Photo courtesy of UWW- Kadir Caltskan
The United States is preparing for the upcoming U17 World Championships in Istanbul, where they have high hopes for a strong performance in men's freestyle. The team is led by two U17 World medalists from 2022, Christian Castillo and Zack Ryder. Castillo, who is from Arizona, won a silver medal in the 51 kg weight class at the U17 Worlds and also placed eighth in Greco-Roman. He is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation at 113 pounds. Ryder, from New York, won a bronze medal in the 80 kg weight class at the U17 Worlds, marking his first major international achievement.
The rest of the U.S. team consists of talented high school wrestlers who have achieved success at the national level. Ignacio Villasenor from Colorado, who will compete in the 45 kg weight class, was a 2021 Pan American U17 champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Paul Kenny from New Jersey, who will compete in the 48 kg weight class, recently claimed victory at the U17 Nationals. Marcus Blaze from Ohio, who will compete in the 55 kg weight class, is a two-time state champion and has won national titles at the U17 and 16U levels.
The remaining members of the U.S. team will be competing in their first major age-group international event but have impressive resumes in domestic competitions. Ben Davino from Illinois, Brock Mantanona from California, Ladarion Lockett from Oklahoma, Aeoden Sinclair from Wisconsin, and Sampson Stillwell from Missouri have all achieved success in the international styles and U.S. folkstyle wrestling.
The U.S. team is the reigning U17 World freestyle team champion, having won nine medals at the 2023 U17 Worlds in Rome. The team is looking to continue their success in Istanbul.
The U17 World Championships will take place in Istanbul, Turkey, with the men's freestyle competition scheduled for August 4-6. The event will be broadcast live by FloWrestling. Istanbul is seven hours ahead of the U.S. Eastern time zone.
The U.S. Men's Freestyle roster includes wrestlers from various states, with each athlete competing in a specific weight class. The team is supported by a coaching staff and officials who will guide them throughout the competition.
U.S. Men’s Freestyle roster
45 kg: Ignacio Villasenor, Longmont, Colorado (Pomona Elite WC)
48 kg: Paul Kenny, Bayville, New Jersey
51 kg: Christian Castillo, Glendale, Arizona (Thorobred WC)
55 kg: Marcus Blaze, Perrysburg, Ohio (Perrysburg WC)
60 kg: Ben Davino, South Elgin, Illinois (St. Charles WC)
65 kg: Brock Mantanona, Bermuda Dunes, California (Coachella Valley WC)
71 kg: Ladarion Lockett, Stillwater, Oklahoma (Cowboy WC)
80 kg: Zack Ryder, Westtown, New York (M2 Training Center)
92 kg: Aeoden Sinclair, Edgerton, Wisconsin (Askren Wrestling Academy)
110 kg: Sampson Stillwell, Centerview, Missouri (Kobra Kai Training)
National Freestyle Developmental Coach: James Green, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coach: Jan Franklin Rosenberg, Tiffin, Iowa
Coach: Deron Winn, Gilroy, California
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