Levi Haines Accepts 79 kg Men’s Freestyle Berth at 2026 Final X, Presented by Kerberos Capital Management

2025 World silver medalist Levi Haines (Bellefonte, Pa./Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC) has accepted his automatic bid to 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, and will battle for the men’s freestyle 79 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

In 2025, Haines reached the podium for the first time in his international career, earning three medals at World and Continental Championships. He finished as the runner-up at the Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, a result that automatically qualified him for Final X. He also won U23 golds at the World Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia, and the Pan American Championships in Queretaro, Mexico.

In March, Haines won his second NCAA title for Penn State, becoming a four-time NCAA All-American in the process. He was a U17 World Team member in 2021.

Rodriguez, Nwachukwu Repeat In U23 Division, Turner Named OW at USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals

SPOKANE, Washington – Senior World Team members Cristelle Rodriguez and Adaugo Nwachukwu secured repeat titles in the U23 division with dominant performances in the finals on Sunday afternoon at the 2026 USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals.

An instant classic best-of-three series took place between 2024 U23 World champion Sage Mortimer and two-time U17 World champion Morgan Turner at 50 kg. It was a punishing series from a physicality standpoint, and points were aplenty. Mortimer appeared in control with a 14-5 win in round one. However, Turner stole the momentum and won the next two rounds by decision, 9-9 and 12-9.Turner was named Outstanding Wrestler in the U23 division, an honor she also collected in the U20 division on Friday.

Four Returning Champs Make U23 Semifinals at USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals

The U23 women’s freestyle semifinals are set after Saturday’s action at the 2026 USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals, with returning champions and U23 World Team members Cristelle Rodriguez (53 kg), Elena Ivaldi (55 kg), Alexis Janiak (59 kg) and Adaugo Nwachukwu (62 kg) still in the mix for repeats.

The USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals conclude at 10 a.m. (PT) on Sunday with the remaining rounds of the U23 and U17 tournaments.  

Leydecker, Robinson Repeat, Turner Named OW in U20 Division at USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals

SPOKANE, Washington – The first of three age-group U.S. World Teams has been established in women’s freestyle following an exciting morning session at the 2026 USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals.

Everest Leydecker and Jasmine Robinson were repeat winners in the U20 division, with Morgan Turner bringing home the Outstanding Wrestler award. Leydecker and Robinson are past U20 World champions, while Turner has a pair of U17 World titles to her name. 

The 10 U20 champions from Spokane have qualified to compete for Team USA at the 2026 U20 World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, this August. 

Kyle Snyder Accepts 97 kg Men’s Freestyle Berth at 2026 Final X, Presented by Kerberos Capital Management

Four-time World champion and Olympic champion Kyle Snyder (Bellefonte, Pa./Nittany Lion WC/Titan Mercury WC) has accepted his automatic bid to 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, and will compete for the men’s freestyle 97 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 

Snyder won his fourth World title in Zagreb, Croatia, last year, tying National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member John Smith in second-place all-time for men’s freestyle World titles won by an American, two shy of Jordan Burroughs’ record six World gold medals. Snyder's 2025 World title automatically qualified him for Final X. 

U20 World Champs Leydecker, Robinson Dominate Day 1 of USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals

SPOKANE, Washington – Day one is in the book at the 2026 USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals, with an exciting batch of quarterfinals now set in the U20 division. 

Six members of last year’s U20 World Team remain in contention for a repeat bid—Abbi Cooper at 53 kg, Everest Leydecker at 55 kg, Haylie Jaffe at 62 kg, Daniella Nugent at 68 kg, Jasmine Robinson at 72 kg and Naomi Simon at 76 kg. 

Iron Monk, OWrestle.com Make Generous Donation to Hall of Fame

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame would like to thank Iron Monk Brewing Company and OWrestle.com for their generous $2,000 donation from the proceeds of their inaugural Wrestling Week, held in conjunction with the NCAA Wrestling Championships. 

As part of Wrestling Week, Iron Monk released Pinner’s Choice to honor NCAA champion Wyatt Hendrickson, joining its original wrestling-themed beer, Low Single Leg, which pays tribute to Hall of Fame Distinguished Member John Smith. 

Trent Hidlay Accepts 92 kg Men’s Freestyle Berth at 2026 Final X, Presented by Kerberos Capital Management

Reigning World champion Trent Hidlay (Raleigh, N.C./Wolfpack RTC/Titan Mercury WC) has accepted his automatic bid to 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, and will battle for the men’s freestyle 92 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 

Hidlay was a force at the 2025 World Championships en route to claiming the gold medal at 92kg, which automatically qualified him for Final X.

Hidlay was a four-time NCAA All-American and two-time NCAA finalist for North Carolina State, where he currently trains full-time. He also owns two age-group World medals—bronze from the 2019 U20 Worlds and silver from the 2022 U23 Worlds.