Ben Davino named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare

Ben Davino (South Elgin, Ill./Ohio State) has been named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, on November 19, 2025.

The redshirt freshman Buckeye announced himself on the 133-pound scene with a dynamic 4-0 outing at the 2025 National Duals Invitational held over the weekend at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.

Davino jumped from No. 9 to No. 3 in the 133-pound WIN Magazine national rankings following the major national event that saw Ohio State claim top prize over a stellar field of teams. In the preliminary rounds, Davino earned technical fall wins over David Saenz of Wyoming and Chris Cannon of Minnesota, plus a major decision win against Omar Ayoub of Nebraska. Davino’s signature win of the event was a 10-4 decision over two-time NCAA finalist Drake Ayala of Iowa, who held the No. 2 ranking at the time of the match, in the tournament finals.

Davino is off to a 10-0 start for the season with five technical falls and a major decision to his credit. He posted a 14-1 record during his redshirt year in 2024-25, with first-place finishes at the Clarion Open and the Franklin and Marshall Open, in addition to a third-place outing at the Midlands Championships.

On the freestyle circuit, Davino has been a top competitor on the national level. He was fourth at the 2025 CLAW U.S. Senior Open and holds multiple high placements at the U20 World Team Trials—fourth in 2025 and second in 2024. Davino was a member of the 2023 U17 World Team that competed in Istanbul, Türkiye.  

Davino was a four-time Illinois high school state champion at St. Charles East High School. He won the 2022 USA Wrestling 16U Nationals in freestyle, an annual event held in Fargo, N.D.

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