage me in my faith journey. I look forward to resuming my training at the PRTC very soon!”

At the PRTC, our mission is to enrich lives locally and globally through the sport of wrestling, and we do this by living out our core values of Faith over fear, Full effort, Struggle well, and Serve others.