Team USA sent fourteen wrestlers to compete in Bulgaria at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournament. Take a look below at a final summary of Team USA's performance along with links to videos from Team USA's medal matches.

Francisco Finishes 5th

Ceron Francisco was the final wrestler to take the mat for the USA at The Kolov. Considering he hadn't competed since the Last Chance Olympic Qualifier in March of 2021, Francisco had a solid showing. He made the bronze medal match but faced a tough opponent in Yadollah Mohebbi (IRI). Mohebbi is currently ranked #15 in our international rankings, has represented Iran twice at World Championships, and is a two-time Asian Championships gold medalist. In their match, Mohebbi scored twice in the first period off step-out points and took a 2-0 lead into the break. In the second, Mohebbi continued to control ties and scored two go-behind takedowns off errant shots from Francisco. Mohebbi would take the match, 6-0.

Francisco's bronze medal match begins at 1:00:54

All Of Team USA's Results

Overall, Team USA is bringing home 6 medals from Bulgaria - 2 golds, 1 silver, and 3 bronze. Take a look below at the results for every wrestler.

Men’s Freestyle

• 57 kg: Nico Provo - 5th
• 61 kg: Josh Rodriguez - Bronze
• 61 kg: Gabe Townsell - 1-1, DNP
• 65 kg: Pat Lugo - Bronze
• 70 kg: Zain Retherford - Gold
• 125 kg: Ceron Francisco - 5th

Women’s Freestyle 

• 53 kg: Alisha Howk - 1-1, DNP
• 55 kg: Sophia Mirabella - 0-2, DNP
• 62 kg: Jennifer Page - Bronze
• 65 kg: Emma Bruntil - Gold
• 65 kg: Mallory Velte - Silver

Men’s Greco

• 60 kg: Gabe Townsell - 0-1, DNP
• 63 kg: Chayse La Joie - 1-1, DNP
• 67 kg: Robert Perez - 0-1, DNP
• 130 kg: Tanner Farmer - 2-2, 5th

Older Updates Below

Lugo And Page Add To USA's Medal Count

Pat Lugo and Jennifer Page both took home bronze from Bulgaria after hard-fought bronze medal matches. Lugo started his day by first winning a repechage match over Russia's Aikhan Antonov, 12-2. Then in the bronze medal match, Lugo faced Moldova's Vitalie Bunici. Lugo fell behind early after giving up a takedown and step-out in the first period. Lugo picked up his offense and was able to earn a step-out of his own to make the match 3-1 at the break. Then in the second, Lugo turned up his pace and earned a shot-clock point and takedown to go into the lead at 4-3 with a little over a minute remaining in the match. Bunici failed to create any offense the remainder of the match and Lugo took home the bronze medal with a 5-3 win.

Lugo's bronze medal match begins at 8:38:30:

Jennifer Page had a more dominant performance in her bronze medal match against Spain's Lydia Perez. Page took a 1-0 lead into the break off a shot-clock point. In the second period, Page picked up her offense and was able to score numerous times with 2 takedowns and counter her opponent's leg attacks with 2 exposures off a crotch-lift. Page ultimately won the match 9-2 over Perez to win the bronze medal. 

Page's bronze medal match begins at 8:00:40:

Provo and Farmer Place 5th

Niko Provo and Tanner Farmer both made the bronze medal match but ended up falling short to earn 5th place. Provo met a tough opponent in 2021 U23 World Champion - #18 Aliabbas Rzazade (AZE). Rzazade took control and ended the match early with a takedown to four gut-wrenches for the 10-0 win in just 45 seconds. Farmer's bronze match was more competitive against Romania's Leonard Berei. Farmer and Berei traded scores in the first for a 1-1 tie going into the break. Berei took a 2-1 lead in the second after Farmer was called for passive. The turning point in the match came when Farmer attempted a throw but was unsuccessful - giving up 4 points. Ultimately, Berie would go on to win the match, 7-1.

Francisco Going For Bronze

Team USA has one final opportunity for a medal with Ceron Francisco (125kg). Francisco won his opening match of the tournament against Moldova's Egor Olar to make the semi-finals. However, in the semis, Francisco faced #9 Dzianis Khramiankou (BLR). Khramiankou got out to a 7-0 lead after earning a step-out, takedown, and two leg-laces. Though Francisco scored 2 cautions and 2 step-outs, he ultimately lost 7-4. Francisco is now waiting in the bronze medal match and will face the winner of Yadollah Mohebi (IRI) and Artem Hashenko (UKR).

First Update Below

USA Racking Up The Golds

Emma Bruntil followed up her Yarygin gold medal last month by taking home gold from Bulgaria. Like at the Yarygin (where Bruntil beat American Forest Molinari for gold), Bruntil wrestled a familiar opponent in American Mallory Velte in the finals at the Kolov. In the gold medal match, Bruntil got out to an early lead with a takedown in the first period but was unable to get any offense going the rest of the match. Velte came close to scoring multiple times but was only able to earn two shot-clock points - leaving Bruntil the winner on criteria, 2-2. Overall, it was a great showing for both Emma Bruntil and Mallory Velte at 65kg.

Zain Retherford had a dominant tournament leading up to the finals with an 8-0 win in the quarters and a pin in the semis. In the finals, however, Zain met a game opponent in #17 Ramazan Ramazanov. In their match, Retherford got out to a quick, 2-0 lead with a takedown before Ramazanov countered for 4 points. After losing a challenge, Retherford secured another takedown but gave up a caution to make the score 6-4 in favor of Ramazanov heading into the break. The second period was all Retherford as he took the lead early with chest wrap. He then proceeded to score a step-out and earn a caution to go up 8-6. Retherford was able to slam the door on Ramazanov with a takedown with under 15 seconds remaining to win the match 10-6 The gold at the Kolov was Zain’s first international gold since winning the 2017 Grand Prix of Spain and will certainly move him into the top 20 in our international rankings.

Bruntil and Velte’s match starts at 7:31:00, Retherford’s match starts at 8:04:25

Rodriguez Bringing Home Bronze

Also taking home a medal for Team USA was NLWC’s Josh Rodriguez at 61kg. Rodriguez lost his opening round match of the tournament to #11 Zelimkhan Abakarov but because Abakarov made the finals, Rodriguez was pulled back into the repechage. In the consolations, Rodriguez rolled with a 13-3 victory over India’s Vicky and a 4-1 win over #16 Andrei Bekrenev (BLR). Then, in the bronze medal match, Rodriguez won a wild, 10-8 match over last year’s junior world silver medalist, Ravinder (IND). This was a spectacular showing for Rodriguez and is a great sign for USA Wrestling's depth at 61kg.

Rodriguez’s bronze medal match starts at 7:53:11

Lugo, Farmer, Provo, and Page Still Alive For Medal

Along with the four medalists, Team USA has four wrestlers still eligible to win bronze in Bulgaria. Those wrestlers are Pat Lugo (65kg), Jennifer Page (62kg), Nico Provo (57kg), and Tanner Farmer (130kg). Page and Provo are already sitting in the bronze medal match but Lugo and Farmer need to win one match in the repechage round to wrestle for a medal. 

Those repechage matches will start at 3:30 am (ET) and will be immediately followed by the first round action of Team USA’s remaining wrestlers. Taking the mat tomorrow for the Stars and Stripes are - Ceron Franciso (125kg), Alisha Howk (53kg), Sophia Mirabella (62kg), Gabe Townsell (60kg), Robert Perez (67kg), and RaVaughn Perkins (77kg).