Skip to main content

Full Penn State wrestling World Team Trials day one results: Jayden James, Zain Retherford going for first; two others for third

by: Greg Pickel05/14/26GregPickel

Two Penn State wrestling connections will wrestle for a spot in Final X on Friday at the 2026 World Team Trials. Nittany Lion alum Zain Retherford is in the 70-kilogram finals. He beat Oklahoma State’s Landon Robideau 3-2 in one semifinal. His opponent in the title match will be Virginia Tech’s Caleb Henson. Incoming freshman Jayden James will also be wrestling for the opportunity to have a shot at making the Senior Team USA. He pinned former Princeton All-American Quincy Monday with 30 seconds left in their 74-kilogram semifinal. At the time, James was losing on criteria. His finals opponent is David Carr of Iowa State.

Two other NLWC members will wrestle for Trials bronze on Friday. Joe Sealey is in the 74-kilogram third place match and Cole Mirasola the 125-kilogram third place match.

Get the On3 Top 10 Newsletter in your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

The winners of tomorrow’s championship finals matches will move onto Final X. The June event features a best-of-three series in 10 weight classes. The winner of those makes the Senior Team USA. Waiting for the winner of the Retherford/Henson match is former Nebraska wrestler Ridge Lovett. Former Cornhusker James Green is sitting in the 74-kilogram finals at Final X. So, too, are five NLWC members: Luke Lilledahl (57 kilograms), Marcus Blaze (61kg), Levi Haines (79kg), Kyle Dake (86kg), and Kyle Snyder (92kg).

This was your home for live updates throughout Thursday’s action. Below, you will find full results for Day 1 and match recaps.

Full Day 1 Penn State results at the World Team Trials

05/14/2026 04:42:04 PM

Zain Retherford, 70kg
QF: BYE
SF: Won 3-2 over Landon Robideau, Cowboy RTC
F: vs. Caleb Henson, Virginia Tech

Joe Sealey, 74kg
R16: BYE
QF: Lost to Jayden James, NLWC by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13)
CRQF: Win 3-2 over Cam Amine, Cowboy RTC
Third place match: TBD vs. Evan Wick

Jayden James, 74kg
R16: Win 8-3 over Mikey Caliendo, Iowa
QF: WIN by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13) over Joe Sealey, NLWC
SF: WIN by fall in 5:30 over Quincy Monday, Princeton
F: vs. David Carr, Cyclone RTC

Cole Mirasola, 125kg
R16: Win 8-2 over Jonathan Aiello, Ohio RTC
QF: Lost by fall in 3:57 to Isaac Trumble, Wolfpack RTC
CR16: Win 7-0 over Lucas Stoddard of Army
CRQF: Win 4-0 over Hayden Zillmer of Minnesota
CRSF: Win by forfeit over Greg Kerkvliet
Third place match: vs. TBD

Sealey, Mirasola will wrestle for third

05/14/2026 04:32:52 PM

Joe Sealey (from Evan Wick) and Cole Mirasola (from Greg Kerkvliet) both get consolation semi forfeits and will wrestle for third at 74 and 125 kilograms, respectively, at the WTT on Friday. Opponents are TBD.

Penn State goes two for two in the championship semifinals

05/14/2026 04:05:49 PM

Zain Retherford and Jayden James will wrestle for a spot in Final X in the 70 and 74 kilogram World Team Trials, respectively, on Friday. Both won their semis on Thursday afternoon. James did so in dramatic fashion. Trailing former Princeton All-American Quincy Monday on criteria, 4-4, with less than a minute to wrestle, he locked up a fall off the restart to deck his foe in 5:30. Retherford, meanwhile, beat Oklahoma State’s Landon Robideau 3-2.

Retherford will face Virginia Tech’s Caleb Henson in the finals on Friday afternoon. James will face David Carr, who was a 6-5 winner over Evan Wick in the other 74kg semi.

