Cardenas, Bouzakis, Garvin secure U23 Nationals titles in Men’s freestyle

Action in Geneva, Ohio, at the U23 Men’s freestyle Nationals concluded on Sunday afternoon with ten champions securing National titles following a best-of-three finals series.

The U23 Nationals champions will have the first choice to compete at the U23 Pan American Championships in Rionegro, Colombia, in just a few weeks. The champions will also have the chance to compete at the U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania, if there is not an age-eligible Senior National Team member that chooses to claim the spot.

Watch all champion interviews on the USA Wrestling YouTube channel.

Jacob Cardenas, competing at 92 kg, captured his third-straight U23 Nationals title after besting Wyatt Voelker two matches to none in the championship series. Cardenas, a two-time U23 World Medalist (silver in 2022 and bronze in 2023), built an early lead in round one, going up 8-0 on Voelker in the first period. He closed out the 9-1 match to take the series lead. In round two, Cardenas controlled the mat to earn an 8-0 decision for the title.

At 61 kg, Nic Bouzakis defeated Kurtis Phipps of Buffalo RTC in two bouts, first with a 9-4 decision and then with a 10-5 decision. Bouzakis, with multiple Pan American and World Championship accolades on his resume, reinforced his position with a dominant tournament and the U23 Nationals title.

Joshua Saunders opened his best-of-three series with an 11-0 technical fall over Wyatt Henson. Saunders earned his first point on a step out before locking up a gut wrench for the technical fall in 37 seconds. In round two, Henson aimed to close the gap and force a third match, but Saunders secured the 3-2 victory to win the Nationals title.

Hunter Garvin had one of the best U23 Nationals tournaments, securing titles in both Greco-Roman and Men’s freestyle. The Stanford athlete swept South Dakota State’s Cael Swensen in the finals series at 74 kg. Garvin edged out Swensen with a 10-9 decision in their first match and then won a 14-1 technical fall in their second round for his second title in Ohio.

In the finals at 79 kg, Iowa’s Patrick Kennedy dominated 2023 U23 74 kg Nationals champion Julian Ramirez of Spartan Combat RTC/Titan Mercury Wrestling Club. Kennedy secured both wins by technical fall, each with a 10-0 score, controlling the offense in the championship series.

Paniro Johnson proved his mettle at 70 kg by defeating John Wiley in two closely contested matches. Johnson won the first bout with a 6-2 decision and secured a second victory on criteria with a 2-2 tie.

At 57 kg, Pennsylvania RTC’s Max Gallagher displayed his dominance by securing two victories over Charlie Farmer in the championship series. Gallagher won the first match with an 8-4 decision and followed up with a 6-3 decision in the second match, controlling the offense and holding off Farmer’s late attacks.

Lucas Stoddard was able to shut down Nathan Taylor in the finals at 125 kg. Stoddard was dominant on both offense and defense, blanking Taylor in both matches. In round one, Stoddard collected a 10-0 technical, then followed it up with an 11-0 technical fall in round two for the Nationals title.

At 97 kg, Massoma Endene of Iowa won both of his matches against Christopher Smith by injury default. These victories, although uncontested on the mat, earned two-time DIII National Champion Endene a U23 Nationals title.

In the 86 kg championship series, John Gunderson delivered a decisive victory over Lucas Cochran with a 10-0 technical fall in 52 seconds. Cochran was injured in the exchange, and a second match was not contested.

For full results and brackets, visit FloArena. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #WrestleGeneva.

Finals Results

57 kg - Max Gallagher defeats Charlie Farmer two matches to none.

Max Gallagher (Pennsylvania RTC) dec. Charlie Farmer (West Point WC), 8-4

Max Gallagher (Pennsylvania RTC) dec. Charlie Farmer (West Point WC), 6-3

61 kg - Nic Bouzakis defeats Kurtis Phipps two matches to none.

Nic Bouzakis (Ohio RTC) dec. Kurtis Phipps (Buffalo RTC), 9-4

Nic Bouzakis (Ohio RTC) dec. Kurtis Phipps (Buffalo Valley RTC), 10-5

65 kg - Joshua Saunders defeats Wyatt Henson two matches to none.

Joshua Saunders (Spartan Combat RTC/ TMWC) tech. fall Wyatt Henson (Mat-Town WC), 11-0

Joshua Saunders (Spartan Combat RTC/ TMWC) dec. Wyatt Henson (Mat-Town WC), 3-2

70 kg - Paniro Johnson defeats John Wiley two matches to none.

Paniro Johnson (Cyclone Regional Training Center C-RTC) dec. John Wiley (Oklahoma RTC), 6-2

Paniro Johnson (Cyclone Regional Training Center C-RTC) dec. John Wiley (Oklahoma RTC), 2-2

74 kg - Hunter Garvin defeats Cael Swensen two matches to none.

Hunter Garvin (Iowa) dec. Cael Swensen (Jackrabbit WC), 10-9

Hunter Garvin (Iowa) tech. fall Cael Swensen (Jackrabbit WC), 14-1

79 kg - Patrick Kennedy defeats Julian Ramirez two matches to none.

Patrick Kennedy (Hawkeye Wrestling Club) tech. fall Julian Ramirez (Spartan Combat RTC/ TMWC), 10-0

Patrick Kennedy (Hawkeye Wrestling Club) tech. fall Julian Ramirez (Spartan Combat RTC/ TMWC), 10-0

86 kg - John Gunderson defeats Lucas Cochran two matches to none.

John Gunderson (Panther Wrestling Club RTC) tech. fall Lucas Cochran (Nittany Lion WC), 10-0 0:52

John Gunderson (Panther Wrestling Club RTC) inj. def. Lucas Cochran (Nittany Lion WC)

92 kg - Jacob Cardenas defeats Wyatt Voelker two matches to none.

Jacob Cardenas (Spartan Combat RTC/ TMWC) dec. Wyatt Voelker (Panther Wrestling Club RTC), 9-1

Jacob Cardenas (Spartan Combat RTC/ TMWC) dec. Wyatt Voelker (Panther Wrestling Club RTC), 8-0

97 kg - Massoma Endene defeats Christopher Smith two matches to none.

Massoma Endene (Iowa) inj. def. Christopher Smith (SERTC- Virginia Tech)

Massoma Endene (Iowa) inj. def. Christopher Smith (SERTC- Virginia Tech)

125 kg - Lucas Stoddard defeats Nathan Taylor two matches to none.

Lucas Stoddard (West Point Wrestling Club) tech. fall Nathan Taylor (Lvwc), 10-0

Lucas Stoddard (West Point Wrestling Club) tech. fall Nathan Taylor (Lvwc), 11-0