2023 U.S. U17 Men’s Freestyle World Team biographies

Zack Ryder (USA) competing in the 2021 U17 World Championships. Photo by Martin Gabor, United World Wrestling.

45 kg: Ignacio Villasenor, Longmont, Colorado (Pomona Elite WC)

Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 2 at 106

2023 U17 Nationals champion… 2023 U15 Nationals champion… 2023 Colorado U15 state freestyle champion… 2022 Colorado 14U state freestyle champion… 2021 Pan American U17 champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Third in 2021 U15 Nationals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman… Homeschooled, but will attend Pomona High School this year… Born: May 9, 2008… Age: 15

48 kg: Paul Kenny, Bayville, New Jersey

Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 1 at 106

2023 U17 Nationals champion… 2023 New Jersey state folkstyle champion… 2022 14U Nationals Duals All-Tournament Team in freestyle… Second in 2022 Northeast 14U Regionals in Greco-Roman and eighth in freestyle… Second in 2021 14U Nationals in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… 2021 Southeast 14U Regional champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman… 2021 Northeast 14U Regional Greco-Roman champion and fourth in freestyle… Will be a freshman at Christian Brothers… Born: February 15, 2008… Age: 15

51 kg: Christian Castillo, Glendale, Arizona (Thorobred WC)

Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 1 at 113

2023 U17 Nationals champion in freestyle… 2022 U17 World silver medalist in freestyle… Eighth in 2022 U17 World Championships in Greco-Roman… 2022 Pan American U17 champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… 2022 U17 Nationals champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Second in 2021 16U Nationals in freestyle… Third in 2021 U15 Nationals in Greco-Roman and seventh in freestyle… 2021 Western Regionals 16U champion in freestyle and second in Greco-Roman… Second in Brian Keck Preseason Middle School Nationals… 2019 Western Regionals 14U champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Will be a senior at Valiant College Prep… Age: January 11, 2006… Age: 17

55 kg: Marcus Blaze, Perrysburg, Ohio (Perrysburg WC)

Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 1 at 126, No. 28 in Pound-For-Pound

2023 U17 Nationals champion… 2022 16U Nationals champion… 2022 Central Regional 16U freestyle champion… Fourth in 2021 16U Nationals in freestyle… Third in 2021 Central 16U Regionals in freestyle… 2021 U15 Nationals freestyle champion and fourth in Greco-Roman… Fourth in 2019 U14 Nationals in freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman… Will be a junior at Perrysburg High School… Two-time Ohio state champion…. 2023 Ohio state champion as a sophomore at 120 pounds… 2022 Ohio state champion as a freshman at 113 pounds…. 2021 Walsh Ironman champion… Born: November 23, 2006… Age: 16

60 kg: Ben Davino, South Elgin, Illinois (St. Charles WC)

Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 3 at 132, No. 14 in Pound-For-Pound

2023 U17 Nationals champion… 2022 16U Nationals champion… 2022 16U National Duals All-Tournament Team in freestyle… Third in 2022 U17 Nationals in freestyle… 2022 Illinois 16U state freestyle champion… 2021 U15 Nationals champion… Will be a senior at St. Charles East High School… Three-time Illinois state champion…2023 Illinois state champion at 126 pounds as a junior… 2022 Illinois state champion at 120 pounds as a sophomore… 2021 Illinois state champion at 113 pounds as a freshman… Born July 24, 2006… Age: 17

65 kg: Brock Mantanona, Bermuda Dunes, California (Coachella Valley WC)

Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 7 at 145

2023 U17 Nationals champion… 2022 16U Nationals champion… Second in 2021 16U Nationals in freestyle… Fourth in 2021 U15 Nationals in freestyle… Member of 2021 California 16U Nationals Duals team… 2020 Brian Keck Preseason Nationals champion (High School grades 9-10)…. Will be a senior at Palm Desert High School… Second in 2023 California state championships at 138 pounds… 2022 California state champion at 126 pounds… Competed at 120 pounds in high school in 2021… Born: February 28, 2006… Age: 17

71 kg: Ladarion Lockett, Stillwater, Oklahoma (Cowboy WC)

Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 4 at 152

2023 U17 Nationals champion… 2022 16U Nationals champion…. Third in 2022 U17 Nationals in freestyle… 2021 U15 Nationals champion in both styles… Will be a junior at Stillwater High School…. Two-time Oklahoma state champion… 2023 Oklahoma state champion at 157 pounds as a sophomore… 2022 Oklahoma state champion at 145 pounds as a freshman … 2022 Walsh Ironman champion… Born: January 9, 2006… Age: 17

80 kg: Zack Ryder, Westtown, New York (M2 Training Center)

Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 2 at 182, No. 6 Pound-For-Pound

2023 U17 Nationals champion…. 2022 U17 World bronze medalist in freestyle… 2022 U17 Nationals champion… 2021 16U Nationals champion…. Will be a senior at Minisink Valley High School… Three-time New York state champion…. 2023 New York Div. I state champion at 189 pounds as a junior… 2022 New York state champion at 160 pounds as a sophomore….2020 New York state champion at 126 pounds in eighth grade… Second in the 2019 New York state meet at 106 pounds in seventh grade… 2021 Walsh Ironman champion…. Born: April 17, 2006… Age: 17

92 kg: Aeoden Sinclair, Edgerton, Wisconsin (Askren Wrestling Academy)

Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 4 at 195, No. 26 in Pound-For-Pound

2023 U17 Nationals champion… 2022 16U Nationals champion… 2022 16U National Duals All-Tournament Team in freestyle… 2022 Northern Plains 16U freestyle champion… 2022 Wisconsin 16U freestyle champion… Third in 2022 U17 Nationals in freestyle… Second in 2022 National Recruiting Showcase… 2021 Brian Keck Preseason Nationals High School 9-10 grade champion… Third in 2021 16U Nationals in freestyle… 2021 U15 Nationals champion in both styles… 2021 16U Nationals folkstyle champion…Third in 2021 National Recruiting Showcase… 2021 Wisconsin 16U champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman… Will be a senior at Milton High School…Two-time Wisconsin state champion… 2023 Wisconsin state champion as a junior at 220 pounds… 2022 Wisconsin state champion as a sophomore at 182 pounds… Third in the 2021 Wisconsin state championships as a freshman at 152 pounds … Born: January 6, 2006… Age: 17

110 kg: Sampson Stillwell, Centerview, Missouri (Kobra Kai Training)

Current FloWrestling Ranking: No. 13 at 285

2023 U17 Nationals champion in freestyle and third in Greco-Roman… 2022 16U Nationals champion in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle… 2022 16U Duals All-Tournament Team in both styles… Second in 2022 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman and sixth in freestyle…2022 Missouri 16U state champion in both styles… Seventh in 2021 U17 Nationals in Greco-Roman and eighth in freestyle… 2020 Brian Keck Preseason Nationals Middle School champion… Will be a junior at St. Michael the Archangel High School… 2023 Missouri state champion at 285 pounds as a sophomore… 2022 Missouri state champion at 285 pounds as a freshman… Born: May 13, 2006… Age: 17