Jackson takes out Hall, McFadden techs Joseph at the PRTC’s Summit 1 event

Photo courtesy of Justin Hoch.

The Pennsylvania Regional Training Center, alongside the Philadelphia Chapter of the Wrestlers in Business Network, hosted a thrilling evening of wrestling tonight with their Summit 1 card, which streamed live on Rokfin. The main card was composed of ten Senior-level matches and was preceded by U23 and high school level undercards.

WIBN Philadelphia Event Committee Chairman Mike Medrow is encouraged by the collaboration between the recently relaunched WIBN Philadelphia and the PRTC, and he believes bright things are on the horizon for Philadelphia’s wrestling future.

“The Philadelphia wrestling community is strong. The Wrestlers in Business Network in this area had been dormant for a few years. Jake Hunter, our Chapter Chairman, has led the way through the beginnings of our revitalization. Our Events Committee really came together while partnering with the Pennsylvania RTC for Summit 1. We know this is the beginning of great things to come in the Philadelphia region.”

In the night’s main event, 2020 Senior Nationals runner-up Nate Jackson of the NJRTC downed two-time Junior World champion Mark Hall, 4-3.

Jackson and Hall were knotted at 1-1 going into the second period after exchanging step-out points. Hall converted on a big takedown and nearly picked up exposure points to pull ahead 3-1. Jackson tightened the score with a step-out point to make it 3-2. In the final 10 seconds, Jackson converted on a takedown to claim the victory.

At 79 kg, the PRTC’s David McFadden put on a dominating performance over two-time NCAA champion Vincenzo Joseph of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. McFadden, a 2018 U23 World Team member and four-time All-American at Virginia Tech, got out to a big lead quickly, emerging on top of a scramble and locking up a trap arm gut wrench to take a 6-0 lead. McFadden kept the pressure on, leading 9-2 at the break. He picked up two takedowns early in the second period to finish off the technical fall, 13-2. McFadden’s impressive display was awarded with the night’s Outstanding Wrestler honors.

In a highly anticipated rematch, Myles Martin topped Max Dean, 4-2. The last time the pair wrestled, Dean upset Martin in the 2019 NCAA semifinals, ending his bid for a perfect season and a second NCAA title. Martin took a 1-0 lead into the second period on the strength of a step-out point. He picked up another point off of a passivity call to extend his lead to 2-0. Then, Martin countered a Dean shot, pushing his lead to 4-0. Dean picked up a set of exposure points but was not able to overcome Martin’s lead.

The main card’s sole women’s freestyle match featured Skylar Grote squaring off with 2016 Egyptian Olympian Enas Ahmed. Grote quickly pulled out to a 4-0 lead on the strength of a feet-to-back single leg takedown. However, the veteran Ahmed was not deterred, scoring three sets of exposure points off of Grote’s shots. Trailing, 6-6, on criteria, Ahmed scored late in the match on a snatch single and exposed Grote once more to earn a 10-6 win.

At 205 pounds, fan-favorite Chandler Rogers put on a show against Spartan Combat RTC’s Jonathan Loew. Leading 11-4, Rogers flexed his Greco-Roman prowess and went upper body, tossing Loew to his back for the fall.

In another entertaining bout at 97 kg, Ben Honis bested Scottie Boykin, 10-8. The pair traded takedowns back and forth until late in the second period. With 15 seconds remaining, Boykin pulled ahead on criteria, 8-8, on a hard-fought takedown. However, Honis refused to quit, scoring quickly off the whistle to ice the match.

Evan Henderson fended off up-and-comer Anthony Artalona in a 7-6 match at 150 pounds. Artalona struck first on a huge throw from double overhooks to take a 4-0 lead. Henderson converted on two takedowns before the break to even the score at four. In the second period, Artalona got in deep on a shot, only to be thwarted by a beautiful counter by Henderson, which would ultimately prove to be the difference in the match.

Mitch Finesilver also displayed late-match heroics in his 3-3 victory over Jasmit Phulka. Trailing, 3-1, Finesilver converted on a takedown with just three seconds remaining on the clock to earn the win on criteria.

At 63 kg, Shelton Mack picked up a controlled 3-2 decision over Ethan Lizak. An early double leg takedown for Mack proved to be the difference in the match. Mack scored one more point on a step-out, holding Lizak to just two step-out points of his own.

