Rodriguez, Nwachukwu Headline Record-Setting 2026 USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals Field

SPOKANE, Wash. – The top women’s wrestling prospects across the country descend upon The Podium in Spokane, Washington, this week for the 2026 USA Wrestling Women’s Nationals, and the field of competitors is as talented as ever.  

A record number of participants are expected to grace the mats in Spokane, with U.S. World Team and U.S. Pan American Team berths up for grabs in the United World Wrestling age-group divisions, plus national titles being determined in the USA Wrestling youth divisions. 

This year will feature a couple of firsts. The event has expanded to a four-day format, which is intended to give athletes vying for multiple World Team selections added flexibility. Additionally, the youth divisions (14U and below) will offer a Greco-Roman division. 

Zahid Valencia Accepts 86 kg Men’s Freestyle Berth at 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management

Reigning World champion Zahid Valencia (Stillwater, Okla./Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC), who was the California and National winner of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2015, has accepted his automatic bid to 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, and will battle for the men’s freestyle 86 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 

Valencia completed one of the most dominant seasons in USA Wrestling history in 2025, culminating with a gold medal at the Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, which automatically qualified him for Final X. It will be his fifth Final X appearance.

Real Woods Accepts 65 kg Men’s Rreestyle Berth at 2026 Final X, Presented by Kerberos Capital Management

2025 World bronze medalist Real Woods (Ann Arbor, Mich./Cliff Keen 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 65 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Woods was one of the top stories for Team USA last year, particularly due to his rapid rise up the ranks. He went on a remarkable run from a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Open in April all the way to a bronze medal at the Senior World Championships in September, which earned him an automatic berth to Final X.

Helen Maroulis Accepts 57 kg Women’s Freestyle Berth at 2026 Final X, Presented by Kerberos Capital Management

Reigning World champion Helen Maroulis (Scottsdale, Ariz./Titan Mercury WC) has accepted her automatic bid to 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, and will battle for the women’s freestyle 57 kg spot on the 2026 U.S. World Team. Final X is set for Friday, June 19 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

One of the most decorated U.S. wrestlers of all-time, Maroulis added to her legacy last September in Zagreb, Croatia, by standing atop the podium at the 2025 Senior World Championships, earning her fourth World title and eighth overall World medal. She became the seventh American across all Olympic wrestling styles to win a fourth World title. This gold medal automatically qualified Maroulis for Final X.

NWCA Announces NCAA D1 Men's Team Scholar Award Winners

The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) proudly announces the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Team Scholar All-America Awards.

Arizona State University claimed the top spot with an impressive team GPA of 3.689827, showcasing the program's strong commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. A record number of teams had a GPA over 3.0 this season.

U.S. Greco-Roman Wins Seven Gold Medals, Team Title at U17 Pan American Championships

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Team USA capped off the sweep of the Olympic discipline team titles at the 2026 U17 Pan American Championships behind seven gold medals for 230 total points in Greco-Roman at Centro de Alto Rendimiento Luis Tejada.

The 230 points from the U.S. were 89 points ahead of second-place Mexico. Puerto Rico rounded out the top three with 111 points.

Each of Team USA’s gold medalists on Saturday finished as double Pan American champions. Rylen Wax, Lucas Forman, Evan Restivo, Cooper Mathews, Ryder Schulte, Salah Tsarni and Lucas Feuerbach all won gold in both Greco-Roman and freestyle.

Steve Combs Remembers Fellow Distinguished Members Bobby Douglas, J Robinson

Editor’s Note:
Steve Combs served as executive director of the United States Wrestling Federation beginning in 1974 and later played a key role in the formation of USA Wrestling. A Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (1985), Combs offers a personal reflection on fellow honorees Bobby Douglas and J Robinson. 

Gutierrez, Hruby Win Beach Wrestling Gold at U17 Pan American Championships

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Aubree Gutierrez and Matilda Hruby closed out the 2026 U17 Pan American Championships as double gold medalists after capturing championships during Sunday’s beach wrestling competition at Ciudad Deportiva Irving Saladino.

Coming off gold medal performances in women’s freestyle on Friday, Gutierrez and Hruby found success in the sand, going unbeaten. Hruby picked up three wins at 75 kg and blanked her opponents to claim gold. At 55 kg, Gutierrez went 4-0 and outscored her opponents 14-2.