Welker goes 38-0 at U23s, US men's 74kg melts down
Kylie Welker won her third straight U23 title without surrendering a single point, outscoring the field 38-0, while Jayden James blew a 3-0 lead in the 74kg final and gave up back exposure in the closing seconds to lose 5-3 to Russia. Team USA's women took six medals in Vegas, but the men's freestyle squad is already facing questions about depth at the U23 level heading into Senior Worlds.
On the mat
US men's freestyle leaves U23 Worlds with four medals
Team USA's men's freestyle squad closed U23 Worlds with four medals behind Ben Davino's title, capped by a pin at the buzzer in the final. Jayden James led 3-0 and lost the 74kg final 5-3 to Russia's Magomed Baitukaev, Justin Rademacher also took silver, and Iowa State's Coby Merrill came back through repechage to tech Hungary's Milan Gellen 10-0 for 125kg bronze.
Also an incredible tournament for James, who at only 18 years old has 5 more years of U23 eligibility.
Why it matters: Four U23 medalists head straight back into college lineups, with Merrill a factor at Iowa State heavyweight.
- Senior Worlds in Kazakhstan next, Bo Bassett and Marcus Blaze entered
US women take six U23 medals, Welker three-peats unscored
Team USA's women put six of 10 entries on the U23 podium in Las Vegas, going 22-8. Kylie Welker won her third straight 76kg title without giving up a point, outscoring the field 38-0 and needing 48 seconds to tech the final. Cristelle Rodriguez-Dobler added 53kg gold with a 55-second pin, and Iowa's program alone accounted for three medals.
Kylie Welker makes history as the first woman to win three U23 gold medals for team USA
Why it matters: Iowa's women stacked three U23 medalists, including Welker, Leydecker and Larramendy, heading into the season.
What they're arguing about
Nomad pushes back on the US men's U23 panic after Bassett loss
The argument over the US men's U23 showing settled into a fight over context. Pyles noted Bassett held the criteria advantage in the closing seconds and could have given up a point and still won, then gave up feet to back exposure to lose 6-3. The Wrestling Nomad called Bassett an underperformance but pointed out he is still U20 eligible, and listed Jax Forrest, Jesse Mendez, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, Josh Barr and Max McEnelly as U23-eligible absentees.
USA fans started believing 50/50 matches were gonna be 90/10 America
Why it matters: How USA Wrestling reads this week shapes expectations for the senior pipeline behind Bassett.
- Bassett wrestles Senior Worlds in Kazakhstan next
Around the mat
All four of Basch's top 133-pounders are World champs
Justin Basch's top four at 133 for 2026 NCAAs: Jax Forrest, Ben Davino, Aaron Seidel and Marcus Blaze. Every one of them owns a U23 or U20 World title.
Bassett and Stanich booked twice in November
Bo Bassett and Luke Stanich meet November 6 at Stabler Arena, then again November 24 at the NWCA All-Star Classic at Penn State, per Pat Mineo.
Frequently asked questions
How many medals did Team USA win at U23 Worlds?
Team USA's men's freestyle team won four medals and the women's team won six medals for a total of ten medals at U23 Worlds.
What did Kylie Welker accomplish at U23 Worlds?
Kylie Welker won her third straight 76kg title without giving up a point to any opponent, outscoring the entire field 38-0.
Who are the top four wrestlers at 133 pounds for the 2026 NCAAs?
Justin Basch's top four at 133 pounds are Jax Forrest, Ben Davino, Aaron Seidel and Marcus Blaze, and all four own a U23 or U20 World title.
When will Bo Bassett and Luke Stanich wrestle each other?
Bo Bassett and Luke Stanich will meet on November 6 at Stabler Arena and again on November 24 at the NWCA All-Star Classic at Penn State.