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Amateur Wrestling Reports

35 athletes eligible for USA Wrestling Triple Crown entering 2026 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals

Jul 8, 2026, 10:20 AM EDT
by Richard Immel, USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling Triple Crown contenders Cason Craft (left) and Peggy Susan Dean (right).
USA Wrestling Triple Crown Award Winners
Heading into the 2026 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals, 35 athletes are eligible for the USA Wrestling Triple Crown Award at the Junior and 16U age levels, with 32 boys and 3 girls still in the running for one of the top honors in the sport.
The USA Wrestling Triple Crown Award culminates for the Junior and 16U age divisions in Fargo, N.D., each year. The boys earn the prestigious award by winning national titles in folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman in the same year. Similarly, girls must win folkstyle and freestyle national titles, plus win a third championship at either the National High School Recruiting Showcase or Women’s Nationals.
Here’s a snapshot of who can capture the Triple Crown this season.
Junior Boys Triple Crown 
Nine athletes have won a Triple Crown in the Junior Boys division since the program began in 2007. The most recent win came in 2022 from a pair of Idaho teammates—Mack Mauger at 106 pounds and Aden Attao at 285 pounds.

The 15 individuals eligible for the Junior Boys Triple Crown entering Fargo are the 2026 Junior Folkstyle Nationals Champions:
100 lbs. – Max Lindquist (Missouri)
106 lbs. – DeVaughn Miller (Alabama)
113 lbs. – Cason Craft (Oklahoma)
120 lbs. – Isaiah Jones (Oklahoma)
126 lbs. – Hendrix Schwab (Iowa)
132 lbs. – Maxwell Cumbee (Illinois)
138 lbs. – Gavin Landers (Iowa) … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2026/july/08/35-athletes-eligible-for-usa-wrestling-triple-crown-entering-2026-u-s-marine-corps-junior-nationals?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

July 13, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Newberry’s Will Betancourt to Coach Puerto Rico at 2026 Grand Prix of Spain

NEWBERRY, S.C. – Newberry College Assistant Men’s Wrestling Coach Will Betancourt will once again represent Puerto Rico on the international stage this week, serving as a coach for the Puerto Rican National Team at the 2026 Grand Prix of Spain, scheduled for July 10-12 in Madrid, Spain. The prestigious United World Wrestling event annually attracts many of the world’s top senior-level freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s freestyle competitors.
Betancourt will corner several members of Team Puerto Rico throughout the tournament, including standout 74-kilogram freestyle wrestler Sammy Alvarez. Alvarez is one of the most accomplished wrestlers to represent Puerto Rico in recent years. A former NCAA Division I All-American and multiple-time NCAA qualifier, Alvarez earned national recognition during his collegiate career through successful stops at Rutgers and Rider, establishing himself as one of the nation’s premier lightweight wrestlers before transitioning to international competition.
Since joining the Newberry coaching staff earlier this summer, Betancourt has already made an immediate impact on the Wolves’ program. A decorated international competitor himself, Betancourt is a four-time Puerto Rican World Team member, two-time Pan American silver medalist, NCAA Division I National Qualifier, and one of the most respected technicians in the sport.
His continued involvement with Puerto Rico Wrestling provides Newberry student-athletes with direct access to current international coaching philosophies, elite-level tactical development, and firsthand experience from wrestling’s highest stages.
“Having a coach actively working with national team athletes at premier international events is an incredible asset for our program,” said Newberry Head Coach Deral Brown. … more at … https://newberrywolves.com/news/2026/7/8/mens-wrestling-newberrys-will-betancourt-to-coach-puerto-rico-at-2026-grand-prix-of-spain.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

July 13, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment