2026 Super 32 Challenge Recap: Champions Rise on Wrestling’s Biggest High School Stage

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The 2026 Super 32 Challenge delivered another weekend of elite high school wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, as some of the nation’s top wrestlers battled through one of the toughest tournaments on the calendar. From dominant performances and hard-fought decisions to sudden victory and tight tiebreakers, the boys’ championship finals showcased the talent, toughness and determination that make Super 32 a premier proving ground for the next generation of college wrestling stars.

Fourteen champions were crowned across the boys’ weight classes, with several wrestlers reinforcing their national standing and others announcing themselves as athletes to watch heading into the high school season. Among the highlights were three-time champion Melvin Miller, two-time champion Caleb Noble, and freshman standout Nelson Villafane III, who capped a dominant run with a championship at 106 pounds.

Nelson Villafane III Makes a Statement at 106 Pounds

Nelson Villafane III of Pennsylvania opened the championship highlights with a commanding performance at 106 pounds, pinning California’s Luke Loren in 2:24 after building a 12-2 lead. The victory marked a major milestone for Villafane, who had been working toward a Super 32 title for years.

“It’s amazing to be a high school Super 32 champ,” Villafane said. “It’s been a dream ever since I was young.”

Villafane entered the tournament with growing momentum after winning U17s and going undefeated at Elite Eight. He credited his preparation, including daily lifting, private instruction and work on creating his own attacks, for helping him reach another level.

The freshman said he did not expect to pin every opponent on his way to the championship, but the conditioning and intensity of his training helped him wear opponents down as matches progressed.

Villafane also recognized the influence of his coaches at Mad Assassins, including Coach Van, Coach Noonan and Coach Colby. With the high school season approaching, the championship provides a strong foundation for what he hopes will be an impressive freshman campaign.

Caleb Noble Claims His Second Super 32 Title

At 113 pounds, Caleb Noble captured his second Super 32 championship with a 15-10 decision over Pennsylvania’s Kooper Deputy. Noble emphasized his success on his feet, where he felt his takedown offense was a major difference-maker throughout the tournament.

“I was able to get it done mostly on my feet,” Noble said. “I knew my ability to take anybody down. It showed throughout the tournament.”

Noble also pointed to improvements in his top wrestling and defensive work, particularly his ability to defend attacks and use his hips to escape difficult positions. He credited his additional work outside regular practices and training with different partners for helping him maintain his position among the nation's elite.

Committed to Arizona State alongside friend Nico DeSalvo, Noble has ambitious goals for his college career.

“The main goal is to grab that one piece, the NCAA title,” Noble said.

Before making that transition, Noble has his sights set on another demanding high school season, including Ironman, while continuing to evaluate his weight class and long-term development.

Cameron Sontz Wins a Hard-Fought 120-Pound Final

New Jersey's Cameron Sontz earned the 120-pound championship with a 6-2 decision over California's Anthony Garza. The victory capped a demanding tournament that required Sontz to wrestle more matches than he was accustomed to as a top seed.

“It was fun. It was a grind,” Sontz said. “It was a lot of matches over two days, but I wouldn't change a thing.”

Sontz entered Super 32 looking to get back on track after competing at the US Open in April. He said winning the title was a sign that he was moving in the right direction heading into his senior season.

A significant part of that preparation came through his New Jersey club and coach Ernie Monaco, who has worked with him since he was nine years old. Sontz also credited strength coach Mike Kennedy, his teammates and his family for helping him prepare.

With Ironman and Doc Buchanan among his upcoming targets, Sontz now has a major national championship to add to his résumé before heading to college next year.

Mateo Gallegos Takes the 126-Pound Crown

Mateo Gallegos of Pennsylvania claimed the 126-pound title with a 4-2 decision over Minnesota's Miklo Hernandez. Gallegos was candid about the areas he still wants to improve, despite leaving Greensboro with the championship.

“The finals, anyway, it was good, obviously I won,” Gallegos said. “Like, definitely some things to clean up.”