Branson Ashworth turned in a strong performance at 79 kg, recording an 8-0 victory over Dan Vallimont. Ashworth utilized a single leg takedown, scoring on three separate occasions, to pull ahead, 6-0. In the waning seconds, Ashworth added another two points with a reattack, solidifying his win.

Demetrius Thomas opened the card with a quick technical fall over Mauro Correnti at heavyweight. Thomas quickly put four points on the board with a feet to back double leg takedown. He added another takedown, a caution-and-two and finished the match off with a leg lace from par terre.

PRTC Executive Director and Head Coach Brandon Slay emphasized the importance of giving wrestlers the opportunity to compete and confirmed that fans should expect more events in the near future.

“Tonight was a fantastic night for wrestling! The PRTC Summit 1 gave many wrestlers an opportunity to compete during a challenging time. Our main motive tonight was to create matches for athletes, and I believe we did that. We faced some streaming challenges during the high school card, and I apologize for that. I’m proud we were able to work through it, and I am confident we will continue to improve for Summit 2, 3 and beyond.”

Main Card
125 kg: Demetrius Thomas (Pitt WC) TF Mauro Correnti (PRTC), 10-0
97 kg: Ben Honis (PRTC) DEC Scottie Boykin (Spartan Combat RTC), 10-8
76 kg: Mitch Finesilver (Israel) DEC Jasmit Phulka (Canada), 3-3
79 kg: Branson Ashworth (Wyoming RTC) DEC Dan Vallimont (PRTC), 8-0
63 kg: Shelton Mack (NYC RTC) DEC Ethan Lizak (PRTC), 3-1
150 lbs: Evan Henderson (Spartan Combat RTC) DEC Anthony Artalona (PRTC), 7-6
205 lbs: Chandler Rogers (Arkansas RTC) DEF Jonathan Loew (Spartan Combat RTC), FALL
71 kg: Enas Ahmed (Egypt) DEC Skylar Grote (LVWC) , 10-6
88 kg: Myles Martin (Ohio RTC) DEC Max Dean (Spartan Combat RTC), 4-2
79 kg: David McFadden (PRTC) TF Vincenzo Joseph (NLWC), 13-2
88 kg: Nate Jackson (NJRTC) DEC Mark Hall, 4-3
Main Card Outstanding Wrestler – David McFadden

U23 Card
70 kg: Kaya Sement (PRTC) DEC DaShawn Farber (Mat Town RTC), 11-5
84 kg: Tyler Stoltzfus (Mat Town RTC) TF Connor Strong (PRTC), 17-7
86 kg: Brian Bonino (NYCRTC) DEC Max Hale (PRTC), 4-2
84 kg: Neil Antrassian (PRTC) TF Michael Baker (NYCRTC), 12-1
72 kg: Doug Zapf (PRTC) TF Connor Kievman (NYCRTC), 18-8
62 kg: Dom LaJoie (Spartan Combat RTC) TF Carmen Ferrante (PRTC), 13-3
60 kg: Ryan Miller (PRTC) TF Nick Babin (NYCRTC), 17-6
191 lbs: Caira Jaynes (PA) DEC Erin Murray (PA), 19-10
125 kg: Ben Goldin (PRTC) DEC Danny Conley (NYCRTC), 4-1
62 kg: Angelo Rini (NYCRTC) DEF : Michael Colaiocco (PRTC), FALL
U23 Outstanding Wrestler – Doug Zapf

High School Card
141: Branden Palcko (BLUE) DEC Jayden Gonzales (RED), 20-11
126: Daniel Zepeda (BLUE) DEF D`Amani Almodovar (RED), FALL 1:54
147: Henry Porter (BLUE) TF Sam McMonagle (RED) 11-1
225: Mike Misita (BLUE) DEC Ryan Catka (RED), 9-5
126: Evan Mougalian (BLUE) TF Dom Findora (RED), 11-0
134: Nate Lucier (RED) TF Joey Miranda (BLUE), 10-0
162: Victor Jacinto (BLUE) TF Hunter Gandy (RED), TF 11-0
142: Ty Whalen (RED) DEC Kelly Dunnigan (BLUE), 4-3
117: Ava Bayless (RED) TF Chloe Ayres (BLUE), 10-0
145: Alex Almeyda (BLUE) DEC Kyle Hauserman (RED), Dec 9-8