Top Potential Matches For Team USA At Pan-Ams
Top Potential Matches For Team USA At Pan-Ams
Top potential matches for Team USA at the 2022 Pan-Am Championships
The Pan-Am championships are set to go down in Acapulco, Mexico May 5-8. Team USA is sending many of the top wrestlers and should be the favorite to win gold in most weights. That doesn't mean they won't be challenged - check out some of the biggest threats and best matchups we could see at the 2022 Pan-Am Championships.
Thomas Gilman vs Alexei Alvarez (CUB), 57kg
This will be Thomas Gilman’s first tournament since his impressive world title run last October. As the returning world champion, Gilman will be the big favorite to win gold in Mexico but should be tested by Cuba’s Alexei Alvarez. The two met back in 2019 at the Yarygin where Gilman won a chippy bout (Alvarez slapped Gilman) that was highly competitive despite the final score. Gilman did earn the 10-0 tech fall but look for Alvarez to present a challenge to the world champ.
Gilman’s win over Alvarez from the 2019 Yarygin (the slap occurs at 4:55)
Joey McKenna vs Sebastian Rivera (PUR), 65kg
A 3X All-American vs a 4X All-American? Yes, please! Now that Sebastian Rivera has transferred to Peurto Rico, he’s an interesting, young freestyle prospect at 65kg that could challenge some of the best in the world. McKenna is currently ranked #14 in the world after defeating two-time world medalist Akhmed Chakaev at the Yarygin in January and will be a big favorite to take home gold from Acapulco. It’s also worth noting that McKenna teched Rivera, 10-0 at last year’s Pan-Am championships making McKenna an even bigger favorite this year. Still, this matchup could be very intriguing and will give us insight on the development of both wrestlers.
McKenna's win over Rivera from the 2022 Pan-Am Championships:
Kyle Dake vs Franklin Gomez (PUR), 74kg
Franklin Gomez might be a bit past his prime but the 2011 world silver medalist is still a dangerous wrestler at 74kg. At the 2019 Pan-Am Championships, Gomez had Jordan Burroughs beat until JB scored a takedown with less than 1 second remaining for the win. It’s also worth noting that this is Kyle Dake’s first tournament back since winning his third world title last October in Oslo. This match against Gomez will tell us if Dake is still shaking off the rust or if he’s back to his world championship form.
Burroughs' last-second win over Gomez from 2019 Pan-Ams:
Dom Parrish vs Sam Stewart (CAN), 53kg
The 53 kg spot for Team USA looks wide open and Dom Parrish will be one of the main contenders to make the team. That makes her potential matchup with Canada’s Sam Stewart all the more interesting. Stewart took home a bronze medal from last year’s world championships and will be a great litmus test for Parrish on the senior level. If Parrish walks away from Acapulco with gold, she'll be ready to make the world team and medal at the world championships this September.
Parrish's win for bronze at the 2022 Yasar Dogu:
Jacarra Winchester vs Luisa Yepez (ECU), 55kg
Jacarra Winchester is on her quest to get back on top of the world and looks to be headed in the right direction after winning the US Open in dominant fashion. Winchester’s greatest test at Pan-Ams should come from Ecuador’s 2021 U23 world champion Luisa Yepez. The Ecuadorian won her U23 title at 50kg and will be fascinating to watch up at 55kg - especially against Winchester.
Jacarra Winchester's win over Ronna Heaton in the 2022 US Open finals:
Kayla Miracle vs Ana Godinez (CAN)
This could be one of the more credentialed matches of the tournament between world silver medalist Kayla Miracle and U23 world champion Ana Godinez. On top of the credentials, these two met at The Bout At The Ballpark in Arlington in a competitive and entertaining bout. In that match, Miracle took a 6-0 lead before Godinez stormed back in the second period but fell just short, losing 6-5. Expect their bout at the Pan-Am championships to be equally entertaining and one to watch in Acapulco!
Miracle's win over Godinez from The Bout At The Ballpark:
G’Angelo Hancock vs Kevin Mejia (HON), 97kg
Though 2021 world bronze medalist G’Angelo Hancock is the more accomplished wrestler, Honduras’ Kevin Mejia owns past wins over Hancock. They met in 2016 two times just one week apart where Mejia tech falled Hancock in both matches. Hancock has made major improvements since those matches and his potential match with Mejia will show us just how much Hancock has refined his skills over the past 6 years.
Mejia's win over Hancock from the 2016 Dave Schultz:
While the above are some of the most highly anticipated matches, you can check out the complete registrations for every weight in all three styles here.