A recap of both match is below. Up next in this session is consolation quarterfinals for Joe Sealey and Cole Mirasola at 74 and 125 kilograms, respectively.

Results/matchups so far:

Zain Retherford, 70kg
QF: BYE
SF: Won 3-2 over Landon Robideau, Cowboy RTC
F: vs. Caleb Henson, Virginia Tech

Joe Sealey, 74kg
R16: BYE
QF: Lost to Jayden James, NLWC by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13)
CRQF: Win 3-2 over Cam Amine, Cowboy RTC
Third place match: TBD vs. Evan Wick

Jayden James, 74kg
R16: Win 8-3 over Mikey Caliendo, Iowa
QF: WIN by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13) over Joe Sealey, NLWC
SF: WIN by fall in 5:30 over Quincy Monday, Princeton
F: vs. David Carr, Cyclone RTC

Cole Mirasola, 125kg
R16: Win 8-2 over Jonathan Aiello, Ohio RTC
QF: Lost by fall in 3:57 to Isaac Trumble, Wolfpack RTC
CR16: Win 7-0 over Lucas Stoddard of Army
CRQF: Win 4-0 over Hayden Zillmer of Minnesota
CRSF: Win by forfeit over Greg Kerkvliet
Third place match: vs. TBD

Jayden James is into the 74 kilogram finals

05/14/2026 04:01:05 PM

Penn State freshman Jayden James will wrestle in the 74-kilogram finals on Friday. He beats Quincy Monday by fall in 5:37. Monday was awarded a four-point throw to take an eventual 6-4 lead. But, upon review, only two points were awarded, making it 4-4 with less than a minute to wrestle, though Monday had the lead with criteria. On the restart, James dove in and turned Monday to his back to end the match.

His final opponent is TBD.

Recap:

Both wrestlers try early low shots and each kicks away from the other. James is now in on a single Monday can’ sprawl away from, and Monday turns in with James pushing forward before a stalemate is called a minute in. James is back in on Monday’s left leg and Monday is now going over James and scrambling as James tries to come around and they go flying off the mat as James gets two exposure for a 2-0 lead. James is now circling on a high shot but Monday drops and gets his right leg and drives forward and on the edge gets a takedown to tie this match at two.

The final three minutes are underway. James has an underhook but Monday answers with a bodylock and then James drops on a single and ties to drop in behind but they break apart before that happens and it leads to Monday going on the shot clock with 2:14 to go. Monday does not score. It’s 3-2 James with 1:40 to go. Monday dives in on a hard double and Jayden James somehow voids it but onday shoots in on a body lock as James tries to avoid giving up the takedown. Monday gets a lace in and it results in four and a 6-3 lead for Quincy Monday with 53 seconds left. James does get one back and it’s 6-4 with 43 seconds left. Refs are now meeting about whether or not that was a four-point move. After discussion, the score ends up being 4-4. On the restart James shoots in and turns Monday toward his back and decks him for the fall. Wow.

James over Monday by fall 5:30.

Zain Retherford is into the 70kg finals

05/14/2026 03:44:03 PM

Zain Retherford made a first period passivity point and a second period takedown stand up in a 3-2 win over Landon Robideau of Oklahoma State to make the 70kg finals. We will see who he wrestles next.

Recap:

Robideau is put on the clock and doesn’t score, giving Retherford a 1-0 lead at the 3:30 mark of the match.That’s the score at the break.

The final three minutes are underway. Retherford gets in on a double leg shot at the 2:40 mark, Robideau grabs an ankle,and works to a stalemate at 2:20. Retherford now on the clock with 1:52 left. He shoots on a double circles behind and takes Robiedau down for a 3-0 lead. He has a leg in and is working but the action is stopped at 1:29. Retherford in on a leg at :34 and it ends up being Robiedau getting exposure. It’s 3-2 with 26 left. And that’s the final.

Retherford over Robideau 3-2 to advance to the 70 kg finals.

The semifinals are underway on FLO

05/14/2026 03:02:33 PM

Semifinals are underway. They’re running men’s and women’s on side-by-side mats. So, Retherford will be fifth or sixth and Sealey’s seventh or eighth (it shoudl be sixth and seventh).

All four Penn State connections will be back on the mat later today

05/14/2026 12:45:09 PM

Cole Mirasola, the tournament No. 11 seed, took out No. 2 Hayden Zilmer 4-0 in the consolation quarterfinals at 125 kilograms. He will face the loser of a championship semi between Greg Kerkvliet and Mason Parris in a consolation bracket semifinal later today. Joe Sealey, meanwhile, awaits the loser of a championship semi between Evan Wick and David Carr for his own consolation semifinal at 74 kilograms.

Beyond those two, Zain Retherford will face Oklahoma State’s Lance Robideau in one 70-kilogram championship bracket semi. And, Penn State freshman Jayden James has Princeton’s Quincy Monday in a 74-kilogram championship bracket semi.

The semifinal session starts at 4 p.m. ET on FLO.

Results/matchups so far:

Zain Retherford, 70kg
QF: BYE
SF: vs. Landon Robideau, Cowboy RTC

Joe Sealey, 74kg
R16: BYE
QF: Lost to Jayden James, NLWC by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13)
CRQF: Win 3-2 over Cam Amine, Cowboy RTC
CRSF: vs. loser of Evan Wick vs. David Carr

Jayden James, 74kg
R16: Win 8-3 over Mikey Caliendo, Iowa
QF: WIN by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13) over Joe Sealey, NLWC
SF: vs. Quincy Monday

Cole Mirasola, 125kg
R16: Win 8-2 over Jonathan Aiello, Ohio RTC
QF: Lost by fall in 3:57 to Isaac Trumble, Wolfpack RTC
CR16: Win 7-0 over Lucas Stoddard of Army
CRQF: Win 4-0 over Hayden Zillmer of Minnesota
CRSF: vs. loser of Greg Kerkvliet vs. Mason Parris

Full list of semifinals

05/14/2026 12:57:13 PM

Here is who is in the championship semifinals starting at 4 p.m. ET, courtesy of FLO:

57 kg
Spencer Lee (HWTM) vs. Brody Teske (PWRT)
Liam Cronin (NRT) vs. Anthony Knox (SKW)

61 kg
Ben Davino (ORT) vs. Nathan Tomasello (LVTM)
Aaron Seidel (SETM) vs. Jax Forrest (CRT)

70 kg
Zain Retherford (NLTM) vs. Landon Robideau (COTM)
Edward Scott (BUT) vs. Caleb Henson (SETM)

74 kg
Jayden James (KTT) vs. Quincy Monday (NJTM)
Evan Wick (TMWC) vs. David Carr (CRT)

125 kg
Mason Parris (CKTM) vs. Daniel Kerkvliet Jr. (SCRT)
Isaac Trumble (WOTM) vs. Coby Merrill (NYAC)

Joe Sealey will continue wrestling

05/14/2026 12:32:51 PM

Joe Sealey used a first period takedown and picked up a passivity point from opponent Cam Amine to beat the Cowboy RTC wrestler 3-2 in a 74-kilogram consolation bracket match. The Nittany Lions’ tournament will continue. Next up is a consolation semifinal opposite a to-be-determined opponent later today.

Cole Mirasola keeps his tournament alive

05/14/2026 12:18:39 PM

Cole Mirasola keeps his tournament alive with a 7-0 win over Lucas Stoddard of Army. After scoring six points in the first period via a four-point throw before gaining two exposure points, Mirasola also picked up a late stepout point in the second period to reach the margin of victory. He’ll face Hayden Zilmer of Minnesota RTC in the consolation quarterfinals at 125 kilograms.

Joe Sealey is up soon in 74-kilogram consolation bracket action opposite Cam Amine of the Cowboy RTC.

Session one recap

05/14/2026 10:46:56 AM

Nittany Lion Wrestling Club members Zain Retherford and Jayden James are into this afternoon’s semifinals. Retherford starts his day there opposite Oklahoma State’s Landon Robideau for a spot in the 70-kilogram finals. Penn State freshman Jayden James won his way to one 74-kilogram semifinal. He beat Iowa’s Mikey Caliendo 8-3 in the round of 16 before taking out teammate Joe Sealey by technical fall, 10-0, in 3:13 on the strength of five takedowns. Sealey will face former Princeton All-American Quincy Monday.

Sealey is joined in the consolation bracket by Cole Mirasola. The 125-kilogram Nittany Lion beat Jonathan Aiello of Ohio RTC 8-2 in the round of 16 but was pinned by N.C. State’s Isaac Trumble while trailing 6-2 at the 3:57 mark of their 125-kilogram quarterfinal.

The semis and more consolation bracket action start at 4 p.m. ET. Agate so far:

Zain Retherford, 70kg
QF: BYE
SF: vs. Landon Robideau, Cowboy RTC

Joe Sealey, 74kg
R16: BYE
QF: Lost to Jayden James, NLWC by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13)
CR16: vs. Cam Amine, Cowboy RTC

Jayden James, 74kg
R16: Win 8-3 over Mikey Caliendo, Iowa
QF: WIN by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13) over Joe Sealey, NLWC
SF: vs. Quincy Monday

Cole Mirasola, 125kg
R16: Win 8-2 over Jonathan Aiello, Ohio RTC
QF: Lost by fall in 3:57 to Isaac Trumble, Wolfpack RTC
CR16: vs. Jimmy Mullen, Virginia Tech RTC

Cole Mirasola loses in the quarterfinals

05/14/2026 10:44:14 AM

Penn State redshirt sophomore Cole Mirasola was decked by N.C. State’s Isaac Trumble in the second period of their quarterfinal round match at 125 kilograms. He joins Joe Sealey in the consolation bracket.

Recap:

Cole Mirasola vs. Isaac Trumble, 125kg QF

Trumble drops in on a quick single and takes Mirasola down for a 2-0 lead. Trumble tries to turn Mirasola but cannot and a stalemate is called. Mirasola shoots but Trumble counters and gets a takedown on the edge for a 4-0 lead. It’s 4-0 Trumble after one.

The second period is underway. Mirasola shoots on a double and scores near the edge to make it 4-2. Trumble drops in on a single, gets the takedown, and tilts Mirasola to his back. He’s in a horrible spot. Trumble gets the fall at the 3:57 mark.

Trumble F Mirasola (3:57)

Jayden James has his semifinal opponent

05/14/2026 10:28:14 AM

Jayden James will face Quincy Monday, a two-time All-American at Princeton, in one 74-kilogram semifinal. Monday beat Cam Amine 6-4 in a quarterfinal bout. Cole Mirasola is up soon for his quarterfinal with Isaac Trumble at 125 kilograms.

Results so far:

Zain Retherford, 70kg
QF: BYE
SF: vs. Landon Robideau, Cowboy RTC

Joe Sealey, 74kg
R16: BYE
QF: Lost to Jayden James, NLWC by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13)
CR16: vs. TBD

Jayden James, 74kg
R16: Win 8-3 over Mikey Caliendo, Iowa
QF: WIN by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13) over Joe Sealey, NLWC
SF: vs. Quincy Monday

Cole Mirasola, 125kg
R16: Win 8-2 over Jonathan Aiello, Ohio RTC
QF: vs. Isaac Trumble, Wolfpack RTC

Updates so far

05/14/2026 10:16:59 AM

Penn State has two semifinalists, Zain Retherford at 70 kilograms and Jayden James at 74 kilograms, with Cole Mirasola still left to wrestle his 125 kilogram quarterfinal. Retherford starts his tournament there in a small bracket. James got to his by beating both Iowa’s Mikey Caliendo and teammate Joe Sealey. The new Nittany Lion teched the latter 10-0 in a quick 3:13.

