PRTC Wrestling

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.

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 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.

PRTC Welcomes CJ Composto as Senior Resident Athlete

2026-04-15

Philadelphia, PA - The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) is proud to announce that CJ Composto will join the organization as a Senior Resident Athlete following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2026.

Composto leaves Penn as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in program history, earning NCAA Division 1 All-American honors three times for the Quakers. Known for his consistency, toughness, and high-level performance on the national stage, he has been a cornerstone of Penn Wrestling throughout his collegiate career.

"I'm very excited to join the PRTC as a full time senior level athlete," says Composto. "The community of people involved with the Philly Wrestling Ecosystem, from coaches to athletes to fans, is something I want to be a part of. I dreamed of becoming a professional athlete from the moment I committed to the University of Pennsylvania when Coach Reina first showed me the vision for Penn Wrestling and the PRTC. The opportunity to live out that dream is now a reality."

On the international level, Composto has already demonstrated his ability to compete among the best in the world. In 2025, he captured a gold medal while representing Team USA at the U23 Pan American Championships. Later that year, he was selected to represent the United States in a high-profile dual meet against Russia in Budapest, Hungary as part of the the Professional Wrestling League, further solidifying his standing as a rising force in international freestyle wrestling.

At the PRTC, Composto will compete at 65kg and continue his development with the goal of representing the United States at the highest levels of international competition.

"CJ is an amazing athlete and an incredible person," says PRTC President Nick Matteo. "Throughout his time at Penn, CJ consistently rose to the occasion when the lights were the brightest and the pressure was the highest. We are ecstatic to announce CJ will be continuing his competitive career as a senior level athlete at the PRTC and believe the sky's the limit for CJ."

Composto's addition strengthens an already competitive PRTC roster and reflects the organization's continued commitment to developing world-class athletes both on and off the mat.

"This is an opportunity I do not take lightly," Composto says. "I'm looking forward to getting to work every day with my brothers to become the best version of myself."

PRTC Athletes Gain Global Experience on Training Trip to Japan

2025-09-17

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) recently returned from an international training trip to Japan, where its athletes immersed themselves in both elite-level wrestling and Japanese culture. Over the course of a week, the team trained under the guidance of Olympic Champion Mitsuru Sato at two of Japan’s most prestigious wrestling institutions: Senshu University and Nippon Sports Science University.

The trip brought together top wrestling talent from both the United States and Japan, creating a rare opportunity to exchange techniques, share training philosophies, and build lasting friendships across cultures. For the PRTC athletes, the experience was both demanding and inspiring.

Each day featured three-hour practices that tested both body and mind. Workouts began with international warm-up drills before shifting into highly specific technical instruction, and each session included five to six full live matches per athlete. The intensity mirrored the standard of excellence long associated with Japanese wrestling.

PRTC Senior Athlete Darian Cruz, who is preparing for the 2025 Senior World Championships, reflected on the trip:

“From training with some of the best athletes in the sport of wrestling—in the entire world for that matter—to submerging in a culture of honor, discipline, and respect, I can speak for the group when I say we pushed our limits mentally, physically, and culturally. Not a single student-athlete on this trip had truly left the country. This experience will give the Quakers the kick start to a season that will ultimately result in the collection of our hardware come March! Again, thank you to all those who supported and continue to support the dreams and goals of these incredibly ambitious young men. This is just the beginning of what your support can provide.”

Beyond the mats, the athletes explored Japanese culture. They wandered through historic temples, tasted authentic ramen in tucked-away restaurants, and marveled at the energy of modern shopping districts. For many, it was their first time abroad, adding an invaluable layer of personal growth to the athletic experience.

Two-time NCAA All-American CJ Composto also shared his perspective:

“When I started wrestling at five years old, I never would've thought eighteen years later I’d go on a training trip to Japan with my best friends. All the opportunities I’ve received through wrestling with the PRTC have been a blessing.”

PRTC Chief Operating Officer Kevin McGuigan emphasized the importance of the trip:

“Training in Japan with Olympic Champion Mitsuru Sato and some of the world’s best athletes provides invaluable experience for our wrestlers. Opportunities like this accelerate their growth on and off the mat, and we’re grateful to our supporters who make them possible.”

The week in Japan was more than just training; it was an experience that blended wrestling, culture, and camaraderie—an international journey that will shape the PRTC athletes both as competitors and as individuals for years to come.

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Darian Cruz Dominates Grand Prix of Spain

2025-07-08

Darian Cruz dominates in Madrid. Wins Gold at 57kg at Grand Prix of Spain.

PRTC Heading to Las Vegas for US Open

2025-04-22

PRTC heading to Las Vegas to compete at Senior Nationals and U20 Nationals at the US Open.

Max Gallagher Earns Spot on U23 World Team!

2024-06-30

Max Gallagher, took the U23 Nationals by storm as he secured the 57kg championship winning a best of three series over Charlie Farmer. The University of Pennsylvania true freshman was unstoppable on his way to the finals. Max beat top seeded Stevo Poulin of Northern Colorado in the semi-finals before taking on Farmer in the finals.

Gallagher's performance secured his spot on the U23 World Team at 57kg. He'll compete in Tirana, Albania later this year and is headed to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for an Olympic Team training camp.

Maximus Hale, a rising senior at Penn finished 5th at 86kg for the PRTC. Hale defeated Oklahoma State's Brayden Thompson, the number 2 seed, twice on the day to secure his All-American status. Thompson was the top recruit in the nation at 182lbs in 2023.

Drexel's Ethan Wilson battled back after an early round loss in the Greco-Roman division to place 7th at 82kg and attain All-American status. The Dragon 184lber has been a part of the PRTC since he first qualified in high school to train with the Developmental program.

PRTC Developmental Training Prepares Juniors for Fargo!

2024-06-30

The PRTC Developmental Training program continues to grow. For all USA Wrestling athletes who qualify to participate at the PRTC, training has gone well this spring!

New Penn Assistant Coach and U23 National Champion Doug Zapf has led the way as we have helped prepare developmental athletes for the upcoming Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota. Doug knows firsthand how valuable this program is. He is the first person to work his way through the Developmental and U23 levels before joining the PRTC as a professional athlete.

The PRTC Developmental Training program is free to all who qualify. To train with the PRTC, all athletes must meet USA Wrestling RTC criteria. Click here for more information.