PRTC Wrestling

Brandon Slay Moving On from Executive Director of the PRTC

2025-04-22

After more than eight years of transformative leadership, Olympic Gold Medalist Brandon Slay will step down as Executive Director and Head Coach of the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC). Slay and his family will relocate to Springdale, Arkansas this July, where he will take on a dual role as Executive Director of SportsLife Wrestling, a Christian-based leadership development organization, and Head Coach of the G1 Training Center, a new training facility focused on the development of youth, elite high school, and senior level wrestlers. Slay will immediately move on to the PRTC Board of Directors, continuing his service to the organization.

Chase Pami to Transition to Prtc Assistant Coach

2019-08-02

It was recently announced that Pennsylvania RTC athlete Chase Pami is retiring from competition. Pami was a two-time All-American and National Finalist for Cal Poly and has spent the last nine years competing at the Senior level. He has been with the PRTC as a resident athlete of the past three years.

He also worked as the Director of Wrestling Operations at the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently the Volunteer Assistant Coach, a position he plans on maintaining while filling this new role. Pami will work with PRTC Executive Director and Head Coach, 2000 Olympic gold medalist, Brandon Slay.

“It’s an exciting role for me. I think I’ve been able to embody what the PRTC is about. I’ve learned what it’s about and lived it, which makes it easier for me to inspire and help the guys coming in as athletes,” Pami said.

“It’s a unique opportunity. One thing here I really valued is the access to the network here at Penn and at Drexel, which is able to launch me into the next phase of my life. One of the things the PRTC does a great job of is setting guys up to be champions in wrestling but also champions outside of wrestling,” he said.

View Chase’s entire USA Wrestling retirement video below:

While many Regional Training Centers don’t have one full-time coach, the PRTC is fortunate to be able bring an assistant on staff to help better train wrestlers.

If you’d like to support the Pennsylvania RTC in our mission to create an ecosystem for elite student-athletes to strive toward national and international success in wrestling and in life, while supporting the development of wrestling around the world, you can do so here.

PRTC Has Strong Showing at World Team Trials, Futrell Makes National Team

2017-06-12

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center compiled a solid 8-4 record this weekend at the World Team Trials in Lincoln, Nebraska. The highlight of the weekend was B.J. Futrell taking 2nd in the trials tournament (third overall at the weight class) and earning a spot on the National Team.

B.J. opened the tournament at 65 kg with two tight wins, 4-3 over Cowboy Wrestling Club’s Dean Heil, and a thrilling 6-5 victory over Titan Mercury’s Evan Henderson. In the trials tournament finals, B.J. fell to the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club’s Zain Retherford, who went on to make the world team. B.J. closed out his tournament with an 8-2 win over Titan Mercury’s Nick Dardanes to secure true second and a spot on the national team.

At 70 kg Chase Pami won his first match over Titan Mercury’s Jason Chamberlain 3-2. He dropped his next match in the semifinals to Nazar Kulchytskyy also of Titan Mercury. In the consolations he dominated Dylan Ness of the Minnesota Storm 9-1. He lost his next bout in the consolation finals to Jason Nolf of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.

Richard Perry defeated Josh Asper of the Navy Marine Corps RTC in his opening bout at 86 kg. In the semifinals he lost to Nick Heflin out of the Princeton Wrestling Club. In the consolation rounds he defeated Cowboy Wrestling Club’s Kyle Crutchmer 9-3 and then pinned Titan Mercury Wrestling Club’s Austin Trotman in a beautiful cradle to take third place.

Overall, all 3 competing PRTC wrestlers left the trials ranked top 5 in the nation in their weight class.

World Team Trials' Brackets Released

2017-06-10

Pennsylvania Regional Training Center members, B.J. Futrell, Chase Pami, and Richard Perry will be competing to make their first World Team tomorrow in Lincoln, Nebraska. In order to do so, each wrestler will have to battle their way through a mini tournament and then face a well rested opponent in the finals in a best two out of three series. The wrestlers waiting in the finals earned their spots by winning Olympic medals in 2016 or winning the 2017 U.S. Open.

At 65 kg, B.J. Futrell is the second seed. In his opening match he will face 2x NCAA champion, Dean Heil, from Oklahoma State. If he makes it to the trial tournament finals he will most likely face 2x NCAA champion and last year’s Dan Hodge award winner, Zain Retherford from Penn State. Waiting in the finals is 2016 Olympian, Frank Molinaro, formerly of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club and now training out of Virginia Tech. B.J. is currently ranked 10th in the world, and has not yet wrestled the unranked Retherford or the 11th ranked Molinaro.

At 70 kg, Chase Pami earned the 3rd seed and will face freestyle veteran, Jason Chamberlain in his opening bout. The top seed in the bracket, Jimmy Kennedy, is bumped up from 65 kg where he competed in the US Open. Chase took third at the open only losing to Tommy Gannt, who will have to beat second seed Nazar Kulchytskyy in order to force a rematch. Waiting in the finals is 2015 World bronze medalist, James Green from the Nebraska RTC who is currently ranked 4th in the world.

Richard Perry earned the 2nd seed at 86 kg. Waiting in the best 2 out of 3 series is 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, J’Den Cox. Cox, who wrapped up his third NCAA title this past season at Missouri, is ranked 5th in the world. In order to reach him, Richard will have to defeat Nittany Lion Wrestling Club’s two time NCAA Champion and Hodge Trophy winner, David Taylor. Taylor, who is ranked 5th in the world, will be a tough test, as he has beaten Richard at both the Paris Grand Prix and the U.S. Open. That being said Richard gave him his toughest match of the year, which includes Taylor’s wins over World and Olympic gold medalists.

The action will off on Flowresting at 11 AM eastern time and will conclude around 4. The best 2 out of 3 series will start at 6 pm. Be sure to follow along on twitter for updates @pennsylvaniartc.

All Three Prtc Athletes Place at Us Open

2017-05-01

This weekend, all three PRTC athletes wrestling in the US open earned a spot on the podium. At 70 kg, Chase Pami took third, at 74 kg, Dan Vallimont took eighth, and at 86 kg, Richard Perry placed second.

Pami accomplished the Herculean task of battling back from a first round loss to Tommy Gantt to take third place. In the consolation bracket he reeled of seven straight wins, including avenging his loss to Gantt. In the third place match he defeated National Champion, Jason Nolf, 12-6.

Vallimont started off the tournament with two 10-0 tech falls before dropping a decision to Olympic gold medalist, Jordan Burroughs. He won a match in the consolations to secure himself a top 8 placement before dropping matches to two-time National Champion, Chris Perry and Chance Marsteller.

Perry went 4-1 on the day, teching his first two opponents 10-0, and beating National Champion Bo Nickal in the semifinals before falling to David Taylor in the finals.

Overall the PRTC had a solid performance that they will be looking to build upon at the World Team Trials in Lincoln, Nebraska this June.

Check out Richard and Chase’s big wins below. (Flowrestling subscription needed)

Richard Perry over Bo Nickal

Chase Pami over Jason Nolf

3 Prtc Athletes to Compete at U.s. Open

2017-04-28

The U.S. Open is the most important domestic tournament of the year because the winners of each weight class get a bye to the finals of the World Team Trials. Sitting in the finals is a huge advantage as it allows the wrestler to bypass the grueling trial’s tournament the rest of the competition must face. The PRTC will be sending three resident athletes to compete in the Open this Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada.

At 70 kg, Chase Pami will make his return to domestic competition after missing the Bill Farrell International Open in November due to injury. He is looking at a tough weight class with former World Bronze Medalist, James Green, and this years 157-pound National Champion, Jason Nolf, both in the bracket.

Dan Vallimont will be wrestling in arguably the toughest weight class of the tournament at 74 kg. Depending on his seed, he will either have to go through one of the most decorated American wrestlers of all time in Jordan Burroughs, or 4 time NCAA champion Kyle Dake. Also in this bracket, is 3 time NCAA Champion and Hodge Trophy winner, Alex Dieringer, amongst a bevy of other studs.

Richard Perry will be looking to win a title at 86 kg. He might have a chance to get redemption against Timmy McCall who bested him at the Bill Farrell. Also in his bracket is David Taylor, who recently pinned Olympic Gold medalist, Hassan Yazdanicharati in the World Cup. If J’den Cox decides to wrestle at World Team Trials, then he will receive the automatic bye to the finals based on his Bronze Medal performance at the Rio Olympics. However, it is not confirmed if he will be attempting to make a world team this year.

