Arujau techs Ramonov 13-3, named USAW Athlete of the Week
Vito Arujau opens his RAF run with a 13-3 tech over 2016 Olympic champ Soslan Ramonov, Nomad's numbers say Spencer Lee is better than a year ago, and Iowa's women host six recruits including Ryleigh Sturgill.
Big news
Arujau's 13-3 tech over Ramonov earns USAW Athlete of the Week
Vito Arujau teched 2016 Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov 13-3 in his RAF debut. USA Wrestling named him its Athlete of the Week for it.
Vito Arujau made his RAF debut with a 13-3 technical fall over 2016 Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov and has been named the USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week
Why it matters: Our take: a tech over an Olympic champion in a first RAF match is the kind of senior freestyle result that keeps Arujau at the front of the US picture, and the federation itself is the one spotlighting it.
Recruiting, transfers, coaching
Top lightweight recruit Ryleigh Sturgill takes Iowa women official this weekend
Ryleigh Sturgill, one of the nation's top lightweight recruits, is in Iowa City this weekend for an official visit with the Iowa women, per Ross Bartachek. She told IAwrestle she grew up at Iowa's elite camps and girls camps and wants to compete at the highest level. She is one of six recruits on campus for the Hawkeye women this weekend.
That program is rich in history, so when I heard they added a girls program I knew they would do it right. The girls program has been successful from day one.
Why it matters: A top lightweight on an official is a recruiting class story for the Iowa women. Our take: six recruits in one weekend says the staff is working a big class all at once.
- Sturgill's official visit in Iowa City this weekend, with five other recruits on campus.
Takes and analysis
Nomad's numbers: Spencer Lee sharper heading into 2026 Worlds than 2025
The Wrestling Nomad's year-over-year comparison on Spencer Lee: 16 matches since 2025 Worlds, 14-2, 144 points scored to 34 allowed, versus 11 matches after the 2024 Olympics, 10-1, 88 to 10. His argument is the older stretch was padded by a 2025 Henri Deglane with no world-level comp that Lee won 10-0 every match, while the 45 second pin of Anthony Knox and the 31 second injury default over RBY drag the 2026 numbers down. Add what he calls the Lilledahl bump, and his read is Lee is at least a point better per match than a year ago, more likely three against quality opponents.
He is at least one full point better per match heading into worlds vs last year, and more likely three against quality comp
there is a very strong statistical profile that Spencer is simply wrestling better heading into 2026 worlds than he was heading into 2025 worlds
Why it matters: This is the freestyle case for Lee at Worlds built on scoring margins instead of eye test. Our take: it also frames the US Open loss to Lilledahl as evidence of a tougher schedule rather than a slide.
- Lee's margins against world-level comp at 2026 Worlds, measured against Nomad's projection of a point or more per match better than last year.
Quick hits
WNO 144: Grajeda vs Reynolds rematches Fargo finals, first time in folkstyle
Flo booked Ohio State commit Jesse Grajeda against North Carolina commit Braylon Reynolds at 144 for Who's Number One later this month. It is a rematch of the Fargo finals and their first meeting in folkstyle.
Draws out for US five-man freestyle squad at Stepan Sargsyan Cup
USA Wrestling posted the draws for the 26th Stepan Sargsyan Cup. Team USA's five-man men's freestyle squad opens Friday in Armenia.
NDSU schedule puts Iowa State and Wisconsin on Nov 14 in Bradenton
K.J. Pilcher flagged the oddity on NDSU's schedule: Iowa State and Wisconsin both on Nov. 14 in Bradenton, Fla. Andrew Spey says new schedule releases are starting to pick up, now including Buffalo.
Jason Nolf joins FRL, Pyles taking questions
Christian Pyles says Jason Nolf is joining FRL tomorrow and is collecting questions. One of them got Pyles to admit he is actually thinking about it, and he says he will put it to Nolf on the show.