Key Takeaways
- The United States captured six out of seven freestyle gold medals, securing the overall Freestyle team title at the Pan‑American Championships in Coralville, Iowa.
- After also winning the Greco‑Roman and Women’s Wrestling championships, the U.S. finished with 240 points – well ahead of Puerto Rico (150) and Canada (129).
- Three American athletes who were world medalists in 2025 successfully defended their Pan‑Am titles in their respective weight classes.
- Several rising competitors earned their first senior Pan‑Am golds, while Cuba’s Arturo Silot prevented a full U.S. sweep by winning the 97 kg final.
- The results and medal breakdown reflect a dominant U.S. performance across multiple weight classes and styles.
Dominant Performance Overview
The United States closed out the Pan‑American Championships with a commanding display in freestyle wrestling. The U.S. earned 240 points, far surpassing Puerto Rico’s 150 and Canada’s 129, which positioned America at the top of the overall standings after they had already captured the Greco‑Roman and Women’s Wrestling team titles earlier in the tournament. This success underscores the depth of the American program and its ability to win across every weight class, ultimately taking six of the seven available freestyle gold medals.
World Medalists Who Defended Titles
Three athletes who had previously medaled at the senior World Championships entered the finals as favorites and emerged victorious. World champion Trent Hidlay (USA) won the 92 kg division, reaffirming his status as the reigning Pan‑Am champion. World silver‑medalist Levi Haines (USA) claimed gold at 70 kg, while world bronze‑medalist Real Woods (USA) captured the 65 kg crown. Their wins highlighted the continuity of American excellence and added to the nation’s medal haul heading into the championship’s final day.
Rising Stars and Title Defenses
Beyond the world‑medalist trio, several emerging U.S. athletes secured their first senior Pan‑Am titles. Liam Cronin (USA) improved on a bronze‑medal performance from the previous year to win the 57 kg bracket. Ridge Lovett (USA) dominated the 70 kg class, securing his first senior gold. In the heaviest weight class, Wyatt Hendrickson (USA) defended his 125 kg championship, demonstrating consistency and dominance in the division. These victories contributed significantly to the United States’ overall point tally.
Historic Upset in the 97 kg Final
The only non‑U.S. gold medalist in the freestyle competition was Cuba’s Arturo Silot, who defeated American contender Stephen Buchanan 15‑4 in the 97 kg final. Silot’s victory ended a streak of four consecutive Pan‑Am final defeats, marking his first senior Pan‑American championship. This upset served as a rare bright spot for a non‑American athlete and added narrative intrigue to the tournament’s conclusion.
Full Medal Summary and Final Standings
The complete medal tally reflected the United States’ breadth of talent across multiple weight classes. In the 57 kg division, Cronin edged Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz 5‑4, while bronze went to Edwin Segura (GUA) and Pedro Mejías (VEN). At 65 kg, Woods defeated Canada’s Peiman Biabani 3‑2, with bronze medals claimed by Joseph Silva (PUR) and Shannon Hanna (BAH). Ridge Lovett’s 70 kg triumph over Puerto Rico’s Victor Soto ended in a fall at 11‑0, and Canada’s Michael Zale secured bronze via injury default. Levi Haines captured gold at 79 kg with a silver‑medal finish for Puerto Rico’s Michael Labriola and a bronze for Canada’s Patrik Leder. Trent Hidlay’s 92 kg win over Puerto Rico’s Shane Jones and Real Woods’ 65 kg victory were complemented by bronze performances in other brackets. The 97 kg final highlighted Silot’s breakthrough, while Canada’s Wyatt Hendrickson completed the U.S. sweep at 125 kg. Overall, the United States’ six freestyle golds, coupled with earlier Greco‑Roman and Women’s Wrestling titles, cemented its position as the dominant force at the 2025 Pan‑American Championships.