Allen Wins Golden Boot, 10 U.S. Women Medal at U20 Pan American Championships

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – The women’s freestyle competition concluded Friday at the 2026 U20 Pan American Championships inside the Physical Education Center Admiral Adalberto Nunes (CEFAN) in Rio de Janeiro. The U.S. finished the day with 10 medalists, the team title, and the Golden Boot award, presented to Molly Allen in the 57 kg weight class.

Allen, Kailey Benson, May Cuyler and Gretchen Donally are all winners of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award.

Aubree Gutierrez was unstoppable in the 53 kg bracket, pinning each of her three opponents to claim gold. Marlee Solomon (55 kg) wrapped up the day with four dominant wins—three by technical fall and one by pin. In addition to Allen, Gutierrez and Solomon, Sarissa Tucker (50 kg), Maddie Marsh (65 kg), Donally (72 kg), and Jael Miller (76 kg) also earned gold medals.

The U.S. led the team standings with 230 points after finishing the day with a 34-3 individual match record. Brazil was second with 174 points, while Canada took third with 121 points. Mexico finished fourth with 95 points, followed by Colombia in fifth with 85 points.

Attao Claims Silver, Freeman Wins Bronze at Grand Prix of Spain

MADRID, Spain – Two-time age-group World medalist Aden Attao captured silver for the U.S. during the opening day of the Grand Prix of Spain at Pabellón Central Consejo Superior de Deportes. Courtney Freeman also represented Team USA in Spain and won a bronze medal. 

Attao was the Idaho winner of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2023.

Hall of Fame Mourns Passing of Longtime Board Member Calvin Anthony

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame was saddened to learn that longtime board member and supporter Calvin Anthony passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 81. 

A public memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at the Oklahoma State University Wes Watkins Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma. 

After serving as a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors from 2005 to 2010, Anthony became a Governor’s Associate in 2011 and served in that capacity until his passing. 

U.S. Men's Freestyle Team Sweeps 10 Gold Medals at U20 Pan American Championships, Burnett Captures Golden Boot

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – The U.S. wrapped up the men’s freestyle competition at the 2026 U20 Pan American Championships on Thursday at the Physical Education Center Admiral Adalberto Nunes (CEFAN) with a perfect performance. The U.S. won gold in all 10 weight classes and piled up 250 points to claim the team title in Rio de Janeiro.

Grey Burnett was named the outstanding wrestler and received the Golden Boot after going 4-0 in the 57 kg division without surrendering a point. Vince Bouzakis and Michael Boyle recorded the only pins of the day for the U.S.

The U.S. finished 35-0 across all 10 weight classes, with 30 technical falls, two pins and three decisions. Burnett, Boyle, Ryan Burton (79 kg), Brock Mantanona (86 kg), who was the California winner of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2024, and Jimmy Mastny (92 kg) each went 4-0 on the way to gold.

Hall of Fame Calls for Class of 2027 Nominations

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for the Class of 2027, which will be inducted during the annual Honors Weekend on June 4 and June 5, 2027 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

U.S. Brackets Finalized for 2026 U20 Pan American Championships

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – United World Wrestling has released the brackets for men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman at the 2026 U20 Pan American Championships, set for Thursday—Sunday at the Physical Education Center Admiral Adalberto Nunes (CEFAN) in Rio de Janeiro. The three Olympic styles will be contested July 9-11, followed by beach wrestling on July 12.

Women's freestyle competitors Molly Allen, Kailey Benson, May Cuyler and Gretchen Donally are all winners of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award while Brock Mantanona is a Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner.

NWCA Executive Director Moyer Named 2026 All-American Icon

WASHINGTON, D.C. - National Wrestling Coaches Association Executive Director Mike Moyer was recognized as an All-American Icon Honoree at the official All-American Icon Awards presentation, held during the Countdown 250 Ball at the Washington Hilton on July 3. Moyer received the Order of Merit award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Virginia Chapter of the Hall of Fame in 2010.

It was the inaugural presentation of the awards honoring iconic Americans whose achievements, talent, and influence have helped shape the American story.

Other wrestling honorees celebrated for their impact on and off the mat were Jordan Burroughs and Sally Roberts, who received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Washington Chapter of the Hall of Fame in 2026. were part of a broader class of All-American Icons.

Upstate New York Chapter June 2026 Newsletter

Upstate New York Chapter May June 2026 Newsletter