Payton Jacobson named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare

Payton Jacobson (Marquette, Mich./NMU-National Training Center) has been named the USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, on April 30, 2025.

Jacobson won the best-of-three series at 87 kg on Saturday at the 2025 Senior Greco-Roman World Team Trials as part of the CLAW U.S. Open Championships. Jacobson defeated two-time Senior World Team member Spencer Woods two matches to one in an electric series.

In match one, Jacobson, a 2024 Olympian and three-time age-group World Team member, secured a series lead with a 5-1 victory over Woods.

Jacobson was hit for passivity early in the first period, giving Woods a 1-0 lead. Unable to generate any offense in par terre, the pair were called back to neutral. In the second, Jacobson made it an even score after Woods was called for passivity. Jacobson tallied four points with two turns, widening the gap and ultimately winning 5-1.

Match two went to Woods as he fought back hard, evening the series with a 6-5 win over Jacobson. Woods forced a third match, which would ultimately decide the athlete that will represent Team USA in Croatia in late September.

In round three, Jacobson captured a 7-5 victory that was decided in the final 90 seconds. Jacobson hit a body lock on the edge for four points, and a lost challenge from the Army WCAP corner pushed the score to 7-5. This is Jacobson’s first Senior World Team after making his first Olympic team in 2024.

To nominate a wrestler for this honor please email the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments, and career accolades to communications@usawrestling.org.