Jace Koelzer named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week presented by Air Force Special Warfare

Jace Koelzer (Edmond, Okla./Position Wrestling) has been named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by Air Force Special Warfare, on December 10, 2025.

Koelzer, who trains out of Edmond, Okla., under Olympian Sam Hazewinkel, won four bouts in a five-man round-robin bracket on his way to the 60 kg gold medal at the 2025 Haparanda Cup held at Haparanda Aspen Arena in Haparanda, Sweden.  

Three of Koelzer’s wins came by shutout technical fall wins over Swedish opponents—Mark Loitto, Julius Kingberg and Pontius Stahl. His lone match to go to decision was a 4-1 victory over silver medalist Alyosha Iliev of Bulgaria, who recently won silver at the Haavisto Cup.

In 2025, Koelzer was sixth in the Greco-Roman World Team Trials at the CLAW U.S. Open while representing Bear Cave Wrestling Club. He competed collegiately at Northern Colorado and Oklahoma, becoming an NCAA qualifier at both schools.

On the USA Wrestling age-group side, Koelzer earned top-eight finishes at the U23 World Team Trials in both Greco-Roman and freestyle, and took fifth at the 2021 U23 Nationals in freestyle. Additionally, he placed fourth at the 2019 U20 Nationals in Greco-Roman.

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