PRTC Wrestling

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.

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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Kevin McGuigan Promoted to Chief Operating Officer

2025-05-06

The Board of the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) is proud to announce the promotion of Kevin McGuigan to Chief Operating Officer. After serving with distinction as the Director of Operations, McGuigan’s elevation to COO represents a commitment to continuity and operational excellence within the PRTC.

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.

Drexel and Penn Prtc Athletes Compete at U20 Nationals

2023-05-01

Philadelphia, Pa – Taking the opportunity to compete against some of the best athletes in the nation, wrestlers from Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania participated in the U20 Freestyle Division at the US Open last weekend. The tournament was held at South Point Hotel and Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Seven student-athletes from Drexel and five from Penn made the trip west.

Evan Mougalian, a freshman at Penn and competing at 61kg, finished in the top 12 narrowly missing All-American status. He was 6-2 on the weekend defeating several high level opponents.

Jordan Soriano, a freshman at Drexel had an inspirational run at 65kg. After losing his first match, Soriano battled back through the consolation rounds also finishing with a 6-2 record.

Gabe Giampietro, another freshman at Drexel, had an impressive 3-2 record for the weekend. Giampietro, a 125lber for the Dragons, competed at 57kg in Las Vegas.

All the athletes who competed from the two Philadelphia collegiate teams represented the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center.

Here are the full results:

57kg Desmond Pleasant, 2-2

LOSS Hunt (Georgia), 17-14

WIN Hernandez (Vail), 12-1

WIN Davis (Arizona), 10-9

LOSS Houpt (Quest), 19-15

57kg Gabe Giampietro, 4-2

WIN Richards (Utah), 10-0

LOSS Spalding (Compound), 16-15

WIN Higa (Hawaii), 14-3

WIN Concepcion (Cool), 10-8

WIN Tapia (BTS), 10-0

Loss Farmer (West Point), 10-0

61kg John Hildebrandt, 1-2

LOSS Avelar (Grindhouse), FALL

WIN Landroth (Baynard), FALL

LOSS Moore (Tar Heel), 20-9

61kg Evan Mougalian, 6-2

WIN Cox (Wisconsin), FALL

WIN Qureshi (New York), 14-13

LOSS Peterson (Sebolt), 10-0

WIN Kernan (Young Guns), 14-3

WIN Exford (All In), 12-1

WIN Guanajuato (Armona), 14-3

WIN Basile (West Point), 10-0

LOSS Barreto (Pounder), 4-0

65kg Jordan Soriano, 6-2

LOSS Priest (Pitt), 11-0

WIN Hernandez (Team Thor), 10-0

WIN Termini (Charleston), 13-2

WIN Brower (Young Guns), 12-2

WIN Buesgens (Pinnacle), INJ

WIN Jerore (Michigan), 15-5

WIN Hinrichsen (Central), 12-0

LOSS Miller (DMV), 16-6

70kg Aboubakare Diaby, 1-2

WIN Mazur (Cornerstone), 12-2

LOSS Arrington (Wolfpack), 10-0

LOSS Wonser (North Dakota), 5-4

70kg Hunter Gandy, 2-2

WIN Messner (Minnesota), 11-0

LOSS McDaniel (West Point), FALL

WIN Lang (Utah), FALL

LOSS Price (Boone), 10-0

70kg Jude Swisher, 1-2

LOSS Shapiro, 13-2

WIN Swenson, 10-0

LOSS Skellenger (Idaho), 9-7

74kg Tate Nichter, 2-2

LOSS Munro (Regional), 11-0

WIN Ugalde (California), FALL

WIN McGeough (Iowa), 10-0

LOSS Hanau (West Point), 7-4

74kg Dom D’Agostino, 3-2

LOSS LaCour (Rise RTC), 10-2

WIN Licht (Askren), 13-2

WIN Lindsey (Derby), 7-4

WIN Koch (CLT), FALL

LOSS Henckel (Blairstown), 10-0

125kg Matt Cruise, 3-2

WIN Acciardi (New Jersey), 12-2

LOSS Rasmussen (Jackrabbit), 10-0

WIN Becker (Minnesota), 10-0

WIN Carillo (Brawley), 10-0

LOSS Barket (Indiana), 10-0

Pictures by Levi Ventura

Story by Kevin McGuigan

Happy Holidays From the Prtc!