Zain Retherford, 70kg
QF: BYE
SF: vs. Landon Robideau, Cowboy RTC

Joe Sealey, 74kg
R16: BYE
QF: Lost to Jayden James, NLWC by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13)
CR16: vs. TBD

Jayden James, 74kg
R16: Win 8-3 over Mikey Caliendo, Iowa
QF: WIN by technical fall, 10-0 (3:13) over Joe Sealey, NLWC
SF: vs. Cam Amine or Quincy Monday

Cole Mirasola, 125kg
R16: Win 8-2 over Jonathan Aiello, Ohio RTC
QF: vs. Isaac Trumble, Wolfpack RTC

Jayden James takes out Joe Sealey

05/14/2026 10:14:31 AM

74kg QF: Jayden James vs. Joe Sealey recap:

James drops in on a single, Sealey tries to fend it off, but cannot as James takes a 2-0 lead with about two minutes left in the first period. James drops on another single and finishes it for a 4-0 lead. There’s a stalemate called at 1:17. James immediately drops in on a single on the restart, gets a leg in, and finishes it for a 6-0 lead. Stalemate at :50. Sealey shoots and James throws him by and races behind for another takedown and an 8-0 lead at the break.

It was as easy as it reads for James to shoot and finish his shots.

James scores a lightning-quick takedown to start the second, and it’s over. James is into the semis. Will face either Cam Amine or Quincy Monday later today.

James TF Sealey 10-0 (3:13)

Zain Retherford has his first opponent

05/14/2026 09:57:22 AM

Penn State alum Zain Retherford will take on Oklahoma State’s Lance Robideau in one 70 kilogram semifinal.

Next Penn State match is assigned

05/14/2026 09:46:02 AM

Joe Sealey and Jayden James is on deck on mat 2.

Penn State starts the day 2-for-2

05/14/2026 09:33:45 AM

James and Mirasola are the only Penn State wrestlers to take the mat so far. Both were victorious. Here’s where things stand now:

Zain Retherford, 70kg
QF: BYE
SF: vs. Landon Robideau, Cowboy RTC

Joe Sealey, 74kg
R16: BYE
QF: vs. Jayden James, NLWC

Jayden James, 74kg
R16: Win 8-3 over Mikey Caliendo, Iowa
QF: vs. Joe Sealey, NLWC

Cole Mirasola, 125kg
R16: Win 8-2 over Jonathan Aiello, Ohio RTC
QF: vs. Isaac Trumble, Wolfpack RTC

Cole Mirasola takes out Jay Aiello

05/14/2026 09:31:27 AM

Penn State redshirt sophomore beat Ohio RTC’s Jay Aiello 8-3.

Recap:

Stalemate at 2:13. Mirasola was in a decent spot before the whistle. Aiello is now on the clock. He doesn’t score. 1-0 Mirasola. Mirasola warned for passivity but not put on the clock. Mirasola shoots but does not score.

1-0 Mirasola after one.

Second is underway. Mirasola ducks and races behind Aiello early in it for a 3-0 lead. Aiello drops in on the ankles but Mirasola finishes with a push out to grow his lead to 4-0.

Mirasola counters an Aiello shot, drops in on his leg, but Aiello fends it off to a stalemate at 1:13. It’s still 4-0 Mirasola.

Mirasola gets four points on the edge. It’s now 8-0. Now Aiello is in and scores a takedown to 8-2 with 20 seconds left. Stalemate is called at :12. There is no more scoring

Mirasola beats Aiello 8-2.

Updates so far

05/14/2026 09:17:19 AM

James is the only Penn State wrestler to take the mat so far. Cole Mirasola will be up soon.

