15 wrestlers to compete for United States at Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia
by Taylor Miller, USA Wrestling
Photo by USA Wrestling.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The United States is sending a 15-wrestler roster full of talent to the inaugural Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia. Wrestling action takes place Dec. 1-4, which fans can watch live here.
The event will feature the 18 Olympic weight classes across the three Olympic styles. In order to qualify a weight, countries had to produce a top-eight finish in the category at the Junior Pan American Championships earlier this summer. The United States qualified all six in men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman, while securing five spots in women’s freestyle. However, due to late roster changes, the U.S. will only send three athletes in women’s freestyle.
Competing in men’s freestyle is 2018 Cadet World silver medalist and 2021 Junior World Team member Richard Figueroa (57 kg), 2021 Cadet Pan Am champion Peter Casale Jr. (97 kg), Fargo All-Americans Cody Chittum (65 kg) and Rocco Welsh (74 kg) as well as 2021 UWW Junior Nationals All-Americans Sam Wolf (86 kg) and Matthew Cover (125 kg). They will be coached by National assistant coach Joe Russell and Jeff Buxton.
In Greco-Roman, 2021 Junior World Team members Dominic Damon (67 kg), Matthew Singleton (77 kg) and Kodiak Stephens (87 kg) lead the team alongside 2018 Cadet World Teamer Phillip Moomey (60 kg) as well as UWW Junior Nationals All-Americans Cameron Dubose (97 kg) and Eli Pannell (130 kg). Greco will be coached by National head coach Matt Lindland and Herb House.
Heading up the women’s freestyle squad is 2021 Junior World champion and U23 World bronze medalist Kylie Welker (76 kg). She is joined by UWW Junior Nationals runner-up Aliyah Yates (62 kg) and UWW Junior Nationals third-place finisher Viktorya Torres (68 kg). Coaching the women is Emma Randall and Nazar Kulchytskyy.
Below is the schedule for this week’s competition. USA Wrestling will update with draws and results as they become available.
2021 JUNIOR PAN AMERICAN GAMES
Cali, Colombia | Dec. 1-Dec. 4
Schedule (shown in U.S. ET)
Wednesday, Dec. 1
9 a.m. – Qualification rounds (GR 60, 67, 77, 87, 97, 130)
4:30 p.m. – Finals (GR 60, 67, 77, 87, 97, 130)
Thursday, Dec. 2
10 a.m. – Qualification rounds (WFS 50, 53, 57)
4:30 p.m. – Finals (WFS 50, 53, 57)
Friday, Dec. 3
10 a.m. – Qualification rounds (WFS 62, 68, 76; MFS 57, 65)
4:30 p.m. – Finals (WFS 62, 68, 76; MFS 57, 65)
Saturday, Dec. 4
10 a.m. – Qualification rounds (MFS 74, 86, 97, 125)
4:30 p.m. – Finals (MFS 74, 86, 97, 125)