2022-12-26

As 2022 comes to an end and we enjoy the holiday season, we want to take a moment to thank our supporters for helping us with another year of successful accomplishments. There is so much to be thankful for this past year. All of which would not be possible without you.

If you have not yet taken the opportunity to support the PRTC, please consider a year end donation to help us continue to do all the wonderful things shared below.

Donate Now

Our Year in Review…

We began the year hosting Summit 3. Several international events were canceled around this time. So, we made the effort to provide some competition at the senior level. Coaches and athletes from around the country and internationally traveled to South Jersey to participate in this live streamed event. Mark and David represented the PRTC at Summit 3 while coming away with two wins each and going undefeated for the day. We’re grateful to have the opportunity to serve others while competing.

Mark and David would go on to win US Open Championships in Las Vegas in April. This was Mark’s second National Championship in a row and David’s first major tournament win at the senior level. Doug Zapf, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, won a bronze medal as well.

In May, Joey and Jordan each won Pan Am Championships in Acapulco, Mexico. This was Joey’s second time and Jordan’s fifth time winning Pan Am Gold. Jordan outscored his opponents 40-1 during the tournament.

Also in May, Joey and Mark each placed third in the World Team Trials establishing themselves on the US National Team. This is the first time Mark made the Senior National Team. Joey is now a three time National Team member.

Our partners at both Drexel and Penn traveled to Ohio in June for the U23/U20 Freestyle/Greco National Championships. A combined group of 32 athletes and several coaches made the trip to Geneva for this high level competition. With every athlete representing the PRTC, we came home with 7 All-Americans.

Also in June, Jordan competed in Final X in New York City. In an exciting match-up with Chance Marstellar at 79kg, Jordan won to make his 11th World Team.

In July, Joey and David traveled to Warsaw, Poland with Mark to compete in the Poland Open. Mark served as coach helping Joey and David each win silver medals in this prestigious international competition.

Tyler Berger joined the PRTC in August. In an effort to build our team and provide higher level training partners, we are grateful to have Tyler in Philly.

Competing at 70kg for the US National Team, Tyler is a perfect addition to our team and our culture. He and his wife, Sydnee, have comfortably settled in the city and now call Philadelphia their home.

In September, Jordan won his 7th World/Olympic gold medal at the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. With this win, Jordan has more championship gold medals than any US wrestler in history. This is his second World Championship while training at the PRTC.

Also in September, the PRTC became the host of the prestigious Keystone Classic. Created by Coach Roger Reina over 26 years ago, the Keystone Classic is a premier early season NCAA tournament held on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in the Palestra. As host, the PRTC has added valuable revenue generating opportunities.

In October, Tyler and Joey traveled to Kazakhstan for the Kunayev DA international tournament. Both senior athletes won silver medals and cash prizes for their efforts. This was Tyler’s first international competition ever.

At the Keystone Classic in November, Jordan held a wrestling clinic between sessions. Hundreds of young wrestlers and fans of all ages showed up to support and learn from one of America’s greatest athletes. It was a great experience for all involved.

The final event of the year was the World Cup which was held in Coralville, Iowa this December. Jordan and Tyler represented the United States in the competition. Their efforts helped Team USA win the men’s freestyle team championship.

As we continue into 2023, our mission of enriching lives locally and globally through the sport of wrestling stays our main priority. We continue to do this by adhering to our core values of faith over fear, full effort, struggle well, and serve others. Click on the link below to listen as our senior athletes discuss our four core values.

PRTC Core Values

We thank you, again, for your continued support of the PRTC!

Mckenna And Berger To Compete In Kazakhstan

2022-10-25

Joey McKenna and Tyler Berger are set to travel overseas for the Kunayev D.A.

Philadelphia, Pa – PRTC Senior Athletes Joey McKenna (65kg) and Tyler Berger (70kg) will travel to Taraz City, Kazakhstan with Head Coach Brandon Slay to compete in the Kunayev D.A. Senior Freestyle Tournament. The PRTC contingent will be the only representatives from the United States at the tournament to be contested at the Taraz Arena Sports Complex from November 2-6, 2022.

The two senior athletes are thankful to USA Wrestling for the opportunities they’ve experienced recently. This tournament will be a chance for them both to give a full effort while competing internationally.

Joey McKenna, 65kg

“After being at the World Championships serving Team USA, I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to compete again overseas!” said McKenna. “I want to seek out the best competition to continue to challenge myself and make adjustments in my wrestling.” The three time U.S. National Team member last competed at the Poland Open in July, placing third at 65kg while earning a bronze medal.

