Atreus Wrestling RTC, Rising Sun WC and State 48 Wrestling to lead Arizona wrestling into the future

2024 marked the final year of the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club, founded by Hall of Fame legend Art Martori in 1976 and one of the most successful wrestling organizations on the earth. Martori, who wrestled at Arizona State, built a national wrestling club based in Arizona, which went on to develop numerous Olympic and World champions and medalists in the international styles and had a huge impact on all levels of wrestling in Arizona.  

Arizona State’s wrestling program will continue the legacy of the Sunkist Kids with the creation of three organizations, working together, designed to increase efficiency, build community affinity, and provide world class resources in the valley and around the world.

ASU Wrestling and its partnership with Atreus Wrestling RTC, Rising Sun WC, and State 48 Wrestling will continue to provide cutting edge, state-of-the-art, elite athlete support, including strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, sports science and medical support. 

Atreus Wrestling Regional Training Center (RTC)

Atreus Wrestling RTC will sponsor elite athletes who want to become the best in the world. Atreus will continue to fund and support world class athletes at the domestic and international level and provide them elite support through regular training and competition. Atreus will continue do the same thing that the Sunkist Kids always did, help wrestlers become the best in the world by providing them the support needed to win World and Olympic medals. Atreus RTC is geared towards LA 2028.

The Atreus Wrestling RTC is proudly located on the campus of Arizona State University within the ASU Wrestling Room. Its mission is to support and elevate collegiate and senior-level wrestlers who are dedicated to achieving excellence on both national and international stages.

The coaching staff for the Atreus Wrestling RTC includes the current coaches with Arizona State wrestling, head coach Zeke Jones, Assistant Coach Lee Pritts, Assistant Coach Frank Molinaro and Assistant Coach Eric Thompson. The coaching staff will evolve as Atreus RTC moves forward.

Current elite athletes currently included on the Atreus Wrestling RTC roster include World bronze medalist Zahid Valencia, World Team member Cohlton Schultz, plus Richard Figueroa, Brandon Courtney, Kaleb Larkin, Aziz Fayzullaev and Josh Shields.

There will be RTC practices for local high school athletes who meet performance criteria as established through the USA Wrestling Regional Training Center regulations. More details are available on the Atreus Wrestling RTC website.

Atreus Wrestling RTC website

Rising Sun Wrestling Club at ASU

Rising Sun Wrestling Club is an extension of the excellence built at Arizona State University poured out into the Tempe/Phoenix community. Led by former Sun Devil wrestler Josh Shields, who serves as club director, and the current coaching staff at Arizona State University, the club provides expertise to the next generation of World and Olympic Champs, National Champs and All-Americans. The club will utilize the hotbed of current Sun Devil coaches, athletes, and alumni at Arizona State University to provide one of the best well-rounded and coached kids clubs in the nation.

The Rising Sun WC will serve as developmental wrestling club for grades K-12, serving beginners through advanced youth and high school wrestlers. The main training location will be at the Riches Wrestling Complex at ASU, home of the Sun Devil Wrestling team. This will be a tremendous advantage for wrestlers of all ages to come to a university environment and take advantage of all its educational and sports resources.   The program is designed to connect with the entire Arizona community, and beyond, so that RSWC can introduce and share the sport of wrestling locally, statewide, regionally, and the national level.

Rising Sun Wrestling Club website

State 48 Wrestling

State 48 Wrestling is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3), established by long-standing supporters of Arizona wrestling that include local business leaders as well as alumni and friends. It is an independent organization that raises money for Arizona wrestlers at all levels.

State 48 Wrestling will be the developmental and operational organization that supports Atreus, Rising Sun, and ASU. State 48, through its extensive leadership, will have a full-time executive director as well as an experienced executive board that supports the effort of its three partners. State 48 will assist in fundraising, events, projects, and community support to help assist ASU, Atreus, and Rising Sun.

State 48 Wrestling website

ASU, Atreus, Rising Sun, and State 48 all look forward to the next four years heading towards LA 2028.

If you're interested in supporting State 48 Wrestling in its efforts to help ASU Wrestling, Atreus Wrestling RTC and Rising Sun WC, please contact Jason McCloud at jason.mccloud.eixc@statefarm.com