PRTC Wrestling

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.

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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!

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

PRTC Launches World Championships Silent Auction

2022-09-14

Autographed photos and fan packs up for bid and raffle as Jordan Burroughs and Team USA compete in Serbia.

Philadelphia, Pa – In an effort to raise awareness of their mission to enrich lives locally and globally through the sport of wrestling, the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center has launched a silent auction during the UWW World Championships this week. Autographed photos of the Senior Athletes and fan gift packs will be offered for bid and raffle until Sunday, September 19th at 9pm.

Gina Perry, wife of PRTC Senior Athlete Richard Perry, has organized the fundraising event through Click Bid, an online auction site. “Obviously, I’m a big fan of the PRTC!” says Perry. “I know there are a lot of other PRTC fans out there who would want an autographed photo of their favorite wrestler. Plus, the fan packs are pretty awesome as well!”

The online auction aligns with the PRTC’s Ambassador Campaign which started in 2021 as a means to raise funds for the 501c3 non-profit organization.

The Ambassador Campaign is a fundraising effort to help further expand the PRTC’s impact. The goal is to raise an additional $1,000,000 over the next 5 years for the PRTC. The campaign committee chose the title “Ambassador Campaign” as a tribute to Benjamin Franklin and what he represented as a treasured American icon.

The additional income from the Ambassador Campaign will help the PRTC continue to support the senior athletes with training, housing, sustainable income, injury prevention care, and healthcare insurance coverage. With increased funding, the PRTC will be able to expand its reach in helping to develop future leaders through developmental training, community outreach, and coaching initiatives.

The World Championships will be held from September 10-18. PRTC Senior Athlete Jordan Burroughs is competing for Team USA at 79kg and is on pace to break the US record of six World/Olympic Gold Medals. Winning in Serbia will put Burroughs on top with seven. He is currently tied with US legends John Smith and Adeline Gray.

The link for the PRTC World Championship Silent Auction can be found here.

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