This will be Berger’s first official competition as a PRTC athlete. He joined the team in August 2022 after earning a spot on the National Team at 70kg earlier in the year.

Tyler Berger, 70kg

“It’s been a seamless transition joining the PRTC,” said Berger. “I’ve felt at home since day one. Kazakhstan will be my first time competing at the senior level overseas and I couldn’t ask for a better crew to be training with while preparing for this event.”

At the World Championships last month in Belgrade, Serbia, McKenna served as the main training partner for 61kg World Team member Seth Gross who placed 5th. Berger served as the main training partner for Jordan Burroughs who won a record 7th World/Olympic gold medal. The US Men’s Freestyle team won the team title while crowning four individual World Champions.

Team USA in Serbia

Seeing the success of their Team USA teammates on an international stage has inspired the two athletes to seek higher levels of competition. The Kunayev D.A. could feature some of the better athletes in the world as cash prizes will be awarded to the top three placewinners in each weight class.

“When I saw the competition in Kazakhstan on the schedule, I wanted to take advantage of another international tour before the end of 2022,” said McKenna. “This is the perfect opportunity to implement what we’ve been working on and to sharpen my sword.”

Competition begins on November 3rd for Berger at 70kg. McKenna will begin competition at 65kg the following day on November 4th. It will be a two day event for each weight class. There is a ten hour time difference between Philadelphia and Taraz City. At this time, it is unclear if matches will be streamed live. Stay tuned to the PRTC social media accounts for updates.

“I’m excited for the challenge and the opportunity,” said Berger. “I love to train but nothing beats the feeling of putting your foot on the line and letting it fly!”

Photos by Levi Ventura

Story by Kevin McGuigan

PRTC Becomes New Host of Keystone Classic

2022-09-29

Philadelphia, Pa – The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC), an official USA Wrestling organization, is the new host of the Keystone Classic, a perennial college kickoff event to the NCAA Division 1 season. The event, previously hosted by the University of Pennsylvania, has been held in the historic Palestra on campus in University City, Philadelphia since its inception in 1996.

PRTC Executive Director and Head Coach Brandon Slay is excited about the future of the event he once competed in. “It is an honor to become the host of the Keystone Classic,” said Slay. “Twenty six years ago, I wrestled in this tournament with my teammates at Penn. Continuing the tradition of presenting a high level event for programs looking to test their student-athletes early in the season, is something I am very much looking forward to. I am thankful to Coach Reina and the Penn Administration for this opportunity.”

Penn Wrestling Head Coach Roger Reina created the Keystone Classic in 1996. Calling it a “classic” in the first year was a bold move by Reina but the name has stuck through the decades. One of the founders of the PRTC, Reina is excited about the future of his original creation.

“The Keystone Classic has hosted many of the top teams in the NCAA over the past 25 years,” said Reina. “Going forward, we expect competitive levels to continue to rise, fan excitement and access to increase, and the Keystone clearly becoming the preeminent NCAA D1 tournament in the East.”

The 2022 PRTC Keystone Classic field will include a mix of competitive level teams from leagues and conferences around the country including EIWA, Ivy League, ACC, MAC, Southern Conference, and PAC 12. This year’s teams include Appalachian State, Arizona State, Drexel, Duke, Franklin and Marshall, George Mason, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Rider, Sacred Heart, and Virginia Tech.

The PRTC has also reached an agreement with media provider FloWrestling to stream all matches live online. Brackets and updates throughout the tournament will be provided on FloArena.

“We are excited to announce the PRTC and Flo Wrestling partnering to host and broadcast the Keystone Classic,” said Reina. “In Penn’s historic and vibrant Palestra , Greek for ‘House of Wrestling’ and one of the very best wrestling arenas in the nation, we will continue the tradition we started so long ago and take it well into the future.”

The Keystone Classic will be held on November 20, 2022. Wrestling begins at 9:30am. Tickets are available at PRTC Keystone Classic. For more information and for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kevin McGuigan at kevin@pennsylvaniartc.org.

Jordan Burroughs Wins 7th Gold To Make History

2022-09-21

Community and legacy are on his mind after record setting performance.

Philadelphia, Pa. – Last weekend, the PRTC’s Jordan Burroughs became the first American wrestler to win seven gold medals at the World/Olympic level. Surpassing Six Time Gold Medalists Adeline Gray and John Smith, Burroughs has become, arguably, the greatest of all time in USA wrestling history.

