Cohlton Schultz (left), Adeline Gray (center) and Kyle Dake (right) are among the skillful group of athletes competing at the Pan-American Championships in Acapulco, Mexico.
Strong U.S. team set to compete at Pan-American Championships in Acapulco, Mexico, Feb. 21-24
by Savannah Asmann, USA Wrestling
A talented group of 30 athletes are slated to compete at the Pan-American Championships in Acapulco, Mexico, February 21-24, 2024. Action begins with Greco-Roman, followed by women’s freestyle and men’s freestyle. This event is separate from the Pan-American Olympic Games Qualifier which is set to take place in Acapulco, Mexico, the following week.
Competition begins with Greco-Roman, featuring a tough and talented U.S. roster. Among the lineup are four Senior World Team members: Alejandro Sancho (67 kg), Kamal Bey (77 kg), Spencer Woods (87 kg), and Cohlton Schultz (130 kg). Bey and Woods secured gold at the 2023 Pan-American Championships, while Schultz earned a silver medal at the 2023 Pan-American Games.
Adding to the mix is Randon Miranda (60 kg), gearing up for his third Senior Pan-American Championships. Miranda previously clinched gold at the 2022 Pan-American Championships, building on his silver medal performance in 2021.
The roster also includes Senior National Team members Camden Russell (55 kg), Hayden Tuma (63 kg), Noah Wachsmuth (72 kg), and Alan Vera (97 kg). Wachsmuth boasts a gold medal from the 2021 U20 Pan-American Championships, while Vera brought home a bronze medal from the 87 kg category at the 2023 Senior Pan-American Championships.
Mahmoud Sebie (87 kg) recently made his debut on the international stage for the U.S., entering his first event in December 2023. Sebie secured a runner-up finish at the Senior Nationals and earned a spot in the Olympic Trials.
Women’s freestyle competition begins Thursday with six weight classes contested. Leading the charge for the U.S. are world medalists Helen Maroulis (57 kg), Kayla Miracle (62 kg), Macey Kilty (65 kg), and Adeline Gray (76 kg), forming an impressive group of contenders in Mexico.
Joining them are Senior National Team members Audrey Jimenez (50 kg) and Katie Gomez (53 kg) and Alisha Howk (55 kg), with Howk clinching a silver medal last year at the Senior Pan American Championships. Senior National Team member Brooklyn Hays (72 kg) recently made her international debut at the Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane, securing a fifth-place finish.
Adding to the lineup is Michaela Beck (59 kg), who claimed a bronze medal at the 2018 Pan-American Championships. Alexandria Glaude, the gold medalist at the 2021 Pan-American Championships, is set to compete at 68 kg in Acapulco. Glaude, also a Senior National Team member, previously earned a bronze medal at the 2018 U23 World Championships.
The men’s freestyle action kicks off on Friday with a dominant group boasting five Senior World Team members and five talented athletes slated to compete in Acapulco. Among them, World Champions Kyle Dake (74 kg) and Kyle Snyder (97 kg) will grace the mat on Friday and Saturday.
Nick Lee, a Senior World Team member at 65 kg, will compete in Acapulco at the Pan-American Championships before attempting to secure a spot for the 2024 Paris Games in the following week. Meanwhile, Mason Parris is set to compete at 125 kg after clinching gold at the 2023 Pan-American Games in Chile late last year.
Returning to international competition, Spencer Lee (57 kg) will make his debut at the Pan-American Championships. Lee, a three-time age group World Champion, has recently achieved two top finishes in 2023, including a Senior Nationals title.
Also making their Pan-American Championships debut are Nick Suriano (61 kg), Senior World Team member Chance Marsteller (86 kg), and Nate Jackson (92 kg). Suriano transitions from 57 kg to 61 kg, while Jackson has garnered medals at two international competitions in January, including a gold at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series event.
Alex Facundo (79 kg) is participating in his second senior level international tournament following a bronze medal finish at the Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane in January. Facundo brings a wealth of age-group international experience, including a gold medal finish at the U20 Pan-American Championships in 2022.
Additionally, Alec Pantaleo (70 kg) looks to continue his success after clinching the gold medal at the 2021 Pan-American Championships.
The Pan-American Championships will be live streamed on FloWrestling.com to the U.S. market. Brackets and updated results will be provided by United World Wrestling on uww.org and the UWW mobile app.
Those seeking to follow along in real time can reference the complete event schedule below. USA Wrestling will provide regular updates on TheMat.com and its social media platforms throughout the event.
