Lehigh University sophomore Luke Stanich secured a gold medal at the U20 Pan-American Championships held in Lima, Peru. Competing in the 65 kg category, Stanich achieved four consecutive victories through 10-0 technical falls. He was named the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler and received the Golden Boot award.
Stanich’s performance was part of his preparation for the upcoming U20 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. His victories included defeating Erick Vera Olave from Ecuador in 48 seconds, Angel Ramirez Guardia from Peru in 1:10, and Diego Peraza Aguilar from Mexico in 1:09. In the final match for the gold medal, he triumphed over Yandro Soto Rivera of Puerto Rico with a score of 10-0 in 4:01.
Previously recognized as an NCAA All-American in 2024 during his first year, Stanich deferred his eligibility for the 2024-25 season. During this period, he recorded a 12-1 record while competing at a higher weight class of 141 and earned Lehigh’s Deferred Eligibility Wrestler of the Year award.
The U.S. Men’s Freestyle team showcased a strong performance overall at the event, finishing with eight gold medals and two bronze medals out of their total matches on Saturday.
For more updates on Lehigh Wrestling throughout the season, follow them on social media platforms such as X/Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.