The Pan American Championships’ arrival has brought along just the right start of the Olympic year for Team USA wrestling. Across three days of the showdown held in Acapulco, Mexico, the wrestling stars of the nation, have risen to top the table consistently. Now with day 3 marking its end, the US takes the lead yet again with 6 medals shining brighter by the team name.

The Expo Mundo Imperial Stadium on Friday hosted over 10 teams across 6 weight categories. And team USA ensured to charge through them all well and better.

Team USA female wrestlers under spotlight at Pan American Championships

Day 3 of the Pan American Championships witnessed a stellar showcase across 6 categories, inclusive of both men and women. After Alan Vera and Noah Wachsmuth claimed their silver and bronze and the Greco-Roman team secured their trophy, it was the Freestyle champions’ turn on Friday and the stars did not disappoint. The medal spree started with Katie Gomez for 53kg to end with Kyle Dake in the Men’s 74 kg.

The young wrestler, Katie Gomez took on a Cuban opponent to garner Team USA its first medal for the day. Ending with a technical fall, Gomez put up 10-0 on the board fetching a bronze for herself. To keep the momentum, Michaela Beck locked horns with Pereira Franca for the 59kg showdown. After dominating three previous rounds, the icon fell short by the final to clinch a silver medal with 5-0. Next up on the rack was Adeline Gray, the 6-time world wrestling champion for the 76kg category.

The two-time Olympian won by injury default mere 8 seconds into the match. The concluding result in bronze secured Gray her fifth Pan Am medal and the team a 3rd one for the day. Further along, with her win, Gray ensured all of the US women wrestlers across every weight category earned a podium finish at the 2024 Pan American Championships. And when the female wrestlers etched a reminiscing history of their own, US men ensured to continue the spree for the nation ahead.

Men’s wrestling continues the glory

The first of the men’s category to continue the momentum was led by the former NCAA champion, Nick Suriano. The 26-year-old pinned Mexico’s Lavat Cortez in the 61kg bout to clinch the first gold for the country. He was then followed by Chance Marsteller in the 86kg for a win by forfeit. Marsteller dominated two more along the way to finally triumph over Ceballos Fuentes Pedro Francisco for the gold.

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To end things on a brighter note, Kyle Dake arrived next as he dominated the 74kg category to conclude with a forfeit. In doing so, Dake secured 3rd gold for the country and a 4th consecutive title for himself. Through individual wins and through team, US wrestling is looking well on path to Paris 2024.

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