SENIOR PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Acapulco, Mexico, February 21-24
U.S. Men’s freestyle roster
57 kg: Spencer Lee (Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
61 kg: Nick Suriano (Sunkist Kids)
65 kg: Nick Lee (Titan Mercury WC/Nittany Lion WC)
70 kg: Alec Pantaleo (Titan Mercury WC/ Cliff Keen WC)
74 kg: Kyle Dake (Titan Mercury WC/Nittany Lion WC)
79 kg: Alex Facundo (Titan Mercury WC/Nittany Lion WC)
86 kg: Chance Marsteller (Titan Mercury WC/NYC RTC)
92 kg: Nate Jackson (New York AC/NJRTC)
97 kg: Kyle Snyder (Titan Mercury WC/Nittany Lion WC)
125 kg: Mason Parris (Titan Mercury WC/Cliff Keen WC)
Coach: Bill Zadick
Coach: Joe Russell
Coach: Dan Dennis
Coach: Josh Churella
Coach: Reece Humphrey
Coach: Jake Varner
Coach: John Azevedo
U.S. Women’s freestyle roster
50 kg: Audrey Jimenez (Sunkist Kids)
53 kg: Katie Gomez (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg: Alisha Howk (Sunkist Kids)
57 kg: Helen Maroulis (Sunkist Kids)
59 kg: Michaela Beck (Sunkist Kids)
62 kg: Kayla Miracle (Sunkist Kids)
65 kg: Macey Kilty (Sunkist Kids)
68 kg: Alex Glaude (Titan Mercury WC/Beaver Dam RTC)
72 kg: Brooklyn Hays (Minnesota Gold WC)
76 kg: Adeline Gray (New York AC/Beaver Dam RTC)
Coach: Terry Steiner
Coach: Katie Kriebel
Coach: Anthony Leon
Coach: Geneva Gray
Coach: Lee Pritts
U.S. Greco-Roman roster
55 kg: Camden Russell (MWC Wrestling Academy)
60 kg: Randon Miranda (Greco-Roman National Team)
63 kg: Hayden Tuma (Suples)
67 kg: Alex Sancho (Army WCAP)
72 kg: Noah Wachsmuth (New York Athletic Club)
77 kg: Kamal Bey (Army WCAP)
82 kg: Mahmoud Sebie (Florida)
87 kg: Spencer Woods (Army WCAP)
97 kg: Alan Vera (New York Athletic Club)
130 kg: Cohlton Schultz (Sunkist Kids)
Coach: Herb House
Coach: Justin Ruiz
Coach: Spenser Mango
Coach: Ray Bunker
Coach: Zac Dominguez
Medical ATC: Jodi Loecke
Medical MD: Dr. Anthony Tam
Medical: Nuwanee Kirihennedige
Official: Sam Julian
Official: Susanna Sylstad
Official: Jason Babi
Official: Nick Kindred
Team Leader: Rich Tavoso
USA Wrestling Communications: Savannah Asmann
NF Secretary General: Rich Bender
NF Secretary General: Cody Bickley
NF Secretary General: Rick Tucci
Pan-American Championships Schedule
(local time, one hour behind U.S. Eastern time)
Wednesday, 2/21
10 a.m. – Qualification – GR 55 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg, 67 kg, 77 kg, 82 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg
2 p.m. – Semifinals – GR 55 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg, 67 kg, 77 kg, 82 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg
3 p.m. – Repechage – GR 55 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg, 67 kg, 77 kg, 82 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg
5 p.m. – Finals – GR 55 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg, 67 kg, 77 kg, 82 kg, 87 kg, 130 kg
Thursday, 2/22
10 a.m. – Qualification – GR 72 kg, 97 kg, WFS 50 kg, 55 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 68 kg, 72 kg
2 p.m. – Semifinals – GR 72 kg, 97 kg, WFS 50 kg, 55 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 68 kg, 72 kg
3 p.m. – Repechage – GR 72 kg, 97 kg, WFS 50 kg, 55 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 68 kg, 72 kg
5 p.m. – Finals – GR 72 kg, 97 kg, WFS 50 kg, 55 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 68 kg, 72 kg
Friday, 2/23
10 a.m. – Qualification – WFS 53 kg, 59 kg, 65 kg, 76 kg, MFS 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg
2 p.m. – Semifinals – WFS 53 kg, 59 kg, 65 kg, 76 kg, MFS 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg
3 p.m. – Repechage – WFS 53 kg, 59 kg, 65 kg, 76 kg, MFS 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg
5 p.m. – Finals – WFS 53 kg, 59 kg, 65 kg, 76 kg, MFS 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg
Saturday, 2/24
10 a.m. – Qualification – MFS 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg, 92 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg
2 p.m. – Semifinals – MFS 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg, 92 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg
3 p.m. – Repechage – MFS 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg, 92 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg
5 p.m. – Finals – MFS 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg, 92 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg
Read More#
Blades, Marsteller among group in action at Grand Prix of Spain, July 5-7 in Madrid
Talented group of athletes set to compete at Yasar Dogu in Antalya, Turkey, March 7-10
Olympic Trials Preview: Four Senior World medalists entered in top-heavy 62 kg field
Athletes set for Feb. 3 Wrestle-offs in Colorado for the 2024 Pan American Olympic Games Qualifier team