Gallegos acknowledged that he wanted to get to his attacks more consistently and improve his work on top. He also felt his leg defense held up when Hernandez threatened his legs, allowing him to secure the narrow victory.

His preparation was particularly notable because he was still competing in soccer season and had limited opportunities for full wrestling practices. He described attending training sessions when possible, including early-morning work at the Clarion RTC, while continuing to balance his responsibilities to his soccer team.

Gallegos said he believed the title was within reach after feeling better physically following the weight cut and rehydration process. His next challenge will be returning to the mat for the next major event on his wrestling schedule, with Powerade among the tournaments he is considering.

Israel Borge Overcomes an Emotional Weekend

Israel Borge of Missouri won the 132-pound championship with a 5-2 decision over California's Paul Ruiz, delivering a performance that carried added meaning after difficult family news arrived during weigh-ins.

Borge said his father told him that his grandfather and great-grandfather had passed away. The news made focusing on the tournament especially difficult, but he worked to concentrate on what he could control.

“That was the most hardest thing I had to focus on,” Borge said. “I had to focus on this tournament instead of worrying about what I can't control.”

Borge said his confidence grew as the tournament progressed, even after a nervous opening match. He also acknowledged areas he wants to improve, particularly his top wrestling and scrambling, while expressing confidence in the attacks and finishes that helped him reach the championship.

He thanked his family, his parents, God, his brother Zion Borge, Joe Whitford and Gabriel Bridges for their support. Looking ahead, Borge expects to compete at Ironman and Doc Buchanan before pursuing a state title and eventually trying freestyle wrestling at Fargo.

Dean Anderson Delivers at 138 Pounds

Dean Anderson of Arizona won the 138-pound championship with a 7-1 decision over Iowa's Dawson Youngblut. Anderson had faced Youngblut twice before, giving him a strong understanding of the challenge awaiting him in the final.

“He's super tough, right? Really hard hand fight,” Anderson said. “I respect him a lot.”

Anderson explained that he wanted to let the match develop rather than force opportunities too early. When Youngblut attacked a single leg early, Anderson recognized that his opponent was ready to score and adjusted his focus accordingly.

Anderson credited his coaches at Valiant Prep, including Angel and Coach Larkin, for helping him trust his preparation. He also praised the close-knit training environment, describing his teammates as a large family that pushes one another on the mat, in the classroom and beyond.

His approach to preparation remained consistent throughout the tournament. Even on days when he did not feel completely ready physically, Anderson said he focused on giving his best effort once he stepped on the mat.

Matthew O'Neill Completes a Long-Awaited Journey

At 144 pounds, Matthew O'Neill of Pennsylvania edged Florida's Jovani Solis 2-0 to claim the Super 32 championship. O'Neill had placed at the tournament as an eighth grader, making the victory a meaningful achievement after years of work.

“It's amazing, honestly,” O'Neill said. “I just cherish moments like this.”

O'Neill credited his training at KD Train and the confidence instilled in him by his coach, KD, for helping him trust his abilities in the biggest moments. He also highlighted the value of working alongside high-level partners, including Gavin Mangano, Cam Howard and JoJo Burke.

In the final, O'Neill said he relied on his defense against an opponent with dangerous leg attacks. A reversal proved decisive, and he trusted that he could protect the lead from there.

O'Neill also credited his older brother Nick, a Division I wrestler at North Carolina, for helping him develop throughout his career. Having trained with his brother since he began wrestling at age four, O'Neill said their years together have shaped his style and preparation.

With Ironman and Power on the horizon, O'Neill will look to build on a championship that rewarded years of persistence and hard work.

Arseni Kikiniou Wins a Tight 150-Pound Final

At 150 pounds, California's Arseni Kikiniou defeated Indiana's Peyton Hornsby 4-1 in sudden victory to secure the title. The narrow overtime result added another tense finish to a championship round filled with closely contested matches.

Kikiniou's victory was one of the day's most notable demonstrations of composure under pressure, as he found the decisive points when the match extended beyond regulation.

