Several interesting match-ups will headline the afternoon session as the United States moves closer to selecting the remainder of the roster that will compete for a World title in their own country.
The 2026 U23 National Championships began at 10:00am local time from the SPIRE Arena in Geneva, Ohio and is streaming live on FLOWrestling.
’25 Senior World Team member and multi-time age-group World competitor Max Black (60 kg, NYAC/NTS) is set to battle last year’s U23 National champ in this weight category, Rhett Peak (Position). Black went largely untouched through the first session as he collected four shutout VSU’s. Peak, meanwhile, did have to fight it out on a pair of occasions, in particular against Marlo Clark (Indiana RTC) and Phoenix Contos (Dragon WC), respectively (and the latter of whom via criteria). But Peak then got past Saxton Scott (Central Valley RTC) by way of technical superiority to do his part in forcing a showdown that many will want to watch.
As perhaps should be no surprise, 87 kilograms (aka the best weight class in the US) has produced a compelling final, this after having also delivered more than a few entertaining matches wihin the bracket. Facing off for top honors in the afternoon will be Mike Altomer (NYAC/Curby 3-Style) and returning champ Keenan Wyatt (Knights RTC). Altomer — dubbed “Muscle Mike” back in ’23 when he doubled-up at this event by also earning the U20 World spot — is amid a career resurgence despite being still so young. And on Friday, he has competed rather effectively and efficiently. He won via fall in his opener before stringing together a pair of VSU’s; then in the semifinal, Altomer managed to score on a few timely occasions in order to decision Aydin Rix-McElHinney (Army/WCAP) 9-6. Wyatt blitzed through his first two bouts ahead of squaring off against Aliaksandr Kikiniou Jr. (NYAC), who is up all the way from 72 kg.
Wyatt trailed entering the second period but scored a pair of takedowns and ultimately prevailed 4-2. Neither Wyatt nor ’25 U20 World Team member Nick Nosler (Southern Illinois RTC) — who himself is having a strong tournament — could muster offense against one another and Wyatt was able to hang on for a 1-1 criteria decision. Altomer versus Wyatt has the potential to be quite a series as both are big-time prospects for the US program.
At 77 kilograms, Luke Ciampa (Eclipse WC) has put on one of the more impressive showings of the tournament thus far. Behind a balanced skill-set punctuated by sound, opportunistic scores, Ciampa started off on a tear with three straight VSU’s — including one at the expense of top seed Jude Randall (Southwest WC) as well as in the quarterfinal round opposed by a very tough Jake Prudek (Tiger WC). In the round-of-four, Ciampa turned back experienced TJ Schierl (TMWC/Ohio RTC) 9-5. In the finals, Ciampa will greet Michael Baldwin (West Virginia RTC), who has done an excellent job of navigating his side of the bracket with wins over the likes of Kai Simmons (NMU/NTS), Joshua Gallo, #2 seed Brendon Abdon (Broncs WC), and #3 seed Omaury Alvarez (Tar Heel WC).
The finals are schedule for 4pm ET and can be viewed live on FLOWrestling.
2026 U23 Nationals
May 29 — Geneva, OH
Best-of-3 Finals Pairings
55 kg: Aydin Thomas (Position) vs. Kenny Crosby (NYAC/NTS)
60 kg: Max Black (NYAC/NTS) vs. Rhett Peak (Position)
63 kg: Pierson Manville (Southwest WC) vs. Shane Sherrill (Tiger WC)
67 kg: Carter Stephenson (CO) vs. Gavin Weichelt (Tiger WC)
72 kg: Dominic Way (Olympia WC) vs. Bas Diaz (Jackrabbit WC)
77 kg: Luke Ciampa (Eclipse WC) vs. Michael Baldwin (West Virginia RTC)
82 kg: Adrian Artsisheuskiy (NYAC) vs. Caden Young (NYAC)
87 kg: Mike Altomer (NYAC/Curby 3-Style) vs. Keenan Wyatt (Knights WC)
97 kg: Soren Herzog (Air Force RTC) vs. Brenton Russell (West Point WC)
130 kg: Aden Attao (NYAC) vs. Lucas Stoddard (West Point WC)
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