For the second year in a row, Burroughs defeated Mohammad Nokhodilarimi of Iran. Behind 1-0 after the first period, Burroughs quickly scored a push out to tie it up. A shot to finish secured a takedown giving him a 3-1 lead. Nokhodilarimi pushed back with a late step out score to close the gap but Burroughs would hold off for the 4-2 victory.

This is the second World Championship title for Burroughs since moving to Philadelphia in the Summer of 2021 to train with the PRTC.

“Philly is everything I could have ever imagined as a training location,” said Burroughs. “Great partners, amazing leadership, and a community that truly loves the sport. There has been so much encouragement from the Drexel and Penn family to help prepare me to take on the world, and to celebrate my success after victories.”

Three of Burroughs’ teammates were also in Belgrade, Serbia for the World Championships. New PRTC senior athlete Tyler Berger was Burroughs’ main training partner leading up to the event. Joey McKenna helped prepare USA 61kg Seth Gross. David McFadden traveled with the team from San Marino as 86kg Myles Amine’s training partner.

“As a team, we were all focused on maximizing Jordan and Team USA’s performance,” said PRTC Executive Director and Head Coach Brandon Slay. “Joey, Tyler, and David also benefited from being training partners and servant leaders.”

PRTC senior athletes Mark Hall and Richard Perry stayed in Philly to coach U23 and Developmental practices while the team traveled. Hall is also the volunteer assistant coach at Penn. Serving others, a core value of the PRTC, is deeply rooted in the local wrestling ecosystem.

“Jordan’s record setting performance breathes life into the entire wrestling community and way beyond,“ said Slay. “His faith, full effort, and fortitude will continue to blaze a path for wrestlers from the PRTC, Penn, Drexel, Beat the Streets Philly, and a myriad of age group wrestlers all around the greater Philadelphia area.”

The PRTC practices at both the Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania training facilities in West Philadelphia. The Beat the Streets Mentoring Center is located between the two. Burroughs lives in the city and often brings his family with him to practice. He frequently volunteers his time with the underserved youth of Beat the Streets.

“I desire the legacy of this World Championship to be tied to representation,” he said. “In a sport with many heroes, but few of color, I get to be the standard now for which all young brown men and women hope to achieve someday. It’s an honor.”

Burroughs will next compete with Team USA at the 2022 World Cup to be held in Coralville, Iowa on December 10th and 11th.

Photos by Levi Ventura

Story by Kevin McGuigan

Burroughs To Compete For Record 7th Gold Medal

2022-09-14

Jordan Burroughs begins his quest to make history at the UWW World Championships

Belgrade, Serbia – Six time World/Olympic Champion Jordan Burroughs will take to the mat on September 15th as he begins his quest to make history while competing at the UWW Senior World Championships. No other US wrestler has ever won seven gold medals at the highest level of the sport. The senior athlete representing Team USA and the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center is the returning World Champion at 79kg.

Burroughs is currently tied with John Smith and Adeline Gray for the most gold medals in US Freestyle history. Gray is the first American to win six World Championship gold medals. Burroughs has won five World and one Olympic gold medals.

Training has gone well for Burroughs who moved to Philadelphia from Nebraska a little over a year ago. “I’m able to train with some great partners while being close to my family and friends,” says Burroughs, who grew up in the Philly area but moved to Nebraska for college. “It’s been amazing in Philadelphia. In just a year, I have made two world teams and now I have the chance to break the all time record.”

Burroughs brought his new teammate, Tyler Berger, with him to Serbia as a training partner. Berger, a fellow Nebraska grad, has been mentored by Burroughs throughout his collegiate and senior level career.

“Tyler’s a great partner,” says PRTC Head Coach Brandon Slay. “We appreciate his full effort and commitment to helping Jordan.” Berger was on his way to Philadelphia when he got the call to become Burroughs’ training partner. He changed travel plans and made his way to the Team USA training camp to help his friend.

With less than twenty four hours until competition begins, Slay had this to say about Burroughs, “He’s ready.”

The World Championships run from September 10-18. Burroughs will begin competition on Thursday, September 15th. All matches will be streamed live on Flowrestling. There is a six hour time difference. The 79kg matches will begin at 4:30am EST. The finals will begin at noon on Friday, September 16th. Click here for the live stream. Stay connected to the PRTC social media accounts for updates.

Photos by Levi Ventura

Story by Kevin McGuigan