The 2025 U23 Nationals wrapped up at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, where the next generation of freestyle wrestling talent put their skills on display. From gritty comebacks to dominant tech falls, the finals delivered high-level action across all ten weight classes.
🥇 U23 Men’s Freestyle National Champions
57 kg – Mason Ziegler (LVWR)
Lehigh’s Mason Ziegler went undefeated and captured the 57 kg title with a pair of hard-fought wins over Daniel Guanajuato (JWC), earning decisions of 6-4 and 5-3.
61 kg – Nic Bouzakis (ORTM)
Bouzakis left no doubt in the 61 kg finals, picking up technical fall wins over Jett Strickenberger (BFWA) by scores of 16-5 and 15-4.
65 kg – Vince Cornella (SCRT)
Cornella was explosive in the 65 kg finals, rolling to a 16-5 tech fall in match one and then earning a fall in just 49 seconds over Evan Mougalian (PERT).
70 kg – Josh Edmond (TSWC)
In a competitive series, Edmond topped Drew Roberts (MIRT) with back-to-back decisions, 8-4 and 8-6.
74 kg – Michael Caliendo (HWC)
Caliendo dropped the first bout to Daniel Cardenas (CART) but roared back with dominant 7-2 and 14-6 wins to lock up the 74 kg crown.
79 kg – Beau Mantanona (CKWC)
After splitting the first two matches against Nicco Ruiz (AWC), Mantanona sealed the deal with a statement 11-0 technical fall.
86 kg – Rocco Welsh (NLTM)
Welsh handled business at 86 kg, defeating Jaxon Smith (DMRT) in straight matches, 4-2 and 6-3, using crisp positioning and patient offense.
92 kg – Gavin Nelson (MIRT)
Nelson bounced back from a match-one loss to Luke Geog (ORTM) with a dominant 14-3 technical fall and a 4-2 decision in the third to secure the title.
97 kg – Garavous Kouekabakilaho (VWCI)
Kouekabakilaho overwhelmed Thomas Dineen (JWC) in both bouts, recording consecutive 10-0 technical falls to win the 97 kg championship.
125 kg – Daniel Herrera (CRTC)
Herrera wrapped up the heavyweight title with a 6-3 decision, followed by a 10-0 tech fall over Crew Howard (NGEW).
📊 U23 Nationals Finals – Full Results
| Weight | Champion | Runner-Up | Series Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57 kg | Mason Ziegler (LVWR) | Daniel Guanajuato (JWC) | 6-4, 5-3 |
| 61 kg | Nic Bouzakis (ORTM) | Jett Strickenberger (BFWA) | 16-5, 15-4 (TF) |
| 65 kg | Vince Cornella (SCRT) | Evan Mougalian (PERT) | 16-5 (TF), Fall 0:49 |
| 70 kg | Josh Edmond (TSWC) | Drew Roberts (MIRT) | 8-4, 8-6 |
| 74 kg | Michael Caliendo (HWC) | Daniel Cardenas (CART) | 15-8, 2-7, 14-6 |
| 79 kg | Beau Mantanona (CKWC) | Nicco Ruiz (AWC) | 13-2 (TF), 2-8, 11-0 (TF) |
| 86 kg | Rocco Welsh (NLTM) | Jaxon Smith (DMRT) | 4-2, 6-3 |
| 92 kg | Gavin Nelson (MIRT) | Luke Geog (ORTM) | 4-7, 14-3 (TF), 4-2 |
| 97 kg | Garavous Kouekabakilaho (VWCI) | Thomas Dineen (JWC) | 10-0 (TF), 10-0 (TF) |
| 125 kg | Daniel Herrera (CRTC) | Crew Howard (NGEW) | 6-3, 10-0 (TF) |