Mac Crosson Wins a Tiebreaker Thriller at 157 Pounds

Iowa's Mac Crosson claimed the 157-pound championship with a 2-1 decision over New York's Camryn Howard in a second tiebreaker. The overtime battle tested both wrestlers, with Crosson ultimately emerging from a match in which every point mattered.

Crosson credited toughness as the deciding factor, even while acknowledging that he had not wrestled as well as he wanted.

“I got it done mostly because I'm tougher,” Crosson said. “Not like I wrestled near how I should have, but I'm way tougher than him.”

Crosson said he expected a difficult final but had not anticipated going to overtime. He also described how his coaches reinforced the importance of staying tough regardless of how a match unfolds.

His support system played a major role in his success. Crosson credited his parents and training partners at Iowa's Sebolt Wrestling Academy, particularly Elijah Blewett, Parker Casey and Calvin Rache, for helping him prepare for the tournament.

Crosson also used the interview to advocate for Blewett, praising his ability and urging college programs to give him more attention. Looking beyond the high school season, Crosson said he wants to make a world team and win a world medal, with continued development at the national level remaining a priority.

Melvin Miller Earns His Third Super 32 Championship

Pennsylvania's Melvin Miller added another major achievement to his résumé at 165 pounds, defeating Indiana's Matthew Staples 7-3 to become a three-time Super 32 champion.

Miller described the final as a gritty hand-fighting contest against an opponent who continually pressed forward. He said he entered the match with a clear plan: score two takedowns in the first period and establish an early advantage.

“I knew after that he was just going to keep coming,” Miller said. “He loves the hand fight and I love wrestling mostly from space.”

Miller acknowledged that the final demanded a different style than he typically prefers, but he was pleased with how he handled the challenge. He also credited his willingness to compete at major tournaments, even when the outcome is uncertain, as an important part of his development.

“My parents always preach that chase after competition,” Miller said. “If I lose, at least I'm losing, going out there battling, having fun, hard competition.”

As he heads into his final high school season, Miller said he wants to appreciate every moment. He reflected on his earlier years, when he often finished just short of winning tournaments, and explained how seeing his brothers and teammates succeed helped him believe he could reach the same level.

Miller also discussed his future at Virginia Tech, where he hopes to continue developing against high-level college competition. He knows the transition will require continued work and is eager to train with partners who can challenge him.

Lucas Boe, Tanner Hodgins, Maximus Konopka and Satoshi Davis Round Out the Champions

The remaining championship matches also featured impressive performances across the upper weight classes.

At 175 pounds, Florida's Lucas Boe edged West Virginia's Maximus Fortier 6-5, holding on for a one-point victory. New Jersey's Tanner Hodgins captured the 190-pound championship with a 5-4 decision over Pennsylvania's Mario Hutcherson.

Connecticut's Maximus Konopka earned the 215-pound title with a 5-0 decision over Utah's Ladd Holman, while Nevada's Satoshi Davis closed out the heavyweight division with a 4-2 win over Pennsylvania's Kendahl Hoare.

The four finals added to a championship round in which close decisions and hard-fought matches were common, underscoring how narrow the margins can be at the highest levels of high school wrestling.

A Championship Weekend That Sets the Tone for the Season

The 2026 Super 32 Challenge once again provided a demanding test for the nation's top high school wrestlers. The champions left Greensboro with more than titles: they gained valuable experience in pressure situations, identified areas for improvement and established momentum for the months ahead.

For veterans such as Melvin Miller and Caleb Noble, the weekend reinforced their standing among the nation's best. For rising stars such as Nelson Villafane III, it marked the beginning of what could be a memorable high school career. And for wrestlers such as Matthew O'Neill, the championship represented years of persistence finally paying off.

With Ironman, Doc Buchanan, Powerade and state championship races ahead, the road to the end of the high school season will bring new challenges. If the finals in Greensboro were any indication, the competition will be fierce, the margins will remain small, and the next generation of college wrestling talent is ready to make its mark.