The 4th resident athlete, B.J. Futrell, will not be competing, but is already qualified for the World Team Trials.

The men’s freestyle portion of the tournament will kick off at 12:00 pm eastern Friday, and the first session will end at 5:30 pm. The semifinals wills start at 10:30 pm, and the finals will take place at 9 pm Saturday. You can watch the action on Flowrestling with a subscription.

PRTC Hosts Clinic at Conestoga High School April 1st

2017-03-21

The Pennsylvania RTC is hosting a clinic at Conestoga High School, Saturday, April 1st. Wrestlers will have the opportunity to learn technique from PRTC Head Coach Brandon Slay, as well as world ranked wrestlers, BJ Futrell and Richard Perry, and NCAA finalists, Chase Pami, and Dan Vallimont. Focus will be given to all three positions, as well as special attention to Freestyle fundamentals. You can sign up for the clinic here. Be sure to sign up soon because the clinic will be limited to the first 100 wrestlers.

Prtc Exhibition at Penn Vs. Drexel Match Covered by Flowrestling

2017-02-22

Sunday, February 19th, the PRTC brought freestyle action to the collegiate dual scene. At halftime of the annual Penn vs. Drexel dual meet, PRTC athletes Chase Pami and Dan Vallimont took on Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club members, Mario Mason and Nestor Taffur. Both Regional Training Center wrestlers won their matches 2-1 and 14-10 respectively.

You can check out Flo’s article here.

PRTC Social Following Annual Penn Vs. Drexel Dual

2017-02-08

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center would like to invite fans, supporters, and student athletes to come out and attend the annual Penn vs. Drexel dual meet on Sunday, February 19th, starting at 1pm at the Palestra. Penn suffered their first loss to Drexel in over 25 years last season and will be looking to return the favor in their home gym. This should be a competitive match between two programs that work in collaboration with the PRTC to grow the sport in the Philadelphia area. At intermission, fans will have the opportunity to watch PRTC resident athlete, Chase Pami, fresh off his Paris Grand Prix title, take on Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club’s Mario Mason in an exhibition freestyle match. Following the dual there will be a social in the Kozloff Family Room featuring hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. This is a great opportunity for high school and youth coaches to meet PRTC Head Coach and Olympic gold medalist, Brandon Slay, as well as the world-class PRTC wrestlers.

To purchase tickets in advance follow this Link. If you have any questions feel free to email coach Slay at slay@https://pennsylvaniartc.org.

PRTC Wins Bronze, Silver, and Gold at Paris International Open

2017-02-06

The Pennsylvania RTC ended January on a high note, earning a bronze, a silver, and a gold at the 2016 Paris International.

At 65 kg, B.J. Futrell dropped his first match to former Illinois teammate, Jimmy Kennedy. Kennedy went on to win the tournament pulling Futrell back into repechage. There, he defeated fellow American Nick Dardanes by a 10-0 tech-fall to advance to the third place match. He defeated Heorhi Kaliyeu from Belarus 4-0 for bronze.

Chase Pami stormed through the 70 kg bracket teching his way to the finals with a 10-0 win over Sweden’s Christian Jonsson, followed by an 11-0 victory over American, Jason Welch, in the semifinals. To win the gold he outlasted Zsombor Gulyas of Hungary in a 2-1 decision. This was Pami’s first tournament back from a minor injury that sidelined him during the Bill Farrell Memorial Open.

Dan Vallimont started his tournament off strong at 74kg with a 7-6 win over France’s Zelimkhan Khadjiev, the 11th ranked wrestler in the world. In the semi-finals he lost to the eventual champion, former 4 time NCAA National Champion, Kyle Dake, which dropped him to the bronze medal match where he finished short against another NCAA National Champion, Matt Brown, 8-2.

At 86 Kg, Richard Perry made short work of his quarterfinal opponent, Raman Chytadze of Bulgaria, teching him 11-0. Perry had an equally dominant performance in the semifinals winning by 12-1 tech-fall over Belarus’s Arkadzi Pahasian. In the finals, he dropped a tightly contested match to fellow American, and two time Dan Hodge Trophy winner, David Taylor, 8-5.

Overall it was a strong showing from the PRTC, placing 3 out 4 entries, and having all 4 wrestlers in medal matches.