Zain Retherford, 70kg
QF: BYE
SF: vs. winner of Jordan Williams, Hawkeye RTC vs. Landon Robideau, Cowboy RTC

Joe Sealey, 74kg
R16: BYE
QF: winner of Jayden James, NLWC

Jayden James, 74kg
R16: Win 8-3 over Mikey Caliendo, Iowa
QF: vs. Joe Sealey, NLWC

Cole Mirasola, 125kg
R16: vs. Jonathan Aiello, Ohio RTC

Jayden James beats Mikey Caliendo

05/14/2026 09:13:08 AM

This is a Round of 16 match at 74 kilograms.

James shoots in on a double about 1:13 in, converts to a single, and gets a takedown at the edge for a 2-0 lead. Duck under and takedown for James with about 1:10 left. Slick, slick more to 4-0. Caliendo gets in on a restart on a single but James holds his leg on a deep shot and it forces a stalemate stoppage. Restart with :40.

James leads 4-0 after one.

Starting the final 3:00 now.

James shoots on a single and Caliendo nearly fends it off but James finishes it to a 6-0 lead by circling in. Caliendo drops in on the left leg and James locks in and it leads to a stalemate at 2:08.

Caliendo back in on James’ ankle and it leads to another stalemate at 1:38. Still 6-0 James.

Caliendo drops in and pulls in on James’ leg and in a scramble both get two points to make it 8-2. Caliendo wanted a challenge. Iowa corner says no. There is 1:06 left.

Stalemate at :56.

Caliendo drops in on James’ legs with about 40 seconds left. They scramble off the edge. Step out for Caliendo. 8-3 James with :25 left.

Caliendo in on a headlock at :15. Stalemate at :10.

James beats Caliendo 8-3

Mat assignments are out

05/14/2026 08:02:07 AM

Jayden James is up first vs. Mikey Caliendo, mat 1.

Cole Mirasola is in the hole vs. Jay Aiello, Ohio RTC, mat 1

Greg Kerkvilet is on deck vs. Lucas Stoddard, West Point RTC, mat 2

First match for each NLWC member

05/14/2026 07:10:43 AM

Here’s the rundown. Note that men’s and women’s freestyle action is ongoing. Thus, there could be long gaps between Penn State matches. That is especially true with two No. 1 seeds.

Zain Retherford, 70kg
QF: BYE
SF: vs. winner of Jordan Williams, Hawkeye RTC vs. Landon Robideau, Cowboy RTC

Joe Sealey, 74kg
R16: BYE
QF: vs. winner of Jayden James, NLWC vs. Mikey Caliendo, Iowa

Jayden James, 74kg
R16: vs. Mikey Caliendo, Iowa

Cole Mirasola, 125kg
R16: vs. Jonathan Aiello, Ohio RTC

Who would each Penn State wrestler face with a win?

05/14/2026 07:08:46 AM

At 70 kilograms, Zain Retherford is looking to win and earn a date with former Nebraska wrestler Ridge Lovett.

At 74 kilograms, Sealey and James are vying for a spot opposite former Cornhusker James Green at Final X.

Finally, at 125 kilograms, Connor and Cole Mirasola could move on to face former Oklahoma State national champ Wyatt Hendrickson with a bracket victory at the Trials.

A reminder of who is already at Final X

05/14/2026 07:07:32 AM

Five Penn State connections are already in the Final X event. They are as follows:

—Luke Lilledahl will face the Trials winner at 57 kilograms (125.6 pounds).

—Marcus Blaze will do the same at 61 kilograms (134.4).

—Levi Haines, Kyle Dake, and Kyle Snyder, then, both already know their foes. The former will take on Chance Marstellar in the 79-kilogram Final X match. Dake will face Zahid Valencia in the 86-kilogram final, And, Snyder has Stephen Buchanan in the 97-kilogram matchup.